"Konoha's ninja arrived pretty fast."
"That's not surprising. The last Konoha ANBU who died summoned a contract beast right before his death. It was Enma, the Third Hokage's monkey. That guy must have been very close to the Third. When someone that important dies, Konoha is bound to react quickly."
"Too bad. No matter how fast they are, it won't help."
"That's true enough."
High up in the treetops, two White Zetsu poked their heads out, gazing at the figures moving about in the distance.
They had been left behind by Black Zetsu to keep watch.
Although Black Zetsu had already erased all traces of Uchiha Hatoha's return to the base, it was better to be safe than sorry. Two White Zetsu were stationed near the battlefield to observe. If the Konoha ninja found nothing, then there was nothing to worry about. But if, by some stroke of luck, they discovered something, the White Zetsu would have to rush back and report before Konoha could act.
...
Minato stood atop a tree, looking down at the battlefield below, which was chaotic beyond measure. He was not an expert in investigation or tracking, so he did not join the others on the ground. Instead, he surveyed the area from above, and it had to be said that this vantage point did reveal certain clues.
Those enormous footprints.
Those broad, sweeping blade marks.
They looked as if an elite of the Akimichi clan had fought someone here. The Akimichi clan's Expansion Jutsu could enlarge the body to a colossal size, allowing them to rampage across the battlefield like the giants of legend. Minato had previously partnered with Akimichi elites on missions, so he was familiar with the signs.
Back then, he, Inuzuka Gaku, and Akimichi Dōtō had formed a team on a mission.
On the northeastern front, they had encountered Kumogakure's new generation A-B duo. That was A, who had not yet become the Fourth Raikage, and Killer B, the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki. In that battle, Minato had suffered a rare setback. He failed to take their heads and only managed to force the A-B duo to retreat.
"…Susanoo, huh? If I ran into something like that… it would be a real headache."
Minato frowned in thought.
He considered what he would do if he were to face such a monstrous opponent.
From what he knew, Susanoo was different from the Akimichi clan's Expansion Jutsu. When the Akimichi turned into giants, they gained tremendous power but also made themselves into massive targets. Susanoo, however, was said to be more like a suit of armor. As long as the Uchiha inside was not harmed, shattering the Susanoo itself accomplished very little.
Something like that…
It really would not be easy to deal with.
Perhaps… it was time to learn something new. Something specifically designed to deal with giant enemies.
"Minato!"
Hyūga Hizashi stood atop a mound of earth, waving vigorously and calling out to him.
In the next instant,
"Hizashi, did you find something?"
Minato appeared directly at Hyūga Hizashi's side.
"There's something buried down here."
Hizashi was not startled by Minato's incredible speed. He stamped his foot and pointed downward. "A sword is buried here. A very dangerous one."
"A sword?"
Minato froze for a moment, then immediately understood.
"You mean… Mizushiro's blade, the Shibuki? It wasn't taken away?"
As he spoke, Minato drew a kunai and began digging himself.
Hyūga Hizashi did not just stand by. He also took out a kunai and helped. Working together, they quickly cleared away the soil covering the Explosive Sword: Shibuki, exposing a corner of the blade. From then on, their movements became far more careful and deliberate.
Both of them were well aware of the intelligence regarding Shibuki.
This sword attacked by detonating explosive tags, and even now it was wrapped with a large number of them. If they accidentally triggered an explosion… they were not worried about being injured, but it might destroy other nearby clues. It was best to extract it safely.
Before long, the Shibuki was fully unearthed.
At the same time, they found a shattered Kirigakure forehead protector and several other ninja tools, all twisted and deformed.
These were likely Mizushiro's remains.
"…These were warped by an explosion."
Hyūga Hizashi held up the broken Kirigakure forehead protector as he spoke.
"The message left by Sarutobi Takeo before his death said that, seeing no way out, Mizushiro self-detonated together with Uchiha Tsuruha. Judging by this, a considerable number of explosive tags must have been set off. Otherwise, there's no way even metal forehead protectors and tools would be twisted like this."
Minato lifted the Shibuki and let out a soft sigh.
Even kunai forged from fine steel had been blasted into such shapes. One could easily imagine that no human remains would be left behind.
This was true obliteration. Not even bones remained.
By this time, Aburame Shibi and Inuzuka Gaku had also made discoveries of their own.
Aburame Shibi found many fragments of ANBU masks, all stained with darkened blood. In the same areas, there were scattered bone fragments and bloodstains. There was not even a single relatively intact corpse to be found.
Inuzuka Gaku's findings were much the same.
He discovered two locations where Kumo ninja had died, finding mangled flesh and two forehead protectors from Kumogakure, both damaged beyond recognition.
"…Any clues about that unidentified Uchiha?"
Minato asked as he looked at the gathered group.
"Nothing."
"Found nothing at all."
"Other than those huge footprints and blade marks… there's nothing else."
Everyone shook their heads.
Minato frowned slightly. He had been mentally prepared for the possibility that they would gain nothing, but when it truly came to that… he could not help feeling disappointed. Just then, his gaze fell on Uchiha Shisui, standing at the edge of the group. The young Uchiha prodigy had his brow tightly furrowed, as if troubled by something.
Earlier, Shisui had not answered Minato's question.
Minato's heart stirred. Could it be that Shisui had discovered something?
"Shisui, did you find anything?"
Minato asked aloud.
"…Minato-senpai, I didn't find any information about that unidentified clansman either. However… I can be certain that he awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. I can feel the lingering traces of that powerful and unstable ocular chakra."
Shisui replied solemnly.
His words caused everyone's expressions to turn strange.
Before this,
Whether it was truly an Uchiha who murdered Sarutobi Takeo and the others had been a matter of doubt in many people's minds. After all, the information had come from the Hokage's summoned beast, Enma, and the Hokage's attitude toward the Uchiha clan… anyone with eyes could see the wariness and caution there.
But now,
With Uchiha Shisui's testimony, it was effectively confirmed.
It was an Uchiha who had killed Sarutobi Takeo and the others.
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