(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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Terumi Mei looked displeased.
In front of her, the Mizukage, he had threatened her subordinate.
Was Kirigakure so underestimated?
"Ao, don't worry. This [Byakugan] is Kirigakure's trophy, and no one can take it away," Terumi Mei swore to reassure him. Ao smiled on the surface, but uncertainty lurked in his heart.
Thinking of Colt's reputation in the ninja world and the unfathomable power he had just displayed, Ao wondered if one day, his [Byakugan] might indeed be taken by Konoha.
Meanwhile, Tsunade looked at Colt and Hinata as they approached and asked casually, "What's the matter? Did you fall for that Mizukage?"
"You should be careful. That Mizukage may look young, but she must be over thirty. Her skin isn't as good as mine, so don't be fooled."
Colt didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Sister Tsunade, you misunderstood. I was just concerned about the [Byakugan] her guard possesses."
"After all, the Hyūga clan is Hinata's family. I can't just ignore this."
Tsunade was startled, her face growing solemn.
This incident was also her responsibility as the Hokage.
But she still instructed, "Now is not the right time to provoke disputes. When the war is over and you become the Hokage, you can do as you please."
Colt was a bit confused.
"When did I say I would become the Hokage after the war?"
Tsunade laughed, "What's so great about being Hokage? I've been tired of it for three years already. When the war is over, you'll marry Hinata and the others, and become the Hokage!"
She unilaterally made this decision.
Hinata blushed.
The thought of marrying Colt made her feel a happy urge, enough for her to almost faint.
The three of them didn't stay in the Land of Iron much longer.
It would be challenging to form a cohesive force in just ten days, regardless of which village they were in.
Fortunately, with Colt's [Flying Thunder God Technique], it didn't take long for the three to return to Konoha.
The first thing Tsunade did upon returning to the village was to summon Jiraiya and scold him.
"What's wrong with you? I've only been away for three days, and Konoha has been invaded. If I were gone for a month, would the village be lost?"
Faced with Tsunade's anger, Jiraiya was also very aggrieved.
"I had been training with Naruto. I came right back after Sasuke sneaked into the village and killed the two advisors."
"Then why didn't you capture him!" Tsunade was annoyed.
"A legendary Sannin plus an elite Jōnin, and you let him escape like this?"
Jiraiya sighed, "Tsunade, you can't look at Uchiha Sasuke the way you used to."
"He's awakened the [Mangekyō Sharingan] and can use the [Susanoo], the same technique as Colt. His strength is far beyond what it used to be."
Shizune chimed in, "Tsunade-sama, if it wasn't for Master Jiraiya, even Sakura might have been killed by Sasuke."
Hearing Shizune's words, Colt became interested. "Why is Sakura involved in this?"
Shizune explained helplessly, "Sasuke was about to flee after killing the two advisors but was seen by Sakura, who happened to be passing by. She rushed to stop him."
"She still saw him as her former teammate, but Sasuke attacked directly, intending to eliminate Sakura who was in his way."
"Fortunately, Jiraiya-sama summoned a toad and rescued her."
Tsunade got a headache and waved her hands.
"Forget it, let's move on. Shizune, immediately mobilize people to prepare for the Allied Shinobi Forces."
"Jiraiya, I have a secret mission for you. Take Naruto to the Turtle Island in Kumogakure."
"The Fourth Great Ninja War is about to begin, and your job is to ensure that Naruto doesn't fall into enemy hands!"
Jiraiya hesitated, "Tsunade, Naruto is strong now and will soon be able to master the [Nine-Tails Chakra Mode]..."
"This is a joint decision of the five hidden villages, and it cannot be changed by personal will," Tsunade interrupted him without hesitation, and Jiraiya had no choice but to comply.
On the coast of the Land of Frost, in a dangerous place called the Mountain's Graveyard rarely visited by people, Obito arrived after declaring war at the Five Kage Summit.
Here, an army of 100,000 White Zetsu awaited him, provided by Black Zetsu.
"How are Orochimaru's preparations?" Obito asked.
After completing their deal, Obito had shown his strength to Orochimaru.
With 100,000 White Zetsu, each equivalent to a Chūnin, and the upcoming Gedo Statue to work with the [Impure World Reincarnation], his confidence was at an all-time high.
"Orochimaru-sama couldn't come due to other matters. I'm in charge of everything before the war," Kabuto Yakushi said, emerging slowly from the jungle with a small smile.
Obito was displeased. "Just you, Kabuto Yakushi?"
Kabuto formed a few hand seals, and a large coffin emerged from the ground.
"Orochimaru-sama has given me some control over the [Impure World Reincarnation], enough for the early battles."
"If we encounter a tough enemy, he'll handle it himself."
Obito snorted coldly, reluctantly accepting Kabuto's statement, and revealed his plan.
The main force would confront the five major countries while he secretly captured Naruto.
Kabuto was essential to this plan.
Black and White Zetsu slowly emerged from the ground, bringing the latest news.
"Sasuke didn't destroy Konoha as you ordered. He just killed Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado and escaped."
Obito frowned slightly, then shrugged.
"It doesn't matter. As long as he can attract some of Konoha's attention… it's best if Kamiyo Colt deals with him personally."
He knew well that Sasuke and he were not the same.
However, as long as Sasuke accepted the truth of what he said, he would hate Konoha to the core.
The two were just using each other.
After Kabuto left, Black Zetsu looked in the direction he had gone, his voice puzzled.
"What is Orochimaru up to? Why isn't he showing his face?"
Obito's voice was low with a tinge of worry, "I suspect he has completed the seal for the Tailed Beasts chakra and is probably already trying to become a Jinchūriki."
Black Zetsu suddenly realized, his face anxious.
A quarter of the Gedo Statue plus the Tailed Beasts chakra—if Orochimaru succeeded, he could be called a Pseudo Ten-Tails Jinchūriki!