"But..."
Before Fukasaku could say more, he was cut off directly by Gamamaru.
He said, "That woman is being this obvious on purpose — it's provocation. Obviously, she has other plans."
"Don't act recklessly. Tell Jiraiya that unless it's something particularly important, he should let someone else handle it. Naruto is too weak right now."
"Also, activate Mount Myoboku's defensive barrier. From now on, we won't receive any outsiders."
Fukasaku had no choice but to leave, clearly unhappy.
"How come things moved so quickly?" Gamamaru murmured to himself after Fukasaku left.
In the Country of Hot Springs,
With a long sigh, Kaguya walked into the palace.
Hidenaga White Zetsu, who had appeared imposing in front of others just moments ago, immediately came forward flatteringly, his face obviously seeking favor.
"Master."
"Don't allow any frogs into our territory. Don't let them gather any intelligence here."
"Master, rest assured, we've been doing exactly that already."
"In that place where the Grel Stone exists, is there anyone powerful?"
"No," Hidenaga White Zetsu replied after a moment of recollection.
The underground ruins located near the Grel Mine in the Land of Wind were where the Grel Mine lay.
The leader of those ruins was Haido, with about jonin-level strength.
As for his knights, their power ranked even lower.
They barely qualified as strong opponents at all.
"Good then. You shall take control of that location," Kaguya calmly ordered.
"Understood," Hidenaga White Zetsu responded excitedly.
"Oh, Master, several White Zetsus have lost contact with us unilaterally — those few from earlier who went out to intercept Jiraiya. Should we track and retrieve them?"
Kaguya ignored him.
"Master…"
White Zetsu called again behind her.
"Master, you won't be staying here?"
After wandering aimlessly for a while, Kaguya let out a quiet sigh.
A wave of boredom crept over her.
Why did watching Hiroki, Tsunade, Hinata, and others living their lives sometimes seem interesting? Yet when it was her own life, everything felt dull.
A thousand years ago, she had busied herself worrying about retaliation from the Otsutsuki clan. Now, was there really nothing more meaningful for her to do?
Mount Shumisen.
"All right, everything's gathered now," Hiroki said, handing over the items containing Uzumaki Karin's and Uchiha Izumi's cells and genetic materials to Shimon Hiruko.
"I've made some discoveries too. Want to hear about them?" Shimon Hiruko raised his eyebrow.
Hiroki nodded, thinking to himself: You're not telling me this because you want my opinion — you're just showing off, needing someone to impress.
What an amusing twist — that someone so showy would end up becoming a science nerd.
"I discovered these major kekkei genkai [advanced bloodline limits] are truly fascinating. If I fuse those relatively weaker kekkei genkai cells, they integrate peacefully."
"But if I combine Senju and Hyuga, Senju and Kaguya, or Hyuga and Kaguya, pairing them two by two, then the cells start devouring each other, like fighting over territory."
"It's like wars fought between equals trying to determine superiority."
"Strong forces—like water and fire—just don't mix," Hiroki remarked.
"By the way, there's one more thing I need your cooperation with. It's regarding White Zetsu."
Having said that, Shimon summoned a White Zetsu.
"You mentioned before that White Zetsu can copy any bloodline limit, so I want to observe whether his cells will undergo any changes after activating his ability."
"What exactly inside him determines his power?"
"I've already collected samples—his original cells, the cells when he transformed into me, and even when he became Hidan and others. I need more samples..."
Hiroki agreed and supplied a bit of chakra to White Zetsu.
After staying at Shimon's place for some time, Hiroki returned to Konoha again.
Likewise, Kaguya, who had been feeling bored, also made her way back to Konoha.
Orochimaru's base.
"Master Jiraiya, you're back..." Naruto shouted excitedly.
Jiraiya nodded, briefly greeted everyone, then hurried straight into the laboratory where Orochimaru usually stayed.
"A White Zetsu? Confirmed alive?"
"That's right."
With that, Jiraiya was about to remove the sealing tag.
"Wait," Orochimaru immediately stopped him.
"White Zetsu can burrow underground. To prepare for his arrival, I specifically had suppression talismans engraved onto the base's floor. Until that's completed, we should keep him as he is."
"Otherwise, not only could they escape directly, but my intelligence on this base might also be leaked."
Orochimaru wore a pleased expression, even speaking more than usual.
Without showing emotion, Jiraiya dropped the bundle containing the White Zetsus onto the ground.
Orochimaru had yet to notice Jiraiya's mood; he once again released B, A, and Hiruzen Sarutobi—the three reincarnated through [Impure World Reincarnation]—from their coffins.
Patting Jiraiya's shoulder, Orochimaru smirked as he said, "Jiraiya, go have a word with your talented pupil. I need his help."
Jiraiya suddenly sighed.
Orochimaru looked at him curiously and asked, "Did something else happen?"
"I encountered a mysterious woman, and because of me, someone lost their life."
Jiraiya briefly recounted meeting Kaguya and the death of Gamabunta.
"Wait a second…"
A and B exchanged glances, seemingly latching onto a crucial detail.
"How did he die? An ordinary-looking bone?"
"Yes."
B and his partner stared in shock. "Did you run into Yugito Nii?"
"Yugito?" Jiraiya frowned.
"You mean the current Raikage? No, I know what Yugito looks like. Are you suggesting that woman was disguised as Yugito?"
"But why would she have any reason to kill Gamabunta? Gamabunta has no grudges with Kumogakure. Could this possibly relate to past wars..."
By the end of his explanation, it had become nothing more than Jiraiya muttering to himself.
Raikage furrowed his brow and, noticing everyone lost in thought, took initiative to reopen his own wound, recounting how he was killed by Yugito long ago.
When he finished speaking, B added a few more details.
"I think I've also seen that chakra fist you mentioned..." Jiraiya finally spoke, his voice soft and filled with bitterness.
"The technique was once used by Hiroki Hyuga."
"In that case, the truth becomes apparent," commented Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Gamabunta stands as the representative of Mount Myoboku, Hiroki Hyuga connects to Kaguya Otsutsuki, the woman Jiraiya encountered should also be connected to Kaguya Otsutsuki—and so should Yugito."
"If that's true, then roughly seven years ago, Kumogakure had already been targeted by Kaguya Otsutsuki's gaze," A said in disbelief.
"There's another thing," Orochimaru suddenly cut in, speaking for the first time. "Yugito has two tailed beasts inside her—that information was leaked by the now-deceased Yeyue Ibuki."
A sinister grin curled his lips as he continued, "Actually, I'm really curious about this. When two tailed beasts are forcibly sealed inside one person, would they merge into one consciousness or still maintain their individual awareness?"
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