[Fourth Raikage (A): Nono Yakushi? Who is that?]
[Ōnoki: I believe she's known as Konoha's "Wandering Shrine Maiden."]
[Rasa: Then why are they looking for her? Is she some key figure?]
Orochimaru, however, sensed something different.
The objective of Nagi and the Second Hokage did not seem to be Nono Yakushi—
But rather Kabuto Yakushi.
He ran his tongue across his lips.
"Heh heh… this is getting interesting."
Kabuto, meanwhile, had fallen to his knees.
"Please… you have to save Director Nono. Please!!!"
Even though he knew she had already died—
Even though he understood this was impossible—
He still cried and begged.
Because a drowning man will never release even the faintest hope of rescue.
Calculating the Timeline
Tobirama and Nagi had already identified the location of the incident in the Land of Earth.
Danzō had assigned Nono a long-term mission.
They reviewed Kabuto's transmitted reports.
The most recent update had been sent four days ago. Missions were typically updated once a month.
In the original timeline, Kabuto killed Nono on the final day of the mission.
That meant—
They still had ample time.
Tobirama unfolded a map and confirmed the route.
His finger paused briefly over the Land of Grass.
"I recall that Sister-in-law's clansmen once lived here… and the scum of Kusagakure."
He turned toward Hiruzen.
"Monkey."
"Yes, Teacher."
Hiruzen straightened immediately.
"If Itachi Uchiha comes to see you, handle it your way."
"…Understood."
The waters of the Shinobi World were far deeper than expected.
Some events must proceed roughly as they had in the other world—
Otherwise the future might spiral beyond control.
But certain things had to change.
Otherwise, Tobirama's conscience would not allow it.
"As for the destruction of Uzushiogakure, it's too late for me to reprimand you over that now. I'll give you a chance to atone."
"Yes, Teacher. Please instruct me."
"Do not ask how I obtained this intelligence. There may be surviving members of the Uzumaki clan in Kusagakure. Send people to investigate.
If the information is confirmed, bring them back to Konoha by any means necessary.
If Kusagakure resists—then replace their leader with someone more sensible."
"…Yes!"
Hiruzen exhaled in relief.
Kusagakure was merely a minor village in a small nation.
If they dared obstruct Konoha—
Removing their leadership would not be difficult.
Over the past year, life had been nerve-wracking—
But also steadier.
Because Tobirama Senju had returned.
Their pillar of will had returned.
When Tobirama had fallen against Kinkaku, Ginkaku, and Kumogakure's forces, something within them had broken.
Now—
That backbone had been restored.
The Next Day
Danzō was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Tobirama was ruthless—
But Danzō was still his student.
In the end, he could not personally execute him.
However—
"Let the future Uchiha decide his fate. The disaster was of his making. The consequences should be his to bear."
The night before, Tobirama and Nagi had continued reading Boruto.
The depths of the Ōtsutsuki threat were even greater.
Hidden within the world was Isshiki Ōtsutsuki.
Though the manga only showed Kawaki sealing Naruto, both Tobirama and Nagi could foresee the implications—
If the Ōtsutsuki truly invaded in full force,
The Shinobi World might not survive.
Hope could not rest solely on others.
One must also rely on one's own strength.
In Boruto, Tobirama also witnessed the rise of scientific advancement.
The term scientific talent lingered in both their minds.
Technology was not to be underestimated.
Yet in the future, aside from Kumogakure and the organization Kara, the Shinobi World largely failed to develop it meaningfully—
Either technological disasters occurred, or it remained limited to civilian infrastructure.
Journey to the Land of Earth
After making preparations, Nagi departed.
Weeks passed quickly.
During travel, he trained under Tobirama's guidance whenever they paused to rest.
What neither realized was—
One day, while Nagi rested and Tobirama meditated—
A book titled "Peak of the Immortals" struck Nagi's head and merged into his consciousness.
…
Two days later—
While refining chakra, Tobirama noticed something unusual.
Each time Nagi molded chakra, a faint strand of unfamiliar energy mixed into it.
The quantity was minuscule—
So small that Nagi himself was unaware.
If Tobirama had not been a master sensor, he might have missed it.
[Ōnoki: A special energy?]
[Fourth Raikage (A): What does that mean? Chakra refinement shouldn't produce anything unusual.]
[Rasa: Without the Second Hokage's sensory ability, we wouldn't know.]
[Mū: I can state clearly—there is no such phenomenon in normal chakra refinement.]
[Ōnoki: If Lord Mū says so, then it truly is abnormal.]
Tobirama analyzed the energy carefully.
It resembled his brother's senjutsu chakra—
Yet not quite.
It felt similar to natural energy—
But wasn't natural energy.
As if it were something adjacent.
Nagi himself felt that his body instinctively absorbed it.
Arrival at the Scene
At last, they reached the canyon where the incident would occur.
Kabuto watched the screen with his heart in his throat.
Nagi concealed himself within brush atop a cliff.
Below, he detected Nono Yakushi hiding.
In an instant, he teleported beside her.
Sensing someone nearby, Nono moved to strike—
But Tobirama immobilized her with a sealing formula.
Under her alarmed gaze, Tobirama produced a syringe and drew a vial of her blood.
Then he formed hand seals:
Tiger — Dog — Snake.
"Water Release: Blood Clone Technique."
A duplicate of Nono materialized—
Identical in chakra and presence.
"This technique," Tobirama explained calmly, "was developed from my brother's Wood Clone Technique. In terms of realism, it surpasses even that."
Moments later, he located Kabuto hiding below.
He directed the blood clone to attack him.
From that point onward—
Events unfolded almost identically to the original timeline.
A Difficult Decision
After consideration, Tobirama concluded:
Kabuto must still follow Orochimaru.
Only through suffering does one grow.
Thus, they decided to temporarily allow Kabuto to remain under Orochimaru's wing.
As the Iwagakure shinobi withdrew—
As Orochimaru departed—
As Kabuto followed—
Tobirama released the immobilization seal.
Nono Yakushi watched Kabuto's departing figure.
Tears streamed down her face.
She had already suspected that Danzō never intended for either of them to survive.
But for Kabuto's sake—
She had no choice.
Reactions
[Ōnoki: So it was Danzō again!]
[Kushina Uzumaki: Forcing them to kill each other?! Danzō, have you no shame?!]
[Rasa: Danzō, you—]
[Gaara: Spare us. You're hardly better.]
Gaara's cold gaze silenced him.