After leaving the southeastern battlefield, Guruguru moved north, arriving at the eastern side of Konoha.
Fox had already dealt with one Susanoo here.
Through the breach in the wall, countless White Zetsu were pouring into the village.
Guruguru emerged from a section of earth wall, watching the flood of white figures surge forward, letting out a low, mocking laugh.
He even had the leisure to chat.
"Oh, this is going to be troublesome for Konoha."
"I don't believe their leadership can keep focusing on Madara-sama while their civilians are dying this quickly."
"Look at those shinobi—they actually think they can hold back the White Zetsu."
"Go on, open a bigger gap. If we don't, that Fox will come chasing again."
White Zetsu replied, "I'd rather not use the Mangekyō again. Even with Hashirama cells nourishing it, my eyes still feel uncomfortable."
"Uncomfortable? Then switch bodies. There's plenty of you."
"I can switch, sure. But if these eyes go blind, what then?"
"...Fair point. Then let's just clear the fodder with Wood Release."
At the breach—
A jōnin named Guyō unleashed a massive Water Release.
"Water Release: Water Surge!"
The street flooded instantly, sweeping dozens of White Zetsu back out of the village.
"Buy time for evacuation! Don't let these white monsters get in!"
He organized nearby chūnin into squads, assigning them to guard each street.
He began forming hand seals again—
Just as water surged from his mouth—
A sharp chill ran down his spine.
Something tore through the air behind him.
A wooden spear—
Aimed straight for his back.
No time to dodge.
The timing was perfect.
Then—
A thin stream of water cut through the air.
The spear split cleanly in two—
The attack continued, slicing toward Guruguru.
Guruguru immediately phased into a tree, the trunk splitting apart under the strike.
Yako frowned.
Without using his ocular abilities, he was always one step behind.
Guyō turned—
And saw the ANBU operative appear beside him.
Fox mask.
No mistake.
The Vice Commander.
They had once fought together during the Land of Rivers campaign—flooding a valley to force enemy puppet masters into the open.
"Thank you, Lord Fox!"
In the next instant—
Yako threw a wooden spear at Guyō.
Guyō didn't dodge—
His heart tightened.
Thud.
The spear struck.
But not him.
Behind him, a chūnin collapsed, pierced through.
His body twisted—
Transforming into a White Zetsu.
Guyō's expression darkened.
He hadn't seen through it at all.
Yako narrowed his eyes.
The White Zetsu were using a transformation technique—
Perfect imitation.
Even the Byakugan couldn't see through it.
"Guyō-jōnin, gather your forces. Don't spread out."
"The enemy uses a nearly undetectable transformation technique."
"Even the Byakugan cannot distinguish it."
"I'll find reinforcements."
Yako created a Wood Clone—
Which immediately moved toward Minato and Kushina.
Under a maple tree—
Minato, Kushina, and Yako's clone remained on high alert.
Kushina glanced toward the Senju compound.
Madara had appeared there first.
Though Tsunade had saved her—
The damage was severe.
How many had escaped?
How much was lost?
The new Wood Clone appeared.
"Minato. Kushina."
"As ANBU Vice Commander, I order you—proceed to the eastern breach and reinforce the defense."
The two exchanged a glance.
No fear.
Only excitement.
Konoha was under attack—
They wanted to fight.
But the enemies…
Madara.
Mangekyō users.
"Lord Fox," Kushina said, "I can't leave the barrier. The Nine-Tails barrier prevents me from approaching the wall."
"Follow this clone. It will break the barrier."
"Kushina, if you can sense malice—do so."
"If not—learn now."
"Minato, protect her."
"I can sense it!" Kushina said quickly. "Not perfectly—but strong malice, I can feel!"
Minato nodded.
"I'll protect Kushina with my… Radiant Spiral Gale Dance: Second Form!"
Yako paused.
"...Your what?"
Minato blinked.
Yako sighed.
'There it is… his naming sense.'
"Fine. Use your… Second Wind thing."
"It's Radiant Spiral Gale Dance: Second Form!"
"Yes. That one."
Minato gave up arguing.
They reached the barrier's edge.
Kushina tensed.
Normally, it would cause her pain—
A warning not to leave.
But the clone formed hand seals—
Striking the air.
The barrier shattered—
Fragments of light scattering like broken glass.
At the barrier station—
Yamanaka Ino'en tore off his sensory helmet, recoiling from the backlash.
He rushed to the Hokage Tower rooftop.
There—
Hyūga shinobi scanned the village.
Messengers came and went.
Shikakaku directed everything.
"The barrier's been breached! The Jinchūriki has left!"
"I know," Shikakaku replied calmly.
"The Hyūga have confirmed it."
"Fox took her."
"Fox…?" Ino'en frowned.
"He saved us earlier, but taking the Jinchūriki—this isn't minor."
"It's fine."
"With Fox, she's safest."
"Guruguru can move freely. Leaving her alone would be worse."
"Tonight—nowhere is safer than beside Fox."
Ino'en hesitated—
Then nodded.
"Wait."
"Don't go yet."
Ino'en stopped.
Shikakaku stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"Ruri… is Fox's assistant, correct?"
"...Yes."
"She has a daughter?"
Ino'en finally understood.
"...Yes. A daughter. I suspect—"
Shikakaku shook his head.
"Take care of that child."
"I understand."
After a pause—
Ino'en left.
Shikakaku's eyes flickered.
With Akimichi Torifu gone—
The Ino–Shika–Chō had lost their pillar.
They needed a new one.
Back at the eastern wall—
The clone led Minato and Kushina to the breach.
"Those white figures—they're White Zetsu."
"They can perfectly imitate others."
"Only malice sensing can distinguish them."
"Kushina—identify."
"Minato—kill."
"Guyō-jōnin—coordinate."
"It's yours."
The clone vanished.
Guyō frowned.
"Isn't that reckless?"
"Minato may be talented, but you're barely fourteen."
Kushina grinned.
"I won't let you down!"
Minato drew his blade.
Time to test it.
Kushina closed her eyes—
Then opened them.
Her pupils—
Vertical slits.
"There! That white-haired kunoichi—she's about to attack her captain!"
Guyō turned—
But before he saw her—
Minato was already there.
His form blurred.
Air distorted around him.
A streak—
A slash—
The kunoichi was cut clean in half.
The captain spun around in shock—
Only to see the body fade—
Revealing a White Zetsu.
Guyō stared, stunned.
What kind of speed…
Then—
An explosion shook the northeast.
He turned—
That was—
Five Elements Great Barrage.
The Hokage was fighting the Complete Body Susanoo—
Driving it out of the village.
Guyō clenched his fist.
"Keep going!"
"The Hokage is fighting!"
"We'll win!"