"The Second Hokage was the pioneer; Orochimaru, Hiruko, and others followed in his footsteps and furthered his work. The jutsu the Second Hokage created were initially simple in purpose, but those who came after weren't simply regurgitating his ideas. And while it was challenging for the Second Hokage to break new ground, these successors merely refined and expanded on his work, which wasn't difficult for them."

Sosuke spoke with a note of reassurance.

The unknown is what makes people uneasy.

Once you understand what you're dealing with, you can confront it with strategy and readiness. Still, the fact that Homma has teamed up with Hiruko was unexpected... though fitting. It's like finding like, after all. When the time comes, we'll root them out at their base. Of course, that requires either them making the first move or us locating their true hideout.

"Exactly. Hiruko has always been fixated on talent, believing that his lack of it was why he couldn't keep up with Jiraiya, Orochimaru, or me, ignoring his own potential in research. He's already made progress in enhancing the forbidden jutsu created by our predecessors. If you're interested, find Shikaku or Torifu and have them help you read his notes."

Tsunade caught herself mid-sentence, realizing Torifu's eyesight was failing, and quickly adjusted her words.

"Combining Kekkei Genkai... It's unimaginable. But if Homma and Hiruko are working together, could their target be Konoha?" Torifu didn't mind Tsunade's slip, but his Hokage instincts picked up the looming danger.

Homma is a traitor to the Twelve Guardian Ninja, an anti-Konoha extremist who's to be killed on sight. Hiruko, however, became a rogue shinobi due to his forbidden jutsu research. Though he might not be as fixated on destroying Konoha as Homma, it's unlikely Hiruko is merely experimenting with Homma. More likely, they're both aiming to cause trouble for Konoha.

"Most likely," Sosuke nodded. "It's wise to prepare for the worst rather than be blindly optimistic. But let's not worry too much; after all, they're just two people. Even if they've mastered certain forbidden jutsu, they're unlikely to pose a serious threat. Konoha isn't so fragile, and we don't need to panic over risks that have yet to materialize."

"Risks that have yet to materialize? Shouldn't they be imminent?" Tsunade interjected. "Cloud, Stone, and Mist have all suffered attacks, with three Kekkei Genkai users captured. Konoha could easily be the next target, given we don't know how ambitious Hiruko and Homma are. The Uchiha and Hyuga clans could be at risk." Her tone wasn't harsh, but her concern for the village was evident.

"That's why I've already issued orders: genin and chūnin are forbidden from leaving the village, and jōnin must go in pairs when on missions. The Hyuga clan has also been alerted, though honestly, they only need to protect the main branch, which makes things easier for them."

Sosuke answered calmly.

"As long as you're prepared."

Tsunade nodded, falling silent.

At that moment—

"Hah!"

Torifu sighed deeply.

Listening to Tsunade and Sosuke's conversation, the Fifth Hokage's heart was in turmoil. The responsibility his position demanded clashed with his helplessness from his blindness, creating a complex wave of emotions. After five minutes, he spoke.

"…Tsunade, could you examine my eyes? I want to know if there's any chance I could regain my sight."

Then—

"Sosuke."

"Hokage-sama."

"I won't keep you here. There's plenty of work in the village that will need your attention, so go on."

It was clearly a dismissal.

Although Sosuke wanted to see if Torifu could regain his sight, the Fifth Hokage didn't want him to stay. So, he excused himself; he would learn the results of Tsunade's diagnosis later anyway.

…

"It's difficult."

In Torifu's reception room, a group had gathered. Originally stationed outside, Chōza and the newly arrived Shikaku and Inoichi now crowded the doorway, watching Tsunade examine Torifu. Then they heard the answer they'd feared, though it was hard to accept.

"Tsunade-sama, does 'difficult' mean there's still a chance?" Before Torifu could respond, Shikaku couldn't help but ask.

"There's a possibility of partial recovery." Tsunade nodded but didn't let them become too hopeful. "But the chance is small, and the recovery process would be long and uncertain. Ideally, it would take at least a year, and that's only if everything goes smoothly. Any setbacks, and it could stretch to two or three years."

"And rest is crucial. Working two days, then resting three, is just wishful thinking. That would eliminate the small chance he has of recovering his sight."

Tsunade's words were like cold water extinguishing their hope.

Shikaku quickly realized—

The Hokage will have to be replaced.

Konoha couldn't function with a Hokage unable to work for over a year, let alone one who couldn't rely on aides like Shikaku to manage the village from behind the scenes.

"Looks like my luck has run out."

Torifu sighed softly, then smiled. "Honestly, I've accomplished more than I ever dreamed. Greed is never a good thing... Tsunade, what are your plans?"

"I'll stay in the village for a while. The medical nin here are skilled, so treatment won't be an issue."

"Not that—I meant, will you continue wandering forever?"

"Who knows? I'll take it one day at a time." Tsunade studied him thoughtfully. "But if I do settle back here, I'd likely retire at the hospital. I'm tired of all the ninja conflicts. I have no interest in taking on the village's burdens. Let the younger generation carry that weight."

She had no intention of getting entangled in the village's endless disputes.

As for the Hokage's heavy responsibility, she felt no desire for it.

Ever since the deaths of her younger brother and lover, her heart had been left shattered. If it hadn't involved Hiruko, an old classmate with whom she still had a bit of a bond, and her annoyance at being disturbed by the Anbu, as well as a touch of nostalgia for her hometown, she wouldn't have bothered to return to the village.

"...Not interested?"

Akimichi Torifu sighed with a helpless smile.

Had he known this would be her response, he wouldn't have mentioned it at all. Fortunately, Sougen wasn't here, and besides Tsunade, there were no outsiders present. But Tsunade likely wouldn't stir up any trouble, so his momentary slip shouldn't be an issue.

"I originally thought that if I could resolve my issues by the end of the year, that would be great. But it's only the end of summer, and it's all settled. This sense of freedom, without any lingering burdens, is something I've truly missed."

Kama stretched his arms and legs, loosening up his stiff body after lying on the operating table for so long.

Following a seven-hour surgery, the problem that had plagued him for five years—the inability to fully integrate the Tsuchigumo Clan's forbidden technique—was finally resolved. Now, he could feel the technique's power coursing steadily through his body.

Whenever he needed, he could use this power at will.

And now, he no longer had to worry about it causing additional burdens. Of course, the original restrictions remained—such as the immobility requirement while performing the technique—limitations inherent to the forbidden art that even Hiruko couldn't erase.

"If you want to make a ruckus, go outside. Stop bouncing around like a monkey in here. If you knock over my medicine cabinet, I swear I'll fuse a monkey's limbs onto you," Hiruko said coldly, casting a sharp glance at Kama while organizing his medicine.

"Hey, don't be like that! We're allies, after all!"

"A relationship based on mutual benefit isn't worth talking about emotionally; that's just laughable and foolish."

"Hmph, so heartless."

Kama sighed.

He might have been talking back, but his movements started to calm down.

Hiruko's presence felt far more menacing than before. After completing what he called "evolution"—well, almost completing it, to be exact—Hiruko's mere presence now radiated intense pressure.

But this was good!

The stronger Hiruko became, the more hope there was to overthrow the giant that was Konoha! Though his personal issues prevented him from acting against Konoha in the past five years, this time allowed him to better understand its strength. His previous self had underestimated Konoha, and, honestly, if it weren't for that realization, he might not have accepted Uchiha Obito's plan so readily.

Part of his cooperation with Hiruko was because Hiruko could potentially solve his problem, but he was also open to the idea of an ally.

"Hiruko, now that the treatment is done, what's your next move? Need any help?" Kama asked, turning to the matter at hand.

"Aren't you planning to just sit back and watch?"

"Being involved is essential."

"Do what you like; it's your call. Just stay clear of me when it happens. If I accidentally kill you...well, you'll just have to blame your own bad luck. If I remember, I'll maybe clean up your corpse." Hiruko said as he finished organizing his medicines and left the operating room, heading down to the palace's underground training grounds.

Before the operation, he needed some time to get familiar with his newfound power.

He wasn't one of those research-obsessed scholars. During the Second Shinobi World War, the name "Sannin" rose to fame. Although he didn't carve out a name like Jiraiya and the others, he had experienced the entire war firsthand. He had no lack of battle experience.

Moreover, Konoha still had a few powerful figures left. Being overly confident could lead to a mistake, and he didn't want his first appearance after years in hiding to have any flaws.

"Storm Release...Lava Release...Boil Release, and...Wood Release!"

In the depths of the earth, murmurs echoed through the empty training grounds, chilling like the whispers of a demon.

…

A minute after Hiruko left the operating room:

"Seems like your plan might be doomed to fail," Kama said with a hint of schadenfreude as he looked at Uchiha Obito, who was emerging from the wall with his orange, swirled mask. "Hiruko has no intention of cooperating with me!"

"No matter."

Obito glanced at the smug Kama.

"If Hiruko doesn't intend to cooperate, then each of you can act independently. Besides...your targets and his will never overlap."

"Isn't that obvious? Hiruko is after the Three Tomoe Sharingan, and that isn't on the list of targets you gave me," Kama muttered under his breath.

"Also, cooperation doesn't always require prearranged agreements. If planned correctly, a perfect coordination can still be achieved. Just stay sharp, Kama. If everything goes smoothly, even if we can't completely destroy Konoha, we can still deal a devastating blow."

"And what about you? Aren't you going to act?"

Kama suddenly asked.

"If you took this opportunity, we might truly have a chance to bring down Konoha."

"If the opportunity arises!"

With that vague answer, Uchiha Obito vanished.