The Third Hokage comforted him, "Don't say that, Minato. You've worked very hard; it's just that the opponent is Uchiha Madara."
"He is a Ninja that only the First Hokage could defeat. Even if I had gone, there would have been nothing I could do. I might not have returned, just like Danzo."
During the time Minato was unconscious, Kakashi and the other two had already submitted the mission logs.
The Third Hokage had read them as well. It was a struggle for Minato and the others to escape, let alone Danzo, who didn't have the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Danzo was presumed dead.
The Third Hokage was very saddened by the death of his old colleague, but he was in no mood to mourn him.
The entire Konoha rested on the Third Hokage's shoulders; at a time like this, he couldn't afford the slightest negligence.
Abandon all illusions and prepare for battle.
Before the Third Hokage could finish, Kushina approached, holding the white cat in her hand.
The Third Hokage was startled. The white cat's eyes were bright red, looking just like the Sharingan at first glance.
Kushina said somewhat proudly, "Old man Third, see this? This is Uchiha Ryou. He was lurking inside Kakashi, Kurenai, and the others."
"Fortunately, I arrested him!"
The white cat kicked its hind legs vigorously. "Kushina, you can only take advantage of this clone of mine."
"Just you wait. The Eye of the Moon Plan has already begun. You've already been assigned. The little fox in your belly belongs to Uchiha Madara, and you belong to my main body!"
Hearing this, the Third Hokage, Minato, and Kushina's pupils all constricted.
The others were confused about the 'little fox'. Kushina had a little fox in her belly?
Rin asked, puzzled, "Little fox? Kushina-sensei, isn't there a baby in your belly?"
"Yeah, could it be that Kushina-senpai is the reincarnation of a fox spirit?"
"It's possible. Many civilians have gone missing in the Village lately; it must be Kushina's doing."
Kushina quickly covered the white cat's mouth.
Minato laughed it off for everyone. "When Kushina was little, she looked like a little fox, so she had a nickname back then called 'Red-haired Fox'. The little fox refers to the baby in Kushina's belly."
"Uchiha Madara is truly wicked, actually daring to target my child."
Mikoto glanced at Kushina suspiciously.
The Third Hokage, Minato, and Kushina never expected Ryou to know that Kushina was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
The fact that Kushina was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was kept so secret that Jiraiya never knew his daughter-in-law, Kushina, was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki from start to finish.
He thought the Nine-Tails' attack on the Village was because someone had summoned it there.
From beginning to end, Jiraiya believed the Nine-Tails was a natural disaster and that Konoha didn't possess it.
Even high-ranking members of the Sannin like Orochimaru and Tsunade didn't know Kushina was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
In all of Konoha, only five people clearly knew Kushina was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki: the Third Hokage, Danzo, Utatane Koharu, Homura Mitokado, and Minato.
Danzo, Utatane Koharu, and the others knew because they were Konoha's high-level officials, and Minato knew because he was Kushina's husband.
Konoha had always kept information about Jinchuriki strictly under lock and key; as for the Nine-Tails, they never thought of utilizing its power.
But rather, sealing it!
Because the power of the Nine-Tails was not something they could control.
Konoha didn't study the Nine-Tails' power or the sealing of Tailed Beasts, which resulted in everyone being at a loss when the Nine-Tails broke the seal.
Since they had no experience dealing with the Nine-Tails at all, they thought it was controlled by the evil Uchiha from outside the Village to destroy it.
Ever since Madara left, Konoha had always maintained a conservative policy, only thinking of resistance after others had attacked.
This Village had no initiative and had always been resting on its laurels.
The Third Hokage, Minato, and the others hadn't expected Ryou to know Kushina's identity as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, but they realized it once they thought of Madara.
After all, the Nine-Tails was once Madara's Summoned Beast.
But then, Minato became deeply worried.
The Eye of the Moon Plan required the Nine-Tails in Kushina's belly, which proved that his wife had been targeted by Madara.
And in the face of Madara, he felt like an incompetent husband!
He feared he would end up like Jiraiya-sensei, with Madara snatching his wife away to bear little Uchihas for Ryou.
Minato's heart was in a total mess.
The Third Hokage took a puff of his pipe, looked at the eager Obito, and smiled. "Obito, I'm glad you're still alive."
"Can you now tell us the information you gathered during your time as an undercover agent for Uchiha Madara?"
Finally, it's my turn to show off!
Obito was so expectant! He knew a lot, and it would be truly frustrating not to say it.
"The Eye of the Moon Plan is—"
Bang!
Before Obito could speak, he heard a massive sound outside the window, as if the entire Village were undergoing an earthquake.
Immediately, all of Konoha was in an uproar, entering a state of first-degree combat readiness.
The Hokage Building was surrounded by a group of giant toads.
Atop a giant toad, Fukasaku shouted, "Danzo, how dare you insult the Great Sage of Mount Myōboku? Get out here right now!"
Underground in Konoha, Danzo was counting his assets; this battle had basically exhausted the Root's resources.
There was basically no one left in Root except for some logistics personnel. Danzo could only find a way to swallow up Orochimaru's foundation.
But the shout from above, calling him out by name, made Danzo feel terrible instantly. He really didn't dare show his face now.
"Gu, go tell Hiruzen that I have already died in battle in the Land of Rain!"
"Yes!"
...As soon as the two Sages of Mount Myōboku appeared, Hiruzen stood at attention.
The Third Hokage respectfully invited the two Sages inside and provided them with the best food and drink.
He even had the Anbu mobilize as a group to catch insects to feed the toads of Mount Myōboku.
The Third Hokage truly felt like killing Danzo.
Even a great figure like the First the Hokage would consider himself a junior when speaking of the Great Toad Sage, yet Danzo dared to speak ill of him?
This fellow has become so arrogant over the years without being kept in check that he doesn't even know his own name anymore!
The Third Hokage apologized profusely, "Sage Fukasaku, Sage Shima, please don't be angry. Danzo has already died in the Land of Rain."
"He has already paid the price for his actions!"
Fukasaku nodded. "Consider it a cheap death for him. However, there is one thing I want to make clear."
"Mount Myōboku does not belong to Konoha. The purpose of Mount Myōboku is to protect the peace of the Ninja World and find the child of prophecy to help him sever the curse of the Ninja World."
"Jiraiya concealing the Rinnegan was a decision made by Mount Myōboku. The future of the child of prophecy is not something you in Konoha can control at all."
"It might even backfire, causing the child of prophecy to hate your Konoha and become an executioner who destroys the world."
The Third Hokage glanced at Jiraiya, who was grinning sheepishly nearby.
Jiraiya would certainly face major disciplinary action for concealing the Rinnegan, but now that Mount Myōboku was covering for him, the Third Hokage couldn't say much.
In the current environment, if Konoha were to even offend Mount Myōboku, then it might as well be destroyed sooner!
"Sage Fukasaku is right; the power of the Rinnegan is indeed not something Konoha can master."
"However, Sage Fukasaku, the Rinnegan belongs to Uchiha Madara. Do you think he is the child of prophecy?"
Fukasaku shook his head. "I don't know. Only the Great Master can give an answer to that."
"But rest assured, Mount Myōboku's purpose is to protect the peace of the Ninja World. If Uchiha Madara intends to destroy the Ninja World..."
"Even if he is the child of prophecy, we will stand up to stop him."
The Third Hokage felt relieved; he was truly afraid that Mount Myōboku might also side with Madara. If that happened, it would really be over.