Shikamaru really, truly hated hassle.
He just hadn't expected that, by accident, he'd learn a truth this colossal—now wasn't that the ultimate hassle.
After all, if Mugen Tsukuyomi (Infinite Tsukuyomi) really happens, everyone will be turned into White Zetsu and swallowed by Kaguya. That's an apocalypse for the entire shinobi world!
Knowing a truth like this, how could they possibly sit on their hands?
Natsuki said as if it were only natural, "Because you're smart. We need your strategies!"
Shikamaru scratched his head. "What a drag… fine, you got me. Let me think. Ideally, we just don't let them capture any Jinchuriki (Tailed-Beast hosts). That way the Juubi (Ten-Tails) can't form, Mugen Tsukuyomi (Infinite Tsukuyomi) won't activate—right?"
Natsuki nodded. "Right. It really is that simple."
Shikamaru's lips quirked. "Then we protect the Jinchuriki at all costs! And best case, we find Black Zetsu and kill him. He basically has no combat power, right? Find him. Kill him."
Neji said, "Not just him. We also have to stop Obito."
Sasuke added, "And prevent Madara's resurrection."
Now that's more like it!
Everyone pooling ideas and then moving together—if they do that, the shinobi world can definitely be saved!
Tsunade stayed silent for a while, then finally spoke: "This intel is too much to take in at once—my head's still spinning. Everyone, think carefully on how we stop this world-ending plan! For now, the priority is still responding to Akatsuki. We can make Akatsuki's intel public."
Natsuki agreed and even produced a separate Akatsuki dossier so Tsunade wouldn't have to copy anything herself.
Tsunade was satisfied with that, but her gaze at Natsuki grew complicated.
She'd been wondering how Natsuki had obtained intel so fast. Because she trusted him, she hadn't pressed, but now she understood—it was basically answers straight from the Rikudou Sennin (Sage of Six Paths).
So all that earlier "investigation" he'd been doing—wasn't that just a sightseeing tour?
She had thought he was working so hard. Who would've guessed—Natsuki, you're that kind of guy!
"Natsuki, why didn't you say so earlier!" Tsunade couldn't help complaining.
"Er… we weren't that close before, right? The trust wasn't there yet. And the timing wasn't ripe. Now is a critical moment. With everyone knowing the truth—doesn't that work out nicely?"
Anyway, Natsuki felt the timing was perfect. He hadn't delayed the main plot, had he?
At that moment, Jiraiya crouched down, rolled up the giant scroll, and held it tight. "Natsuki, how about I take this? If Nagato appears, I'll find him and show him this! He has to know the truth!"
Natsuki didn't object. "That's fine. Once he knows the truth, he should stop collecting Bijuu (Tailed Beasts). But watch out for Black Zetsu and Obito. They might try to seize the Rinnegan (Rinnegan)."
"I understand. I won't let my students be hurt again!"
Jiraiya's tone was firmer than ever. This time, he wouldn't miss his chance.
Tsunade, looking tired, waved a hand. "Alright, that's it for now. I need to decompress—my brain's a mess. Shikamaru, please circulate Akatsuki's intel. Everyone else, stay alert. If Akatsuki attacks, respond immediately. Priority one is keeping the villagers safe!"
Shikamaru nodded. "I'll notify everyone. Also, maybe we should evacuate the villagers first so we don't panic at the last minute."
Tsunade thought it over and agreed. "Good idea. Have the chunin and genin move villagers to the shelters at once. Prepare food and water, and keep everyone there until Akatsuki's raid is over."
Faces grave, everyone prepared to disperse.
Natsuki suddenly added, "Tsunade-sama, Danzo—the old villain—must be handled. If possible, we should find time to work together and kill him."
Blunt words, but no one was surprised.
Danzo's crimes were too many, and by now he posed a direct threat to Konoha's safety.
Sasuke gave a thumbs-up. "Yes! The old villain Danzo must die!"
Tsunade rubbed her brow. She understood well that Danzo couldn't remain in place. Even setting the rest aside, that eye capable of rewriting others' wills was unimaginably dangerous. That's like a criminal holding a missile. If you don't stop the criminal early, everyone gets hurt.
Tsunade nodded gravely. "After we repel Akatsuki's invasion, we'll sit down and handle this properly."
Sasuke met Natsuki's eyes; both exhaled in relief. As long as Tsunade was willing to move against Danzo, they could go all out. (看暴爽小说,就上飞卢小说网!)
After that, everyone went their separate ways.
Jiraiya put the giant scroll away and drifted, dazed, into a storefront, where he ordered a bottle and drank straight from it.
Thinking about what he'd just learned, he felt lost again. He didn't know who the Great Toad Sage's "savior" truly was, but he knew the calamity facing the shinobi world.
Could he do this?
No—he could. This time, he would protect his disciples.
He could do his part for saving the shinobi world! [014704013飞卢024282560]
Elsewhere, Natsuki had only taken a few steps when Kakashi called to him.
"Natsuki, will you come with me somewhere?" Kakashi's expression was full of grief.
Seeing that, Natsuki agreed without asking where or why. He already knew it had to do with Obito.
Before long, Kakashi led Natsuki to a gravestone.
By reflex, Natsuki probed the area—no sign of anyone lurking. No Black Zetsu. No Obito.
Kakashi stood gazing at the stone for a long time before speaking. "I always thought he was dead. He's the one who made me understand the importance of comrades, and I treated the Sharingan he gave me like a treasure. I never imagined he not only survived, but also witnessed me killing Rin with my own hands. Even if it was orchestrated by others, Rin's death was enough to drive him into utter pain."
Natsuki said nothing.
Obito's pain was real—but he wasn't the only one in pain.
In short, his mindset boiled down to one line: "Though my belt grows thin, I do not regret it; for her, I'll destroy the whole world."
Destroying the world for love is impossible to condone. Nagato had the Rinnegan (Rinnegan), right? Why not just take it and use Rinne Tensei (Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique) to revive Nohara Rin?
Why insist on dragging everyone down, building a vast genjutsu, and making a world with Rin inside an illusion?
Wouldn't truly bringing her back be better?
Why revive her only in a dream?
Isn't that… dumb?
Quietly, Natsuki said, "Kakashi-senpai, don't tell me you plan to forgive him. For his so-called plan, he even caused Naruto's parents to die!"
Kakashi flinched, then slowly shook his head. "I might not even have the right to blame him—so what forgiveness is there to speak of? But if what he's doing is wrong, then I'll stop him. And being used as Madara's puppet—that's the greatest tragedy of all. I won't let him go on like this."
As for how to stop him—that would depend on what happened when they met.
Maybe this time, Obito would show up as well…
(End of Chapter)
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