A wide smile spread across Yūto's face as he glanced at Ao, saying, "The rest of the matters can proceed according to the plan."
Ao nodded, then vanished instantly with a Body Flicker Jutsu.
Outside the Konoha Great Gate!
Loud rumbling sounds continued to echo.
The battle between Jiraiya and Bubble was completely suppressed by Bubble.
Spitting out a mouthful of blood, Jiraiya didn't even have time to wipe it away before quickly moving from his spot.
The next instant, a Bubble suddenly appeared where Jiraiya had just been standing, followed by an explosion.
Facing the full power of the Six-Tailed Jinchuriki, even Jiraiya, who now wanted to use Sage Mode, couldn't find a single opportunity for a while.
In contrast to Jiraiya's perilous battle, the fight between Lady Tsunade and Orochimaru on the other side had fallen into a stalemate.
The two went back and forth, and although the battle was fierce, neither of them had caused much damage to the other so far.
Lady Tsunade's face showed annoyance, but a hint of helplessness flashed in her eyes.
No matter what weakness she exposed, Orochimaru wouldn't attack, nor would he confront her head-on, seeming content to just stall her.
At this moment, not only Lady Tsunade and Jiraiya had anxious expressions, but everyone on Konoha's side was also full of anxiety.
The barrier squad members, seeing the barrier full of cracks, couldn't help but swallow hard.
"Hokage-sama, the barrier can probably only withstand one more Tailed Beast Ball."
An Anbu member appeared in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi with a flash, his voice filled with tension.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was grim. Just as he was about to give an order, a panicked voice suddenly came from the side.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, and the others frowned simultaneously. This was no time to dampen the morale of Konoha's Ninja.
Following the direction of the voice, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo's gazes swept over.
A member of the Hyuga Main Family, with a terrified expression, hurriedly walked up to them, somewhat flustered.
"What exactly happened?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked in a deep voice.
"Hokage-sama, members of our clan have discovered two Ninja squads heading towards Konoha."
The Hyuga Main Family member spoke with a trembling voice.
"What!"
Danzo's face showed shock, and he couldn't help but let out an exclamation.
"Did you clearly see which two squads they were?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi ignored Danzo's exclamation, looking at the Hyuga Main Family member with a tense expression.
"They are the Stone Ninja squad and the Cloud Ninja squad." The Hyuga Main Family member swallowed, his voice becoming a bit hoarse.
Stone Ninja! Cloud Ninja!
Hearing the Hyuga Main Family member's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo couldn't help but exchange glances.
"The Stone Ninja and Cloud Ninja coming with their squads at this time... we might have to prepare for the worst." Danzo's face was grim, his voice a bit cold.
And what Danzo was worried about was precisely what Hiruzen Sarutobi least wanted to see.
Thinking of what might happen, Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart trembled, and he immediately turned to look at Inoichi Yamanaka.
Nara Shikaku, standing not far from Hiruzen Sarutobi, naturally also heard what the Hyuga Main Family Ninja had just said.
Several thoughts flashed through his mind, and almost without needing to guess, Nara Shikaku already knew that the Four Great Shinobi Villages had probably decided to unite against Konoha.
On the other side, Inoichi Yamanaka, sensing Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze, quickly stepped forward.
"Immediately inform Jiraiya and Lady Tsunade to retreat quickly!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a sense of urgency.
"Yes!" Inoichi Yamanaka said respectfully, then quickly turned and left.
Not long after, Jiraiya, who was battling Bubble, suddenly heard Inoichi Yamanaka's voice.
Jiraiya's expression changed, and in a moment of distraction, he was almost hit by Bubble's attack.
Stomping his foot, Jiraiya quickly retreated several steps, simultaneously forming hand seals and shouting at Bubble's direction:
"Fire Release: Great Flame Bullet!"
Several fireballs attacked Bubble's direction, causing a series of explosions.
Using the opening created by the fireballs, Jiraiya quickly retreated, heading back towards Konoha.
On the other side, Lady Tsunade also heard Inoichi Yamanaka's words at the same time.
"Orochimaru! Although I don't know what you're thinking, I hope you remember that you are ultimately a person of Konoha."
Lady Tsunade gave Orochimaru a complex glance, not quite understanding why Orochimaru seemed to be holding back his strength.
But for Lady Tsunade, this was a good thing. After saying this, Lady Tsunade also turned and headed back towards Konoha.
"The development of events has indeed exceeded my expectations."
Orochimaru watched Lady Tsunade leave, his eyes deep.
Inside Konoha.
"Hiruzen! We must use the Nine-Tailed's power! This is not the time for soft-heartedness. If we're not careful today, Konoha might be destroyed!"
Danzo looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, his voice almost a shout.
"No." Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes showed a struggling expression, but his voice remained firm.
On the other side, Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu also had anxious expressions, joining Danzo in pressuring Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"If you use the Nine-Tailed, what will you use to control it? Have you considered the consequences if something goes wrong?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze coldly fixed on Danzo and the others.
Danzo stepped forward, pointing to his right eye, which was wrapped in bandages: "With this eye, Uchiha Shisui's Sharingan!"
Uchiha Shisui?
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression suddenly turned grim as he looked at Danzo: "Uchiha Shisui's death back then was related to you, and you took his eyes, Danzo!"
"Hmph! Naive. The power of this eye is too dangerous in the hands of the Uchiha Clan. Besides, I only took his right eye; as for his left eye, it seems he destroyed it himself." Danzo snorted coldly.
"I also refuse Danzo's loud proposal just now!"
A calm voice came from afar. The figures of Jiraiya and Lady Tsunade appeared in the sight of Konoha's Ninja.
"Jiraiya-sama! Lady Tsunade!"
The surrounding Ninja quickly made way, respectfully greeting Jiraiya and Lady Tsunade.
Danzo's face showed displeasure. Regardless of Lady Tsunade and Jiraiya's status, he still saw them as mere juniors.
"My apologies, Lord Third, I couldn't reach the enemy's Three-Tails to seal it." Jiraiya looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi apologetically.
After speaking, Jiraiya turned his head to look at Danzo:
"Who said Konoha has no other way to solve the current problem?"
As Jiraiya spoke, the previously tense atmosphere suddenly quieted, and everyone looked at Jiraiya with surprise.
Lady Tsunade, standing beside Jiraiya, also looked at him with surprise.
This was a joint effort of the Four Great Shinobi Villages. This guy wouldn't suddenly lose his mind and say something boastful, would he?
While everyone looked at Jiraiya in surprise, only Hiruzen Sarutobi, with a struggling expression in his eyes, sighed slightly.
Nara Shikaku, standing next to Hiruzen Sarutobi, noticed Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression and couldn't help but brighten up.
It seems Jiraiya-sama wasn't just boasting!