In the office of Jiraiya, the Fifth Hokage, Danzo began to explain the nature of Izanagi to both the Third Hokage and Jiraiya. Beside him, Senju Tobirama turned to Orochimaru and said,
"Orochimaru, take me to your laboratory. We should expedite our research together."
"Yes, Nidaime-sama. It would be my pleasure."
Orochimaru was eager to learn about Izanagi, the technique that could bring Danzo back to life. However, he valued the chance to collaborate with Senju Tobirama even more.
He could always ask Jiraiya about Izanagi later.
Opportunities to work with Tobirama Senju were rare, occurring only once a month for just one hour. Recognizing the rarity of this chance, Orochimaru summoned a small snake to quickly notify Kabuto Yakushi to join him.
This action underscored how much Orochimaru valued Yakushi Kabuto's skills.
An hour passed swiftly.
Aside from Danzo, who wore a slightly displeased expression, the other four individuals made significant gains. Tobirama, interacting with Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi, found many inspirations, feeling that the time spent was well worth it.
Koharu and her companions also enjoyed some new and interesting purchases from the market.
Notably, the autumn breeze brought Akimichi Torifu a special treat. Instead of returning to the Akimichi clan, he followed Koharu and Homura to the market, where he indulged in many novel and delicious snacks.
He had arrived empty-handed but returned with a large bag full of treats.
With this stash, he would have enough snacks for at least half a month.
"Huh? What happened here?"
Senju Tobirama returned to his own time and space, observing the disarray in the office.
"Second Grandpa, we didn't intend for this to happen. It was his own fault for being dishonest. He even dared to resist after we found him."
After hearing Tsunade's words, everyone noticed a pale humanoid figure under Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
"What happened? Explain everything in detail."
"Yes, Second Grandpa," Tsunade responded.
She quickly sent the others away, and White Zetsu emerged. Tsunade and the others then explained to Senju Tobirama how they had subdued White Zetsu.
After hearing Tsunade's explanation, Tobirama approached White Zetsu thoughtfully and asked, "Were you sent by Madara?"
White Zetsu, who had already accepted his fate but still wore a smile, replied, "As expected of the Second Hokage, your guesses are always correct."
Confirming his suspicion, Tobirama didn't ask further questions but instead became intrigued by White Zetsu himself.
"You don't seem to fear death?"
"Yes, we White Zetsu aren't afraid of death. We're all tough."
"We? Are there many like you?"
"Yes, we're all subordinates of Madara-sama. We follow his every command."
Seeing how cooperative White Zetsu was, Tobirama's interest in him deepened.
Through a few conversations, Tobirama realized that White Zetsu seemed to lack human emotions.
So, how was this emotionless White Zetsu created?
"Jiraiya, Orochimaru, take him to my laboratory."
"Yes, Hokage-sama," they replied.
Later that evening, another White Zetsu, who had arranged to meet the White Zetsu possessing Tobirama once a month, found himself waiting alone at the designated spot.
Realizing something might have gone wrong, he thought, "Well, I'm just a scout White Zetsu, so if something went wrong during the mission, it's not really my problem."
"I'll let Madara-sama and Black Zetsu-sama worry about it."
But then he hesitated, "No, if he forgot the meeting time, and I report this to Madara-sama, I might get blamed."
"Well~ I guess I'll wait a little longer."
Late at night, in the Mountains' Graveyard, within Uchiha Madara's hideout.
Madara, who usually stayed indoors, found himself quite bored.
Due to the tube of the Gedo Statue (Outer Path) inserted in his back to extend his life, it wasn't convenient for him to leave.
Not that he really wanted to go outside, anyway.
Unless he had to make some arrangements in the ninja world that required direct intervention, he would disconnect the tube and step out of his room.
But right now, the ninja world was at peace, and it wasn't yet time for him to act.
"Zetsu, no news from Konoha yet?"
At Madara's call, Black Zetsu emerged from the ground, his movements a bit unsteady.
"Not yet."
"I thought I instructed them to report once a month, didn't I?"
Black Zetsu nodded. "Yes."
"Then we should've received something by now, unless..."
Black Zetsu added, "Unless something unexpected happened."
Madara nodded, then shook his head.
The stealth capabilities of White Zetsu's spore technique were formidable.
As long as White Zetsu didn't reveal themselves, the person they possessed wouldn't even know they were being watched.
Madara couldn't imagine anyone in Konoha Village being able to see through the spore technique.
No... actually, there might be one.
At that moment, he thought of a certain woman.
The one who married Hashirama and, well, became the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki—Uzumaki Mito.
If it were her, she might indeed be capable of detecting White Zetsu's spore technique.
"By the way, Zetsu, the White Zetsu you sent as the liaison— even if something happened to the possessed White Zetsu, he should've sent a message by now."
"It's White Zetsu No. 233."
Upon hearing this, Madara looked at Black Zetsu as if he were an idiot and said, "You sent a White Zetsu who believes he has procrastination syndrome as a liaison?"
"Uh, does he think he has procrastination? I didn't know that. I thought he was the talkative White Zetsu."
"...Didn't I already burn that chatterbox White Zetsu to ashes?"
"Lord Madara, please forgive me."
Black Zetsu immediately performed a bow of submission towards Uchiha Madara, showing his remorse.
At the same time, he complained silently in his mind.
Damn, there are so many White Zetsu, and they all look pretty much the same—how am I supposed to tell them apart?
"Oh, this is so ridiculous. I can't believe you are the embodiment of my will."
Black Zetsu thought: Haha, as if you aren't ridiculous yourself.
The Ninja World, Konoha, Year 61.
After traveling for an entire day and night, Danzo finally entered the territory of the Land of Rain.
With his intelligence, he was fully aware of how many assassins would be sent after him once the news of his defection from Konoha spread throughout the Ninja World.
Now, just a little more travel, and he'll reach the Hidden Rain Village, where he can seek refuge with Hanzo the Salamander. Then he'll be safe.
The title of "Demigod" in the Ninja World can still deceive most people.
"The weather in the Land of Rain is still as unpleasant as ever."
The Land of Rain lacks everything except water.
It rains here 300 days out of the 365 days in a year.
The neighboring Land of Wind is almost envious to the point of tears.
It was out of this envy that, when the Sand Village launched the Second Ninja War, their first target of attack was the Land of Rain.
"If there were any other option, I really wouldn't want to come to this wretched place."
Compared to the Land of Fire, where the four seasons feel like spring, the other regions in the ninja world are nothing more than desolate and shabby lands.
But with no choice left, he had to seek refuge with Hanzo of the Salamander for survival.
At that moment, atop a tall tower somewhere in the Hidden Rain Village, Deva Path Pain subconsciously frowned as he sensed a strange chakra through the Rainmaker Jutsu.
"Whose chakra could this be?"
"Should I go check it out?" Konan, dressed in the Akatsuki uniform, asked calmly from the side.
"Yes, if this person poses a threat, eliminate them."
"Understood."
As Konan departed, Pain pondered for a moment, still feeling uneasy. He decided to quietly follow her.
****
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