And right now, Chōmei was confused.
It had only teamed up with its Jinchūriki to cause chaos—to prevent others from chasing the mysterious ninja who had kidnapped Danzō and the Rinnegan.
It just wanted to rampage briefly, buy some time, then retreat.
After all, under normal circumstances, if a Bijuu wanted to escape, few ninja could stop it.
Especially Chōmei—the only Bijuu capable of flight.
In theory, as long as it flew high enough, no one could catch it.
But surprises sometimes came too suddenly.
The locking grip and entanglement of dozens of Adamantine Chains struck without warning!
They instantly bound Chōmei, robbing it of the chance to take flight and flee the battlefield.
On top of that, dozens of red Sharingan eyes suddenly ignited in a perfect 360-degree circle around Chōmei, blocking every angle of vision—and plunging Chōmei straight into Genjutsu.
Only now did Chōmei realize—had these Uzumaki and Uchiha ninja been hiding nearby all along?
Just waiting for it to walk into their trap?
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The sudden appearance of so many Uzumaki and Uchiha ninja also shocked all the ninja from other villages nearby.
They never expected that the monstrous Bijuu they feared could be subdued so easily by Konoha.
Only now did they truly understand what it meant to face the strongest organization in the world.
Ninja tournaments were sports events. War was war.
One was a competition. The other measured true standing in the world.
Don't be fooled by Konoha's average results in the ninja tournament.
If real war broke out, even if Tobirama himself didn't intervene, Konoha's other ninja alone could sweep across the entire world!
Besides, Tobirama was now in charge. He would never keep a good blade sheathed and unused.
The fact that he hadn't immediately sent a group of Ōtsutsuki from the moon to crush them with brute force was already his most conservative strategy.
Chōmei, trapped in Genjutsu, fell silent for a moment—then regained awareness.
Clearly, the Jinchūriki within its body had helped it temporarily break free from the illusion.
Though Jinchūriki and Bijuu weren't always in perfect harmony, both understood they were now in trouble—on the same boat.
Upon regaining consciousness, Chōmei immediately shut its eyes, to avoid being hit by another technique.
But this also meant losing sight entirely, severely hindering its movements.
Even after breaking free, it remained bound by countless chains—completely unable to escape.
The crushing coils of dozens of Kongo Fūsa serpents were suffocating. Even Kurama might struggle to break free easily—let alone Chōmei.
There was no choice. Chōmei could only resort to the one desperate option that might free it.
*BUZZ!*
Yin-Yang chakra began gathering rapidly, forming a single Bijuudama.
This ultimate technique was the only way left to break free.
As long as the Tailed Beast Bomb exploded, Chōmei likely wouldn't die. But it would surely kill the surrounding Uzumaki ninja and shatter the Kongo Fūsa bindings.
Yes, detonating a Bijuudama at close range would probably injure Chōmei itself—but that was still better than being captured alive by Konoha!
Seconds later, the Bijuudama formed. Just as Chōmei prepared to fire—
*WHOOSH!*
A sound split the air, and the newly formed Bijuudama vanished instantly.
A figure landed on Chōmei's head, gazing down at the beast below with utter disgust.
"Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama!"
Chōmei was stunned—its Bijuudama had disappeared without a trace.
It opened its eyes and saw the demon standing atop its head—and immediately recognized the man's identity.
Eight of the nine Bijuu had once been captured by Senju Hashirama. And this bastard Tobirama stood beside him, constantly urging to keep all the Bijuu in Konoha—though he'd failed to convince his brother.
So aside from Shukaku, was there any other Bijuu that didn't recognize Tobirama?
Of course—the Bijuudama it had just gathered must have been teleported away by this monster!
"You—!"
Chōmei roared, its voice laced with fear.
Because its instincts told it—Tobirama, standing before it with the Tenseigan, seemed stronger, more terrifying than Hashirama ever was!
Before Chōmei could say anything further, Tobirama placed his hand directly on its head.
The Five Elements Seal activated instantly upon Chōmei!
As the seal's power took effect, Chōmei's massive form rapidly shrank, condensed into pure chakra, and returned into its Jinchūriki's body.
Then, a middle-aged male ninja appeared, collapsing onto the ground.
"Nao, the Shichibi Jinchūriki from Takigakure?"
Tobirama recognized his opponent. Though Takigakure always isolated itself, under Konoha's current Anbu intelligence network, there were almost no secrets left about other villages.
"Senju Tobirama… you…"
Nao glared at Tobirama, his face filled with anger, shock, and deep regret.
He knew that even together, he and Chōmei stood no chance against all of Konoha.
But he never imagined Tobirama himself would personally intervene—so swiftly, so perfectly.
As if Tobirama had known their actions in advance, and had already deployed forces here.
This feeling of being completely controlled by the enemy was utterly horrifying.
"Fool! Another pawn deceived. How dare you come to Konoha with such weak strength? You're practically begging for death."
Tobirama frowned slightly and scoffed.
He didn't know how Black Zetsu had convinced Takigakure to join, but Takigakure, overestimating their own abilities and unable to resist temptation, actually dared send someone to attack within Konoha—that alone was a foolish act of suicide.
"You know everything? No… impossible!"
Nao panicked, repeating "impossible" again and again.
"You're just a disposable chess piece. What's impossible about this?"
"No, impossible! He promised me—he said he wouldn't…"
Nao suddenly fell silent.
The enemy had promised him many things—guaranteed he wouldn't be in danger. All he needed to do was stall pursuers and escape safely.
But now, standing before Tobirama, beneath the sharp gazes of hundreds of Konoha ninja, all those promises and assurances seemed absurd, laughably naive.
Like a dream bubble bursting suddenly.
This made the Shicibi Jinchūriki abruptly realize the lies and deception woven through the world.
"Realized it, have you? Doesn't change much, though."
"Takigakure, right? Your village will pay an unimaginable price for today's actions!"
Tobirama sneered coldly, targeting Takigakure.
"No!"
"It has nothing to do with the village! This was all my doing!"
"I acted without the village's knowledge—it has nothing to do with Takigakure!"
Nao frantically explained, shouting.
Only after failing did he suddenly grasp the kind of retaliation his entire village would face because of his actions!
This time, surrender wouldn't be enough to settle things.
"Utterly foolish…"
Tobirama stopped paying attention to this Shicibi Jinchūriki.
Everyone must bear responsibility for their own actions. That couldn't be undone by claiming ignorance or feigning madness.
Besides, Konoha currently lacked a solid excuse to attack a small, insignificant ninja village.
Since the enemy had willingly walked into the trap, Tobirama had no issue teaching them a lesson.
"No…!"
Nao tried to speak again, but several Uchiha ninja stepped forward, binding him. His eyes and consciousness quickly fell into Genjutsu.
He was dragged away swiftly.
As for Chōmei sealed within his body, under the sealing technique's effects, it could do nothing.
Tobirama surveyed the surroundings, observing the situation.
Half of the Guest Inn lay in ruins. Fires burned everywhere, thick smoke filled the air—clearly, the enemy's assault had not been small.
Fortunately, everything was under control, and casualties were minimal.
Now, nearly all attackers had been captured.
Under the combined elite formation of the Senju, Uchiha, and Uzumaki clans, these invaders couldn't last more than a few seconds.
But this success was thanks entirely to intelligence and cooperation from Danzō.
Only because they'd learned of White Zetsu's plan in advance could they deploy a specialized anti-Bijuu team to lie in wait—minimizing damage.
Otherwise, if the Shicibi had truly taken to the skies and rampaged, Konoha would have suffered massive losses.
Then, Tobirama turned his gaze toward Chiyo in the distance.
Chiyo's heart trembled. She felt as though her entire plan had been exposed by a single glance—as if she were naked before the crowd.
"Where is the Rinnegan?"
"Stolen by the enemy!"
Chiyo answered hoarsely. As planned, she shifted all blame onto the attackers.
Upon hearing this, Tobirama slightly furrowed his brow—and with masterful acting, issued the order:
"Pursue!"
At his command, numerous Konoha ninja immediately gave chase in the direction the mysterious ninja had fled.
Many ninja from other villages, eager to profit, grew excited once more.
After all, within mere hours, how could Sunagakure possibly forge such an advanced Rinnegan?
Moreover, Konoha had even dispatched troops to pursue—so the stolen Rinnegan must be genuine!
Thinking this, the ninja from other villages reignited their enthusiasm. They all used the cover of night to rush in that direction.
They couldn't guarantee they'd obtain the sacred treasure, but everyone harbored a little luck and greed.
What if fortune truly favored them?
Observing this, Tobirama made no attempt to stop them. After all, the charade had to be played fully. This enemy wasn't some ordinary fool—they weren't easy to deal with.
"Sensei!"
"Second Hokage!"
Biwako, carrying Hiruzen, leapt to Tobirama's side.
"Sensei…" Hiruzen asked immediately, his heart full of worry.
"Don't worry. I'll handle it. Stay here, tend to and calm the wounded."
"Yes!"
Reassured by Tobirama, Hiruzen no longer worried. After all, his injuries weren't healed yet—he couldn't do much anyway.
He could only trust Tobirama.
Once everything was arranged, Tobirama activated the Flying Thunder God Technique and vanished instantly.
As if rushing to chase the enemy and rescue Danzō.
Within moments, hundreds of people disappeared, all pursuing the same goal.
For a while, the ruined inn felt eerily empty.
Of course, many wounded still remained. Numerous Konoha medics arrived to assist. And a small number of ninja from other villages stayed behind, silently watching Chiyo and the others.
"Kazekage!"
"How… how could you let the Rinnegan be taken?"
"That was our village's hope for the future!"
"Finished… finished… everything is destroyed!"
Over twenty remaining Sunagakure ninja gathered around Chiyo. Some began weeping bitterly.
Naturally, they were furious at Chiyo's actions. They wanted to curse her, but due to her strength and status as Kazekage, they could only cry and mock her.
Chiyo ignored their jeers and sobs. She only asked:
"What about the casualties?"
"Four dead, three critically injured." A young Sunagakure ninja replied immediately.
Chiyo looked at the charred corpses and three unconscious, severely wounded comrades. Her heart ached.
But she knew clearly—now was not the time to hesitate or grieve.
"Kazekage, should we pursue?"
"Pursue!"
"Doki, Ishiya, Ganra… you five come with me. The rest stay here, treat the wounded."
"Yes!"
Chiyo pointed to five of her strongest, most experienced Jonin, then they departed immediately.
They chased after the direction Danzō and the others had gone.
Within moments, Chiyo's group successfully exited Konoha.
Along the way, they faced no resistance.
After all, Konoha preferred unstable elements like them to leave the village and cause trouble elsewhere. Why would they stop them?
However, Chiyo and her group had left too late. They couldn't see the earlier pursuit teams ahead. Worse, they didn't even know where Danzō and the mysterious ninja had escaped to.
They could only follow the tracks left by the previous pursuers.
"Trouble, Kazekage! Someone ahead is erasing the trails!"
A Sunagakure ninja grew anxious. He saw over ten ninja from other villages performing tricks in the forest ahead.
They weren't strong—just ordinary Genin.
But right now, they were rapidly erasing the traces left by earlier pursuit groups—footprints, lingering scents, chakra waves—everything wiped clean one by one.
Clearly, they'd been assigned to remain behind and eliminate evidence.
Like someone crossing a bridge then destroying the path behind them—to reduce the number of pursuers. Such tactics were common.
"Don't bother with them. I know the way."
"This way!"
Chiyo gritted her teeth, replying grimly.
Then she led her team, veering off, accelerating pursuit in a different direction.
And coincidentally, this direction was southwest—where Sunagakure lay.
Clearly, Chiyo continued following the plan agreed upon with Danzō. She wasn't chasing the enemy.
Instead, she chose to use this opportunity to flee Konoha and speed her journey back to Sunagakure.
Danzō and the mysterious ninja couldn't hold out much longer. They could draw most attention and attacks, but not indefinitely.
Especially now that Konoha's main forces and Tobirama himself had gone in pursuit.
The chances of the attacking ninja escaping were nearly zero! Once captured, the fake Rinnegan would naturally be exposed.
At that point, the attack would shift back to Chiyo and her group.
Therefore, Chiyo had to seize this moment—flee as fast and far as possible.
If she could successfully return to Sunagakure before anyone realized and gave chase, it would count as a successful escape!