chapter 82 part 5
Tsukasa Kaede raised a hand and beckoned. Araki of the Sand, who had sustained quite a few injuries, returned to Tsukasa Kaede's side. This type of area-of-effect Ninja still suffered a bit when facing a Ninja like Terai.
Just as Tsukasa Kaede was about to make his move, Jiraiya reached out first, blocking Tsukasa Kaede's path.
"...It seems you have a different opinion. Are you serious? At a time like this, still so... childish?" Tsukasa Kaede looked at Jiraiya.
Jiraiya's expression was complex, showing intense internal conflict. He surely knew that killing Danzo and the Root Ninja would maximize Nagato's safety, and then he only needed to ensure Tsukasa Kaede didn't leak any Rinnegan Intel.
But if he truly killed them, it would be a betrayal of the Village, and Danzo was, after all, one of the Village's Higher-ups.
"Childish, then let it be childish. I cannot let you kill Danzo."
"Even if he just tried to kill you?"
"He didn't succeed in killing me, did he? Although I only saw him use that Dojutsu once, and I haven't analyzed much of its Intel, he no longer has the ability to kill me," Jiraiya said in a deep voice.
Tsukasa Kaede sighed, "Then you don't want to ask where his Three-Tomoe Sharingan came from? And what crime is it for him to try and kill you, a Hokage's disciple?"
"Stop talking. There are some things that a man like Danzo can do, but I cannot. I won't let Danzo kill you, and I will absolutely not let you kill Danzo," Jiraiya said.
Tsukasa Kaede sighed again. Honestly, Jiraiya's decision didn't surprise him, because Jiraiya was precisely that kind of person. Faced with someone like Danzo, who constantly claimed everything he did was "for the Village's good," Jiraiya felt at a loss.
Just like in the original Timeline, after the Konoha Crush, Jiraiya took Naruto to find Tsunade, persuading her not to make a deal with Orochimaru.
At the time, Tsunade asked if Jiraiya would kill her if she did that, and Jiraiya's reply was, "Perhaps, but I would kill Orochimaru first."
"Indeed, a disciple of Hiruzen. This old man never thought much of you, but now, I somewhat acknowledge you," Danzo said, but he didn't close his Sharingan, always ready to activate Izanagi to prevent any unexpected turns.
He certainly didn't want to get hit by Tsukasa Kaede's Reaper Death Seal. Even if he could tell it was a weakened version, its power not as exaggerated as rumors claimed, he still didn't want to lose a part of his Soul. Who knew what terrible consequences that might have?
Danzo still couldn't understand why Tsukasa Kaede could learn a Sealing Technique of the Reaper Death Seal's caliber in such a short time. Was the learning efficiency so high when using Corpse Release to activate suitable Forbidden Jutsu? Or rather, did the 'crippled' version of the Reaper Death Seal, activated with Corpse Release, not require Tsukasa Kaede to perfectly master the Reaper Death Seal Jutsu in the first place?
"Lord Danzo, you should worry about yourself first. He's willing to let you leave, and I respect his wishes, as well as your status and will. But that's limited to letting only you leave. All these subordinates of yours, they can stay. I'm currently in need of a batch of high-quality Corpses."
Tsukasa Kaede formed a single Hand Kaedegn, causing numerous Zombies to close in on Danzo and his group. He was even prepared to accelerate the proliferation of the Zombie Virus within these Root Ninja.
Danzo was filled with shock and anger, while Jiraiya frowned deeply. But Tsukasa Kaede had already made his move.
He was especially fond of Terai! Who would complain about having more and stronger cards in their hand?
Entities of Elite Jonin caliber, the more the merrier. Even when he eventually obtained his ideal body and reached a phased peak of strength, he wouldn't mind having too many Elite Jonin under him; he'd only feel he had too few.
Numerous Zombies attacked once more, especially the one still retaining Tsukasa Kaede's Consciousness, which made Danzo's heart pound in fear. If he were truly caught, Izanagi should be able to reverse the sealing effect of the Reaper Death Seal, right?
"Lord Danzo, you cannot escape. I am only doing what I should. Didn't you mention at the beginning that this is reasonable? ...Hand them over to me, and I will let you leave, even personally escort you back to the Hidden Leaf Village. As for what happened here in the Land of Rain, I'll pretend nothing occurred, and we can return to how things were."
Tsukasa Kaede smiled, a clear Hand Kaedegn for the Spatial Rift Jutsu visible on his hand, which made Danzo's expression grow even gloomier.
"Terai, you stay," Danzo commanded without hesitation.
"...Understood, Lord Danzo. Please take care of yourself. From now on, your subordinate can no longer accompany you on your path."
Terai's tone held no fluctuations. He led the remaining Root Ninja in a suicidal attack against Tsukasa Kaede.
Not long after, Terai stood blank-faced, eyes grayish-white, quietly beside Tsukasa Kaede.
Jiraiya and Danzo both watched this scene with grim expressions. They had personally witnessed how an Elite Jonin, considered a powerhouse even in a Ninja Village as strong as the Hidden Leaf Village, had been reduced to Tsukasa Kaede's Puppet.
This instinctively sent chills down their spines. They also didn't want to become Corpses Tsukasa Kaede could freely command after death.
"Tsukasa Kaede, your Jutsu is far too dangerous. If you abuse it carelessly, sooner or later, you'll find yourself standing against the entire Ninja World," Jiraiya said seriously.
"Perhaps you're right, but that's a matter for the future. Isn't everything I do for the Hidden Leaf Village? You must agree, Lord Danzo?" Tsukasa Kaede chuckled.
Danzo felt as uncomfortable as if he had eaten excrement, because Tsukasa Kaede was using words he frequently spoke.
He watched Tsukasa Kaede recall all the Zombies.
"You'd best not get any extra ideas. This old man's Forbidden Jutsu is enough to negate all results of your attacks against me."
"Understood, Izanagi. I've read the Scroll of Seals; I know that Jutsu. With that Jutsu as a failsafe, what do you have to worry about? I'll escort you back to the Hidden Leaf Village now..."
*Swish!* Tsukasa Kaede and Danzo's figures vanished from the spot, replaced by an ordinary Zombie. As soon as it appeared, it let out a howl to the sky, then dug a hole and burrowed into it.