Taking away the Tailed Beast?
The ANBU members were stunned when they heard that — it was a Tailed Beast, after all.
"Don't be surprised. This is part of our plan against the Tailed Beasts."
"Minato is in charge of the Four-Tails, and Gekko Chizan is responsible for the Five-Tails."
"He hasn't returned yet."
But right after she said that, a figure suddenly appeared beside Tsunade, dripping wet from head to toe.
"Good grief, finally made it back. Why the hell did I have to fly that far?"
"Hm? What's with everyone staring at me like that?"
"Huh? Isn't that the ANBU? Wait—has the situation gotten so bad that even ANBU are on the battlefield now?"
Gekko Chizan's sudden appearance startled everyone.
Some of the ANBU even drew their blades, their stance tense and ready for battle.
"Hey, hey, calm down! No need for blades, we can talk this out!"
"Don't think I don't have one myself."
With a casual motion, Gekko Chizan drew the Kusanagi Sword from his back, and the flash of cold light it emitted was clearly not something an ordinary weapon could match.
"Chizan, you're back. How's the Five-Tails?"
"The Five-Tails? No idea."
The Acting Master had taken the stage. Gekko Chizan spoke with complete nonchalance — his expression so calm it was as if he'd never had anything to do with the Five-Tails at all.
His words made Tsunade frown deeply and clench her fists.
"You bastard! Don't brush this off. You used the Flying Thunder God to teleport the Five-Tails — where did you send it?"
"And why did you come back so late?"
Tsunade glanced at the surrounding ANBU, then barked her question sharply.
Chizan also glanced at the ANBU. Seeing them here on the front lines, he had already guessed part of the situation.
Probably something to do with his teacher.
"Where did I send it?"
"I just threw the Five-Tails into the ocean, using the power of Sage Energy."
"He's probably still swimming right now — assuming his Jinchūriki can actually swim."
Gekko Chizan gave a wicked grin, his words dripping with mockery.
Everyone — Tsunade, Jiraiya, Minato, and the ANBU — all shuddered.
Damn, this guy was ruthless. He actually threw a Tailed Beast into the ocean? And they were nowhere near the sea!
Even Namikaze Minato almost bit his own tongue. That kind of distance was beyond his imagination.
He almost couldn't believe it — but when he thought about Sage Energy, it started to make sense.
Tsunade and Jiraiya didn't doubt him either; they had both seen Gekko Chizan's Sage Mode firsthand.
And since Jiraiya himself practiced Sage Techniques, he knew well how natural energy — superior to ordinary chakra — could provide an overwhelming boost to a Sage.
That's why Gekko Chizan truly deserved the title of "Acting Emperor." His performances never left a single flaw.
Why had he shown off Sage Mode on the battlefield earlier? It was all to use it now as a perfect cover story.
"As for why I came back late — come on."
"I needed a break. Do you know how far it is from here to the sea?"
"I can't stay in Sage Mode forever, or the snake princesses from Ryūchi Cave will start nagging me."
Those words successfully dispelled everyone's doubts.
[Ding! The host's acting has successfully convinced everyone, and at the same time made Namikaze Minato deeply aware of his own shortcomings, turning Sage Techniques into his lifelong obsession. Special reward: Rasengan.]
What the hell? Rasengan?
Come on, isn't that the signature ninjutsu of Naruto himself?
No matter what he faces, he just throws a ball. If one ball isn't enough, make it a bigger one. If that still doesn't work, make it a Sage Ball — and if that fails, go for a Tailed Beast Ball!
That's the prince's ultimate technique! Tch. And judging by the timeline, Minato hasn't even invented the Rasengan yet.
Poor Minato. He doesn't even realize that the ninjutsu he's destined to create has already been stolen.
Meanwhile, Namikaze Minato had already made up his mind — he would learn Sage Techniques! Sure, it looked cool, but more importantly, it was powerful!
"Alright then. Since Gekko Chizan has returned, Tsunade-sama, he should head back to the village as well."
"As for the front lines, the Hokage has already made arrangements."
"Reinforcements are on their way. His departure won't weaken our defenses."
Hearing this, Tsunade nodded.
"Chizan, you'll return to the village with Jiraiya and Minato."
"They'll explain everything that's happened."
Gekko Chizan shrugged, indicating he understood.
Then the group started heading back toward the village.
"So my teacher defected, huh? Damn... I'm finished."
"Now what am I supposed to do?"
"This is basically a death sentence! The Gekko clan has been farming quietly in the village for years, working hard and staying out of trouble."
"And now that I finally own a little property — crap, the Hokage's not gonna confiscate it, right?"
All the way back, Gekko Chizan acted like a frightened farmhand. His tearful display made everyone twitch their lips.
But it also made them believe that he was completely innocent.
Orochimaru: …Yeah, innocent. If not for him, I probably wouldn't have defected for another few years!
"Am I going to..."
"Chizan..."
"I'm doomed... Aaaaaahhh..."
"Gekko Chizan!"
Minato couldn't take it anymore and shouted to stop the wailing Chizan.
"You'll be fine! Can you please stop screaming?"
"Really?"
"Really. Absolutely. You're you, he's him. The Hokage won't punish you."
Of course, Gekko Chizan knew that Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't actually do anything to him. At worst, he'd just be sidelined for a while.
But he had to keep acting — otherwise, how else could he wash his hands of the whole affair?
...
Meanwhile, in the Land of Grass.
Tōshirō and a group of Iwagakure jōnin wore grim expressions as they faced Hanzo of the Salamander, the so-called demigod of Amegakure.
"I really didn't expect that a man called a demigod couldn't even take down a child."
"I've already sent the report back to the village. Whether our cooperation with Amegakure continues or ends, we'll wait for the Tsuchikage's decision."
Hanzo's eyes glinted with cold fury as the Iwa-nin mocked him. He raised his scythe — or rather, what was left of it. The once razor-sharp weapon had been snapped clean in half.
The sight reminded Hanzo of that damned brat.
"Hmph. If you think you can do better, why did you need me in the first place?"
"Wasn't it because you couldn't handle Konoha yourselves?"
"A bunch of kids."
The same mockery, coming from Hanzo's mouth, cut even deeper.
With that, he turned and walked away from the Iwa-nin, completely unconcerned with their outrage.
"Damn it! Mohiru, have Han and Roshi returned yet?"
Mohiru shook his head. Neither of the Jinchūriki had come back — and for Iwagakure, that was very bad news.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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