I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 342 Those closest to you will cover for your mistakes; your closest friends will advise you to turn yourself in.

"If it's there, it's there; if it's not, it's not. If you know, you know; if you don't, you don't. What's with this 'it's hard to say' nonsense? Who taught you to speak so vaguely and cryptically?"

Tsunade looked disgusted. She knew her disciple's words were annoying, but this was just too annoying.

Orochimaru silently turned his head away. When Tatsuma said "hard to say" just now, he thought it was normal. After all, he often said the same thing when it came to research on the Divine Tree cells.

Orochimaru had clear project expectations for other research, even in new fields, so he wouldn't say such unsound things. But the Divine Tree cells were different; it was really hard to say.

Chenma twitched the corner of his mouth. He really couldn't say. He had a vague idea of ​​who it was, but that person was too bizarre. These people probably couldn't understand it.

Tatsuma's guess was that it was the creature that orchestrated all sorts of tragedies in the ninja world—Black Zetsu.

From the moment he connected the dots with Black Zetsu, many things he couldn't understand before suddenly became clear, such as the strange feeling that he seemed to be subtly being monitored, yet couldn't quite sense it.

Furthermore, his ability to manipulate, especially on a mental level, coupled with his lack of substantial power, makes him seem like Black Zetsu, who can only resort to such despicable means.

However, his knowledge of Black Zetsu's existence and abilities stemmed entirely from his previous life's God-like perspective. Currently, at most only two people know of Black Zetsu's existence: Tatsuma himself and the one connected to the portable toilet.

Even Madara Uchiha, who was connected to the portable toilet, might not have known Black Zetsu's abilities, since Madara only learned of Black Zetsu's betrayal at the very end.

Before being betrayed, Madara Uchiha always believed that Black Zetsu was a product of his own will created using Yin-Yang Release, and he was unaware of Black Zetsu's true identity.

Even if Tatsuma explained Black Zetsu to Orochimaru and Tsunade, they probably wouldn't understand the existence of Black Zetsu, nor would they understand where Tatsuma obtained this information from.

Furthermore, even if they choose to believe Tatsuma, finding Black Zetsu is almost impossible.

Therefore, the best approach is to avoid alerting the enemy, remain vigilant, and let Black Zetsu continue his actions. Only when Black Zetsu reveals his whereabouts or makes a mistake should the opportunity to strike be presented.

Seeing that Tatsuma had no intention of continuing to explain, Tsunade, even if she was dissatisfied, couldn't force him to explain, since Tatsuma wasn't someone who liked to share his inner thoughts.

As a teacher, she did make Tatsuma lower his guard compared to others, but she wasn't entirely sincere. If she forced Tatsuma, he would more likely still not tell her and would even withdraw his previous openness towards her.

Orochimaru understood Tatsuma's actions and said, "Let's leave it at that for now. We can discuss it further if there's any new information later."

He gestured for the others to stop talking, because the effects of the snake venom had worn off and the unconscious people could wake up at any moment.

The first to wake up was Nawaki, after all, he was physically robust, and Orochimaru, as his teacher, probably wouldn't want to inject his disciple with an excessive amount of snake venom.

Rope Tree looked around blankly and said, "Why is everyone asleep? Hmm, why is it still light out? Did I spend the night here? Oh no! I had training scheduled for tonight, I'm sure I'll miss it!"

As he spoke, he jumped up, pulling at his jacket to reveal a green bodysuit underneath, and ran outside, seemingly trying to make up for the lost training.

Only a few snakes were wrapped around him. Orochimaru said with dissatisfaction, "I only slept for a while, it's not even night yet."

When the disciple woke up, the first thing he saw wasn't his teacher, but his mind was still on training his physical skills. This disciple was ruined.

Orochimaru suddenly remembered that two years ago, Hiruzen Sarutobi had suggested that Tatsuma lead an additional squad or take on another disciple. If Tatsuma had actually become the head of the Anbu, he probably wouldn't have time to participate in scientific research, so perhaps he should find another disciple.

As more and more people woke up, Jiraiya led everyone in chatting about some lighthearted topics. Kushina's rampage was too sudden, and the impact of the chakra caused them all to faint immediately. Therefore, only a few people who remained conscious knew what had happened.

When the unconscious person asked why they were unconscious, Jiraiya simply said that there had been a minor accident, which had already been resolved.

In the corner, a bug user wearing sunglasses pushed up his sunglasses. The bug inside him told him that something was wrong, because before he lost consciousness, the bug had only resisted approaching Kushina, but now it was fear.

Furthermore, he noticed that the positions of the Sannin, Kato Dan, Tatsuma, and Minato were quite interesting. They seemed to be random, but they were distributed around Kushina, serving both as protection and defense.

Sensing something was amiss, he raised his hand, hoping to attract Minato and the others' attention so he could say goodbye. Unfortunately, no one paid him any attention; he just stood there, dumbfounded, raising his hand.

Then he gave up and silently walked to the door. He found that the threshold, which had only been repaired but was still old, was now brand new, just like a newly cut tree that was alive in a sense.

No one noticed his actions until he walked out the door. He twitched the corner of his mouth, pulled down the collar of his trench coat to cover more of his face, and silently left.

Although I don't know what happened, I'll probably have to keep changing how I interact with Kushina in the future, and become even more distant from her.

Although the others also had doubts, they didn't think too much about it. After all, the ninja world was full of dangers, and although it was a bit strange that the danger was happening in the village, it wasn't impossible.

Seeing that Minato and Kushina had no further plans, the others also left one after another. Shizune was entrusted to Nawaki to take home. After seeing off Uchiha Mikoto, who was the last to leave, Minato returned to the house, and the house fell silent again.

Now that everyone else has left, the next step is to report the matter. The question is, who will report it and how to report it? Although everyone has a plan in mind, they all hope that the others will have a better explanation.

In the silence, Kushina also became somewhat anxious. Minato sat beside her, took her hand, and suddenly said, "I'll go and inform the Hokage."

The words surprised everyone, after all, this could be considered an act that would harm Kushina, and Jiraiya and Tsunade were both planning to send Orochimaru or Tatsuma instead.

After all, these two didn't have a very good relationship with Kushina, so they should have no problem backing down from her, especially Tatsuma, who had no psychological burden when beating Kushina and showed no mercy.

No one expected that Minato would choose to take the lead. Even Kushina's eyes suddenly welled up with tears as she stared intently at Minato.

Minato gently stroked Kushina's long red hair with his other hand and said, "If someone is going to share the burden with you, I hope it's me. I've been with you the longest, and I'm the one who should have discovered you were being attacked."

But I failed, and that was my dereliction of duty. So, whatever you face from now on, I will face it with you, Kushina. Will you give me this chance?

As soon as she finished speaking, tears welled up in Kushina's eyes. She nodded vigorously, but quickly realized what she had said and said in a tearful voice, "No, it was me who hid it. You don't have to face it with me."

Controlling the Nine-Tails was my duty; the one who failed in my duty was me, and only me.

Listening to their conversation, Kato Dan seemed to empathize and hugged Tsunade as well. Jiraiya looked at his disciple, then at Tsunade, and tears streamed down his face.

Orochimaru and Tatsuma both wore indifferent expressions.

Orochimaru even looked a little impatient. Since you said you were going, why don't you just go sooner? Who are you trying to impress by dragging your feet like this?

After a tearful farewell, Kushina finally managed to calmly release Minato. Minato nodded, stood up, looked at Kushina with reluctance, then waved his hand and disappeared in a golden flash.

Orochimaru's impatience was obvious. With Minato's efficiency in mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique, it wouldn't have taken much time to report this.

Even if things get urgent, you can bring Hiruzen Sarutobi here to explain. Given Hiruzen's trust in young people like Tatsuma and Minato, he certainly won't refuse.

And indeed, just a few minutes later, the golden light shone again, and Minato appeared with Hiruzen Sarutobi, whose back was now slightly hunched.

Although he had experienced the Flying Thunder God Technique very few times, dating back to his youth when he was learning from the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not feel any discomfort at this moment.

His eyes still held a clear and firm gaze. As soon as he stepped onto solid ground, his eyes locked onto Kushina, who had become somewhat at a loss because of his appearance.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't say anything. Instead, he turned his gaze and swept it over the three Sannin, Dan Kato, and Tatsuma. Then he looked at the house, which was only badly damaged but not seriously destroyed. His expression gradually softened.

Before arriving, he didn't quite believe that this was a controllable rampage. After all, the Nine-Tails was too terrifying. He himself wasn't confident in controlling the rampaging Nine-Tails, let alone three good-for-nothing disciples and two juniors who were still growing.

But now, looking at it, it really didn't seem serious. Hiruzen Sarutobi breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes softened, and a kind smile appeared on his lips as he asked, "Kushina, are you alright?"

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude, Kushina felt a little relieved and quickly shook her head, saying, "Third Hokage, I'm fine."

After his routine inquiry, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to Orochimaru and Tatsuma standing beside him, and asked, "Could you tell me in detail what exactly happened?"

Although Minato had reported to him in the past, Minato was too close to Kushina after all, and in his brief report, he made excuses for Kushina multiple times. Therefore, Hiruzen Sarutobi still hoped that someone more rational would explain things to him.

Orochimaru turned his head away from Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze and said to Tatsuma, "You tell them, after all, you're the one who led the subjugation of the Nine-Tails."

He both avoided troublesome matters and promoted his admired juniors. Orochimaru didn't like getting involved in administration, not because he didn't know how to handle things that way, but simply because he didn't want to.

Furthermore, Orochimaru knew that Tatsuma was hiding too many things from Hiruzen Sarutobi, or rather, he didn't want Hiruzen Sarutobi to grasp his true information, including Wood Release and Sage Mode.

Therefore, it was best to let Tatsuma speak for himself and let him decide what to reveal and what to conceal. Tatsuma spoke first, which was equivalent to giving the people present a training session on how to give a testimony.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat surprised. He knew that Mito Uzumaki had passed on all her sealing techniques to Tatsuma, but even without the bloodline of the Uzumaki clan, it was still possible to seal the Nine-Tails.

Tatsuma nodded without refusing and began to recount the whole incident, including how he and Minato had previously discovered Kushina's abnormal condition and what had happened today.

When he mentioned that he had the three legendary Sannin, Dan Kato, and Minato hold off the rampaging Nine-Tails while he chose to leave temporarily, Tatsuma looked at Kushina and said, half-jokingly:

"Kushina, this is your property. I have a suggestion. Why don't you rent the first floor of that high-rise to me for a while? I've been studying Sage Mode in Shikkotsu Forest for the past two years, but I haven't been able to get the hang of it."

"But inside that tall building, I can easily enter Sage Mode, so if you could rent it to me for a while so I can study it, that would be perfect."

After saying that, Kushina nodded subconsciously. No matter what, Tatsuma had indeed helped her a lot today and saved her life. However, she couldn't refuse to rent a place.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened, and he said, "Sage Mode?"

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(End of this chapter)