"Your Ninjutsu is too eye-catching. I estimate that our counterparts in the alternate world are likely still wandering in Amegakure, or even possibly enemies of Konoha."
Yahiko analyzed seriously. "If you go and use your abilities, Konoha will immediately notice you, which could interfere with Master's plan."
This was Yahiko's own analysis, and Torifu did indeed have this concern.
After all, there was currently only one Ninja in the entire Shinobi world who used paper Jutsu, making her easy to identify.
But that wasn't the full reason; Torifu mainly felt it wasn't Konan's time to appear yet.
Yahiko's Ninjutsu wasn't so noticeable. If he only used Water Release, his identity would basically not be exposed.
At this time, Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato were still establishing their group. If they were disturbed or affected by this, Torifu would feel somewhat guilty.
Torifu planned to let Yahiko and Konan go once he made contact with the Akatsuki organization.
After carefully considering Yahiko's analysis, Konan sighed in resignation. "Alright, it seems this is the only way."
Konan was very sensible. She felt that for such an important task as exploring an alternate world, Master must have formulated a very meticulous plan to ensure nothing went wrong.
She couldn't let her small fit of pique interfere with the overall situation; Master had taught her this since childhood.
Seeing that Konan had recovered, Yahiko also smiled. "It's good that you understand. Master didn't ask me to keep this from you, which suggests he trusts you."
Konan smiled faintly. "Naturally, I won't disappoint Master."
Following this, Yahiko and Konan left together.
Torifu remained in his chair. Seeing Konan come out, he knew what she wanted to say.
"Do you feel wronged because you weren't allowed to go?"
Konan's face flushed slightly. "N-No, I just didn't quite understand, but I'm fine now."
Torifu nodded in satisfaction. "The situation in the alternate world is unknown, but we know one thing: that world doesn't have me."
"Therefore, it's highly unlikely that you would appear in Konoha. Actually, I didn't even want Yahiko to go, but I was worried about being short-handed, so I had to bring him along."
Besides Yahiko, there were no better candidates.
Although there were people like Nawaki and Dan, they were dead in that world.
If they went over rashly, the impact would be huge.
Good cards must be played slowly. If all the cards were revealed at once, it would lose all its excitement.
"Master, please don't worry. I will listen to you completely and do whatever you instruct."
Torifu raised his hand and stroked Konan's head. "Don't worry, there will be a time for you to make an appearance."
"Good!"
Afterward, Yahiko and Konan left Torifu's side to attend to their own affairs.
A few hours passed, and the sky gradually darkened.
Everyone who had been working outside had returned home. Only Akihara had sent a message saying he wouldn't be home for dinner, as he was out playing at someone's house.
Once everyone was seated, Torifu didn't hold back and told them the entire story honestly.
Of the people at the dinner table, aside from those who already knew, Anka, Amado, and Kushina fell silent.
Their chopsticks even fell to the table.
"Big Brother, you're joking, right? An alternate world? That's a bit too far-fetched."
Amado looked completely unconvinced. He thought his Big Brother must be pulling a prank.
But Anka didn't believe her Big Brother would lie. After all, she had been Torifu's secretary and assistant for so many years.
She knew Torifu's words and actions no less than Amado.
Anka believed that anything Torifu said in such a setting would certainly not be a lie.
She nudged Amado with her leg, signaling him to keep quiet.
"It's not a joke. We are leaving to explore an alternate world in two days. Wish us luck."
At these words, the trio were even more at a loss for words.
Kushina looked at Minato, and Minato gave her a serious nod.
No one knew the situation in the alternate world. Although it was the Shinobi world, and Konoha still existed.
But Torifu said the situation was likely to be completely different from the current Konoha.
The atmosphere at the dinner table suddenly became tense.
Kushina, especially, was heavily pregnant and truly didn't want her husband to take risks.
What if he got hurt?
Amado and Anka were also very concerned about safety. What would happen if danger arose in the alternate world?
Seeing that everyone was starting to get nervous, Torifu simply said calmly.
"Do not fret. I have already ascended to Six Paths level."
With a sound like a thunderclap, the statement exploded in everyone's minds!
Even Minato hadn't expected that his Big Brother had already ascended to Six Paths level! Did that mean his Big Brother could stand on equal footing with the Sage of Six Paths?
Amado stammered for a long time, unable to utter a word.
Yahiko and Konan were also in a completely stunned state.
At the entire dinner table, only Naori, who had been told beforehand, was relatively normal.
Everyone else had strange expressions, as if they had entered some bizarre world.
"Snap out of it."
One moment later, everyone's brains accelerated, quickly processing the information and returning to normal.
"I ascended to Six Paths level seven years ago, but to avoid trouble, I didn't tell anyone."
Everyone who had recovered could understand. After all, even they, who spent every day with him, reacted this way, let alone the villagers who regarded Torifu as a deity.
The resulting commotion wouldn't be easy to quell.
If it became public knowledge that the Third Hokage had ascended to Six Paths level, the entire Shinobi world would know.
This would put Torifu in a very passive position. After all, there were many hidden enemies, and they didn't know how strong Torifu actually was now.
"Big Brother, how did you do it? I remember you were stuck at the bottleneck for over ten years, weren't you?"
Torifu offered Amado a casual excuse. "I suddenly gained some insight during a battle and then broke through."
Amado couldn't help but curl his lip at this, as it was of absolutely no help to anyone else.
He had originally wanted to research it to see if he could use technology to reach Six Paths level.
But who would have thought that Six Paths level was so arbitrary—just breaking through whenever?
"Big Brother, what changes did you experience after ascending to Six Paths level?"
Minato asked curiously. He had been a Kage-level Ninja for a year or two now.
Although he was still very, very far from Six Paths level, he felt he still had a chance.