After Kannabi Bridge was blown up, Squad Kakashi's mission was completed.
Shindai could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Because Shindai had just asked Minato Namikaze, after the bridge was destroyed, they could return to Konoha.
Without Kannabi Bridge for transporting supplies, the Iwagakure forces were cut off from logistics, effectively losing their combat capability and unable to maintain normal operations.
Logistical support is key to a military's normal operation and sustained combat effectiveness.
It wouldn't take many days for Iwagakure to withdraw on their own; now they just needed to return to Konoha to report on their mission.
With Minato Namikaze by his side, Shindai was no longer afraid.
If Black Zetsu dared to come again, Minato Namikaze wouldn't be joking around.
Although Black Zetsu was immortal, he could be sealed!
Under Uzumaki Kushina's tutelage, Minato Namikaze's Sealing Techniques were now incredibly powerful.
Now, he just needed to stall until Uchiha Madara died, and Obito would be completely safe.
But... when would Uchiha Madara die? Although Uchiha Madara must be old and toothless by now, with the Gedo Mazo extending his life, who knew how long he could live.
It would be great if he knew where Uchiha Madara was and what his current situation was.
If he knew where Uchiha Madara was, Shindai would definitely pull out his tubes!
...
Mount Cemetery.
Black Zetsu appeared before Uchiha Madara, currently attached to White Zetsu's body.
Uchiha Madara opened his wrinkled eyelids, saw Black Zetsu return alone, and said indifferently, "As expected, it failed."
Black Zetsu awkwardly said, "It was almost done, but there was a problem..."
A hint of disdain appeared in Uchiha Madara's eyes: "I said, I only look at results. You didn't bring Obito back, and you didn't find that seal. You can't do anything I ask. I'm increasingly feeling that your existence is superfluous. The decision to find a proxy was indeed the correct one."
Black Zetsu wanted to explain himself, but Uchiha Madara directly interrupted, "Shut up, I don't want to hear your excuses. Although you are useless, you are, after all, a product of my will. Your only advantage is loyalty.
Now there's no time for you to keep trying. So, let's activate the backup plan. Your future task is to monitor and ensure events unfold according to my will."
Black Zetsu was furious inside, really wanting to loudly tell Uchiha Madara that he wasn't loyal to him, nor was he a product of his will, and he wasn't useless at all; he was a mastermind, not a crude direct fighter like those Ninja!
Then he would pull out Uchiha Madara's tubes, letting Uchiha Madara watch him die with shocked and despairing eyes.
That feeling would definitely be incredibly satisfying.
Unfortunately, he couldn't do that. If he did, his meticulously planned scheme would be for naught, all his efforts wasted.
Black Zetsu took a deep breath and said, "I understand. So, the next step is to bring Uchiha Setsuna out of Konoha, right?"
Uchiha Madara nodded slightly: "That's right, Uchiha Setsuna has inherited my will, so there's no need to worry about loyalty. It's his strength that's the issue. If he only has a Three-Tomoe Sharingan, he won't be able to contend with Nagato, so we need to find a way to force Uchiha Setsuna to awaken his Mangekyo Sharingan."
Black Zetsu asked, "How do you plan to do that?"
Uchiha Madara raised his left hand and covered his left eye: "Coincidentally, I still have a Three-Tomoe Sharingan. I'll use the genjutsu Izanami to stimulate him."
Black Zetsu was a bit surprised: "Izanami... will it work?"
Uchiha Madara lowered his left hand and explained, "Izanami records a sequence of actions between the user and the target, and then repeats that same sequence.
The target caught in the genjutsu is imprisoned in the time between the first and second recorded scenes in their memory, entering a world of infinite loops. To break Izanami, the target must accept their own fate.
Everyone has a scenario they fear and don't want to see. By using the genjutsu Narakumi on Uchiha Setsuna, we can materialize his fear and make him believe it's reality. Then, by using Izanami to repeat this fear, we can stimulate him to awaken his Mangekyo Sharingan.
If... he still can't awaken his Mangekyo Sharingan even after that, then he won't be of much use."
Black Zetsu asked doubtfully, "Madara, isn't there already someone in the Uchiha Clan who has awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan? That Uchiha Shisui, why not choose him?"
Uchiha Madara raised his eyes and glanced at Black Zetsu, his gaze full of disdain: "To accept my ideology and implement my plan, I need someone whose thoughts aren't rigid, in other words, someone who can be molded. I observed Uchiha Shisui, but I quickly gave up. He is a person of strong will; it's impossible for him to accept my ideology."
Seeing the utter disdain in Uchiha Madara's eyes, Black Zetsu really wanted to slap himself for asking that extra question.
Black Zetsu had pretty much figured it out: Uchiha Madara truly looked down on him now.
Uchiha Madara gave Black Zetsu a final ultimatum: "Bring Uchiha Setsuna to me. If you fail again this time, destroy yourself."
Black Zetsu's already dark face now had an even glossier blackness.
Black Zetsu grumbled, "I understand!"
After leaving Mount Cemetery, Black Zetsu cursed bitterly in his heart: "Damn it! How much does he look down on me, thinking I can't even bring out a guy locked in prison! What's a mere pawn so proud of? Just a fool whose life is being manipulated!"
...
A few days later.
Shindai and his group had returned to Konoha.
The group was currently in the Hokage Office, reporting on their mission to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
It was clear that Hiruzen Sarutobi was in a very good mood, saying cheerfully, "I already know about this. The Shinobi Hawk reported the front-line situation to me a day early. The Iwagakure Ninja on the front lines, having lost their supply of materials, became exhausted and began to collapse, and have already started to retreat.
Once Iwagakure completes its withdrawal, this battle should pretty much be drawing to a close. After that, it will be time for post-war cleanup."
A Shinobi Hawk flew in through the window.
"It seems more good news has arrived from the front lines."
Hiruzen Sarutobi, with a broad smile, opened the scroll tied to the Shinobi Hawk and began to read it, but the smile on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a grim expression, like finding ginger in potato shreds.
Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a deep voice, "I originally wanted you all to rest for a few days, but it seems there will be no rest. This is a request for aid. A combined Ninja force from Hidden Cloud Village and Hidden Sand Village has invaded the Land of Fire and is currently advancing towards Kikyo Mountain.
All Konoha Ninja currently outside the village will proceed to Kikyo Mountain for battle. Therefore, Minato Team! Immediately proceed to Kikyo Mountain to engage in combat!
This should be the true final battle!"
"Yes!"
After Minato Namikaze responded, he didn't even go home, but immediately led Shindai and the others to Kikyo Mountain.
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