The Second Hokage's ascending gaze fell upon Nawaki, immediately focusing on a distinctive piece of jade worn prominently around the young man's neck.
"My elder brother's descendant," Tobirama observed with unmistakable approval. "Impressive."
Although the Second Hokage had lost control of his consciousness during the recent battle, his memories of the engagement remained perfectly intact. He could clearly assess what he had witnessed of Nawaki's capabilities.
A faint smile crossed his normally stern features, obviously impressed by what he had seen.
Nawaki had demonstrated complete mastery of advanced water-style techniques that rivaled Tobirama's own expertise—a legacy worthy of the Senju bloodline.
His expression grew more serious as his attention shifted to the other figures approaching their position.
"Lord Second!" the Third Hokage called out respectfully.
Despite his advanced age and the burdens of leadership that had bent his shoulders, Hiruzen straightened his posture and stood with the disciplined bearing of a student receiving instruction from his revered teacher. Decades seemed to fall away from his weathered features.
"You have done exceptionally well, little monkey," the Second Hokage replied, his arms folded in the characteristic pose that had intimidated countless enemies during his lifetime.
He nodded with evident satisfaction at the Third Hokage's accomplishments, acknowledging both the village's survival and the quality of leadership that had made it possible.
With those final words of approval, Tobirama's soul followed the column of light and rose steadily toward the heavens above.
The brilliant radiance gradually faded until the sky returned to its normal blue, leaving only memories of legend in its wake.
The assembled defenders slowly recovered from the profound experience of witnessing a Hokage's final departure. At that moment, Minato materialized beside them with his characteristic golden flash.
"Sensei," Minato said, his attention immediately focusing on Jiraiya.
While the legendary Sannin maintained his typical composed exterior, Minato could sense the emotional turmoil churning beneath the surface. Learning that one of his most beloved students had become Konoha's greatest enemy would leave lasting scars on anyone's heart.
"I'm fine," Jiraiya replied, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. His gaze swept over Minato with obvious concern. "What about you? Are you injured?"
They had all witnessed the incredible scale of power that the perfect Susanoo represented. Even with their considerable strength, they couldn't help but feel insignificant when faced with such overwhelming force.
"I'm unharmed," Minato assured him with a gentle laugh, nodding to emphasize his words. With a subtle shift of concentration, the orange eye shadow that marked his Sage Mode gradually faded from around his eyes.
"Those bastards escaped again," Nawaki said through gritted teeth, his hands clenched into fists as fury and frustration warred in his expression.
The young Senju wasn't alone in his feelings—Minato and the others shared his sense of defeat despite their tactical victory.
However, the most pressing concerns at the moment had nothing to do with pursuing escaped enemies.
While the village's physical destruction was severe, the truly critical issue was the human cost—the civilians and Konoha ninja who had been killed or wounded during the assault.
The Chunin Exams had begun that morning, and now that the battle had concluded, it was barely past noon. They had mere hours to establish proper shelter and medical care before nightfall brought additional complications.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Minato immediately began issuing tactical assignments.
The group moved efficiently toward the collapsed mountainside where Kushina and the other survivors waited.
"Dad!" Naruto called out as soon as he spotted his father.
"Dad!" Chiharu added, both children running toward Minato with expressions of profound relief mixed with lingering worry.
Minato smiled warmly and extended his hands to ruffle both children's hair affectionately. "I'm perfectly fine. Neither of you were hurt, were you?"
"No, we're okay," they both replied obediently, though their eyes continued to search his face for any signs of injury or distress.
When Minato's gaze shifted from his children to Kushina, he immediately noticed the pallor in her normally vibrant complexion. His brow furrowed with concern.
"Don't worry about me," Kushina said, taking his hand and playfully pinching his palm several times in their private code for reassurance. "The Nine-Tails' seal remains completely stable."
Minato's temporarily depressed mood lifted somewhat at her familiar gesture, and a genuine smile replaced his worried expression.
"Thank you," he said softly, squeezing her hand in return.
Turning toward their medical specialist, he addressed the immediate crisis. "Lady Tsunade, what's our casualty assessment?"
Since everyone on the mountain was currently receiving treatment from Tsunade's medical network, she would have the most accurate information about their situation.
Tsunade's expression was grim as she delivered her report. "Among the ninja, most of those who survived suffered only minor injuries. The slug treatment should have them combat-ready within hours."
Her tone grew darker as she continued. "The primary casualties are among the civilian population. Nearly all survivors sustained injuries of varying severity, and many require immediate surgical intervention."
"Understood," Minato nodded solemnly before turning to address one of the ANBU operatives. "Begin gathering all available ninja in the village. Move the civilians to the largest open area we can secure and establish a centralized treatment facility. Mobilize every medical ninja we have left."
"Yes, sir!" the ANBU responded before vanishing to carry out his orders.
"Lady Tsunade, I'm placing all medical operations under your direct command," Minato said with deep respect.
The legendary Sannin nodded her acceptance of the responsibility.
"Dad, Mom, we want to help too," Naruto declared, standing up alongside Chiharu and their classmates. Despite their youth, all of them showed determination to contribute to the relief effort.
"Very well," Minato agreed, recognizing that meaningful work would help them process the trauma they had witnessed.
The children nodded eagerly and followed Tsunade as she departed to establish the medical command center.
"Sensei," Minato said, turning back to Jiraiya, "I'm assigning you and Fugaku to handle negotiations with the Sand Village delegation. There are urgent matters I must investigate immediately."
"Don't worry about the political situation," Jiraiya assured him, placing a supportive hand on Minato's shoulder before departing in the direction indicated.
"Yoruki," Minato continued with his assignments, "take Sakumo-senpai and the available ANBU teams back to the village ruins. Salvage any intact medical equipment and supplies you can find. Clear a large area and construct temporary shelters for the displaced civilians."
Even Konoha's designated emergency shelters had been destroyed in Nagato's assault, leaving them with no existing infrastructure to rely upon.
"Understood," Uchiha Yoruki replied before moving to gather the necessary personnel.
With the major relief operations organized, Minato turned to address his wife's unique capabilities. "Kushina, are you still able to use Nine-Tails chakra for enhanced perception?"
"If it's just for sensing, I can manage that much," she confirmed, raising an eyebrow with curiosity about his intentions.
"Good," Minato nodded before addressing the Third Hokage. "I need you to oversee the overall coordination here while I handle this investigation."
"Of course," Hiruzen agreed without hesitation.
Flash!
The moment the Third Hokage finished speaking, both Minato and Kushina vanished from sight.
"Minato, what exactly are you planning?" Kushina asked after they materialized in the area that had served as the Chunin Exam venue—the same location where Minato had first encountered both Nagato and the masked man.
This zone had suffered the most severe damage from the Chibaku Tensei technique, leaving the terrain fundamentally altered.
"Help me locate something," Minato explained. "I need you to sense for traces of the substance that was covering our enemies during the battle—the material that blocked our chakra perception."
"Ah," Kushina replied, though she remained puzzled about his ultimate objective.
Without further questions, she immediately activated her enhanced sensory abilities. Dark golden chakra began emanating from her form as her perception expanded rapidly across the devastated battlefield.
Within moments, she had locked onto their target.
Whoosh!
Kushina moved to an area where massive chunks of debris had been piled by the gravitational forces of the previous battle.
CRASH!
Focusing her intent, she manifested Nine-Tails chakra in the form of a massive claw. The construct tore through the pile of rocks with overwhelming force, digging deep into the rubble until it found what they were seeking.
After several minutes of careful excavation, the chakra claw retracted and opened in front of both Minato and Kushina.
"There it is," Minato said with satisfaction, his eyes lighting up at the discovery.
Resting in Kushina's palm was a small fragment of solidified white substance—the remnant of whatever had been coating their enemies during the battle.
He carefully picked up the mysterious material and placed it in a sealed glass vial from his ninja tool kit.
"What do you plan to do with that?" Kushina asked with obvious curiosity as the Nine-Tails chakra around her body faded back to invisibility.
"This substance was attached to Nagato and the others during our fight," Minato explained, his expression growing darker with remembered concern. "It completely blocked our chakra perception abilities, which gave them a significant tactical advantage."
His voice carried an edge of urgency as he continued. "I'm going to have Lady Tsunade analyze this sample. We need to understand exactly what we're dealing with."
What he didn't mention to Kushina was the more disturbing memory—how this same white material had attempted to invade his body through the wound he had inflicted on the masked man. The implications of that failed infiltration attempt were deeply troubling and required immediate investigation.