The term 'Commander' refers to the highest decision-maker of a Ninja unit.
Almost every ordinary person from the Land of Earth heading to Konoha was a prominent figure.
There were quite a few Ninja dispatched to protect them; even a small number would form a small camp. With so many Ninja, a Commander would certainly need to be appointed.
The purpose of this large group of Ninja was to protect the safety of these important figures on their journey. After arriving at Konoha, they would be stationed outside Konoha Village, creating a deterrent.
In the original story, Orochimaru was able to launch the Konoha Crush because of this, as the Sunagakure and Otogakure forces were right on Konoha's doorstep at the time.
This time, Ōnoki also had other intentions.
"You will depart one day early with your unit. When you reach this location, open the scroll."
Ōnoki pointed on the map.
"Yes, Tsuchikage-sama!"
As his subordinate left, Ōnoki's heart also began to anticipate the good show in half a month's time.
Direct action was impossible, but the agreement previously made with Obito did not require Iwagakure to act.
Iwagakure only needed to provide guidance and some conveniences.
Thinking of the person who claimed to be Uchiha Madara and possessed Space-Time Ninjutsu, as well as that incredibly bizarre black and white creature.
Ōnoki felt that these two alone would be enough to cause trouble for Konoha.
Night.
In the wilderness of the Land of Earth, the Commander, who had been in Ōnoki's office earlier, arrived at a hidden location with a few trusted subordinates.
Not long after, Zetsu and Obito appeared before the Commander using their respective methods.
"Are you two the ones?"
"That's right!"
Zetsu responded.
The Commander threw out two sets of clothes and then said,
"Change into these. Stay put honestly during this time. Do not look around too much, do not ask too many questions, and especially do not leave their sight, understand?"
"No problem!"
Zetsu glanced at the few people behind him, indicated by the Commander, and agreed without hesitation.
When the Commander returned to the unit, Zetsu and Obito were already following behind him.
After Obito and Black Zetsu infiltrated the camp, the two exchanged glances.
Ōnoki did not know that he had sent two hungry wolves into his unit.
Zetsu and Obito would later enter Konoha as attendants of a certain noble. Ōnoki did not care whether they succeeded or failed, as long as they could cause some trouble in Konoha.
As for Iwagakure being exposed because of this, Ōnoki was not worried at all. These two strange fellows, whether it was the Sharingan or Wood Release, were both symbols of Konoha.
One day later, the unit arrived at the capital of the Land of Earth.
The Commander took a few people to the Daimyos Mansion, while the camp was set up outside the capital.
Inside a certain tent, Obito and Zetsu were being closely watched by several Iwagakure Ninja. The two appeared unusually docile, making no movements.
After a night of effort, the White Zetsu body possessed by Black Zetsu had already spread its spores to all Iwagakure Ninja.
Inside the Perception Squad's tent, several Perception Ninja were taking advantage of this rare leisure time to chat about various things.
However, as one of the Ninja spoke, he suddenly frowned deeply.
"What's wrong! You look like you've seen a ghost..."
Before he could finish his sentence, his mouth was covered by a gloved hand, and then his neck was twisted.
The other Ninja were about to act when they felt something struggling to emerge from their bodies.
[Wood Release: Cutting Sprigs Technique!]
The intense pain made them want to scream, but they found their mouths tightly covered by arms that had grown out of their bodies at some unknown time.
Still not completely dead, they struggled, trying to make some noise.
But a spatial ripple appeared behind them, and then one Perception Ninja disappeared, then a second, a third...
Soon, all the Perception Ninja in the tent vanished. The entire process was silent, and by this time, not even the smell of blood remained in the tent.
Watching each White Zetsu transform into the appearance of the former Perception Ninja, Obito disappeared in a spatial vortex.
One by one, the White Zetsu disguised as Perception Ninja walked out of the tent and entered other tents.
Spreading from a single point, Iwagakure Ninja were replaced one by one by White Zetsu. If Obito's efficiency hadn't been too slow, the entire Iwagakure unit would probably have been swapped out.
This was not a time of war, unlike in the original story where White Zetsu could complete replacements independently. The original Iwagakure Ninja's bodies had to be disposed of properly.
By the time the large convoy emerged from the capital of the Land of Earth, almost half of the Iwagakure unit stationed outside had been replaced.
Time slowly passed, and in a blink of an eye, more than ten days had gone by.
Naruto and the others had returned to Konoha.
Inside the Hokage Office.
Kakashi, who had woken up on the way, was reporting on the mission's situation.
Tomoki asked after listening.
He knew that the Turtle Island trip had been successfully completed, and Naruto had mastered the Nine-Tailed Chakra Mode, putting him in a great mood.
He now had another top-tier fighter.
After having Naruto demonstrate his newly acquired power, Tomoki added an S-rank mission to the four's records and then sent them away.
After the other three left, Tomoki looked at Shisui, who had not left, and asked with a smile,
"Shisui, was there any unexpected discovery during the mission?"
Shaking his head, Shisui activated his Mangekyo Sharingan, "I'm not sure either. You should take a look yourself!"
As the sealed ocular power returned to Tomoki, his originally smiling face became incredibly serious.
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right nobut who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/TripleCrown
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"