"The peace of the Ninja World is an issue that no one has been able to resolve for a thousand years. The Six Paths Sage couldn't achieve it, and it must have been an indescribable difficulty. That's probably why he left behind the Child of Prophecy and the Uchiha Stele, perhaps a testament to faith in the wisdom of future generations?"
"Come with me, Tobirama, let's visit the Three Holy Lands, and then take another look at the Uchiha Stele; perhaps it will enlighten us."
Senju Tobirama finally breathed a sigh of relief and nodded continuously, saying:
"That's right, Aomi, listening to me is never wrong!"
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Tsunade clenched Aomi's hands, feeling even more tense as she looked at her silent disciple, blaming herself for her lack of mastery in Fuinjutsu, unable to seal that evil spirit...
Orochimaru also felt the same way. He was staring intently at Aomi's handsome features, wishing he could use Snake Hand to pull Senju Tobirama out right now!
"There's only one perfect vessel, don't you dare mess it up, old man!"
"Tsunade-sensei, Orochimaru, you're right..."
Aomi forced a smile, "I was a bit hasty, sorry."
"Over there, Jiraiya has told me about the Great Toad Sage's prophecy of the Child of Prophecy, and Mount Myoboku believes it has to do with me."
Aomi didn't hide Jiraiya's information and spoke candidly:
"I can still see the Stele left by the Six Paths Sage. If the war isn't too urgent, I plan to visit the Three Holy Lands and study the Stele first..."
"Of course, if there are any changes on the battlefield, I will rush back as soon as possible."
Orochimaru and Tsunade exchanged a glance, both showing a hint of joy in their eyes.
The Child of Prophecy, the Great Toad Sage's prophecy, and some broken stone stele?
Jiraiya had researched it all his life without any results. No matter how exceptional Aomi is, it's impossible that he can come up with something from such ethereal fantasies...
Yet, to Tsunade, the most outstanding Medical Ninja, and Orochimaru, the scientist, this kind of meaningless, mind-numbing project is the best way for a tense Aomi to unwind, similar to tearing newspapers when idle, a stress-relief project.
"Leave it to me, Aomi, you have already done so much for the village!"
Tsunade looked into Aomi's eyes, hands on his shoulders, and said, "Rest well, Konoha is not just you; there's me, there's all of us!"
Orochimaru also nodded, speaking in a concerned tone:
"Aomi, I'm applying to temporarily use the Tobirama series weapons. I'll leave a detailed usage record if deployed, so that if the enemy attacks, I can effectively direct our counterattack. You don't need to worry about the battlefield, focus on finding yourself."
Aomi couldn't help but smile as he listened to their tone.
Even though Tsunade and Orochimaru were trying to mask it, when mentioning the Child of Prophecy, Jiraiya, and Mount Myoboku, both of Jiraiya's peers seemed relieved.
It was clearly a major issue concerning peace in the Ninja World, yet it seemed as if Aomi was just going out for a trip...
"It's up to you, Tsunade-sensei."
Aomi held Tsunade's hand, finally revealing a hint of fatigue in his smile, not the usual perfect gentleness, "I'm glad you're here."
Tsunade's face turned red instantly, stammering to say something as her eyes darted around, not daring to look directly at Aomi and lowered her head:
"I-I-I actually also..."
[Target: Tsunade: You obtained "Ninpo: Creation Rebirth: Strength of a Hundred Seal"!]
But Aomi didn't continue the conversation with Tsunade. Hearing the sound of gold coins clinking, he simply turned his head and continued speaking with Orochimaru:
"The Root Ninjas, I'll leave them to you for now, Orochimaru. Take good care of them."
Orochimaru smiled and glanced at Tsunade, who was turning red, and confidently said, "Don't worry, Aomi..."
"I leave the Ryuchi Cave scroll to you, Aomi, but be careful of those snakes; they can be very irritable and perhaps a bit impolite."
Orochimaru formed a seal, summoned a scroll, and handed it to Aomi. It was the Summoning Scroll from Ryuchi Cave.
It was then that Tsunade reacted, biting her lip and cursing inwardly:
"Damn Orochimaru, why must you always take the lead? Could it be you've also taken a liking to Aomi? Bastard!"
But Tsunade reacted quickly, promptly summoning the Summoning Scroll from Shikkotsu Forest and stuffing it into Aomi's arms, demonstratively placing it on top of the Ryuchi Cave scroll, and glaring fiercely at Orochimaru:
"Aomi, go to Shikkotsu Forest first. Ryuchi Cave is of no interest!"
Orochimaru shrugged indifferently.
Tsunade, this woman, always likes to compete over trivial matters. How could she understand the bond between two scientists?
Aomi reluctantly nodded, exchanged a subtle and mutual glance with Orochimaru, then walked out of the camp gate with both scrolls.
"Tsunade-sensei, Orochimaru, Konoha is in your hands now..."
Aomi waved goodbye, still looking worried, "Contact me immediately if there's any problem."
Tsunade and Orochimaru nodded, watching Aomi leave until his figure disappeared from sight.
"Tsunade, your role as a teacher seems somewhat off..."
Orochimaru teased, "In my opinion, it's better to focus on something more reliable, or else it might just add to your sorrow."
Even though Orochimaru detected Tsunade's feelings for Aomi, he still said this.
To Orochimaru, Aomi was the key to unlocking the door to eternal life. Even if he had a connection with Tsunade, what did it matter?
Even if he took over Aomi's body and Tsunade wanted to kill him, it would still be something he'd have to deal with...
In fact, once he obtained Aomi's body, Orochimaru wouldn't hesitate to oppose the entire Ninja World!
"What do you know, Orochimaru?"
Tsunade formed a strange hand gesture, coldly saying, "No one understands Aomi better than I do!"
"You should consider yourself; sometimes, the way you look at Aomi makes me uncomfortable. He's my student, not yours..."
Orochimaru was slightly surprised, wondering if this was a woman's intuition.
Even Tsunade, with her IQ, could sense something different...
——
Hidden Cloud Battlefield, Konoha Ninja rest area.
"I killed thirteen Hidden Cloud Ninjas. The Fire Release Aomi taught me is indeed useful. I wonder how he's doing over in the Hidden Mist..."
Asuma counted his achievements, took out a cigarette, and lit it. Amidst the swirling smoke, his excitement faded again, "Sigh, but just thinking about how Aomi has become a commander, I feel my progress is still too slow."
"I want to become a Hokage Assistant!"
"You should just give it up, Asuma, that position is mine."
Shisui snorted coldly, "I killed thirty-one Hidden Cloud Ninjas, including two Jonin; that's what you call actual achievements."
"Sigh, but compared to my brother, I still seem insignificant..."
Shisui tried to suppress his old rival but fell into the same mood, exchanging a glance with Asuma, and both shook their heads sympathetically.
In today's Konoha, who dares call themselves a genius, or speak of their talent?
No one stands before Aomi!
Having such a close friend and brother was an enormous pressure for both Asuma and Shisui.
"Asuma, give me one..."
Shisui recalled that almost perfect brother and the ever-growing gap between them, and an inexplicable melancholy stirred in his heart.
Asuma looked at Shisui with understanding, handed him a cigarette, and was about to light it for him—
A pair of big hands suddenly grabbed the nape of both these boys' necks.
Aomi stared at them expressionlessly, "You two, don't you know smoking is harmful to your health?"
Asuma and Shisui snapped their heads around, shouting in delight at Aomi's arrival, "Aomi, big brother!"
And at that moment.
A shout echoed as well, "Master Aomi, this is youth!"