Chapter 329

Under the full moon, atop a rocky outcrop, the sound of the waves crashing incessantly filled the air. Alone, Obito gazed silently at the bright moon above.

If one looked closely, they would notice that beside Obito, on the rock, were four identical pictures or photo-sized portraits, all of the same person—a man with deep blue hair and eyes, marked with the label "Extremely Dangerous."

Hearing rustling behind him, Obito asked calmly, "What did you find out?"

"His name is Angra Mainyu," Black Zetsu replied, followed by White Zetsu, who continued, "He seems to be an evil god, connected to a recently emerged cult called the Flame Worship Cult. Konoha seems to have some information on him."

"It doesn't interfere with our plans..."

Black Zetsu added, internally dreading the idea of Obito confronting the so-called Evil of this World. According to intel from the Renown System, Angra Mainyu was invincible against humans! He couldn't be killed by normal means, nor could he be sealed. He had a unique attribute that made him unrivaled in killing humans.

Moreover, he possessed special abilities. For example, as a manifestation of evil, he could perceive human malice. Someone like Obito would be seen through instantly, his plans and intentions laid bare. With his unpredictable nature, Angra Mainyu's reaction could be catastrophic. Best not to provoke him until after rescuing my mother, thought Black Zetsu, who believed his mother was the strongest.

"An evil god?"

Obito scoffed, full of disdain. He wasn't impressed by the legend. Akatsuki already had a similar entity—a creature claiming to be born from human greed called Moryo. Despite its ominous description, its power was mediocre. Angra Mainyu was likely similar, just exaggerated.

"Conduct a thorough investigation on him," Obito ordered.

...

Late at night, in a hot spring inn, Shinji watched as Minato meticulously cleaned the inn's lobby, even polishing the floor until it gleamed. Dressed in a black short wig to hide his identity, Minato's expression was complicated.

Seeing Shinji, who was leisurely heading to the dining table, Minato, holding a pot of fish soup, hesitated before speaking.

"Mr. Anli, she has already..."

"It should be fine now. We just need to wait for her to wake up and settle the payment," Shinji replied, waving his hand nonchalantly.

Minato felt a mixture of relief and bitterness. This situation was ridiculous! Shinji had charged her for a night's stay! Even after everything that had happened, charging for the room seemed excessive.

Mr. Anli, was that necessary? That last bit was what really broke her!

Of course, it wasn't just her. Any woman would have felt the same. If it were any other man, it would've been a matter of life and death.

Sighing silently, Minato shook his head, pushing the thoughts away. At least he had subtly warned her not to provoke Shinji anywhere. He had done his best.

Wait! Minato suddenly remembered something—he hadn't discreetly conveyed the need for Naruto to lose weight!

...

Kurenai, running all the way to the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Hot Water, cursed Shinji inwardly the entire way. It was utterly infuriating! He not only possessed her but afterward, he nonchalantly distanced himself as if nothing had happened, as if they were strangers!

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Unable to hold it in, she stopped and took out her frustration on a tree, imagining it was Shinji.

"Take that for not being human!

Take that for pulling up your pants and not acknowledging me!

Take that for charging for the room!"

I'll kill you, Angra Mainyu!

Without using chakra, she punched the tree with all her strength until it shattered and fell. Only then did her rage subside a bit. She vowed that the next time she saw him, she would defend her dignity as a woman!

...

Two days later, in Konoha.

In the Hokage's office.

"You're saying... the Great Toad Sage has passed away?" Tsunade's brows furrowed deeply, and in front of her, Jiraiya looked equally grave.

"Yes, just recently. Before he passed, he left some cryptic words about the source of evil and disaster eventually returning what it bore to humanity…"

"I see…"

Seeing Tsunade's lack of surprise, Jiraiya's expression shifted slightly. He sighed, "So you knew something all along, Tsunade. That's why you returned to take the position of Fifth Hokage, isn't it? Because you knew something."

With that, Jiraiya placed a small portrait on the desk, looking serious.

"Is it related to this man?"

Looking at the blue-haired man in the portrait, Tsunade felt a mix of emotions—anger, shame, helplessness, and resignation.

"Angra Mainyu, the same name as the evil god in the recent Flame Worship Cult legends. What's the connection?"

Sighing, Tsunade replied, "As expected of you, you've already investigated."

"Stop pretending! What's going on?!"

Facing Jiraiya's raised voice, Tsunade calmly met his eyes.

"What if I told you he really is the Angra Mainyu from those legends?"

"What?!" Jiraiya's eyes widened.

"No, not exactly."

Tsunade corrected herself, shaking her head. "He's not the actual evil god opposed to the god of light in those legends, but he's a human who was given the name of an evil god. Six thousand years ago, he was labeled the Evil of this World by the Flame Worship Cult."

"What's the story?"

Knowing there was no point in hiding it, Tsunade turned to look out over the peaceful village from the balcony, taking a few moments to compose herself before explaining.

"Based on his occasional remarks and recent discoveries in ancient ruins over six thousand years old, that man…"

Ten minutes later, after listening to Tsunade, Jiraiya's first reaction was disbelief. He couldn't accept the existence of someone who had lived for six thousand years. But seeing Tsunade's serious expression, he forced himself to believe.

"Why didn't you tell me about such a dangerous existence?"

Knowing Jiraiya might do something reckless if she didn't answer, Tsunade explained, "Because if I told you, you'd risk your life, even if it meant dying. You wouldn't understand unless you saw him yourself—he's not someone humans can defeat."

"Are we just going to let such a dangerous person do as he pleases?"

"I've already sent people to find that ancient island. If there's a way to reseal him, it will be there! I've ordered the Cipher Division to decipher the information we got from that island. It shouldn't take long…"

"What if the sealing method wasn't passed down?"

Jiraiya's question made Tsunade fall silent. Seeing her hesitation, Jiraiya sighed and turned to leave.

"Wait…"

"Don't worry. I won't do anything rash until I've figured things out."

Watching Jiraiya's departing figure, for the first time, Tsunade felt he wasn't entirely unreliable.

However…

Bang!!

"Tsunade-sama! Kurenai has returned!"

Seeing the sweating, anxious Konoha ninja burst in with this news, and Jiraiya getting smacked into the wall by the door, Tsunade sighed.

Still the same, not cool for more than three seconds!

...

"At least you're alive. Did you see the attacker?"

"No, but he used something like Wood Release. By the time I realized someone was behind me, my chest had already been pierced."

"Wood Release?"

Tsunade's brow furrowed. Kurenai's words contained two significant points of concern—the so-called Wood Release and…

"How did you survive?"

"Well, I was... saved."

"By whom?" Tsunade asked.

"It was…"

Kurenai bit her lip, fighting shame, pointing shakily at the portrait on the table.

Seeing Kurenai's expression, Tsunade realized she might share a similar fate.

With Kurenai beginning to cry, Tsunade clenched her fists tightly.

That bastard!!

...

After hearing Kurenai's story, Tsunade's anger reached its peak, wishing she could crush Shinji's head into the ground.

How could someone do such a thing?

Sympathizing with Kurenai, Tsunade approached her, patted her shoulder, and hugged her gently, comforting her.

"Don't cry. It's over now. I understand how you feel. Try to move past this."

Hmm?

Kurenai was puzzled.

Understand how I feel? What does she mean?

Why does Tsunade-sama understand my feelings?

Could it be...

...

"Don't worry, I'll keep it a secret. Also, you won't have any missions for a while. Take some time to rest."

At that moment, Kurenai understood something.

"Tsunade-sama, you…"

"Don't dwell on that bastard. Thinking about him will only cause more trouble. Take a good bath and rest."

Seeing Tsunade's sympathetic eyes, Kurenai realized she wasn't the only one.

That bastard, there's someone else!

Seeing Kurenai's complex emotions, Tsunade raised an eyebrow, "Kurenai, you wouldn't have feelings for that man…"

"No! Tsunade-sama! Despite what happened, I could never have feelings for him! Only hatred!"

"Alright, I understand. Go rest."

...

Watching Kurenai leave, and waiting for a few seconds, Tsunade finally let her anger out.

Boom!!

She punched through an entire wall.

Couldn't I tell if there were other feelings?

That bastard actually did it!

Talking about equivalent exchange, returning if unwilling—why didn't you say that to me? Why the forced sale?

Of course, Tsunade felt somewhat fortunate, having been unconscious and unaware during her ordeal, unlike Kurenai.

Creak—

"Tsunade? What happened?"

Seeing the ruined office, Jiraiya quickly asked.

"I haven't fought in a while and feel rusty. Do you have time for a spar?"

"No, I'm busy. See you."

Jiraiya retreated, closed the door, and sprinted away in one smooth motion.

Not a chance, Tsunade's strength is terrifying. A punch from her means months in the hospital!

Can't take it, just can't!