Neither Jie nor Yugito cared about Mei Terumi's opinion.
Kirigakure had lost nearly all three thousand of its elite ninja, leaving the village at its weakest. In the Ninja World, weakness meant becoming prey.
Kumogakure was not much better off, but Konoha still had a reason to protect it. As long as Konoha wanted its war reparations, anyone thinking of attacking Kumo would have to think twice.
For one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, relying on an enemy for protection was humiliating. But Yugito understood one thing clearly: survival came before pride.
Once Jie and Yugito agreed on the rough direction, Konoha's negotiators could handle the details. Jie had no patience for sitting through talks over minor clauses. Besides, he did not even know how many ninja Konoha currently had, so expecting him to get the village the best deal was a joke.
As he was about to leave, Jie suddenly remembered something else he had left behind in Kumogakure: his trophy, the Gedo Statue's severed right arm
Although Nagato had summoned the Gedo Statue away while retreating, the right arm Jie had cut off with his forty-meter sword was still on the battlefield.
That was part of the Ten-Tails' shell. Its value, whether for research or anything else, was too high to leave behind.
So Jie turned around and went back to the battlefield.
But when Jie saw the right arm, massive enough to rival a Tailed Beast, even he felt a little troubled.
If it had been a Tailed Beast, sealing it would have been simple. But this was part of the Ten-Tails' real body, not just a mass of chakra, and it was far too large for an ordinary storage scroll.
Kamui could take it, but opening a vortex that big would put too much strain on his eyes. At this stage of his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan's evolution, Jie did not want to take that risk.
Flying Thunder God was out as well. He did not have enough marks prepared to move something this huge.
Jie thought for a moment.
There was no way he was giving up. If the more convenient methods would not work, then he would just have to use the simplest one.
"Wood Release: Wood Human Technique!"
Jie clapped his hands together and gave a low shout. A huge wooden figure immediately rose from the ground.
After gaining the perfect Sage Body, the power of Jie's Wood Release had also risen sharply. The Wood Human he summoned this time towered over the one he had used against the rampaging Obito.
Massive enough to rival the Gedo Statue, the Wood Human easily grabbed the Gedo Statue's right arm and slung it over its shoulder. Then, under Jie's control, it headed out of Kumogakure.
The Kumogakure ninja stared at the giant Wood Human, stunned. Only after the shock faded did they feel a little relieved.
At least this time, Konoha was not here as their enemy.
Itachi looked at the enormous Wood Human with quiet pride.
As for why Jie knew Wood Release? Itachi did not care.
With Jie's talent, even if he awakened the Rinnegan tomorrow, Itachi would probably accept it without question.
Compared to that, Wood Release was nothing.
Using the Wood Human as transport, Jie had the three kids and Itachi climb onto its shoulder, then set off for Konoha.
Despite its size, the Wood Human moved surprisingly fast under Jie's control. The chakra cost was ridiculous. Most ninja would be drained dry in moments, but with Jie's reserves, keeping it moving for several days was not a problem.
The giant Wood Human marched straight toward Konoha, forcing its way through mountains and stepping across rivers without needing bridges.
Five days later, the Wood Human finally reached the outskirts of Konoha.
Meanwhile, Tsunade had already run out of patience in the Hokage's office.
"Why hasn't that brat Jie come back yet? Didn't the border ninja say he was already on his way back, riding a Wood Human made with Grandfather's Wood Release?"
"It's been days. Why is there still no sign of him?"
Tsunade slapped the table in frustration, leaving a deep palm print in the hard wood.
She was not just annoyed that Jie was late. The report said he was riding a Wood Human, and Wood Release was her grandfather Hashirama Senju's signature jutsu.
Tsunade still did not know why it had appeared in an Uchiha, but as long as Wood Release had not been lost, that was enough.
She wanted to see it for herself.
"Lady Tsunade, please calm down," Izumi said. "Jie probably has his reasons."
With Izumi trying to calm her down, Tsunade's irritation finally eased a little.
"Izumi, you're too easy on Jie. That brat must have used up three lifetimes of luck to end up with you."
Tsunade clicked her tongue. "No, this won't do. I can't let you keep being this easy on him. Come learn taijutsu from me when you have time."
A chance to learn taijutsu from Tsunade herself, one of the legendary Sannin, was not something Izumi would refuse, so she agreed at once.
Just then, a Konoha ninja came in with a report. A giant Wood Human had appeared near the village, carrying a massive arm over its shoulder. It had to be Jie.
Tsunade stood up at once.
"Come on, Izumi. Let's go welcome that brat back."
Up to 40 chapters ahead on patreon :-
patreon.com/Vristikk