On the open ground behind the village.
"Everyone, just now we received news. The Four-Tails and Five-Tails Jinchuriki from Iwagakure, as well as the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki from Cloud Village, have all been captured by unidentified ninja."
Hiruzen Sarutobi called them all in, his face grim as he analyzed, "Now it seems, Madara Uchiha has made another move. He's forcefully seizing Tailed Beasts from various villages, although we have no idea what his ultimate goal is."
"This doesn't bode well."
Gamamaru approached with a worried expression.
"Great Toad Sage, do you know anything about this?"
Jiraiya immediately asked, sensing urgency. Never before had he seen Gamamaru worry about anything — until now.
"The nine Tailed Beasts in this world were originally one single beast called the Ten-Tails."
Gamamaru spoke slowly, his words sending shockwaves through the group.
Then, while everyone wore expressions of astonishment, it began recounting the legend of the Ten-Tails.
Apparently, more than a thousand years ago, the Sage of Six Paths subdued the frenzied Ten-Tails and sealed it within his own body, becoming the first ever Ten-Tails Jinchuriki.
Before dying, fearing that the Ten-Tails' chakra might be unleashed again after his death and bring calamity to the world, he split its chakra into nine parts, creating the nine Tailed Beasts from One-Tail to Nine-Tails.
According to Gamamaru's speculation, Madara's goal was likely to reunite all nine Tails' chakra, resurrect the Ten-Tails, and become the second Ten-Tails Jinchuriki.
Ten-Tails Jinchuriki?
At this earth-shattering revelation, everyone stood frozen in place, stunned into silence.
Remember, any Jinchuriki holding a Tailed Beast is already among the most powerful fighters in any ninja village. If they unleashed their Tailed Beast's full power, they could destroy an entire ninja village — or even a whole nation.
What kind of unimaginable strength would someone containing nine Tailed Beasts possess?
Such power would border on divine.
"We can't afford any delays. I'll immediately contact the Kage of each village to explain the situation and call for another Five Kage Summit!"
After a moment's thought, Hiruzen decided.
However, to avoid unpleasant incidents like during the previous Five Kage Summit, this meeting wouldn't be held in some so-called neutral country. Instead, it would be held in Konoha.
Konoha had the confidence.
Currently among the great ninja villages, Mist had fallen under Madara's control, and Sand, Stone, and Cloud had all lost their Jinchuriki. Only Konoha had successfully repelled Madara's attack, keeping both its major Jinchuriki completely unharmed.
For Konoha, this incident wasn't a crisis — it was a rare strategic opening to extend its influence.
"Tsunade, Fugaku, and Hiashi — you three will lead teams. Select ninja from the village who specialize in Sealing Techniques to form combat units. Then conduct targeted training specifically focused on analyzing and countering Madara's Impure World Reincarnation."
"Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Sakumo — you'll lead Konoha's defense forces. Strengthen security throughout the village according to wartime standards. Starting today, no suspicious individuals will be allowed into Konoha."
"Minato, from this moment forward you're responsible for guarding Kushina Uzumaki. You must stay by her side around the clock. If she faces any danger, use the Flying Thunder God Technique to transport her to the safe house immediately."
"Great Toad Sage, please continue your research on [Impure World Reincarnation]. You must find a way to revive Heiyan as soon as possible. Konoha cannot do without Heiyan."
Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly assigned tasks to everyone present, methodically covering every detail.
"Yes!"
Everyone responded in unison, their spirits high. The calmness and composure shown by Hiruzen Sarutobi during this crisis had also influenced the ninja forces in Konoha.
"If there's no further problem, then everyone may return to work."
With a sweep of his hand, Sarutobi dismissed the group, who immediately dispersed to begin their duties.
Inside the meeting room.
The investigation squad was working to uncover the masked figure's identity. Two identical masked figures—the first wreaked havoc at the Ninja Academy before being defeated by the second, which later appeared at Naha River and behind Konoha's mountains.
What was their relationship? What were each of their intentions?
No matter how hard they pondered, they couldn't figure it out.
Tsunade pretended to join the discussion but was clearly distracted, constantly thinking about the words the masked figure had said to her before vanishing.
So they remained busy until nightfall.
After leaving the Hokage Tower, Tsunade returned home. This mansion, once belonging to the First Hokage, had been mostly destroyed during the daytime battle. With no other options, she reluctantly used [Wood Release] to temporarily create two rooms atop the ruins, living there for now.
In her room, after finishing her wash-up, Tsunade closed the doors and windows.
After a moment of deep thought, she finally raised her hands and formed the [Hand Seal] for [Reverse Summoning].
"Puff!"
A second later, she vanished from the room.
Moonlight shimmered across the island like flowing water, and soft night breezes whispered through countless leaves, creating endless rustling sounds.
Under the moonlight, Shikkotsu Forest remained quiet and peaceful.
Arriving at the crater lake, Tsunade looked up, gazing at the towering God Tree reaching into the clouds.
As she focused her thoughts, countless branches extended toward her, forming a winding pathway beneath her feet that led deeper into the God Tree.
Tsunade stepped forward, her heart heavy with unease yet stirred with hope. Her pace faltered at times, then quickened again, eventually bringing her to the small cabin hidden deep within the God Tree.
The cabin door was open.
After stepping inside, Tsunade heard a noise coming from the kitchen, along with the sound of frying food and a fragrant aroma drifting out.
A figure was in the kitchen.
"Oh, you're here."
The figure turned around. As expected, it was the mysterious masked figure—but now with an unfamiliar voice.
"Just who exactly are you? How could you come to Shikkotsu Forest? Why do you know... about this cabin?"
Tsunade stood rooted to the spot, demanding answers while maintaining a wary expression.
"Oh right, I almost forgot to change back."
The masked figure smacked its head, formed a hand seal, then "Puff!" transformed into a tall young man with long black hair.
He was the man who had haunted Tsunade's dreams for years.
"Hei…yan? Is it really you—Heiyan?!"
Seeing that familiar face, Tsunade's voice involuntarily trembled. Yet she hadn't lost her senses completely, still maintaining suspicion toward him.
This could all be a trap—some elaborate deception.
If Heiyan were truly still alive, why would he hide his identity, only revealing himself now?
At that moment, a small slug leaped onto Heiyan's shoulder and joyfully said to Tsunade,
"Tsunade-sama, he really is Heiyan-sama! While you were in seclusion these past four years, he came to visit you many times."
Hearing this, Tsunade froze in place and finally stopped doubting.
"Come on, let's eat first. You look exhausted; you've had a busy day. I'll explain everything after dinner."
Heiyan smiled at Tsunade before turning to bring the meal over.
Just then, a fragrant breeze swept in from behind — it was Tsunade drawing near. Immediately afterward, Heiyan felt a soft sensation pressing against his back.
Tsunade had embraced him from behind, burying her face against his body. She didn't say a word but closed her eyes as tears streamed down hotly.
Heiyan turned again, allowing Tsunade to rest her head against his chest before holding her tightly in his arms. Moonlight poured through the window like a gentle veil of pure white gauze draped over them both.
Seeing this scene, Sage Slug wiggled its antennae and discreetly slipped away, leaving the couple some private time.
A long while later,
Tsunade slowly loosened her arms and lifted her head. Her eyes were nearly swollen from crying.
Her gaze burned with silent accusation—as if warning him that if his explanation didn't satisfy her, she wouldn't let him off easy today.
"Just wait a second. Carefully sense your body—any abnormalities?"
Heiyan reminded.
Tsunade looked puzzled but closed her eyes and scanned her body carefully once more. Sure enough, she detected a faint yet unfamiliar chakra within herself. Without Heiyan's prompt, she might never have noticed it.
"What is this?" Tsunade couldn't help but ask.
"It's Gamamaru's mark. Using this chakra, he employs the Telescope Technique to remotely monitor key targets."
Heiyan explained, then advised Tsunade, "Although Shikkotsu Forest can block Gamamaru's surveillance, just to be safe, we should remove this chakra marker first."
"Mm."
Tsunade nodded and immediately followed the instructions. After all, being spied on by a frog felt too disgusting.
"Let's eat."
As Tsunade focused on removing the chakra marker, Heiyan placed the dishes on the table.
Rice, tofu, tempura, vegetables, sake.
It was a simple dinner. But to Tsunade, sharing it with someone she hadn't seen in so long made every bite feel like the finest meal she had ever tasted.
Just then, Heiyan joined her in savoring the quiet moment.
Night deepened.
Heiyan lay half-reclined on the bed, leaning back against the headboard, while Tsunade nestled into his embrace, her arm around his neck. As they held each other close, Heiyan began recounting everything, piece by piece.
He told Tsunade that he faked his death to trick Madara Uchiha, using parasitic spores to control the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. Once the timing was right, he would make his move and seize control.
"So the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path is really just the original body of the Ten-Tails with its chakra taken away?"
Tsunade's eyes widened in shock.
Earlier that day, behind Konoha, Gamamaru had suspected that Madara was gathering the Nine Tails to reclaim all ten of the Ten-Tails' chakra. Now it proved true—Madara's ambition was to revive the Ten-Tails and become its Jinchuriki.
Don't fret — Madara Uchiha won't succeed. After years of planning, I've already seized control over the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. Tomorrow I'll head to Mist to take the statue from Madara and use it to complete Sage Transformation, becoming an Immortal Sage.
Heiyan spoke with blazing eyes and a powerful voice.
"I'll go help you too…"
Tsunade said eagerly, but Heiyan shook his head.
"The situation in Mist is complex and dangerous. It'll be more convenient for me to act alone. If you come along and Madara notices you, we might scare him off. Don't worry — he couldn't kill me several years ago, and now it's even more impossible."
"…Fine."
Hearing Heiyan's words, Tsunade could only agree.
"By the way, what's going on with that masked figure?"
Suddenly remembering this matter, she curiously asked.
"That's one of my abilities called the Seventy-Two Transformations; it's a pseudo-Kekkei Tota…"
Heiyan continued explaining, then demonstrated on the spot by borrowing some of Tsunade's blood and transforming himself into her exact appearance.
[Seventy-Two Transformations]
"Unbelievable!"
Tsunade gasped, eyes wide, staring at the "Tsunade" standing before her — an exact replica of herself — even reaching out to touch those delicate parts as though they were real.
[Cough cough.]
The "Tsunade" blushed slightly, then changed back into Heiyan's form.
"There's also the matter of who exactly that masked person is, since we've never seen him in the world of shinobi before?"
Tsunade withdrew her hand and continued questioning Heiyan.
"It's simple — because he isn't someone from our world. Do you still remember the Dragon Vein of the ancient Kingdom of Loulan?"
"Of course I do. Back then we met Naruto Uzumaki and others from parallel worlds. Could it be that…"
"Precisely. People from that world have used their Dragon Vein to travel through space-time again."
Heiyan revealed this shocking information to Tsunade and told her that the masked man was actually a ninja from the Uchiha clan whose Mangekyou Sharingan ability was a Space-Time Ninjutsu called Kamui — an extremely powerful technique.
What's more, this masked figure has joined an organization called Akatsuki and is impersonating Madara Uchiha. Also, in that world, it's already sixty years past the current era in Konoha.
Plus, Heiyan speculated, this masked man likely brought other accomplices into their world with him.
"So… what are you planning to do about these people?"
Frowning slightly, Tsunade asked with concern.
"If they know what's good for them, I'll send them back to their original world and confiscate the Dragon Vein. If they don't cooperate, then they can just be eliminated."
Heiyan replied with a calm, indifferent smile.
Tsunade wanted to ask something else, but Heiyan stopped her lips with two fingers.
"Let's not talk about this anymore. It's been so long since we last saw each other — shouldn't we spend some intimate time together?"
Looking at Tsunade with a half-smile, Heiyan lifted her chin with his hand and carefully admired her delicate features beneath the moonlight.
Instantly blushing, Tsunade shyly pushed Heiyan away.
"No… we're not married yet… we can't do that kind of thing…"
Hearing her words, Heiyan couldn't help feeling disappointed.
"But everything else is fine."
Suddenly, Tsunade whispered again and leaned in to kiss Heiyan on the lips...
One night of tenderness followed.
The next morning, after breakfast and a brief time together, they had to part ways once more.
At the moment of departure, Tsunade affectionately told Heiyan how she looked forward to the day he would return in triumph and come back to Konoha.
Seeing her unusually cheerful, Heiyan hesitated for a moment but decided not to ruin her mood.
Truth was, he no longer felt emotionally attached to Konoha and had no intention of returning. In the village—and even across the entire shinobi world—he had long been branded a notorious criminal, condemned as an unforgivable sinner.
He could tell Tsunade still cherished strong emotional ties to Konoha—it was her homeland, the place she called home.
He had originally planned to take Tsunade away from Konoha and ask her to join Penglai—a hidden paradise beyond reach. But now, it would only cause her pain. So Heiyan decided to drop it—for now—and try again another time.
"Hey, what about that three-level house I had by the hot springs? They didn't confiscate it, did they?"
Heiyan suddenly remembered to ask.
"Don't worry. After you faked your death, I claimed the house as my inheritance. Who else would it go to? I'm your widow, after all."
Tsunade replied with a lingering edge in her voice, clearly still upset over how he'd disappeared without telling her.
"Hahaha... Makes sense. Your family mansion got destroyed during the battle, right? From now on, just live there. My place is basically yours anyway."
Heiyan laughed awkwardly and suggested.
"Like I need you to tell me that? I've already started packing," Tsunade huffed lightly.
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