"What?" Hearing Obito's words, everyone was shocked once more.
Before this, they thought Obito, and the Uchiha Madara behind him, would have some insight.
Who would have thought it would just be... this?
Konoha hadn't found an answer for the Rotting Wood Plague, and neither had Madara. So, Konoha = Madara?
At this moment, Konoha's higher-ups felt somewhat disdainful towards Obito.
"Can't even figure this out, and I thought Uchiha Madara was so powerful?" Danzo said with sarcasm.
Obito glanced at him, expressionless: "Shouldn't you be focusing on the fact that even Uchiha Madara couldn't figure it out?"
"The current situation is that there is an unknown entity in the Ninja World. Madara, who has been hiding in the shadows, sent me out. Surely you people understand the implication now?"
"So, why aren't you horrified that even Uchiha Madara couldn't research it?"
Obito said mysteriously.
Hearing his words, the Konoha's higher-ups suddenly reacted!
"Ah, right, even that Uchiha Madara doesn't know!"
"This is bad!" The Konoha's higher-ups' expressions changed drastically!
This meant the mastermind, the one who released the plague, possessed abilities far surpassing Madara's.
'But if Uchiha Madara was already that terrifying, what must the mastermind be like?'
Everyone felt a chill!
Thinking this, their looks towards Obito also became amicable.
"Then, Obito, one last question!" Hiruzen asked seriously: "How much do you actually know?"
Hearing Hiruzen's words, Obito smiled slightly: "A lot!"
"Tell us!" Orochimaru said.
"Alright!" Obito nodded and began recounting the speculations about the mysterious organization, and even about Sora.
That night, the lights in the Hokage's office stayed on until late.
The next day, Obito walked out of the Hokage Building with satisfied expression.
Their discussion this time was very successful.
Simply put, Obito, and the Konoha's forces led by Orochimaru, had formed an alliance!
And soon, their actions became apparent in the Ninja World.
…
Land of Water, Kirigakure.
Mizukage's office.
Mei was looking at the Minato Namikaze and Fugaku Uchiha in front of her with an upset expression.
"What? Your whereabouts were exposed, and now Konoha has begun advancing against Kirigakure?"
"Yes!" Fugaku's expression was strange.
He never expected the current Konoha to still be able to see through their actions!
Not only that, they had actually started actively attacking Kirigakure!
Fugaku had to admire Konoha's nerve.
He wondered if they're not afraid of Sora.
Yes, Sora had indeed disappeared, even for months now. But through the connection between the Shinigami and the Soul King, Fugaku could clearly sense that Sora's current state was still fine.
That meant Sora would return one day.
Minor issues weren't worth mentioning.
However, while Fugaku could think like that, Mei could not.
She looked at the two again: "Sora... he's really alright?"
"Don't worry, Mei-sama, the Soul King is fine!" Looking at Mei, Minato gently replied.
Even though this was probably the nth time Mei had asked this question, Minato remained the same.
Looking at Minato's sunny demeanor, Fugaku felt a sense of admiration, 'When it came to comforting people, or more accurately, making a good first impression that made people trust him, Minato was still the best.'
And hearing Minato's words, Mei felt much more at ease as expected.
"Alright, then I'll wait a little longer!"
Mei felt relieved.
Of course, she didn't relax completely: "But the problem is, Sora hasn't returned yet. How am I supposed to resist Konoha's army of the dead and the living?"
As she spoke, Mei looked at Minato.
Mei was from the same generation as Kakashi. Although she was now a woman, when it came to rich experience, Minato was indeed the one to rely on.
As the former Fourth Hokage, Minato's mind worked quickly, and he provided an answer.
"We'll do this, then this, and then this!"
"Don't worry, Mei-sama. All of us have been strengthened by Sora-sama. There won't be any problems!"
"Oh?" Hearing Minato's plan, Mei's eyes lit up!
However, while Minato's plan was indeed good, it seemed a bit too idealized, and the sacrifices involved were somewhat significant, which made her hesitate.
The most precious thing in Kirigakure now was its people.
Fortunately, Mei, who would become the Fifth Mizukage in the future, was not without decisiveness.
If there was a problem, then solve the problem.
After thinking for a moment, Mei told Minato her own thoughts.
Hearing this, Minato's eyes lit up: "Excellent! As expected of Mei-sama, your idea is even better!"
"I was still limited by my perspective as a Hokage and didn't fully consider Kirigakure's specific situation!"
"I think it's okay!" Minato said.
Looking at him, and after thinking for a moment longer, Mei made the final decision: "Then, let's do it! Don't be afraid of losing, and even less afraid of failure!"
"Yes, Mei-sama!" Hearing Mei's command, the two vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.
Thus, three days later, another piece of news spread throughout the entire Ninja World.