"Alas, it's already over? What a pity, I thought I could stay for a while longer," said a ninja from Sunagakure. He seemed to regret it, as he had apparently killed many enemies during the operation and viewed the area as an excellent combat training ground.
Although the training process was cruel, it was part of the mission. When two villages clashed, the mission was always the priority.
"Staying for a while is certainly not a problem. Central City is permanently open and can be considered your second village. If you stay here for a while, the Kazekage won't say anything about it," said Ebizō, shaking his head. "Still, forget it. There are many matters to attend to in the village. Speaking of which, Hokage-sama, although the overt crisis and rebellion have been resolved, the mastermind has not yet appeared. Has the situation truly been resolved?"
The enemies, whether they were Kage-level foes or the rogue ninja camp, were all easily defeated, seemingly lacking any real power.
It was as if they had been deliberately sent out to be killed.
Why would the mastermind do this? What was their next move? Ebizō had countless doubts about all of this.
However, Torifu waved his hand at him after hearing his concerns. "I will handle the subsequent matters. If your two villages are uneasy, you can ask the Kazekage and the Tsuchikage to come and provide personal support. As for everyone else, there is no need to come, to avoid any unnecessary complications."
Ebizō had considered that Torifu might also be unaware of what would happen next, but he did not expect him to say such a thing.
"Are you saying that you intend to single-handedly confront the mastermind? I heard the Kazekage-sama say that he suspects this is still Blaze's doing. She managed to escape even when so many people surrounded her back then, and now…"
Torifu smiled slightly. "The person I was back then is not the person I am now."
Torifu's current strength was considered to have one foot in the Six Paths level, but he still had not found a way to genuinely break through to that level.
It seemed that simply relying on training could no longer allow Torifu to progress. He had already trained to the peak that humans in this world could achieve.
To break through, he had to rely on external power.
This was why Torifu valued this Chaos event so highly. He hoped to perfectly complete the event to gain generous rewards and see if he could find the opportunity to break through to the Six Paths level.
As long as he could become a Six Paths-level combatant, he would arguably have no rivals in this world.
Even the Ōtsutsuki Clan, who came from another world, would not be something to fear.
Though he said this, Torifu was not entirely sure himself. What if the reward had nothing to do with a breakthrough? Wouldn't all his efforts be in vain?
"But Hokage-sama, you are not the only one who has progressed! Blaze was already so powerful back then, and her strength has surely only increased over these years. You must be extremely careful!"
Ebizō's advice was sound, and Torifu nodded after hearing it. "Of course. Thank you for the reminder."
Despite his words, Torifu had never once underestimated his opponent, and Blaze's strength was undoubtedly formidable now.
Torifu truly could not say for sure until the real battle took place.
However, Torifu had many methods, and with Sage Mode as his fallback, he could at least fight them to a draw.
"Very well, Hokage-sama, we will go to heal and rest first. We will depart for Sunagakure the day after tomorrow."
Torifu acknowledged him and watched them leave. He himself returned to his office to continue observing the situation across the entire Land of Rain.
Time slowly flowed, and soon night fell. It was then that a sight that pleased Torifu finally appeared.
[Congratulations, Host, you have successfully completed the first mission. Rewards have been accumulated.]
[The second mission begins. The land of the Land of Rain has endured too much blood and tears. Conspirators and ambitious individuals have turned this nation into a living hell. Find them and kill them.]
As expected! Torifu's guess was correct. With the completion of the first mission, the second mission was unlocked.
However, the fact that the rewards were not given out immediately but accumulated until the event was completed made Torifu a little unhappy.
But it didn't matter. A day or two wouldn't make a difference.
"This will definitely be a tough fight. It's been a long time since I've fought like this. I wonder if my body is rusty."
Torifu murmured, looking at the bright moon outside his office window. "Conspirators, ambitious individuals… that refers to Blaze and Hanzō, right? One schemes for my body, and the other desires supreme power."
Honestly, Torifu had never been attached to power. He had even planned to wholeheartedly assist Hiruzen in becoming the Third Hokage back then.
He never expected to be thrust into the position himself. And after becoming Hokage, Torifu was either looking for a successor or training one.
In short, he had no fondness for the position of Hokage whatsoever.
Perhaps people's pursuits were simply different. Torifu's dream had never changed from the start: everything he did was to allow himself to live a better life.
Not to become the king of some country or to control the entire world.
Torifu felt that such a life would be too tiring and that the constant busyness might even shorten his lifespan.
To live such a life leisurely and easily was Torifu's goal.
It was just that the current situation was too messy and complicated, making it utterly impossible for him to fulfill his pursuit.
For this, he was forced to work hard.
"If I had a choice, I really wouldn't want to be fighting and killing."
In the Kumotsuru Clan territory, Torifu's main body dialed Hashirama's number. "Hello, Master-senpai, it's almost time for you to take over. Please look after Konoha for me."
Hashirama's expression on the other end of the phone was somewhat solemn. "The progress is that fast? It's already time for the final battle?"
Torifu's answer was a bit understated. "It's fine. I'll be back in about three or four days. Once this matter is over, the shinobi world should be peaceful for a long time again."
Hashirama sighed. "Alright, you go. Be sure to be careful."
Torifu replied and then hung up the phone.
Torifu was one hundred percent assured leaving the village to Hashirama. His son was also being well cared for at his maternal grandparents' house, so he had no worries at all.
He could seriously fight Blaze now.
Early the next morning, Torifu changed into a fitting, long, white robe embroidered with golden cranes. He wore a jade crown on his head and a long sword at his waist.
Just from his appearance, he was indistinguishable from an Immortal.
But his actual strength was probably far from it.
"I wonder how much of my ancestor's strength I have now? I probably can't even match half of it," Torifu scoffed, shaking his head. He then leaped into the air and whistled. Aokumo and Ryūfū, who were incubating eggs in the crane nest, simultaneously flapped their wings and flew toward Torifu.