After quietly waiting for several minutes, Senju Mori finally confirmed that Senju Tobirama had truly passed away, noting his completely lifeless face, his utterly still heartbeat and breathing, and the disappearance of his Chakra signature from his perception.
He quickly motioned for Uzumaki Chizawa to open a Sealing Scroll, and with a soft 'bang!', Senju Tobirama's body was sealed inside.
Of course, Senju Mori didn't forget to seal away the long-dead Ginkaku and the two halves of Kinkaku's body to take with him; these were all valuable experimental materials.
Actually, Senju Mori wasn't speaking nonsense just now; Senju Tobirama's "utter drivel" was perhaps a bit too biased.
In Senju Mori's view, others researching our evil white-haired old ghost – absolutely not.
Me researching the enemy's golden-haired old ghost + silver-haired old ghost – perfectly acceptable!
The names "Kinkaku" and "Ginkaku" came from the fact that these two individuals indeed had horn-like growths on their heads.
In the Ninja World, any bizarre physical manifestation indicates one thing: extraordinary bloodline.
Considering that the Gold and Silver Brothers could not only eat Tailed Beast meat and survive, but also effortlessly manipulate the six paths sage tools left behind by the Six Paths Sage, and were even rumored to possess the Six Paths Sage's bloodline... all these abnormal traits highlighted the immense research value contained within these two corpses.
"What a great harvest..."
Senju Mori couldn't help but exclaim.
He wondered what the Third Raikage was doing; he hadn't brought anyone to pursue them after all this time... Even if he had been sent out on some mission beforehand, upon learning of such a major upheaval in the Village, he should have rushed back with all his might, regardless of anything.
Or perhaps Kinkaku and Ginkaku had other arrangements within the Village, and the Third Raikage was personally suppressing a rebellion... Senju Mori vigorously shook his head, expelling all the jumbled thoughts.
In any case, Kumogakure not pursuing them was a very good thing.
His immediate priority now wasn't to worry about Kumogakure's issues, but to hurry back to the Village and compete with Hiruzen Sarutobi and others for the Third Hokage's seat... Two days later,
"Hokage-sama is back! Hokage-sama is back!"
The peaceful and serene Konoha Village was shattered by a commotion as countless Ninja and villagers curiously emerged from their homes, looking at several Genin who were running and shouting loudly in the streets.
"Hey! Kids!"
A middle-aged man wearing a green Ninja vest spoke, directly calling out to one of the Genin and asking:
"Hokage-sama's original return time was three days from now, right? Where did you get this news? Did you see Hokage-sama during your mission?"
"Uh... no, I didn't."
The Genin seemed a bit bewildered by the question, but he quickly remembered something and said excitedly:
"But our Jonin squad leader said he saw members of the Shadow Guard Squad, and told us to return first to report."
"Didn't Senior Hiruzen and the others act with Hokage-sama?"
"Report?"
The questioning Ninja immediately felt a sense of unease.
The Shadow Guard Squad was full of elite Jonin; how could they be slower than a few children traveling?
Unless someone among them was injured.
"Damn Kumogakure! So the so-called alliance truly harbored ill intentions, huh? Once Hokage-sama returns, we'll restart the war!"
The middle-aged Ninja immediately clenched his fist and said angrily, and the surrounding Ninja also showed expressions of rage.
Just then, several figures appeared at Konoha's entrance, led by Hiruzen Sarutobi, whose face was filled with anxiety.
The young Hiruzen Sarutobi was far more spirited than his future elderly self.
Although he lacked some of the imposing aura and prestige that came with power and status, his bright, piercing eyes were exceptionally sharp, and a vibrant, energetic demeanor unconsciously emanated from him.
Over his black undershirt, he wore a dark gray chest armor, from which faint traces of blood and dirt could be seen, marks that also appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's resolute face.
Looking further up, one could see the Konoha forehead protector with its spiral symbol, and beneath its restraint, his short, dark brown hair with tips swept back.
On his back, he was currently carrying his good friend, Danzo Shimura, whose face was covered in blood and looked terribly battered.
"Quick! Save him! Danzo is almost gone!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but shout.
Not only did he look terrible, but Danzo Shimura's actual condition was indeed not optimistic; the blood on his face came from a sword wound that had cut across his right eye.
Looking further down, one could see that Danzo's entire right arm was severed at the root, and the large amount of blood seeping from the wound had directly stained the bandages used for dressing.
Under such severe injuries, half of Danzo's body was like a man of blood.
Danzo Shimura's tragic state immediately stunned everyone near the Konoha Village gate, followed by an uncontrollable burst of clamor.
"Someone! Come with me and take the injured to the Konoha Hospital!"
"Where are the Medical Ninja! Are there any Medical Ninja here!"
"Quick! First, stop Jonin Shimura's bleeding!"
Several Ninja immediately rushed out of the crowd, haphazardly taking Danzo from Hiruzen Sarutobi's back.
Seeing Danzo receive proper arrangements and treatment, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally felt a little relieved, but the ensuing questions once again made Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression turn somber.
"Jonin Sarutobi! Jonin Mito-mon! What exactly happened? How did Danzo get so badly injured?"
"Were you ambushed by Kumogakure?"
"Why isn't Hokage-sama here? Could it be that Hokage-sama is also injured?"
"Where is Hokage-sama now? How many enemies are there? Do we need to go provide support...?"
The Jonin surrounded Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others, asking questions incessantly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi opened his mouth to speak, but his gaze couldn't help but grow even dimmer; after a moment, he finally said in a very low voice:
"Hokage-sama... he might have fallen in battle."
"What!"
...Regardless of the great stir Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others' return caused in Konoha.
One day after Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to Konoha, Senju Mori and Uzumaki Chizawa finally arrived in the heartland of the Land of Fire, not far from Konohagakure.
"Let's part ways here for now, Chizawa." Senju Mori stopped first.
"Take care, Big Brother Mori."
Uzumaki Chizawa said with a solemn expression, yet not without a hint of nervousness.
He was carrying a large number of illicit items.
Uchiha Kagami's body, a pair of Mangekyo Sharingan individually preserved, several other six paths sage tools, Ginkaku's body, and Kinkaku's two halves of a body... Although the Sealing Jutsu of the Uzumaki Clan was renowned in the Ninja World, Senju Mori dared not return to Konoha Village with such a large collection of items.
Instead, he had Uzumaki Chizawa take these items to the Land of Whirlpools first, entrusting his more reliable clan leader father to hide them secretly.
Of course, in the upcoming battle for the Hokage position against Hiruzen Sarutobi, Senju Mori would certainly not overlook the important assistance of the Uzumaki Clan.
Therefore, when he deemed the time appropriate, Uzumaki Chizawa would lead a small squad of Uzumaki Clan members to Konoha under the guise of visiting allies, and incidentally express his views or something... but that was for later.
After parting ways with Uzumaki Chizawa, Senju Mori only had a basho fan and a Sealing Scroll containing Senju Tobirama's body on him, and he headed towards Konoha Village.