Seeing the wood perfectly absorb two tailed beast chakras, Yuto felt his spirits lift.
Without hesitation, Yuto rapidly converted his chakra, simultaneously inputting several different tailed beast chakras into the wood.
When the fifth different tailed beast chakra was input, the originally withered-looking wood rapidly became fuller.
It was as if a skeletal person suddenly became plump.
At the same time, an extremely unique aura emanated from the wood, filled with violent, cold negative emotions.
The half-meter wood didn't seem like a dead object, but rather a beast ready to pounce at any moment.
A thoughtful look flashed in Yuto's eyes, but his hands didn't stop; the sixth different tailed beast chakra was input into the wood.
As this chakra entered, the violent aura grew even stronger, and the now-full wood began to change.
The entire wood visibly expanded, stopping at about one meter.
The wood's appearance had completely transformed; ten pillar-like protrusions slowly rose from its originally flat surface.
Seeing the wood's current form, Yuto's calm face showed astonishment, followed by a gleam in his eyes.
Yuto had planned to input the final tailed beast chakra, but seeing the wood's form, he stopped.
Yuto had a feeling that inputting the seventh tailed beast chakra would likely trigger a qualitative change.
Yuto wasn't worried about this change; what concerned him was whether the Demonic Statue would sense it.
This wood was ultimately taken from the Demonic Statue, and no one could guarantee whether some connection still existed.
Though this experiment couldn't continue, Yuto was satisfied with the results.
With just six different tailed beast chakras, the wood had undergone such a transformation. If the final three were added...
Yuto suspected this wood might become a miniature Ten-Tails.
Yuto remembered that the legendary Ten-Tails could split into countless beings.
His idea was correct.
Yuto smiled, and with a thought...
Clatter!
An Adamantine Sealing Chain rapidly emerged from Yuto's body, binding the wood.
The wood's violent and cold aura rapidly weakened under the chain's seal.
"Temporarily place this wood in the barrier. With the chain's seal, even if there's some connection to the Demonic Statue, it won't sense anything now."
Glancing at the bound wood, Yuto spoke softly.
Done, Yuto walked out of the barrier.
Chojuro and Zabuza Momochi, guarding outside, immediately showed respectful expressions upon seeing Yuto.
"Thank you both."
Yuto looked at them with a gentle smile.
"It's our duty, Lord Yuto." Zabuza said solemnly.
Chojuro beside him also nodded.
Seeing their expressions, Yuto shrugged and walked forward while asking:
"How is Ringo Ameyuri's injury recovering?"
"Sunagakure's Chiyo is indeed a medical ninja comparable to Konoha's Tsunade; Ameyuri has basically fully recovered."
Though Zabuza's voice was cold, he smiled.
Zabuza recognized Ameyuri; her recovery meant the other Seven Swordsmen of the Mist were also pleased.
"Currently, Chiyo from Sunagakure should be in the Mizukage's office."
After Zabuza spoke, Chojuro added softly.
Yuto nodded; he naturally knew what Chiyo was doing at the Mizukage's office. If Sunagakure wanted to be a subordinate village, Kirigakure wouldn't refuse.
As the three walked along the street, Chojuro and Zabuza reported intelligence from the ninja world.
Hearing that Konoha remained the same, Yuto raised an eyebrow slightly:
"So Madara didn't go to Konoha after stopping me."
From this intelligence alone, Yuto could deduce much.
His final self-destruct attack hadn't killed Hashirama Senju; if Hashirama had died, Konoha couldn't hide it.
Given Konoha's leadership, if they knew Hashirama was dead, chaos would erupt first.
Thinking of this, Yuto smiled lightly.
Just as Yuto was about to ask more about current ninja world intelligence...
Ahead on the street, a beautiful figure stood quietly, watching them.
"Konan?"
Yuto looked at the figure and paused.
Zabuza and Chojuro behind him exchanged glances, slowing their pace.
Yuto walked forward, looking at Konan with a puzzled expression:
"Waiting for me?"
Konan nodded gently.
As Yuto approached, Konan turned and walked beside him along the street.
On the street, Konan and Yuto walked ahead while Chojuro and Zabuza followed at a distance.
"Chojuro, do you think the Mizukage is prettier, or this Amegakure woman?"
Zabuza glanced at the two ahead, quickly withdrawing his gaze to ask Chojuro quietly.
"The Mizukage!"
Chojuro paused, scratching his head and answering firmly.
Seeing Chojuro's serious expression, Zabuza pouted.
While they whispered, ahead, after hesitating, Konan spoke softly:
"Thank you for Amegakure."
Amegakure?
Yuto paused, then remembered Madara's exchange with him.
"So Madara's people have already withdrawn from Amegakure? They're fast."
Yuto waved casually, smiling.
Seeing Yuto's nonchalant attitude, Konan remained serious:
"This might seem like a small matter to you, Lord Yuto, but for Amegakure's civilians, it's a matter of life and death. I thank you on Amegakure's behalf."
Konan knew that Yuto, Hashirama Senju, and Uchiha Madara were the center of the ninja world's attention.
Once war broke out, wherever these three were would quickly descend into conflict.
Now that Madara had left Amegakure, the village had temporarily escaped the flames of war.
"Alright, Amegakure is now our ally, so helping is natural."
Seeing Konan's serious expression, Yuto smiled and continued:
"Besides, you came not just to thank me, but to say goodbye."
Konan nodded, her face returning to its usual expressionless state:
"Since Madara has left Amegakure, Nagato and I naturally need to return. Amegakure will be Kirigakure's most steadfast ally!"
Saying this, Konan's voice paused, her face showing a strange expression as she looked at Yuto:
"Will the peace you speak of truly be achieved?"
"It will." Yuto still had a casual expression, but his voice carried determination.
Konan looked deeply at Yuto, then turned to walk away. Perhaps it was her imagination, but her steps felt lighter than usual.
Yahiko, perhaps your dream can truly be realized through this man.
If so, let me see it for you.
Konoha!
Since Tsunade took the severely injured Hashirama Senju to the Forest of Death, Konoha's affairs naturally fell to Jiraiya.
Though Konoha appeared normal on the surface, it was already tense inside.
Even the Konoha elders who usually opposed Tsunade and Jiraiya had united.
Especially Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, who unhesitatingly assisted Jiraiya during Tsunade's absence.
Without external threats to Konoha, opposition was fine, but no fool would sabotage Konoha at this time.
Kabuto Yakushi missing!
Danzo's unexpected death!
Hashirama Senju severely injured!
These three events combined were enough to put Konoha on high alert.
Though Jiraiya hadn't told other Konoha elders about Hashirama's injury...
But anyone who could become a Konoha elder wasn't a fool.
Such a terrifying battle outside Konoha, followed by Hashirama and Tsunade's sudden disappearance - anyone with a brain could guess what happened.
For a time, an oddly harmonious atmosphere prevailed.
Hey everyone,
I need to tell you what's actually happening.
I just got hit with mass cancellations. On top of being buried in academics until the 9th. I'm in deep financial trouble right now—like, genuinely don't-know-how-I-cover-next-month trouble.
I want to do more for you. I have another Naruto fic ready to drop the moment this academic hell ends. But I can't keep creating if I can't survive.
I'm not powerless about the work—I know I can deliver for you. But I'm powerless to stop the bleeding alone.
If you've ever thought about supporting, this is the moment. Not "someday." Now.
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