"Old man!"
Just as Tsunade was about to explode, Jiraiya's stern voice cut in.
His expression was more serious than ever before, his gaze fixed squarely on Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"It couldn't have been Tsunade."
Hiruzen paused, taken aback by Jiraiya's certainty.
Jiraiya continued in a low, steady tone:
"I trust her. She may be forceful. She may settle grudges head-on. But she would never resolve political conflict through something this underhanded. That's her pride—and her bottom line."
"The kind of thing we just saw? That's the work of your old partner. Not mine."
A flicker of humiliation crossed Hiruzen's face at the remark.
He glanced at Tsunade, who was practically radiating, Try accusing me. I dare you.
The last traces of doubt faded.
He knew her well.
Tsunade might punch someone in the face—but she would never orchestrate an assassination from the shadows.
"You're right. It wasn't Tsunade," Hiruzen said at last, steadying himself.
Tsunade's fingers tapped absently against the desk, her brow furrowed.
"The ANBU only reported a tall, blurry figure in a dark cloak. They couldn't make out the face."
"As for the elders' memories… no one dared probe them before. And now it's too late."
She exhaled slowly.
"But I already have a silhouette of the culprit in mind."
Jiraiya spoke at once.
"That 'Tree,' isn't it?"
He and Tsunade had seen Tree outside the Forest of Delusion, though they hadn't witnessed his exact methods.
Both of them turned toward Hiruzen.
At the name, Hiruzen's face darkened.
Tsunade continued her analysis.
"Killing Danzo seemed pointless at first. But now that Homura and Koharu are dead as well… there's only one explanation that fits."
She fixed Hiruzen with a sharp look.
"Did Danzo ever do something—behind the village's back, or even yours—that crossed a line? Something we don't know about?"
"And Homura and Koharu… were they involved? Or at least aware?"
"Was Tree… taking revenge?"
Jiraiya nodded gravely. It was the most logical conclusion.
It explained why only the targets were killed, while the ANBU were spared.
Hiruzen fell silent.
He wasn't sure anymore.
There were things he had sensed—but for the sake of balance, for old ties, for the so-called "greater good," he had chosen to tolerate, compromise… or look away.
After a long pause, he let out a deep sigh.
"If that's the case…" His voice was barely audible. "Then let it end here."
He raised his head slowly. The shock and anger were gone, replaced with weary calm.
"Sensei…" Jiraiya began.
Hiruzen raised a hand.
"I understand what you're thinking."
"If I had known from the start—if I had understood the moment I first met Tree—perhaps I would have tried to stop this. Even at the cost of my life."
"But now they're dead. Danzo is dead. Homura and Koharu are dead. Debts have been repaid. What needed to end… has ended."
"I will not pursue this further."
He gave a bitter smile.
"With the strength Tree displayed—and the so-called Demon God and Seven Warlords behind him—what can Konoha realistically do?"
"Forcing an investigation would only invite greater disaster. It would drag more innocent shinobi and civilians into danger."
"This matter ends here. Publicly, we will call it an assassination by an unknown force and announce heightened vigilance. Internally… seal the files."
Tsunade and Jiraiya exchanged a look.
They understood his decision.
Perhaps they even agreed.
Konoha needed time to heal.
In the aftermath of the Forest of Delusion incident, the consensus reached among the Kage rippled across the shinobi world like a stone cast into still water.
"The Seven Warlords."
"Devil Fruit."
"Servants of the Demon God."
These unfamiliar terms spread rapidly—alongside the shocking news that Tree had taken a Devil Fruit from the demon child, that the Fourth Mizukage had been slain, and that the Fourth Raikage had been crippled.
The world was shaken.
If even a Kage could be killed—or maimed—so easily…
What safety did anyone have?
Shinobi who once carried themselves with confidence now moved with unusual restraint.
Missions were executed more cautiously. Before conflicts erupted, people hesitated, wondering whether their opponent might secretly be connected to some "Demon God inheritor" or relative of a "Warlord."
The visible hostility across the world diminished—but not because peace had arrived.
It was fear.
At the same time, under the shadow of a shared and incomprehensible threat, long-standing rivalries began to soften.
Konoha took the first step—extending an olive branch to the Land of Rain.
On behalf of the other four great nations, they formally invited the leaders of Amegakure—Nagato and Konan—to enter into alliance talks and strengthen cooperation.
In return, the allied nations would ease portions of their economic blockade against the Land of Rain, encourage trade, and provide essential assistance to help rebuild civilian life.
Inside Amegakure's high tower, Nagato and Konan studied the unexpected proposal for a long time.
Konan gazed out at the endless rain.
"They've finally put aside their arrogance and are looking at us as equals," she said coolly. "Even if it's forced."
Nagato was silent before replying:
"For the people of the Land of Rain… this will help. Open trade routes. Flowing resources. Life might truly improve."
He recalled the time Jiraiya had entered Amegakure—and the civilians who had accused the great nations of arrogance.
Soon after, the Land of Rain and the Five Great Nations established a preliminary public alliance framework.
Trust remained fragile. Internal tensions lingered.
But beneath the pressure of an unknown terror, a new coalition—one that crossed traditional lines of friend and foe—quietly began to take shape.
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