Shizune couldn't quite believe it: "Just left like that?"
The other Konoha Jonin didn't relax their vigilance either, still guarding the surroundings, prepared for enemies that might appear at any time.
Jiraiya asked Naruto: "What happened?"
Naruto didn't hide anything, recounting exactly what had happened before.
Tsunade frowned slightly: "So, Sasuke Uchiha deliberately lured you here?"
Menma nodded: "Yeah!"
Hearing this, even Tsunade couldn't help but look around, pondering why Sasuke deliberately lured Naruto here. However, everything around was normal, no ambush appeared. So her gaze finally fell on the statues on both sides of the waterfall.
At this time, the statues of the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha were both dilapidated, with only some details remaining, barely allowing identification of the statues' owners.
Withdrawing her gaze, Tsunade said: "Let's go back to the village first!"
The Konoha group dared not stay here longer, immediately following Tsunade back to Konoha.
On the other side.
Sasuke, having awakened the 'Rinnegan', sped all the way, rushing towards the direction of the Flying Fortress.
His face didn't show happiness for successfully awakening the 'Rinnegan'. On the contrary, there seemed to be some displeasure between his brows.
Because he clearly felt that in the battle just now, Naruto didn't use his full strength, while he had done his best.
"That idiot Naruto, has he grown to this extent?"
The more he thought about it, the more he frowned.
For some reason, he even suspected that if the battle just now continued, even with the 'Rinnegan' awakened, he might not necessarily win.
After all, his pupil power was mostly consumed, and these losses wouldn't recover immediately because of the Rinnegan's awakening.
While Naruto and Menma opposite were obviously more at ease!
"So I was the one pushed into a desperate situation..."
Although hard to let go, Sasuke still admitted that Naruto had the upper hand in the battle just now. If one had to say what change Sasuke had recently, the biggest change was that he could recognize his own shortcomings.
Returning to the Flying Fortress, Sasuke immediately found Shinji.
Staring at the freshly baked 'Rinnegan' in Sasuke's eye sockets, Shinji was full of surprise: "You are?"
Sasuke said: "Shinji, as expected, you predicted everything. The opportunity for me to awaken the Rinnegan really was in the Valley of the End!"
After saying that, he recounted the matter of luring Naruto to the Valley of the End and fighting a fierce battle.
Shinji was somewhat speechless.
In his opinion, Sasuke, who had just recovered the pupil power of his right eye, shouldn't have the conditions to impact the Rinnegan in the short term.
Therefore, he gave Sasuke such a test, hoping to polish Sasuke's temperament, let him settle for a while longer, adjust his state to the best, and then impact the Rinnegan.
Unexpectedly, the bond between Sasuke and Naruto was so deep, or rather, the bond between Indra Otsutsuki and Asura Otsutsuki was so deep. In a great battle, Sasuke who fell into a disadvantage actually awakened the 'Rinnegan' directly at the critical moment!
"Shinji, what should I do next?"
Sasuke stared at Shinji with eagerness.
After proving Shinji right time and time again, he was truly convinced by Shinji now.
Shinji thought for a moment and said: "You adjust your state first, familiarize yourself with the Rinnegan's dojutsu, and wait for my next notification."
"Understood!"
Sasuke promised solemnly.
Just as Sasuke was about to turn and leave, Shinji suddenly stopped Sasuke and asked: "Is Naruto strong?"
Sasuke didn't rush to answer, but recalled for a moment, then nodded: "Yeah, very strong!"
Shinji asked again: "What about the current you? Confident in defeating him?"
"Of course!"
Sasuke didn't hesitate.
Shinji smiled and nodded, signaling Sasuke could leave.
After Sasuke left, the smile on Shinji's face dissipated, returning to a solemn expression.
He knew the particularity of Sasuke and Naruto better than anyone, but until now, he realized he still underestimated these two protagonists of the Ninja World in the original timeline.
Although he didn't develop 'Karma' to pass down all his power, Indra Otsutsuki and Asura Otsutsuki still passed down part of their power through constant reincarnation of souls. So once the bloodline was developed to a high enough degree, Sasuke and Naruto's strength progress would be faster!
Thinking of this, Shinji shook his head again, putting his mind back on the development of 'Karma'.
Because Indra Otsutsuki and Asura Otsutsuki themselves were not quite 'Six Paths Level', so as their reincarnations, Sasuke and Naruto had almost finished eating the bloodline dividends. The road ahead would probably depend on themselves.
Land of Iron.
Inside a secret underground base.
Obito stared at the wall full of Sharingan, lost in thought.
This wall of Sharingan stored in nutrient jars was Madara Uchiha's collection. The Sharingan he consumed by activating 'Izanagi' several times before came from here.
Just then, a figure sprang up from underground, coming to Obito's side.
Obito asked: "Any news?"
Zetsu shook his head: "It's strangely calm outside recently. The Ninja Village Alliance should have accepted the fact of defeat, all quieted down."
Undoubtedly, this figure suddenly springing from underground was Zetsu.
Obito frowned: "I'm asking if there is news about 'A' and the Ten-Tails!"
Zetsu spread his hands and answered: "No, since that battle ended, that guy 'A' seems to have disappeared!"
Seeming to think of something, Zetsu added: "But there seems to be rumors in the black market that 'A' seems to be looking for a monk named 'Jigen'."
"Jigen?" Pausing, Obito wondered: "Why is 'A' looking for him?"
Zetsu spread his hands again.
"Sigh!"
Obito sighed helplessly.
The Fourth Great Ninja War not only broke the backbone of the Ninja Village Alliance but also broke their backbone, making them turn back into losers who could only lie dormant in the dark.
Even because of Nagato's disappearance, splits appeared within the organization. Strong members like Hiruko had already started acting on their own. If not for the common powerful enemy 'A' making all members feel apprehensive, the organization would probably have disintegrated.
After all, without Nagato, Obito's power alone was insufficient to deter this gang of lawless fellows in the Akatsuki.
After a long time, Obito opened his mouth: "Perhaps we should accept reality. The 'Eye of the Moon' plan has failed. We have no chance!"
Zetsu responded with silence.
Just then, a space-time gate suddenly opened inside the base. Then, a figure crossed the space-time gate, appearing in front of Obito and Zetsu...