With all the underhanded tricks Black Zetsu had at his disposal, even if he didn't outright resurrect Uchiha Madara, Edo Tensei was still an option.
After all, the Infinite Tsukuyomi required capturing the Tailed Beasts, and a Madara under its effects was the most terrifying version of him—one who didn't fear injury or death, only the possibility of being sealed away.
But realistically, how could Madara even be sealed?
Takuya had no idea—because even he couldn't do it.
Minato hesitated.
"If Sensei returns to the village, doesn't that mean the Special Operations Squad will have to disband?"
"Better that than him getting himself killed."
"It's that serious?"
"What do you think?"
Takuya scoffed.
"Did you honestly believe the enemy would just repeat what they did in Iwagakure? Cause some chaos, snatch the Rinnegan, and leave?"
Judging by Minato's reaction, it wasn't just him—plenty of others probably thought the same.
Takuya could only sigh.
You're all way too naive.
Black Zetsu had only stirred up trouble in Iwagakure because he didn't want to make too much noise. That's why he kept things relatively contained.
But now that he had a Rinnegan, whether he used it to fully resurrect Madara or reanimate him through Edo Tensei, he could proceed without restraint.
Before, he had to worry about the Rinnegan being destroyed or hidden where he couldn't find it.
Now that he had one, nothing else mattered.
As long as the Infinite Tsukuyomi could be activated, everything else was irrelevant.
"You'll see soon enough. There's a good chance Kumogakure is about to take a serious hit."
"Getting Jiraiya back is about keeping him out of it."
"You know your teacher's personality. He's either being a complete pervert or having a massive hero complex. And sometimes he just does whatever the hell he wants."
"Ahem."
Minato cleared his throat, pretending not to understand what Takuya was implying.
"Alright, alright, I'll send the message now."
Minato bit his thumb, preparing to weave hand signs when he suddenly paused.
"Wait, what reason should I give?"
Saying it was just an important mission wouldn't be enough to convince Jiraiya to drop everything and return.
I knew I couldn't count on you.
Takuya rolled his eyes and waved a hand dismissively.
"Tell him White Zetsu has been spotted near the village, and Madara seems to be targeting Kushina to capture the Nine-Tails."
"Uh…"
"Is lying really okay?"
Minato opened his mouth, wanting to object, but in the end, he couldn't bring himself to say it.
If the warning wasn't serious enough, Jiraiya wouldn't take it seriously.
Ah, well—
Not my problem. If Sensei wants to complain, he can take it up with Takuya.
With that thought, Minato formed the necessary hand signs.
"Pop—"
A small toad appeared on the ground, bubbles clinging to its face as it gazed up at Minato.
Minato forced himself to look serious.
"This is urgent. Please deliver a message to Jiraiya-sensei immediately. White Zetsu has been spotted near the village, and based on Takuya's investigation, Madara seems to be targeting Kushina. He wants to capture the Nine-Tails. Sensei must return to Konoha at once."
To avoid taking the blame, Minato deliberately threw Takuya under the bus.
Takuya, watching from the side, had the sudden urge to kick him.
You little—
Did you have to sell me out that fast?
Whatever.
Jiraiya wouldn't dare confront him directly anyway.
"Understood, Lord Minato. I will locate Lord Jiraiya and deliver the message."
The little toad immediately panicked and hurried back to Mount Myōboku to contact Jiraiya.
At the Mountain Graveyard, the members of the Special Operations Squad sat around a campfire, reviewing the results of their mission.
But none of them looked particularly pleased.
Among them, Ōnoki's son, Kitsuchi, and the future Fourth Raikage, A, looked especially frustrated.
Even Jiraiya, the squad leader, had a helpless expression.
The mission had been a complete mess.
They had successfully located Madara's hideout and even found the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
But before they could do anything, the damn thing had been summoned away.
And as if that wasn't bad enough, their squad was already falling apart.
This was only their first mission together, and they were already splitting up.
That alone was enough to make Jiraiya miserable.
First, their mission yielded nothing.
Then, they got word that the Rinnegan had been stolen from Iwagakure.
Now, Kumogakure had entered full lockdown, which meant A had to return home.
And since A was leaving, Kitsuchi also had to head back to deal with Iwagakure's crisis.
Just as Jiraiya was brooding over the situation—
"Lord Jiraiya!"
A small toad suddenly leapt out of the bushes.
"Huh?"
Everyone turned to look.
A talking toad?
It had to be from Mount Myōboku.
Wild toads didn't talk, much less seek out Jiraiya specifically.
It was definitely a message from Minato.
"Did Minato send you?" Jiraiya asked.
The toad nodded.
"Yes, Lord Jiraiya. Lord Minato instructed me to find you."
"He says White Zetsu has been spotted near Konoha. According to Takuya's investigation, Uchiha Madara is targeting the Nine-Tails. He's set his sights on Kushina. The village is requesting your immediate return."
"Madara again?!"
A slammed his fist into the ground, leaving a deep crater.
Kitsuchi shot him a look of mild irritation.
"Is this information confirmed?"
Jiraiya's expression darkened.
A and Kitsuchi were already leaving. That was frustrating enough.
Now, Konoha had problems of its own.
There was no way he wouldn't be in a bad mood.
At this rate, they had to go back.
The Suna and Kiri shinobi exchanged glances, sharing the same exasperated thought.
This mission really was a disaster.
"It's confirmed."
The little toad didn't understand the deeper implications.
It was simply relaying Minato's message word-for-word.
And Minato, being such a reliable student, definitely wouldn't lie… right?
"Understood. I'll take my team and return immediately."
Jiraiya sighed, dismissing the toad before turning to A.
"My apologies. I originally planned to take you up on your offer to visit Kumogakure, but it looks like that's no longer possible."
The Five Great Nations hadn't fully united yet.
Before this, A had invited Jiraiya to Kumogakure, and he had genuinely considered going.
He wanted to investigate Madara and gather intel.
But now, Konoha's situation made that impossible.
If his own village was in danger, how could he worry about someone else's?
A nodded in understanding.
"In that case, let's share intel before we split up and return to our villages. The Special Operations Squad's first mission is officially over. As for the future… we'll see."
No one knew if the squad would even continue existing.
Right now, it seemed unlikely.
But who could say for sure?
For all they knew, tomorrow might bring yet another crisis, forcing them all back together again.
___________________________
(P)(S): If you're interested, you can read the rest of the Chapter at Patreon com/ Emik01.
DO NOT FORGET POWER STONE AND CHATTING