But in the end, Obito held back, glaring fiercely at White Zetsu, his body suddenly twisting.

"I'm going to see Nagato and check on the situation. The rest is up to you. Oh, and remember to check for Flying Thunder God Marks!"

As he spoke, Obito's figure disappeared from the spot, which finally made White Zetsu breathe a sigh of relief.

He said, "That scared me. He really seemed like he wanted to kill me, eh?"

"Just don't talk."

Black Zetsu found it a bit unbearable. The task Obito had given him was truly troublesome, how to repair the body was a real headache.

Surely, they couldn't use White Zetsu's body, could they?

It would be useful, but if something went wrong, it would be a huge mess.

After all, Nagato's bloodline was not ordinary. Even if it was used on a puppet, he had to be extremely cautious.

Black Zetsu asked, "Let's figure it out slowly. By the way, yesterday in Takigakure, what exactly happened with Obito and the others? Why was he so emotional?"

"Yesterday, well, one of my clones saw it."

White Zetsu thought for a moment, then began to explain, though his eyes showed pure confusion.

"But it's strange, even if Obito saw that guy impersonating him and doing bad things, it shouldn't be like that, right? I have many clones."

"..."

"Also, I remember Obito kept calling out Kakashi and Rin when he was unconscious. Yesterday, that brat used Earth Release to show him the two of them, and he seemed even angrier."

"..."

"What's there to be angry about?"

"..."

Black Zetsu understood now. No wonder Obito was so furious. It seems that kid truly isn't human.

— — —

"Sigh, I wonder how they are doing now?"

In Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen was anxiously waiting for Jiraiya and the others.

Some time had passed since their last communication. But they still hadn't returned to Konoha, which made him worried and a little scared.

Could something have gone wrong?

"And Kumogakure also seems to be moving. It shouldn't take long for them to figure out what happened."

Sarutobi Hiruzen had a splitting headache. Takemi and the others had acted in plain sight.

This meant that as long as Kumogakure's people went to Sugi Village and inquired, they would get information.

"How great it would be if no one had seen it..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed. Suddenly, he thought of his old friend, Danzo.

According to Danzo's methods, it would most likely be...

Using Earth Release to trap everyone in that small town, and then a Fire Release?

"Hiss!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen gasped, taking a cold breath. He felt he absolutely couldn't adopt Danzo's way of thinking, it was too extreme.

"I wonder how his contact with Hanzo is going?"

He immediately cut off the chaotic thoughts in his mind, he dared not think any further.

But just then, an Anbu holding a toad rushed in frantically. "Hokage-sama, new information!"

"Hmm."

Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately sat up straight. The toad jumped out of the Anbu's arms and skillfully spat out a scroll for him.

Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately opened the scroll, and the next moment, he felt his breathing become difficult.

— — —

"Finally arrived."

Land of Fire, a mountain not far from Konoha.

Jiraiya looked at Konoha below with great emotion. Although it had only been a little over a month since he had left, he felt as if an eternity had passed.

In this past month, he felt he had experienced so many things.

"Tch, back again?"

Tsunade also felt a slight pang of emotion looking at Konoha below. Returning after many years, the feeling was truly different.

If not for some necessary reasons, she truly didn't want to come back. But ultimately, this was her home, and she had to return.

However, seeing Shizune's excited face, she felt a bit overwhelmed for a moment. But in the end, she didn't scold Shizune, but turned to Jiraiya instead.

She said, "You go explain to the old man later. This guy insisted on coming along, it's not my business!"

"Yes, yes, I'll handle it."

Jiraiya's smile was forced, especially as he glanced at the silent Fourth Raikage behind him, whose gaze was fixed on them. He was truly annoyed now.

"Alright, everyone's back. Let's head back first."

It seemed that everyone was feeling quite awkward, so Takemi, the instigator, had to step forward to smooth things over.

"Besides, we were lucky this time. At least Kakashi-sensei doesn't need to go to the hospital, right?"

"..."

Kakashi, who had been afraid to speak, glared fiercely at Takemi when he heard that. What kind of talk was that?

Does this kid really think that every time they go out, someone has to end up in the hospital?

"Hmm? Someone's coming."

But before he could speak, he suddenly saw Anbu approaching from the front. He glanced at the Fourth Raikage and immediately knew what was happening.

"It seems we still have work to do."

"Indeed, after all, it's a significant matter."

Jiraiya and Tsunade also nodded.

Then Jiraiya looked at Takemi and said, "Takemi, you go back and rest first. We'll contact you later if anything comes up."

"Okay."

Takemi immediately nodded upon hearing that. He had wanted to run away for a long time.

What he wanted to do most now was to properly tally his gains and study his eyes.

"Then I'll take my leave!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Takemi had already vanished from everyone's sight.

"Not taking that brat? He's the instigator, isn't he?" Tsunade asked as Takemi left, while Jiraiya sighed.

"His presence would only make things worse... Forget it, let's not talk about that. Although there were some unexpected events this time, it was still smooth, right, Kakashi?"

"..."

Kakashi looked at Jiraiya's gaze and could only nod helplessly. At this moment, the Anbu also arrived.

"Jiraiya-sama, Tsunade-sama, Kakashi-senpai."

"Yes, thank you for your hard work."

Jiraiya nodded, then asked directly, "Where are we going now? Where does the old man plan to meet the Fourth Raikage?"

To meet the Fourth Raikage, they naturally couldn't bring him directly into the village. Some matters still needed to be discussed and settled outside the village first.

"This..."

However, the Anbu in front of him seemed conflicted.

After a while, he lowered his voice and said, "Hokage-sama wants you to decide. He'll rush over later."

"Huh? What's wrong with him?"

"Because... Hokage-sama is recuperating in the hospital, so..."

"..."

The Anbu's words immediately made Jiraiya freeze, and Tsunade beside him was stunned for a long time before finally spitting out.

"Indeed, Konoha's medical system, like its Ninja education, has serious deficiencies..."

"..."