The door to the Hokage's Office was flung open. Jiraiya rushed in, Tsunade and Yamato right on his heels.
"Second Hokage, is what Yamato said true?" Jiraiya demanded. "You've developed a jutsu that can separate personalities in the soul? In just a short time?"
Just like in the original story, Yamato—having left the ANBU—needed a new name, or rather, a code name. Tobirama, naturally, had neither the interest nor the time to pick one. Jiraiya had wanted to call him White Zetsu, but Yamato, having seen the real White Zetsu, had immediately shot that down. In the end, Tsunade gave him the much more normal name: Yamato.
"That's right," Tobirama nodded expressionlessly. "I called you all here today to inform you of this matter."
"Tomorrow, I will personally perform this separation technique to completely sever Naruto Uzumaki from Menma."
Hearing this, Jiraiya was taken aback. "Separate tomorrow? Why the rush? Why so quickly?"
"Shouldn't we test this jutsu again first? To see if it's stable, if there are any side effects..."
"No need." Tobirama cut him off sharply before he could finish. "I've already tested it. There are no problems, and we've already wasted enough time."
"I can't let that dangerous personality continue to corrupt Kurama, especially since he's hostile to Konoha and making underhanded moves!"
Thinking of his older brother, who still hadn't returned, Tobirama felt tomorrow was too late; they should start right now!
Standing nearby, Tsunade suddenly remembered something. "Grand-uncle, the Hidden Cloud Village doesn't intend to lend us the Waterfall of Truth. I'm afraid we can't begin the separation tomorrow; we'll need to negotiate with the Hidden Cloud Village for a while."
"No need," Tobirama shook his head. "I've already found a way to deal with Menma without the Waterfall of Truth."
In fact, when Tobirama had approached the Hidden Cloud Village to borrow the Waterfall of Truth a month ago, he had already researched a method to deal with Menma from that pile of forbidden soul techniques. However, at the time, he still needed the Waterfall's assistance. Unfortunately, the Hidden Cloud Village refused, forcing him to find another way—which was why it had been delayed until now.
"He actually found another way! The Second Hokage truly lives up to his reputation as a master of forbidden techniques!" Jiraiya didn't suspect a thing. After all, half the powerful forbidden techniques in the village were created by Tobirama.
"Go tell Naruto Uzumaki to prepare, and have him inform Menma as well."
"Okay... wait!" Just as Jiraiya was about to agree, he remembered a serious problem: he wasn't ready with a body to house Menma's consciousness.
"Second Hokage, I just obtained the technology from Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura. I haven't yet cultivated a body capable of housing it. How about we wait another year or two..."
Tobirama waved his hand, dismissing the concern. "Don't worry about that. I've already had the barrier team prepare the device to house the separated consciousness. You just need to stand guard, and no matter what happens, don't disturb me."
In truth, Tobirama hadn't prepared anything, because he never intended to perform any separation in the first place. His explanation was nothing more than a deception to appease Jiraiya. His only goal was to seal or annihilate—to make Menma disappear forever.
After all, Menma could use a Tailed Beast transformation comparable to the Nine-Tails' true form. And he, having fused with Sage Mode energy, was truly terrifying.
That's right, because Tobirama had been too far away at the time, he could only see two small figures fighting. Furthermore, Menma's eyesight was not strong enough then, and the armor formed by his Susanoo only covered half his body, the central opening quite large.
Therefore, Tobirama mistakenly thought the black armor was the same as the one Menma wore when he slaughtered the Shimura clan—black patterns formed by the fusion of a massive amount of Sage Mode energy. He was unaware that Menma also possessed the evil Sharingan.
"It seems you've prepared everything all along, Grand-uncle," Tsunade said, turning to look at Jiraiya, who was deep in thought. She grabbed his collar and dragged him toward the door.
"Jiraiya, stop dawdling! Go find Naruto Uzumaki and Menma and explain things!"
Jiraiya, being dragged, felt his collar tighten around his neck. His face turned purple as he struggled to breathe.
"I-I know! Be gentle! My neck—I can't breathe!"
Tsunade dragged Jiraiya out of the Hokage Building quickly, releasing her grip and letting him breathe only after they were outside.
"Don't be so violent! If you'd just called me, I would've come running. There was no need to strangle me like that..." Jiraiya complained softly as he loosened his collar. "Alright, tell me—what's the matter that you dragged me out in such a hurry?"
Tsunade ignored his complaints and frowned. "I just won my bet with Naruto Uzumaki."
"I know," Jiraiya said, puzzled. "Don't worry, I know you spent the money. I won't ask you to pay it back for Naruto Uzumaki!"
"That's not what I meant!" Tsunade's expression darkened. "You know my situation. I rarely win anything related to gambling—unless something bad is about to happen."
Hearing this, Jiraiya's expression turned serious. "You mean... there will be problems with tomorrow's separation?"
"I don't know," Tsunade shook her head. "Maybe Naruto Uzumaki will have problems. Maybe your great-uncle will have problems. Or maybe..."
Tsunade didn't finish her sentence, instead giving Jiraiya a deep look.
"Is there something on my face?" Jiraiya asked, a little confused. He didn't pay much attention, turning to head back to the Hokage Building.
"Since there's a problem, I'll go talk to the Second Hokage and see if we can postpone it for a few days to investigate."
But Jiraiya had barely lifted his foot when Tsunade grabbed him by the back of his collar and pulled him back.
"Jiraiya, that's not what I meant. Besides, my great-uncle won't believe that, and he won't change his plans. I just hope you'll be extra careful tomorrow. If you notice anything amiss, act immediately and interrupt the separation jutsu."
Tsunade didn't suspect Tobirama of causing trouble. Rather, she worried Menma would take the opportunity to attack Tobirama tomorrow—just like he had done to her grandfather Hashirama Senju back in Sound Village.
"I see. I understand. Don't worry," Jiraiya said, patting his chest to assure her he'd be extra careful.
After agreeing, the two quickly returned to the training ground and shared the good news with Naruto Uzumaki that he'd be separated the next day. Naruto Uzumaki immediately and excitedly reported this to Menma.
Menma, who had been waiting for this day for so long, quickly replied, indicating that he understood.
...
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