After the group from the Land of Hot Springs finished their "frank discussion", they began to deliberate on their next move.
Eventually, they decided to return to the Land of Fire, but not to Konoha itself.
Regarding Momoshiki's suggestions through Boruto—cooperating with Urashiki and having him persuade Urashiki not to target this era's Naruto—Jiraiya and the others completely distrusted them.
At the same time, for Jiraiya, Sasuke and Boruto's words confirmed that everything Makoto had said was true, he hadn't deceived them in the slightest.
This time, it was indeed Tsunade who had misjudged his character with petty suspicions.
But precisely because of this, Jiraiya found himself equally hesitant and conflicted.
Jiraiya could accept his own destined death calmly, but he couldn't bring himself to decide the lives of others, especially those who were objectively "good people."
Just as they temporarily understood and forgave Boruto for allowing Momoshiki to kill the Third and Asuma, it didn't mean Jiraiya could do the same for the so-called "Future."
Sometimes, seeing things in black and white is truly comfortable.
But right now, Jiraiya didn't even know if insisting on protecting the original history was right or wrong.
Aside from this internal conflict, everyone agreed on one thing regarding the Otsutsuki:
Urashiki was definitely an enemy.
So they decided to take Naruto—Urashiki's target—and linger in the wilderness near Konoha.
Firstly, it was to prevent unnecessary casualties and destruction within the village.
Secondly, being close to Konoha made it convenient to seek backup if things went south.
This plan had no major issues.
However, because everyone except the blissfully unaware Naruto and Konohamaru was tormented by internal angst, their travel speed slowed significantly.
Now it wasn't just Boruto who wanted to escape reality.
It seemed like Konoha and Akatsuki had swapped roles.
Konoha side should have someone named "Pain," while on Makoto's side, Nagato should probably rename his path to "Joy"...
Though, frankly speaking, a villain named "Joy" sounds terrifyingly inappropriate.
...
Land of Wind, Desert.
Dragon Vein Pit.
Shortly after dawn, Orochimaru arrived with his team.
Orochimaru seemed to have guessed why Makoto wanted him to bring two extra White Zetsu, so he directly used those two Zetsu to perform the Impure World Reincarnation on the Senju brothers—Hashirama and Tobirama—in advance.
Then, using Tobirama's Flying Thunder God technique, they instantly traveled across the map to reach the destination.
"Makoto-kun, I've brought the people. I took the liberty of summoning them again—I hope you don't mind. To prevent misunderstanding your intentions, I also asked the Leader for two additional Zetsu to bring along."
Orochimaru greeted Makoto with a smile.
Aside from the reanimated First and Second Hokage, two fresh White Zetsu had also followed him.
"What do you think? White Zetsu is quite practical, isn't it?"
Makoto smiled at Orochimaru as he watched Tobirama, who had finally arrived with Hashirama.
"Not bad. The First Hokage's cells in White Zetsu significantly enhance the upper limit and power of the reanimated target... However, if the target is too powerful, effective control becomes impossible. Unfortunately, one of the targets this time is the First Hokage himself, so I have to be extra careful."
Orochimaru glanced back.
Unlike during the Fourth Great Ninja War, the Impure World Reincarnation hadn't yet been optimized by Kabuto.
Thus, the current Orochimaru couldn't fully control either the First or Second Hokage if they decided to rebel.
If it weren't on Akatsuki's turf, he would never have attempted this risky move.
As it stood, no issues had arisen yet.
He just needed to emotionally appease the First and use the First to suppress the Second.
"First Hokage-sama, our mission is complete. Now..."
Orochimaru turned to speak to Hashirama but found him creepily approaching a girl with long, straight black hair, grinning widely like a fanboy at cosplay event!
"Hehehe, Tobirama! Come look! She really resembles Madara! I only saw drawings before, but seeing her in person—the resemblance is uncanny..."
Hashirama rubbed his hands together gleefully, his eyes sparkling.
Slap.
Tobirama slapped a hand over his own face.
Whenever his brother mentioned Madara, he always did things that shattered his dignified image as the God of Shinobi!
Well, it seemed Madara was the same way.
What was this called again? Mutual obsession?
Tobirama suddenly felt nauseated!
"Disgusting. Get away from her!"
Tobirama: "?"
Surprised, Tobirama looked up to see who had spoken.
Who was it? They had just voiced his exact inner thoughts!
"Amaterasu!"
Facing Hashirama Senju—one of the two "Founders" of Konoha she'd learned about in the Tsukuyomi Space—Uchiha Hikari immediately leaped back to create distance and unleashed the black flames.
Her Mangekyo Sharingan shed not only blood but also disdain, disgust, and pure revulsion!
Makoto hurried over and grabbed Hikari's hand.
"Stop it."
"Hmm?"
Hikari turned to look at Makoto, confused.
The "Hmm" carried a thick nasal tone, her lips slightly pouted as if upset that Makoto was siding with this creepy wood-man.
"Don't reward him."
"...Oh."
After a moment of silence, Hikari glanced at Hashirama.
Indeed, the First Hokage's eyes held a hint of strange anticipation as the black flames approached him.
She immediately ceased her attack, even retracting the Amaterasu flames.
"You know about his relationship with Uchiha Madara. With the Uchiha clan annihilated, he's too repressed. He wants to treat your Mangekyo attack as a substitute for Madara's abuse," Makoto explained calmly to Hikari.
"So that's how it is. He's a real pervert."
Hikari patted her chest, relieved that Makoto had reminded her.
Otherwise, she would have accidentally participated in Konoha founder's twisted roleplay!
"When dealing with this kind of person, never attack or insult him. It just turns him on. The best approach is to ignore him completely."
"Understood. Thank you."
"Hey! Isn't that going too far?!"
Hashirama wore a dejected expression as he placed a hand on Makoto's shoulder.
He had been watching Makoto chat with Uchiha Hikari, it reminded of his own youthful days with Madara and lost in nostalgic memories of their beautiful, violent past.
But then Makoto suddenly told Hikari not to pay him any attention, which instantly sent Hashirama into his depression mode!
"So what do you want to do?" Makoto tilted his head and looked at Hashirama.
"Such a fine child from the Uchiha clan... As the First Hokage of Konoha, I naturally should show proper concern..."
"..."
Uchiha Hikari desperately wanted to snap "Get lost!" but remembering Makoto's earlier advice, she restrained herself.
She simply acted as if he was air.
"First, Hikari is senior to you in generation—she's from the Warring States period before you. What identity are you using to show concern? Junior? Second, Konoha wasn't established until many years after her time—she doesn't count as a Konoha ninja."
"Sigh..."
Hashirama had no rebuttal for such logic.
Dejectedly, he turned and walked to the corner, squatting on the ground to grow mushrooms in his depression.
"Then is there anything this old man can help with? What exactly is this thing?"
Tobirama Senju looked up at the roots of the Dragon Vein and asked Makoto, trying to ignore his sulking brother.
"Oh, Second Hokage, your task is simple. First, teach Hikari the Multi Shadow Clone Technique."
Makoto pointed to Hikari beside him.
"HUUHHHH?!" Tobirama was furious!
He was being asked to teach a member of the evil Uchiha clan the forbidden technique he had developed?!
"NANIIIIIIIIIIIII?!" Hashirama cried out, heartbroken.
"Even Tobirama gets to interact with little Hikari, but I can't?! That's not fair!"