Shinra Tensei!
The one who appeared was, naturally, Rinne Path – White Zetsu.
However, he was not in his usual appearance. Instead, he had deliberately disguised himself using the Impersonation Technique, concealing his true identity completely.
After handing the Wood Release Potion over to Danzo, he had not left immediately.
Rather, he remained in secret, quietly observing Danzo to determine whether any side effects would manifest after the Wood Release Potion was used.
If there were no side effects, then that would naturally be excellent news.
But if any abnormalities appeared, he would report them at once, allowing Rinne Path – Hiruko and Rinne Path – Orochimaru to continue refining and improving the formula.
Only when a Wood Release Potion with absolutely no side effects was perfected would it be suitable to use on Tsunade.
Because of this, Rinne Path – White Zetsu happened to discover Danzo's actions against Genshi and Terumī Mei.
Aoshi, who had always cherished talent, gave a clear order after learning of this.
Rinne Path – White Zetsu was not to rush back.
Instead, he was to remain within the Hidden Mist Village and wait patiently for the perfect opportunity to rescue Terumī Mei.
After all, Terumī Mei was destined to become the Fifth Mizukage. Moreover, she possessed two Bloodline Limits.
Such a rare genius—if Aoshi had never encountered her, that would be one thing. But since fate had placed her directly before him, there was no way he would let her slip through his fingers.
In the future, once she matured, she would undoubtedly become a great general.
And under Aoshi's guidance and training, Terumī Mei would certainly grow even stronger than she had been in the original timeline.
"Bastard, who exactly are you?!"
The captain of the Hunter-nin Corps, who had been blasted away by the repulsive force, struggled to his feet.
He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and stared at Rinne Path – White Zetsu with a grave, cautious expression.
What kind of technique had this man used just now?
He had never seen anything like it. He had never even heard of it.
"Me?" Rinne Path – White Zetsu scratched his head and spoke casually. "I'm just a passing ninja. Remember that."
Those words instantly made the captain's expression sink even further.
"We are the Hunter-nin Corps of the Hidden Mist Village," he said coldly. "That girl is a ninja of Kirigakure. Are you certain you want to interfere in our business?"
Hearing the threat of the Hidden Mist Village being invoked, Rinne Path – White Zetsu merely sneered.
The playful expression on his face vanished. The next moment, he stopped wasting words and launched his attack directly.
After rapidly forming hand seals, he slammed his palms together.
Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!
Although he could use Wood Release, he was not like Senju Hashirama, who could manifest forests with a single casual clap.
Even so, what unfolded before them was more than enough to shake everyone to their core.
"How is this possible?! That's Wood Release!"
"Who… who are you?!"
As towering trees burst forth from the earth and surged wildly toward them, the Hunter-nin Corps captain's face turned pale with shock.
Even though he attempted to counterattack immediately, it was completely futile.
In the blink of an eye, he was bound, entangled, and swallowed whole by the spreading forest.
The other members of the Hunter-nin Corps met the same fate.
In Hashirama's hands, Wood Release symbolized absolute invincibility.
In Yamato's hands, Wood Release was little more than a tool for restraining and landscaping.
But in the hands of Rinne Path – White Zetsu, while it could not be called invincible, it was still far beyond what a group of Jonin and Special Jonin could withstand.
Ultimately, when ninja clash with ninjutsu, it is a contest of chakra.
As long as the chakra is vast enough—and powerful enough—even a simple C-rank Great Fireball Technique could unleash power comparable to a B-rank ninjutsu.
Just as Madara Uchiha's B-rank Fire Release once appeared to rival an S-rank technique through sheer scale and chakra output.
And Rinne Path – White Zetsu's chakra, it originated directly from Aoshi himself.
Under such overwhelming chakra support, resistance was meaningless.
Behind him, Terumī Mei, who had already resigned herself to death, felt as though the scene before her was unreal.
It felt like a dream.
A nightmare—or perhaps a miracle.
Only the sensation in her injured right arm, constantly reminding her of pain, confirmed that everything she was witnessing was real.
"So… so powerful… That's the legendary… Wood Release…"
As someone who had awakened two Bloodline Limits, Terumī Mei naturally knew of the First Hokage and the fearsome might of Wood Release.
In the past, she had believed that her own talent was no less than his.
That once she grew up, she would surely surpass him.
After all—two Bloodline Limits against one. The advantage should have been hers.
But only now did she realize just how naïve that thinking had been.
Before true Wood Release, her two Bloodline Limits could barely display their full potential.
"No matter who you are," the Hunter-nin Corps captain growled weakly, his chakra steadily being drained by the forest, "the Mizukage-sama will never let you go!"
Rinne Path – White Zetsu did not bother responding. He calmly controlled the Wood Release, ending their lives without hesitation.
Only then did he turn and look toward Terumī Mei.
Before he could speak, Terumī Mei spoke first, her voice steady but guarded. "Why did you save me?"
Despite her young age, the events of this single day had forced her to mature rapidly.
She would not naïvely assume that someone who saved her must automatically be a good person.
She had heard enough about the darkness of the ninja world.
Some people wore smiles while harboring the most disgusting intentions.
Rinne Path – White Zetsu, unaware of her thoughts, regarded her with mild interest and spoke in a calm, even tone.
"Terumī Mei," he said, "the genius of the Hidden Mist Village. You awakened two Bloodline Limits at a young age, becoming the only dual Bloodline Limit ninja in the world."
Hearing her identity and accomplishments spoken so plainly, Terumī Mei was not surprised.
A person this powerful would naturally have his own intelligence channels.
"Logically speaking," he continued, "with your talent, Kirigakure should have spared no effort to cultivate you. Yet you were instead driven into this situation."
At those words, Terumī Mei's expression darkened. Elder Genshi's warnings echoed in her mind.
Combined with everything she had experienced today, she finally understood, the Hidden Mist Village was no longer the village she once believed it to be.
"However," Rinne Path – White Zetsu went on, "my lord has taken an interest in your talent. He is willing to help you."
"As long as you join us, you will gain the power necessary to exact revenge in the future."
Since Terumī Mei was not yet one of their own, Aoshi naturally could not reveal the truth.
Thus, Rinne Path – White Zetsu used the term my lord.
"Tell me your choice."
After a brief moment of silence, Terumī Mei quickly realized, she had no other option.
Even setting aside what might happen if she refused, her current strength was clearly inferior to his.
And the promise of gaining the power to take revenge, that alone was enough to move her heart.
She did not doubt his words.
After all, someone capable of commanding a Wood Release user like this must possess unimaginable power and influence.
With their backing, returning to the Hidden Mist Village one day for revenge would not be an impossible dream.
The only question left was the price she would have to pay. After all, there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
But the moment she thought of Elder Genshi, who had died for her and the unseen enemies manipulating the Hidden Mist Village from the shadows—
Terumī Mei clenched her fists and cast aside her hesitation.
"I agree," she said firmly. "I'll join you."
Rinne Path – White Zetsu was not surprised.
He smiled faintly, then turned and led her away from the battlefield, disappearing into the shadows.