These presences didn't feel human; their chakra signatures were peculiar.
If they weren't human, then they reminded him of Obito's White Zetsu army.
Aside from them, he couldn't think of any other faction in the shinobi world with forces like this.
'Looks like they're finally here.'
Holding their child, Tsunade saw Ryōsuke's expression and felt deeply confused.
She asked, "Ryōsuke, what happened?"
She had a bad feeling about this.
Was there still anything in the shinobi world that could trouble Ryōsuke?
Had he suddenly thought of that monster capable of destroying a ninja village with a single blast?
"Ryōsuke, is that monster here?"
Ryōsuke nodded. "That's right. But don't worry, without the chakra of the nine Tailed Beasts, if I get serious, I can obliterate it with a single punch."
Tsunade finally felt a bit of relief, but then she was shaken again. How could Ryōsuke be so absurdly strong?
Even without the Tailed Beast chakra, a monster like that would be much weaker, but it surely wouldn't be a weakling that could be killed in one punch.
However, she didn't doubt Ryōsuke's words.
She could only admit that this kind of power truly exceeded her comprehension.
Looking at Ryōsuke's body, she couldn't help but want to examine him thoroughly once more.
What exactly was different about him compared to her? How could he be so ridiculously strong?
Ryōsuke looked at Tsunade. "Notify the entire village to prepare for battle. The number of enemies this time is quite large."
Hearing this, Tsunade handed the baby in her arms to Shizune.
She instructed, "You don't need to participate in the upcoming battle. Just stay here and take good care of the children. I'll leave some Anbu behind to protect the clan compound."
After speaking, she walked out the door and ordered the Anbu to fire the village's highest-level alert signal flare at the gates.
This would prompt all the ninja in the village to gather.
If Ryōsuke asked her to do this, he definitely had a good reason.
Although Ryōsuke could act completely unfazed, she had to treat this seriously.
Even though they were partners, the gap in their strength was simply too massive.
After giving Tsunade a quick heads-up, Ryōsuke made his way out of the village.
Since the White Zetsu were here, that guy Obito had definitely come as well.
Sending so many White Zetsu could only mean one thing: he wanted to snatch the Leaf Village's Tailed Beasts, as he had already stolen the Tailed Beasts from the other villages.
Without the Tailed Beasts, Obito's Infinite Tsukuyomi plan simply wouldn't work.
So, he was getting desperate.
For Ryōsuke, this was perfect.
'I'll just send this guy to see Rin.'
Since this guy went mad for love, perhaps he would be able to see Rin once he descended to the Pure Land.
That was where he truly belonged.
Ryōsuke directly opened a portal, arriving at a location five kilometers outside the village.
He would intercept the invading enemies right here.
Meanwhile, inside the main gates of the Leaf Village.
Following the launch of the highest-alert signal flare, more and more Leaf Village ninja converged on the area.
It wasn't too late in the evening, so most of the ninja hadn't gone to sleep yet.
Seeing the flare illuminating the entire Leaf Village, they threw on their green flak jackets and rushed over.
After Ryōsuke opened the portal and left, Tsunade donned her Fifth Hokage robes and also arrived at the main gates.
At the same time, Uchiha Fugaku arrived at the scene with a large number of his Uchiha clansmen.
They were also wearing the standard green flak jackets, having long since abandoned their previously distinctive clan attire.
This was because they had fully integrated into the village.
The Hyūga clan also brought a massive number of their clansmen to the village gates.
Gradually, many other clan and civilian ninja arrived as well.
It was a dense sea of green.
Uchiha Fugaku approached Tsunade. "Lady Tsunade, is someone attacking the village?"
This highest-level signal flare was only fired when formidable enemies were invading.
Because it signified a moment of life and death for the village.
That was why all the combat-capable ninja in the village had gathered.
The other ninja were also waiting for Tsunade to speak.
Even though they hadn't noticed any abnormalities inside or outside the village after arriving at the gates, they certainly didn't think Lady Tsunade was joking around.
Something major was definitely about to happen.
Everyone wore a solemn expression.
Tsunade looked at the crowd and spoke slowly. "That's right. The village is about to face a large-scale invasion. You three Consultant Elders, organize the men and secure the village."
Shikaku's expression changed drastically; there really were invading enemies.
And a large-scale invasion at that.
He hurriedly asked, "Which faction in the shinobi world is it?"
Even Hyūga Hiashi looked completely incredulous. "Who in the shinobi world would still dare to invade the Leaf?"
Right now, the Leaf Village was arguably more united than ever.
Not only did they have the strongest man in the shinobi world, but after a few years of recuperation, the village had recovered its vitality much faster than the other ninja villages.
Tsunade replied, "This is Ryōsuke's judgment. The attack will happen shortly. He has already left the village ahead of time to intercept the enemy. You all just need to secure the rear."
Hearing this, Shikaku felt a bit more at ease.
Even he had made a move.
Whatever crisis the village faced, he should be able to handle it.
The village also had its barrier.
Anyone who entered would be sensed.
Uchiha Fugaku was equally relieved; with Ryōsuke present, he had peace of mind.
After all, Ryōsuke possessed the Sage's eyes.
He just needed to do his own job well.
The three Consultant Elders discussed deploying the village's combat forces to various positions along the Leaf Village's barrier.
Tsunade left these deployment matters to the three Consultant Elders.
After all, she had spent a long time preparing for pregnancy and childbirth, so she wasn't as familiar with the village's current state as the three Consultant Elders were.
Looking outside the village, however, she began to feel a bit worried.
'No, I feel like I still need to go take a look,' she thought.
She was one of the Sannin, after all; she couldn't just hide behind Ryōsuke forever.
With so many people guarding the village, naturally, nothing would go wrong here.
After thinking it over, she decided to take her Anbu and head outside the village.
Ryōsuke shouldn't be too far away.
Meanwhile, not long after Ryōsuke arrived outside the village...
He spotted Orochimaru standing all alone.
At the same time, a spiral distortion appeared in the space in the distance, and an orange-masked man materialized in the clearing. A pitcher-plant-like figure also emerged from the ground.
Naturally, it was Obito and Black Zetsu.
They appeared upon sensing him; after all, there was no way they could miss such an undisguised, formidable chakra signature.
Ryōsuke, however, burst into laughter at this moment.
To think that not only had the madman Obito come, but Black Zetsu and even Orochimaru were here as well.
"Hahaha."
Orochimaru licked his lips.
'What a terrifying man.'
Just feeling his presence sent chills down his spine.
This guy was far from simple.
Fortunately, he had come prepared this time.
"Your body is mine."
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