The Edo Tensei was Black Zetsu's failsafe for ensuring the success of the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
In other words, whether or not Orochimaru had researched the technique made no difference.
The outcome remained the same.
As for how Uchiha Madara and Black Zetsu had obtained the Edo Tensei in the first place?
That was still a mystery.
—
"Kushina, are we really okay just taking it easy like this?"
Her entire body was submerged in the warm spring water, her face flushed red from the heat.
She looked so content it made Takuya want to pinch her cheeks.
"What's the problem? If the other villages are in a rush, let them go ahead.
Iwagakure is the one panicking—not us."
Leaning back against the edge of the hot spring, Takuya draped a towel over his face.
From the way they were traveling—stopping to rest, taking their time—no one would believe they were on a mission.
They looked more like they were on vacation.
And when they came across an open-air hot spring,
Takuya simply decided to take a day off.
Thus, here they were.
…Wait.
Why was Pakura so quiet?
Lifting the towel off his face, he turned to glance at her—only to find Pakura hunched over in the water, looking uncomfortably stiff.
"Pakura-nee, are you feeling sick?"
Kushina asked innocently.
Since this was an open-air bath and they were all wearing light clothing, the three of them had entered together.
But the moment Pakura stepped in, she had started acting weird.
Kushina assumed she wasn't feeling well.
"…Heh."
Takuya took one look at Pakura and immediately understood.
He couldn't help but laugh.
You're laughing?!
Pakura shot him a glare.
Of course, that only made him laugh harder.
Her face flushed an even deeper shade of red, but she had no choice but to endure it.
She could only mumble that she was fine before sinking deeper into the water.
Seeing how uncomfortable she looked, Takuya decided to let her off the hook.
"I'll go prepare lunch. You two take your time."
The moment he left, Pakura let out a long sigh, visibly relaxing.
Kushina, however, narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
What's going on here?
Just as she was about to press Pakura for answers, she noticed something—
Pakura was floating.
No—
More accurately, certain parts of Pakura were floating.
No way…
Was she almost the same size as Tsunade?!
Kushina swallowed hard.
She looked down at herself… and immediately felt defeated.
This is my weakness.
Forget comparing herself to Tsunade—she couldn't even compete with Uchiha Mikoto.
And now?
Now she completely understood why Takuya had laughed earlier.
—
While the three of them were busy soaking in the hot spring,
The first wave of reinforcements had already arrived at Iwagakure.
Surprisingly, Kumogakure was the first to send aid.
The Third Raikage had stayed behind, sending his son, A, to lead the team instead.
Ōnoki personally greeted A, then led him and his men toward the Tsuchikage's office.
On the way, A frowned as he observed the five-man squads patrolling the village.
"They still haven't found the infiltrators?"
Why had Kumogakure moved so quickly?
Because they were afraid.
If the enemy could do this to Iwagakure,
What was stopping them from doing the same to Kumogakure?
Iwagakure was a complete mess.
Ōnoki scowled, hands clenched behind his back.
"We still haven't found a way to break through their disguise."
It was humiliating.
Not only had the village suffered heavy losses,
But now they were stuck in this pathetic situation.
A decided to change the subject.
"What about the other villages?"
"They're still on the way."
Ōnoki exhaled deeply before adding,
"Until then, your people will need to move in groups.
The situation is still unstable.
I trust you understand."
"Of course."
A's expression turned serious.
After a brief discussion in the Tsuchikage's office,
Ōnoki led A to a secret chamber—
Where the remains of White Zetsu were laid out.
A immediately understood.
"You're trying to study the corpses to find a way to detect them?"
At this point, there were no good solutions.
If they couldn't identify the infiltrators,
Then this was the only option left.
If there had been another way, Ōnoki wouldn't have resorted to this.
Unfortunately, he was running out of time.
But it was all for nothing.
"Yes."
Though admitting it was embarrassing,
Ōnoki didn't hesitate to explain,
"Unfortunately, we haven't found any useful information yet.
Given more time, I believe our researchers could find something…"
"But the real question is—"
A cut in bluntly.
"Can Iwagakure last that long?"
It had only been a few days,
Yet the entire village was already on edge.
Every shinobi was forced to move in groups,
Even for the most basic daily activities.
And at all times,
They had to remain hyper-alert, wary of their own comrades.
Under this kind of mental strain,
It was only a matter of time before people started breaking down.
Ōnoki knew that.
And he hated that he had no choice but to admit it.
"No."
Gritting his teeth, he continued,
"That's why I sent out a call for aid.
And why we must get the other villages to take Uchiha Madara seriously.
He is far more dangerous than any of us."
"If he's targeting the Rinnegan…
And both Iwagakure and Kumogakure have one…"
A gave him a pointed look.
"…Then I finally understand why Konoha handed theirs over so easily."
They had deliberately gotten rid of it.
By throwing the Rinnegan to the other villages,
They had redirected Madara's attention away from themselves.
At the same time,
They had earned diplomatic benefits from the exchange.
It was a win-win situation for Konoha.
Now, all the real trouble was falling on Iwagakure and Kumogakure.
A crossed his arms, scowling.
"This is frustrating."
It didn't feel fair.
Even though they had been the ones to demand the Rinnegan,
It still felt like Konoha had played them for fools.
When it was someone else's problem,
It was easy to stand on the sidelines, watching the chaos unfold.
But the moment you became the target?
That was a whole different story.
Right now, Ōnoki and A were feeling that firsthand.
Still, it was too late to complain.
The only thing they could do now was wait for the other villages to arrive.
After a moment of thought, A turned to Ōnoki.
"Tsuchikage,
Until the others get here,
We'll remain on standby.
I hope you understand."
There was no benefit in recklessly inserting themselves into the chaos.
Until they knew more about White Zetsu,
It was better to avoid unnecessary risks.
___________________________
(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read the rest of the Chapter at Patreon com/ Emik01.
DO NOT FORGET POWER STONE AND CHATTING