Danzo's involvement—dispatching Root ninja to ambush the Medical Team and sending ninja bearing the Gyuuten no Aka mark into the Allied Ninja Forces—had caused great losses. These ninja released the Nue to rampage and then activated Self-Destruction, leaving the Allied Forces in chaos.
Minato Namikaze was absolutely horrified by Danzo's actions. Everyone was striving for the sake of the ninja world, yet Danzo disregarded the bigger picture, stabbing them in the back at a critical moment like this.
But old man Danzo was well hidden. For now, they couldn't locate him immediately, so they had to deal with these chaotic Root ninja first.
Through analysis, they discovered that if these Nue—capable of Self-Destruction—were prevented from absorbing Chakra, their bodies wouldn't grow larger and thus wouldn't trigger Self-Destruction. Therefore, the Sealing Team was dispatched to cooperate with battle ninja in sealing the Nue.
At this moment, Jiraiya was fighting alongside Tsunade against Root ninja who attacked the Medical Team.
Several oddly-shaped Root ninja charged toward Jiraiya and Tsunade.
Before Jiraiya and Tsunade could even attack, these strangely-built Root ninja were wrapped up in several sheets of paper. But these weren't ordinary pieces of paper—they were Explosive Tags.
When the Explosive Tags detonated, those few Root ninja were blown to pieces.
Jiraiya and Tsunade both looked up into the air where Konan, her back adorned with paper wings, floated above them.
Both instantly became wary.
Konan landed on the ground, gazing sorrowfully at Jiraiya as she said, "Master Jiraiya, we've given up completely."
Jiraiya asked in confusion, "Given up? What do you mean?"
Konan lowered her head and answered, "Nagato is dead. We were all just pawns for Zetsu, 'Madara,' and the real Madara Uchiha. Nagato received his Rinnegan from Madara Uchiha, specifically so he could use the Rinne Rebirth Jutsu to resurrect Madara."
Jiraiya stood frozen in shock—never expecting Nagato to have died already.
Tsunade frowned, asking, "Then who exactly is that masked man claiming to be 'Madara'?"
Konan shook her head. "I don't know. He always appears wearing a mask and has continued acting under Madara's name until now."
After regaining his composure, Jiraiya looked at Konan with complex eyes and asked, "So what are your plans now?"
Konan gazed blankly at the sky. "Originally, Yahiko created Akatsuki to realize the ideal you taught us—the ideal of achieving world peace. But this ideal was destroyed by Sanshouo Hanzo and Danzo.
Later, Nagato inherited Yahiko's revolutionary legacy, seeking to bring peace to the world through pain... but even that proved to be an illusion.
Yahiko and Nagato are both gone now. My most important family members have left me, and I no longer know what I should do..."
Jiraiya remained silent for a while before looking at Konan again and saying, "...Then... would you like to come with me, Konan?"
"Konan gazed at Jiraiya with bewilderment. 'Didn't we do so many things that harmed Konoha?'
Jiraiya said gravely, 'What you did to Konoha is indeed unforgivable, but I am your teacher. If my apprentices make mistakes, I share the blame. Everyone else can abandon you—but I cannot. I will atone for both you and Nagato.'
Konan's eyes turned red as she gazed at Jiraiya. 'Jiraiya... sensei...'
After a long breath, Konan asked, 'Sensei, you must be looking for Danzo, right?'
Jiraiya responded in surprise, 'Do you know where Danzo is?'
'Yes,' Konan answered. 'Previously, an Akatsuki member discovered a newly built ninja village in the Rice Country called Root Hidden Village. A man named Tatsuma Aburame had contact with us before, and he recently reappeared in the Rice Country. So Danzo might be hiding in Root Hidden Village in the Rice Country.'
'Root Hidden Village… Root—it must be Danzo. Tsunade, stay here and command the forces. Now I'll go find Minato, and immediately have him dispatch ninja to the Rice Country to hunt down Danzo! Konan, you're coming with me!'
Jiraiya left with Konan to look for Minato Namikaze. After finding Minato, Jiraiya shared Konan's information with him.
Minato was greatly encouraged upon learning that Danzo might be in the Rice Country, but their current forces simply couldn't spare any troops to pursue him.
Then Hiruzen Sarutobi entered the room: 'Minato, let me and Jiraiya handle this mission together.'
'Third Hokage (old friend)?'
When Minato and Jiraiya heard that Hiruzen wanted to join them, they were both surprised.
'Don't underestimate me just because I'm older—my strength hasn't faded. Besides… as an old friend, it was my leniency toward Danzo back then that caused today's situation. I need to clean up the mess I left behind.'
A sharp gleam flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes.
Minato thought for a moment before agreeing, 'Alright then. The matter of dealing with Danzo will be entrusted to the Third Hokage and Master Jiraiya.'
Hiruzen changed into his battle gear and said to Jiraiya, 'Well then, Jiraiya, let's move out.'
Jiraiya, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Konan set off toward the Rice Country to hunt down Danzo.
...
Meanwhile, on top of a mountain, Madara Uchiha, Setsuna Uchiha, and Black Zetsu sat watching the battle between the Allied Ninja Forces and the White Zetsu army.
Black Zetsu asked, 'Now that all the Jinchuriki have gathered together, Madara, aren't you going to take action yet?'
Madara watched the distant battle expressionlessly. 'This ninja world is utterly boring without Hashirama. These ninjas' abilities have regressed significantly. Then allow me to help them face reality!'
Madara stood up and jumped directly from the cliff, charging toward the Allied Ninja Forces.
Black Zetsu sighed helplessly, 'What a battle-crazed lunatic.'
Black Zetsu was really in a hurry now. After capturing the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails, he urged everyone to resurrect the Ten-Tails as soon as possible in order to become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki. Only then could he revive his mother!
When Madara Uchiha joined the battlefield, the situation instantly changed.
Madara Uchiha alone Subdued the Allied Ninja Forces. No one could possibly stand against him.
Just at this moment,
Fugaku, Itachi, Shisui, Obito, and Sasuke blocked Madara Uchiha's path.
Seeing the four Mangekyo Sharingan, Madara Uchiha finally showed a slight interest.
"Oh? It seems my descendants aren't completely useless after all."
Sasuke, who hadn't awakened his Mangekyo yet, retorted first, "We are not your descendants! You're a criminal to the entire ninja world, Madara Uchiha!"
Madara mocked, "Then let me see what level you've reached. I hope you can at least entertain me properly!"
Fugaku, Itachi, Shisui, Obito, and Sasuke simultaneously executed Hand Seals.
[Fire Release – Great Fire Annihilation!]
The five of them exhaled flames as vast and powerful as the sea, surging toward Madara Uchiha.
Madara Uchiha didn't use the Rinnegan's ability to absorb the flames. He wanted a thrilling battle right now.
[Fire Release – Great Fire Annihilation!]
Madara Uchiha released flames even more powerful than those of the other four combined, surging forward.
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