Escape from Konoha.

Otherwise, it's inexplicable that after the Land of Whirlpools was destroyed, Konoha only brought back a little girl.

Aside from bringing him back as the new Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, there aren't many other possibilities.

"Are you planning to harm the Nine-Tails?"

Shiraishi's keen interest in the Uzumaki clan led Ruri to this speculation.

Shiraishi had obtained the chakra of Shukaku, the One-Tailed Beast, on the battlefield, and had acquired a lot of important information from the tailed beast's chakra. It was only natural for him to be interested in the other tailed beasts, in Ruri's opinion.

"Although I really want to do it, I haven't lost my mind to that extent."

Shiraishi knew his own limitations. Although he was not afraid of Konoha, his judgment was based on the premise that he could save his own life.

If they were to truly confront a ninja village of such scale, defeat and destruction would be the only outcome.

There are many taboos in Konoha that cannot be violated, and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is one of them.

“I came to you not just to tell you this, but also to tell you something more important. You should be mentally prepared.”

"what?"

Liuli asked, frowning.

"The village leaders are researching Wood Release, and they may have made significant progress by now."

◎

The Land of Tea, an underground stronghold.

The insect man was in a room talking with a member of the Whirlpool Clan. This was the oldest Whirlpool Clan member among the eight people he had rescued, and also the one who made the decisions among them.

He had changed into clean clothes, and the dirt and stench on his body had been washed away. He looked much more energetic.

He was undoubtedly filled with gratitude towards the insect man who had saved his life.

Over the years, he has relied on his meager strength to lead his family on a wandering journey through the ninja world. Since the destruction of the Land of Whirlpools, his family has never had a peaceful day.

It's kind of funny, but the life I had after being captured by those wandering ninjas was actually the most peaceful period of my life in recent years.

Even if they were eating moldy food every day, they would still find it sweet.

Recalling the glory of the Uzumaki clan in the past, and comparing it with their current situation, his eyes couldn't help but dim.

"The leader has given detailed instructions regarding your arrangements. We will help you settle in the Land of Demons, but that will require you to temporarily live in anonymity and not be exposed to the public eye. We can arrange for you to live in the sunlight when the time is right."

Because the identity of the Uzumaki clan is too likely to attract trouble, and their organization currently has no intention of doing anything noteworthy.

Whether it was gathering intelligence or building outposts, it was all done quietly.

"No problem, we are prepared to go into hiding."

The elders of the Uzumaki clan did not object to the leader's proposal; in fact, it was very much in line with the current situation of the Uzumaki clan.

I didn't feel this way when the Land of Whirlpools was still around, but after seeing and hearing things over the years, and experiencing the pain firsthand, I now only need to ensure the safe continuation of the Uzumaki clan's bloodline.

"But don't worry, it won't take too long. For us, the addition of your Uzumaki clan can relieve a lot of pressure. Our organization has always welcomed outstanding talents."

"May I ask what this organization does?"

The elder of the Whirlpool Clan couldn't help but ask.

Since I've decided to accept the protection of this unknown organization, I definitely need to find out what its purpose is.

The insect-man gave a helpless smile: "In fact, I'm just a minor cadre. I know very little about the organization's purpose. I can only sense that the leader is doing something very important. As for what it is, you'll have to ask our leader yourself. I'm also very curious about the answer."

When he said this, there was a clear sense of awe in his tone.

The elder of the Whirlpool Clan remained silent and did not ask any further questions.

Having achieved his goal, the insect-man had no intention of lingering there any longer.

"Well then, you can rest here for a while. In a few days, we will arrange for someone to take you to the Land of Demons. It is a very peaceful country. Hopefully, the peace there can sweep away the gloom in your hearts."

After saying this, the insect man left the room.

The four team members outside had been waiting for him to come out of the room.

"How about the appeasement?"

"Once you're in, getting out won't be easy. Favors from the organization aren't so easily repaid, besides..."

The leader is also a research fanatic.

How could I possibly spit out the fat meat that's already in my mouth?

They understood the unspoken meaning in the insect man's words and exchanged knowing smiles.

"However, these people are probably still hiding something from us."

The insect-man stood there, lost in thought.

"hide?"

"These remnants of the Uzumaki clan scattered throughout the ninja world may still have ways of contact with each other. Through these people, we may be able to find more Uzumaki clan remnants and recruit them into the organization."

"Playing the long game?"

"This is also the leader's intention. In short, we should appease them first. Once they see our sincerity, even if we don't bring it up ourselves, they will come to us and ask us to tell them the location of the other survivors of the Whirlpool Clan so that we can rescue their people from their suffering."

For an ordinary person, the insect man wouldn't care so much, but the remnants of the vortex clan are a different story.

Therefore, mutual trust is the key.

Asking them directly about the whereabouts of the rest of the Vortex Clan would easily provoke their resentment and destroy the meager trust that had been painstakingly built up.

◎

The cave was dark and damp, yet it appeared incredibly spacious.

The entire space was sealed off, with no exit in sight.

An elderly man, frail and weak, sat on a wooden chair made of wood. His face was covered with wrinkles, his hair was white, and his body was hunched over even while sitting on the chair.

His long white hair covered his right eye, leaving only his tightly closed left eye exposed. He sat peacefully in a chair, resting.

Behind him was a white, strip-like object, and at the other end of the white strip, the outlines of huge trees and fruits could be vaguely seen in the endless darkness behind him.

Before long, the ground in front of the old man suddenly rippled slightly, and two pale-skinned humanoid creatures emerged from it.

The old man's eyes were not open, but as if he knew someone was present, he asked:

Still no definite news?

The old man's voice was extremely aged.

But when that aged voice rang out, everything around seemed to freeze, becoming the only loud sound in the darkness.

"No, the White Zetsu who was monitoring Nagato suddenly disappeared for some reason. The other White Zetsu searched for a long time but couldn't find him."

One of the two white humanoid beings answered the old man.

"Lord Madara, could it be that Nagato discovered the whereabouts of that White Zetsu and disposed of him?"

Meanwhile, another white humanoid creature began to make wild guesses on its own and reported them to the old man.

“Idiot, based on past intelligence, Nagato’s use of the Rinnegan is still very immature. With Nagato’s current power, he can’t detect the White Zetsu’s whereabouts.”

“But apart from Nagato, none of his lowly companions had any sensory ninjas, so they shouldn’t have been able to detect the White Zetsu’s presence.”

The white humanoid creature said with a puzzled expression.

Moreover, even sensory ninjas might not be able to detect the White Zetsu's presence unless they use special sensory ninjutsu.

Or perhaps it's a dojutsu with extremely strong X-ray vision, like the Byakugan, which would be much more troublesome for them than for sensory ninjas.

"Continue to monitor Nagato, and have Tobi join the operation. Also, send a few White Zetsu to Konoha."

The old man's voice rang out again, issuing clear instructions.

"Konoha? Lord Madara suspects it's those people from Konoha?"

“It’s not just because of the disappearance of White Zetsu. My days are numbered, and Nagato alone is not enough to advance the ‘Eye of the Moon’ project. I need a representative who can act in my place… Go.”

The old man's tone remained casual, yet it carried an undeniable air of authority.

"Yes, Madam Madara."

After the two white humanoid creatures retreated, the old man opened his tightly closed left eye, revealing a scarlet three-tomoe Sharingan that stood out prominently in the dim environment.

"Hashirama... the future you placed your hopes on had no place for peace... This time, I have won..."

In the darkness, a soft sigh of regret came from the old man.

However, saying this doesn't prove anything to anyone.

Because the man he cherished throughout his life, who was both his rival and his closest friend, no longer exists in this world.

He slowly raised his hand and gently touched his chest.

The pain from the wound inflicted by that man felt as if it had just happened yesterday, and a look of reminiscence appeared on his aged face.

Hashira...

Chapter Seventy-Eight: Fighting from Afar

What a peaceful life.

After retiring from frontline missions and entering the Ninja Academy, Shiraishi felt as if he were living the retirement life that only the elderly have.

Every day, apart from arriving at the ninja school at 3 PM sharp, the rest of the time is entirely at my own discretion.

Even though he works at the hospital, he doesn't work for very long each time. It's fair to say that Shiraishi's current life is something many Konoha ninjas envy.

Studying, taking walks, going to work, and going home to rest on time.

She occasionally goes shopping with Ruri, but she sees Ayane very rarely.

After leaving the Shuo Mao squad, the three of them had their own tasks to complete.

Liuli needs to work in the security team, where she is responsible for the village's security and resolving civil disputes.

Ayane has already become a Jonin, and because she was recognized for her potential by the elders of the Hyuga clan at a young age, she now holds an important position in the Hyuga clan.

After all, becoming the bodyguard of the future Hyuga clan leader is not a role that an ordinary Hyuga ninja can take on.

It is evident that Ayane's current status within the Hyuga clan is much higher than that of ordinary Hyuga branch family ninjas.