[A (Fourth Raikage): Nono Yakushi? Who's that?]
[Onoki: I believe she's known as Konoha's "Wandering Shrine Maiden."]
[Rasa: But why are they looking for her? Is she some kind of key figure?]
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.
He had the distinct feeling that Nagi and Tobirama were not truly after Nono—
But the boy standing before him.
Kabuto.
He ran his tongue across his lips.
"Heh heh… this just got more interesting."
Kabuto Yakushi fell to his knees.
"Please… please save Director Nono… I'm begging you!!!"
He knew.
He knew she was already dead.
That it was impossible.
But like a drowning man clutching at driftwood—
He refused to let go of even the faintest hope.
Tobirama's Analysis
Tobirama and Nagi had already identified the location of the incident in the Land of Earth.
Danzō had assigned Nono Yakushi a long-term mission.
They also examined Kabuto's transmitted reports.
The latest communication had been sent four days ago.
Normally, reports were submitted once a month.
In the original timeline, Kabuto killed Nono on the final deadline of that mission.
Which meant—
They still had time.
Tobirama unfolded a map and traced the route carefully.
His finger paused briefly over the Land of Grass.
"If I remember correctly… my sister-in-law's clan once had ties here. And those scoundrels from Kusagakure…"
He turned to Hiruzen.
"Monkey."
"Yes, Teacher."
Hiruzen straightened instantly.
"If Itachi Uchiha comes to you, handle it your way."
"…Ah? Y-Yes!"
Tobirama had a growing sense that the waters of the Shinobi World ran too deep.
Some events needed to unfold similarly to the other world—
Otherwise, altering too much might cause the future to spiral out of control.
But some things had to change.
Otherwise, he could not live with himself.
"As for the destruction of Uzushiogakure, it's too late for me to hold you accountable now.
But I will give you a chance to make amends."
"Yes, Teacher. Please give your orders."
"First, don't ask how I obtained this information.
There are said to be surviving members of the Uzumaki Clan in Kusagakure.
Send people to verify it.
If it's true—
Bring them back to Konoha at any cost.
If the Grass Village dares interfere—
Then replace them with a leader who knows better."
"…Understood!"
Hiruzen let out a breath of relief.
Kusagakure was only a minor village in a small nation.
If necessary, replacing its leadership was hardly impossible.
The past year had been nerve-wracking—
But also stabilizing.
Because Tobirama Senju had returned.
Their backbone had returned.
When Tobirama died years ago, fighting the Gold and Silver Brothers alongside Kumogakure's forces, the morale of his students had collapsed.
Without spirit, leadership falters.
Now—
Hiruzen felt his spine straighten once more.
The Next Day
After making arrangements, Tobirama and Nagi prepared to depart.
Danzō was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Tobirama was ruthless—
But Danzō was still his student.
He could not bring himself to execute him.
However—
That did not mean he would forbid others from doing so.
"Let the future Uchiha deal with him. The sin is his. So too shall be the reckoning."
The Manga Continues
The previous night, they had finished reading Boruto.
The Ōtsutsuki threat ran even deeper than expected.
Ōtsutsuki Isshiki had been lurking in the shadows all along.
Though the manga had only reached Kawaki sealing Naruto—
Both Tobirama and Nagi could foresee the danger.
If the Ōtsutsuki truly invaded in force—
The Shinobi World might not survive.
Hope could not rest solely on others.
One must also believe in one's own strength.
Tobirama also observed something else in Boruto—
The power of technology.
The concept of "scientific talent" lingered in both their minds.
In their view, technology held enormous potential.
Yet outside of Kumogakure and the Kara organization, the Shinobi World had never truly prioritized scientific advancement.
Either it stagnated—
Or focused solely on civilian convenience.
Journey to the Land of Earth
After packing his belongings, Nagi set out toward the Land of Earth.
Weeks passed quickly.
Most days were spent traveling.
During rest stops, Tobirama continued training him.
Unbeknownst to both of them—
One day, as Nagi rested and Tobirama meditated—
A book titled Peak of the Immortals struck Nagi on the head.
It too dissolved into his consciousness.
…
Two days later—
While cultivating chakra, Tobirama noticed something unusual.
Each time Nagi refined chakra—
A trace of foreign energy blended into it.
The quantity was minuscule—
So small that Nagi himself hadn't noticed.
If not for Tobirama's exceptional sensory ability—
Even he might have missed it.
[Onoki: A special energy?]
[A (Fourth Raikage): What does that mean? Is that normal when refining chakra?]
[Rasa: Without the Second Hokage's sensory skills, we can't tell.]
[Mū: I can say with certainty—it is not normal.]
[Onoki: If even Lord Mū says so, then it clearly isn't.]
Tobirama analyzed the energy carefully.
It resembled his brother Hashirama's senjutsu chakra—
Yet it wasn't quite the same.
It felt like natural energy—
But not natural energy.
Nagi himself sensed only that his body seemed to instinctively draw it in.
Arrival at the Incident Site
Kabuto's heart pounded as he watched.
Nagi concealed himself in the grass atop a cliff.
Below, he located Nono Yakushi lying in wait.
In an instant—
He teleported to her side.
Sensing someone beside her, Nono moved to attack—
But Tobirama immobilized her with a binding formula.
Under her startled gaze, Tobirama produced a syringe and drew a vial of her blood.
Then he formed hand seals:
Tiger — Dog — Snake
"Water Release: Blood Clone Technique."
A clone of Nono formed—
Identical in chakra and presence.
"This technique is derived from my brother's Wood Clone. In terms of realism, it may even surpass it."
Moments later—
He detected Kabuto hiding below.
He sent the "Nono" clone to confront him.
What followed—
Proceeded much like the original timeline.
A Necessary Cruelty
After consideration, Tobirama concluded—
Kabuto still needed to follow Orochimaru.
Only through experiencing pain would he grow.
Thus—
They decided to let Kabuto temporarily remain under Orochimaru's care.
From a distance, they watched as the Iwagakure shinobi withdrew—
And Orochimaru departed with Kabuto.
Tobirama released the binding formula.
Nono gazed at Kabuto's retreating back—
Tears streaming down her face.
She had long realized that Danzō never intended for either of them to survive.
But for Kabuto's sake—
She had no choice.
Reactions
[Onoki: Unbelievable… Danzō again!]
[Kushina Uzumaki: Forcing them to kill each other? Danzō, do you have any shame?!]
[Rasa: Danzō, you—]
[Gaara: Spare us.]
Gaara's cold glance silenced him.
After all—
Rasa had blood on his own hands.