"Damn it! He actually cancelled the Edo Tensei!"
Black Zetsu's voice cracked with rage and disbelief, his artificial consciousness reeling from the unprecedented development. The carefully laid plans of centuries were unraveling before his very eyes as the Second Hokage exploited the single crucial moment when control had wavered to seize command of his own resurrection.
This was the fundamental weakness of the Edo Tensei technique—a flaw that even Orochimaru had never fully addressed in his later refinements. If the deceased individual possessed intimate knowledge of the jutsu's sealing methodology and could act during a moment when the caster's control faltered, they could potentially break free and assume autonomous command of their reanimated form.
As the original developer of the Edo Tensei, Tobirama Senju didn't merely know this weakness—he had deliberately engineered it as a failsafe during the technique's creation. The possibility that his forbidden jutsu might someday be misused had haunted him even in life, and he had taken precautions accordingly.
The strategic implications were catastrophic. Across multiple battlefields, the legendary figures Black Zetsu had been manipulating were falling one by one, either sealed by the Allied Shinobi Forces or breaking free of his influence entirely. The combined might of the five great nations was proving more formidable than even his most pessimistic projections had anticipated.
Yet despite these setbacks, Black Zetsu felt no genuine panic. His artificial consciousness, shaped by millennia of patient scheming, remained focused on the ultimate objective. The Edo Tensei army had always been a secondary consideration—powerful pieces on the board, but not essential to the final victory.
The Jinchūriki remained firmly within his grasp, their Tailed Beasts ultimately destined for the Gedo Statue regardless of how many legendary shinobi broke free from his control. The plan he had nurtured across generations, weaving through the shadows of history itself, would not be undone by temporary tactical reversals.
Even now, Minato—for all his incredible power and tactical brilliance—remained ignorant of the deeper manipulations at work. The tampering with the Jinchūriki had been accomplished with such subtle precision that even Madara himself believed Black Zetsu to be nothing more than the manifestation of his own will.
After all, Black Zetsu reflected with cold satisfaction, even mother's other two sons found it difficult to see through my abilities to disguise and conceal myself. What hope does a mere mortal have, no matter how gifted?
The Second Hokage's expression gradually shifted from fury to calculating assessment as he surveyed his surroundings. His enhanced senses painted a comprehensive picture of the battlefield's current state—violent chakra fluctuations erupted from multiple directions, each signature telling a story of desperate conflict and extraordinary power expenditure.
This matched the description from his brief awakening—a war designed to reshape or destroy the very foundations of the shinobi world. The scale and intensity of the conflicts raging simultaneously across multiple fronts spoke to preparation and coordination that spanned years, perhaps decades.
At that moment, the sealing specialists from the surprise attack force descended from their aerial positions, specialized scrolls already unfurling as they moved to contain what they assumed was still a hostile reanimation. Their movements were precise and coordinated, speaking to extensive training in dealing with Edo Tensei resurrections.
"Although I shouldn't exist in this world under normal circumstances," Tobirama muttered to himself, his voice carrying the weight of someone wrestling with profound ethical implications, "given the current situation, I cannot simply allow myself to disappear."
Swish!
With fluid grace that belied his reanimated state, the Second Hokage sidestepped the expanding sealing scrolls, his movements economical and precisely calculated. The technique's effectiveness relied on contact and constraint—neither of which could be achieved against a target who understood the methodology intimately.
Sai and his friends landed simultaneously, their formation automatically adjusting to surround the Second Hokage in a tactical containment pattern. Their positioning spoke to extensive combat experience and training in dealing with high-level threats.
"Super Beast Pseudo-Painting," Tobirama observed, his crimson eyes taking in the ink constructs and analyzing their creator's technique with professional interest. "This should be a classified jutsu restricted to ANBU and Root operatives, shouldn't it?"
His gaze lingered on Sai and the others, noting with some surprise the absence of the familiar chakra signatures he associated with Root conditioning. The tongue-binding seals that prevented Root members from revealing classified information were absent from these shinobi.
The creation of Root had been one of Tobirama's final strategic recommendations to the Third Hokage—a necessary evil to handle the village's darkest requirements while keeping the regular forces uncontaminated by such work. The restriction seals placed on Root members' tongues bore his personal modifications, making their absence immediately noticeable to his enhanced perception.
Seeing the obvious wariness and suspicion in Sai's eyes, Tobirama crossed his arms and adopted the stern expression that had once cow'd entire council meetings into silence.
"I have already freed myself from the Edo Tensei's control," he stated with authoritative clarity that brooked no argument. "If I were still under external manipulation, I would have done far more than simply dodge your sealing attempts."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in before delivering his assessment with characteristic bluntness: "The shinobi of this generation have become considerably slower in their tactical analysis."
While Sai and his friends struggled to process this unexpected development, Itachi had already reached the correct conclusion. His experience with manipulation and control—both as a double agent and as someone who had been forced to make impossible choices—allowed him to recognize genuine autonomy when he encountered it.
"As expected of the Second Hokage," Itachi said, his voice carrying relief and growing excitement at this unexpected development.
Tobirama's attention shifted to focus fully on the young Uchiha, his analytical mind processing details about Itachi's appearance, chakra signature, and the obvious signs of recent combat. The assessment took mere seconds, but was comprehensive enough to paint a clear picture of the situation.
"Uchiha boy," he said with the matter-of-fact tone of someone accustomed to immediate obedience, "you appear to be the leader of this unit."
His statement wasn't a question—it was a conclusion based on observed behavior patterns, body language, and the way the others deferred to Itachi's judgment in critical moments.
"Provide me with a concise summary of the current war's status," Tobirama continued, his scarlet eyes never leaving Itachi's face. "Additionally, explain the nature of the foreign chakra I detect within your system."
The request was phrased as a command, carrying the implicit authority of someone who had never needed to justify his right to information. Yet there was genuine concern beneath the authoritative exterior—the worry of someone who understood that knowledge gaps in wartime could prove fatal.
Itachi nodded respectfully, then gestured for Sai and the others to maintain alert positions while stepping down from immediate combat readiness. The Second Hokage's reputation for wisdom and tactical brilliance was legendary throughout Konoha, and his questions demonstrated the same incisive intelligence that had made him one of history's most effective leaders.
Over the next few minutes, Itachi provided a comprehensive but efficient briefing on everything the Allied Shinobi Forces currently knew about Madara's plan, the Akatsuki's ultimate objectives, and the current strategic situation across multiple battlefronts.
"Infinite Tsukuyomi," Tobirama repeated slowly, his voice carrying a mixture of intellectual fascination and deep disgust. "I never imagined that the Uchiha clan's stone tablet contained such dangerously seductive lies."
His expression darkened as he processed the implications. As someone who had spent years studying the Uchiha clan's psychology and the corrupting influence of the Sharingan, he could appreciate how such a technique might appeal to minds twisted by loss and desperate for control.
The Second Hokage's gaze lingered on Itachi, taking in details that spoke to dramatic changes in Konoha's policies since his death. The presence of Hashirama's cells in a living Uchiha would have been unthinkable during his lifetime—a violation of security protocols that would have resulted in immediate execution.
"The Fourth Hokage has placed remarkable trust in the Uchiha clan," Tobirama observed, his tone carefully neutral. "Even going so far as to grant access to my elder brother's cellular material. Some might consider such actions... naive."
Yet even as he spoke the words, his expression didn't carry the condemnation that might have been expected. Decades of death had provided perspective, and the evidence before him suggested that his assumptions about the Uchiha might have been overly rigid.
This young man standing before him bore none of the characteristics he had come to associate with Uchiha corruption—no arrogance, no obsessive pursuit of power for its own sake, no willingness to sacrifice others for personal goals. Instead, Itachi projected the calm professionalism of someone who had learned to place duty above desire.
Moreover, he had already met Minato during their brief encounter in the Pure Land. The Fourth Hokage's achievements—developing Konoha to unprecedented heights, forging the alliance that had united the five great nations despite their historical animosities and conflicting interests—spoke to wisdom and capability that demanded respect.
"Regarding the chakra within my body," Itachi began, then glanced meaningfully at the other members of the surprise attack force positioned around them.
Tobirama understood immediately. The presence of Hashirama's cells was classified information of the highest order, not something to be discussed in front of ordinary shinobi regardless of their loyalty or security clearance.
After a brief pause to collect his thoughts, the Second Hokage looked directly at Itachi and stated with casual authority: "The Allied Shinobi Forces should have dispatched reconnaissance teams to locate the Edo Tensei caster's position."
Even having just regained consciousness, his tactical instincts immediately identified the standard countermeasures that any competent military force would employ against this type of threat. The ability to think strategically on multiple levels simultaneously had been one of his defining characteristics as a leader.
Itachi nodded confirmation. "Yes, but our search teams have failed to discover any useful leads thus far."
"Abandon that approach," Tobirama said with finality that suggested the matter was not open for debate. "During the brief moment when I dispelled my own Edo Tensei, I used my sensory capabilities to lock onto the caster's location."
His expression grew grimmer as he continued: "However, he severed the connection immediately and relocated with impressive speed. Even now, I cannot detect any trace of his presence."
The implications were sobering. Among the Allied Forces, few shinobi possessed sensory abilities that could match the Second Hokage's capabilities, particularly when enhanced by the Edo Tensei's supernatural perception. If Tobirama couldn't track the enemy, conventional reconnaissance was unlikely to succeed.
"While I failed to capture the caster," he continued, his analytical mind already working through alternative approaches, "I did manage to analyze the methodology he uses for chakra manipulation and remote control."
The explanation that followed was technical but clear. Controlling multiple Edo Tensei resurrections required maintaining constant chakra connections across vast distances—threads of energy that should theoretically be detectable by skilled sensor-nin. However, the caster was employing sophisticated interference patterns and decoy signals, creating a maze of false readings that overwhelmed conventional detection methods.
"From a purely tactical standpoint," Tobirama concluded, his scarlet eyes taking in the broader strategic picture, "the Allied Forces possess sufficient strength to counter the remaining Edo Tensei threats. Victory in that arena is merely a question of time and proper resource allocation."
His expression grew darker as his enhanced senses picked up familiar chakra signatures engaged in violent conflict to the north.
"Therefore, do not waste additional resources searching for the caster. Concentrate every available asset and deploy immediately to support the Allied Forces Headquarters."
The urgency in his voice was unmistakable. His perception had identified multiple high-intensity battles raging in that direction, including chakra signatures he recognized from his time among the living.
"Two of those engaged in combat are my elder brother and Mito," he added grimly, the personal connection adding weight to his strategic assessment.
"What's happening at headquarters?" Itachi asked, sudden alarm coloring his voice as the implications hit him. If both the First Hokage and Uzumaki Mito were involved in combat, the situation had escalated far beyond normal parameters.
At that moment, the communications specialist among the surprise attack force received an urgent transmission. His face went pale as he processed the information before turning to address Itachi directly.
"Captain, we've received confirmation—Madara Uchiha has launched a direct assault on the headquarters. The Hokage is providing cover while Lord Shikaku and the command staff execute emergency evacuation protocols."
"What?!"
Itachi's composed facade cracked entirely, the tactical implications hitting him like a physical blow. With the command structure under direct attack, the entire war's coordination could collapse within minutes.
Without hesitation, he turned to address his team: "Prepare aerial mounts immediately! We're returning to headquarters at maximum speed!"
"Yes, sir!"
Sai and Shin moved with practiced efficiency, their brushes dancing across unfurled scrolls as chakra flowed through specially prepared ink. Within moments, two massive birds materialized before the group, their wings already spread and ready for immediate departure.
Itachi glanced toward the Second Hokage, expecting to need to explain the urgency of their departure, only to find that Tobirama had already positioned himself on one of the ink constructs with fluid grace that suggested complete familiarity with aerial transportation.
"Let's go!" Itachi commanded, his voice cutting through the air with desperate urgency.
The entire team mounted their aerial transports and launched into the sky, their forms becoming streaks of motion as they raced toward what might well be the war's decisive confrontation. Behind them, the devastated forest bore silent witness to their departure, while ahead lay a battle that would determine the fate of the entire shinobi world.