"I had no other choice. The situation demanded it."
Kiyosuke shrugged and said,
"Anyway, help me get in touch with Tsunade-sama."
Someone was sent to fetch the communications officer, who soon connected him with Yamanaka Haiichi at the command center.
"Kiyosuke-sama, what do you wish to report?"
"Is Tsunade-sama there?"
"She is."
"I need to speak with her."
"Understood."
A moment later, Tsunade came on the line.
"Kiyosuke, what's going on?"
"It's like this."
Kiyosuke reported today's battle results, then added,
"Also… Hatake Sakumo has been resurrected."
"What? Sakumo?"
Tsunade's expression darkened. As someone who had lived in the same era as the White Fang, she knew all too well how terrifying he could be. Back when she, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru were still young, it was Sakumo and the Third Hokage who had safeguarded Konoha—slaughtering enemy villages to the point of terror.
"Don't worry," Kiyosuke said quickly. "Kakashi and I have already sealed Hatake Sakumo. Also… I want to use the Edo Tensei Technique."
"The Edo Tensei?"
Tsunade frowned but quickly realized—Kiyosuke was Orochimaru's disciple. Of course he would know such a forbidden jutsu.
"You should know that technique is forbidden."
"These are extraordinary times, Tsunade-sama. Extraordinary measures are necessary. To defeat the Edo Tensei, I'll have to use it myself. We urgently need sealing experts, and I happen to have the remains of two masters of the art. As for sacrifices—we can use the White Zetsu. They make the perfect vessels."
"I see. And who are these two sealing masters you're planning to summon?"
"Uzumaki Mito-sama and Uzumaki Kushina!"
"You—! How did you even get grandmother's body tissue?"
Tsunade erupted in fury. That was her grandmother, after all!
"You'd have to ask Danzo about that," Kiyosuke said lightly. "I got it from him."
Indeed, it was true—and shifting the blame to Danzo always worked beautifully.
"That bastard!"
Tsunade slammed her fist into the table, shattering it. Both the Tsuchikage and Raikage turned to look her way. Gritting her teeth, she hissed,
"Fine! But don't go overboard!"
"Got it!"
The transmission ended.
Tsunade leaned back in her chair and sighed.
The Fourth Raikage glanced at her.
"What happened, Hokage?"
"Kiyosuke just contacted me," Tsunade replied. "He plans to use the Edo Tensei Technique to summon my grandmother Uzumaki Mito, and Naruto's mother, Uzumaki Kushina."
"The Edo Tensei? That guy knows that technique?"
The Fourth Raikage frowned, while Ōnoki chuckled.
"A forbidden jutsu created by the Second Hokage… and now that kid's using it too? Hmph, maybe he's staging the whole thing himself."
"Shut up, you stubborn old fossil!" Tsunade snapped.
Even now, Ōnoki still had time for snide remarks. Did he not understand how serious this was?
"Heh."
Ōnoki merely chuckled and said nothing more.
The Fourth Raikage crossed his arms.
"I've heard that jutsu requires human sacrifices. Where does he plan to get them? Don't tell me he's using allied shinobi—I won't allow it!"
He could accept his own shinobi dying in battle—but not as sacrifices for forbidden techniques.
No village would tolerate that.
Tsunade nodded.
"He's using White Zetsu."
"What? White Zetsu?! Those things can be used as sacrifices?"
From what they'd learned, the White Zetsu were artificial beings—mass-produced living weapons, not true humans. They shouldn't qualify as sacrifices.
Tsunade replied,
"Kiyosuke's research suggests otherwise. White Zetsu can substitute for human sacrifices. You don't need to worry—he might act reckless sometimes, but when it comes to real work, he's surprisingly reliable."
"I see. Then we'll have to wait and see how this turns out."
Ōnoki gave a small laugh.
"Uzumaki Mito, huh? She was a formidable woman indeed. Married to the First Hokage, subduing the Nine-Tails by herself… not a simple character by any means. And with Uzumaki Kushina added to the mix…"
He trailed off, grinning.
"This will certainly strengthen our side."
"Agreed," Tsunade said quietly. "Let's hope for good news from Kiyosuke."
Just then, their strategist Nara Shikaku rushed in, breathing hard.
"Tsunade-sama, Raikage-sama, Tsuchikage-sama—urgent report! The enemy has disguised themselves as our shinobi and launched a surprise attack! Their primary targets are medics and the wounded!"
"What?!"
Tsunade shot to her feet.
"So that's why they didn't attack tonight… they were planning this!"
The White Zetsu and the reincarnated shinobi didn't tire—so their retreat earlier hadn't been out of exhaustion. This must have been their real goal.
Throughout history, the most effective strategy was always to take out the medics first—then the wounded. Crush the weak, and the army collapses.
And no one was better suited for infiltration than the White Zetsu.
"We need to identify who's friend and who's foe as quickly as possible," Tsunade said grimly.
"Otherwise, they'll tear our ranks apart from within."
The Kage immediately began discussing countermeasures.
...
Meanwhile, Kiyosuke received the same report.
"I knew it," he muttered with a sigh.
"Relay this command: no one moves from their position. Stay put. Everyone should recall personal memories shared with their comrades and establish code phrases for each squad. If anyone answers incorrectly… don't hesitate. Kill them on the spot."
White Zetsu could absorb chakra and perfectly replicate another's signature. Even the Byakugan couldn't see through their disguises once they used Transformation Jutsu. The only way to expose them was through human intuition—and ruthless decisiveness.
But even Kiyosuke knew this couldn't last long. Prolonged suspicion would lead to paranoia and friendly fire.
"Yes, sir!"
The communications officer rushed off to deliver the orders, then returned to the tent to await further commands.
Kiyosuke, meanwhile, turned his gaze toward the two bound White Zetsu before him, a cold smile curling across his lips.
They stared back at him in horror—as though looking at a demon.
After hearing everything he'd just said, they knew what awaited them.
They were doomed.
Kiyosuke snorted.
"Don't look so scared. I'm not a monster. I'll make it quick and painless for you. Now then… prepare yourselves. Kakashi, keep an eye on this."
"Understood."
Kakashi uncovered his Sharingan, recording every one of Kiyosuke's movements.
Kiyosuke took out a scroll for the Edo Tensei.
He placed Uzumaki Mito's remains and Uzumaki Kushina's hair atop it, then formed a string of hand seals before slamming his palm down.
"Edo Tensei Technique!!!"
With a low shout, black sealing marks spread outward.
Dust and ash whirled violently, enveloping the two White Zetsu.
Their screams echoed as life was ripped from them—until the dust cocooned their forms completely.
When it settled, standing before Kiyosuke were two women with flowing crimson hair.
They both looked to be in their twenties.
Kiyosuke blinked in confusion.
Uzumaki Mito had died at an advanced age—so why had she appeared in this youthful form?
"Huh? Kiyosuke? Did you use the Edo Tensei again? And… you're Kakashi?"
Uzumaki Kushina blinked at them, clearly surprised.
"Young shinobi of Konoha, able to perform Tobirama's forbidden jutsu… I take it the village is facing a grave crisis?"
Uzumaki Mito's sharp voice cut through the air.