The battle finally ended, leaving the land in ruins.
Konoha's people desperately searched the devastated battlefield for any survivors, but they had little success.
Against the destructive power of the tailed beasts, the strength of ordinary ninjas seemed insignificant.
"If you hadn't arrived in time, the Konoha forces might have been wiped out," Minato said as he approached Simu.
Simu relaxed, stepping out of combat mode.
His seven-meter frame shrank gradually until he returned to his original height of 1.9 meters. Even then, he was still a head taller than Minato.
Kato Dan also approached.
Though Simu and Minato were younger than him, their accomplishments far surpassed his, so Kato Dan remained respectful, not daring to act too familiar.
"Going back to Konoha, Hokage will definitely give you a lot of credit again," Kato Dan said with a smile.
Simu waved his hand dismissively. "I don't care about credit. Anyway, Uncle Third Hokage can't offer much money these days."
Minato and Kato Dan's expressions darkened at this.
If it weren't for the Fire Country's daimyo cutting back on expenses, he wouldn't have been willing to fully support Konoha.
They wouldn't have needed to take such high risks, especially sending Simu deep into the battlefield alone.
But if Simu's strength had been any less, he wouldn't have made it back.
As they were talking, Kakashi and Rin ran over.
"Teacher Simu, Obito..." Rin, being more emotional, immediately burst into tears upon seeing Simu.
Though Kakashi also felt deep sorrow, he managed to keep his composure on the outside.
"Simu's sensei, Obito, was hit head-on by Five Tails while protecting us..." Kakashi said, recalling Obito's idiotic smile. He fell silent.
Simu understood. It seemed that Uchiha Madara had gone to great lengths, bringing two tailed beasts to fake the accident and take Obito away. Obito must be a crucial part of Madara's plan.
Of course, it would have been even better for Madara if these tailed beasts had managed to kill Konoha's forces, including Minato and the others.
Unfortunately for him, Simu had arrived just in time to spoil that plan.
Simu gently placed his palm on Kakashi and Rin's heads. "Don't worry, Obito isn't dead. He'll come back."
As one of the most important pieces in Madara's hands. There is absolutely no way Obito will die.
Rin's eyes immediately brightened with hope. "Really?"
Simu smiled and nodded. "Yes, really."
"Of course, when have I ever lied to you?" Simu replied.
Rin's heart was conflicted. "Then when will he come back?"
As a ninja on the battlefield, she knew that life and death were a constant reality. But when Simu said it, it felt different.
Despite his casual attitude most of the time, Simu had never let his students down when it mattered most.
So, Rin's first instinct was that Obito might not be truly gone.
Simu gave her a meaningful look before speaking. "Perhaps when you're in danger, the one who matters will appear by your side."
Kakashi remained silent, his brow furrowed
Kakashi thought about it for a moment. Based on what he knew of Simu, if Simu said Obito was alive, there was a good chance he was.
But if Obito was alive, why hadn't Simu gone to rescue him?
Why say something that sounded more comforting than true? He didn't voice these questions, though. He knew Simu must have his own reasons.
Minato hesitated. After all, he and Simu had been teammates for many years and understood each other well.
If Simu said Obito wasn't dead, then Obito probably wasn't.
Simu noticed Minato's hesitation and spoke up. "Remember when I asked you to place a mark on them?"
In order to guard against Uchiha Madara's actions, Simu asked Minato to plant the mark of Flying Thunder God on Obito Obito and the others early in the morning.
Minato's eyes lit up.
Minato's eyes lit up. As long as it wasn't activated, the mark would remain and be nearly impossible to detect
In the original story, the Flying Thunder God imprint he left on Obito even lasted for twenty years without being discovered, nor disappeared.
Minato felt it carefully.
This imprint is moving rapidly, gradually away from oneself.
He hurriedly looked at Simu:
"Do you want me to activate it?"
If activated now, Minato can instantly appear next to Obito.
Simu shook his head.
"Not in a hurry."
Now that it's determined Uchiha Madara won't hurt Obito.
Not only will Uchiha Madara not harm Obito, but he will also transplant Hashirama cells into him, allowing Obito to learn Wood Style and develop his abilities.
So, why rush to bring Obito back? It might be better to let Uchiha Madara help him grow stronger.
As long as Rin's safety is ensured, Obito won't turn to darkness.
Since Simu had said so, Minato naturally wouldn't act on his own.
"You can hide the mark for now. I'll let you know when it's needed."
"Understood." Minato nodded without saying more.
Kato Dan then asked, looking at the two tailed beasts lying on the ground, "What are you going to do with these two?"
Simu glanced at his mace, then said casually, "Of course, I'll make them my Summoning beasts. If they refuse, I'll just beat them with my stick!"
Kato Dan and Minato remained silent as they watched.
Simu then approached Five Tails, Kokuō.
"Would you like to be my Summoning beast?"
Kokuō blinked its large eyes, looking at Two-Tails and then at the mace in Simu's hand. After a long pause, it sighed. "I would."
Simu smiled with satisfaction.
Two-Tails, standing proudly, seemed to show off its status as a senior Summoning beast.
After all, being Simu's Summoning beast was no small thing for a tailed beast. Now, with Five Tails joining, it felt a sense of honor.
Simu performed the contract spell, following the method the Third Hokage had given him.
A large magic circle surrounded Simu and Five Tails.
Five Tails gently raised a hoof and stepped onto the circle, completing the contract ceremony. With that, another tailed beast was bound to Simu.
Afterward, Simu turned his attention to the weakened Four Tails monkey.
He slammed the mace into the ground, then knelt down and asked, "Mr. Monkey King, what is your choice?"
"I, Monkey King, will never be a slave!" Four Tails declared defiantly.
Simu swiftly hit him with the mace, sending him flying.
After more than twenty strikes, he asked again, "What now?"
Four Tails lay on the ground, bruised and battered, and hesitated before replying, "I... I do."
"That's better," Simu said with a satisfied nod. He then lifted the seal on Four Tails and completed the contract.
Minato and Kato Dan were left speechless by the whole situation.
Is this really a tailed beast?
A country's strategic weapon is being treated this way?
Only Two-Tails seemed amused, laughing at Four Tails as if to say, "See? I was right to join Simu-sama early."
Simu clapped his hands and led the group back to Konoha.
Minato and Kato Dan exchanged a glance.
"Does that mean Konoha now has four tailed beasts?".
They shared a look of shock.
The Tsuchikage of Iwagakure was likely not going to let this go easily.
Meanwhile, tensions brewed at the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth.
Beneath a lush forest, a massive and unusual statue stood quietly.
The statue had ten eyes, each as large as a small house. Its enormous palms were held flat, with its fingers suspended in mid-air like platforms.
Beneath the statue, an old man with white hair sat.
His eyes were closed, and his face was covered in deep wrinkles, dressed in a white robe.
Time seemed to stand still, and everything was eerily silent.
Then, a carefree voice broke the stillness.
"Madara-sama, we've brought back the boy you wanted!" White Zetsu emerged from the ground with a soft rustling sound.
Black Zetsu scolded, "Keep quiet, don't disturb Lord Madara's rest."
White Zetsu snorted, "Madara-sama won't mind, only he understands my art!"
As they spoke, the calm old man slowly opened his eyes.
A deep darkness spread from Madara's eyes, with a faint blood-red hue emerging from the shadows.
Though it was just a Three Tomoe Sharingan, it radiated a pressure like that of the deep sea.
This was the terrifying power of Uchiha Madara.
Any Sharingan in his hands could unleash overwhelming strength.
His gaze fell upon Obito, whose body was torn and battered.
Half of Obito's body was destroyed, but fortunately, both of his eyes remained intact.
With a thought, the statue behind Madara extended a branch to wrap around Obito, channeling life force into his body.
White Zetsu murmured, "Is this guy really going to be saved?"
Madara remained silent, but Black Zetsu responded, "If he is the one chosen by Madara-sama, he will survive."
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TO BE CONTINUED
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