Tsunade was very calm as she scrutinized Shinji: "I need to know exactly what this threat is!"
Shinji pondered for a moment before telling Tsunade about the fact that the Hegemon of Terror was invading the shinobi world.
Firstly, Tsunade was the Hokage; her knowing the truth could reduce a lot of unnecessary trouble. Secondly, Tsunade remained one of the top medical shinobi in the current shinobi world, so Shinji had the intention of recruiting her into the research team as well.
After learning about the Hegemon of Terror and the current situation of the shinobi world, Tsunade quickly connected the series of strange events that had occurred previously and asked: "Those suddenly appearing Upper Moon Demons and that fake Uchiha Itachi were all created by the Hegemon of Terror?"
"Pretty much!"
Shinji nodded.
Tsunade had a moment of realization: "So that's how it is. Then why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Shinji then went on to explain the characteristics of a Hegemon.
Upon learning that everything about a Hegemon is pollution—that the more people who know of its existence, the faster it erodes the shinobi world—Tsunade finally understood why Shinji had gone to such lengths to play the role of a shadow and form another Akatsuki organization.
Having understood everything, Tsunade's expression became somewhat complex: "Are our chances of winning high?"
Shinji shook his head.
Tsunade's expression froze: "What do you mean? Don't we have any chance at all?"
Shinji said: "I don't know either. All we can do now is increase our strength as much as possible!"
Tsunade sighed, then asked straightforwardly: "What do you need me to do?"
Shinji first handed over a list and said: "I need the village to provide me with these researchers!"
Tsunade flipped through it casually and found that the names on the list were all top performers in various fields within the village. Realizing Shinji had done his research, she agreed: "Fine!"
Shinji continued: "If possible, I hope you can also join the new research team I've formed."
Tsunade asked: "What direction of research?"
"What needs to be researched is the corpse of a mysterious Otsutsuki!" After a pause, Shinji added: "The Shinjutsu on Eida and Daemon originated from that corpse."
Tsunade nodded: "If it's researching a corpse, I might be able to help. Alright then!"
Shinji warned: "The news regarding the Hegemon must still be kept strictly confidential. As long as the pollution doesn't spread, I am confident I can hold on for at least two more years. But if the pollution spreads rapidly, it's hard to say how long I can last. So if it really reaches that point, I will have no choice but to take action to clear the pollution!"
Tsunade knew what Shinji was implying and immediately guaranteed: "Rest assured, I will keep the matter of the Hegemon strictly confidential on my end!"
Shinji nodded: "Mm. As for the siblings Eida and Daemon, I'll be taking them with me this time. Their cooperation is needed for the research on Shinjutsu."
After saying that, without waiting for Tsunade to respond, Shinji vanished from the Hokage's Office in a flash.
Whoosh...
The next instant, Shinji arrived at the large mansion where the Hidden Leaf had settled Eida and Daemon.
Entering the mansion, Shinji saw Naruto and Daemon sitting together in the courtyard eating watermelon.
Naruto was shocked upon seeing him: "It's the Akatsuki! Daemon, run quickly, I'll stall him!"
Daemon, however, didn't care in the least. He just cast a faint glance at Shinji and then continued to munch on the watermelon in large bites.
Shinji curled his lip: "Tch!"
This brat, relying on his Shinjutsu, acted as if he looked down on everyone, which made Shinji a bit annoyed.
Whoosh!
At that moment, Naruto, having already entered Sage Beast Mode, charged toward Shinji in a flash. Simultaneously, the Big Ball Rasengan in his hand whistled as it struck toward Shinji.
"I've got him!"
Joy flickered in Naruto's eyes because, from his perspective, Shinji was completely undefended.
Daemon, holding his watermelon, also looked up with a playful expression on his face. It seemed he hadn't expected 'A', who had defeated Otsutsuki Isshiki, to be so pathetic that he couldn't even block Naruto.
However, the moment Naruto's Big Ball Rasengan was about to hit Shinji, his entire being suddenly froze in mid-air without warning. And along with Naruto's solidification, the playful look on Daemon's face seemed to freeze as well.
"Eh!?"
He raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but let out a soft exclamation!
Shinji ignored Naruto, who was imprisoned by Goshingu, and walked straight toward Daemon: "I heard you can counter killing intent? Well, do you feel my killing intent now?"
Daemon threw away his watermelon and stood up on guard.
Just then, sensing the conflict in the courtyard, Eida walked out of the mansion.
Upon seeing her crush, 'A', appearing, Eida's face reddened: "You finally couldn't help but come to find me!"
Shinji ignored Eida and continued toward Daemon.
Taking this opportunity, he intended to test the power of Shinjutsu, which was also why he had personally come to take the siblings away.
Feeling the pressure from Shinji, Daemon found it hard to bear and launched an attack with a whoosh.
Shinji simply tilted his head slightly, dodging Daemon's intended strike.
"!?"
Daemon, still in an attacking posture in mid-air, was clearly stunned.
He was quite confident in his taijutsu; even against Otsutsuki Isshiki, he wasn't afraid. He never expected this strike to miss.
Bang!
At that moment, Shinji, having dodged Daemon's attack, made no fancy moves. With just a casual spin and a kick, he sent Daemon flying.
Rumble...
The kicked Daemon shot out like a cannonball, crashing through the entire mansion without stopping. Finally, after knocking down seven or eight large trees in a row, he barely managed to stabilize himself.
Shinji smiled: "Seems I used a bit too much strength!"
Just as every strike in Otsutsuki Kaguya's Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack possessed the power of Gai's Night Gai after opening the Eight Inner Gates Formation, attacks at the Kekkei Mora level contain power unimaginable to ordinary shinobi in every gesture.
Therefore, having only recently advanced to Kekkei Mora, Shinji was not yet able to master such terrifying power freely.
The booming sound from the mansion immediately alerted the surrounding Hidden Leaf shinobi. Soon, a large number of Hidden Leaf shinobi arrived from all directions, preparing to support the mansion.
Whoosh...
Suddenly, Tsunade descended from the sky and stopped the crowd.
The ANBU hurriedly reported: "Hokage-sama, a battle seems to have broken out at the mansion. We are preparing to go and investigate."
"No need!"
Tsunade shook her head.
Then, she looked toward the mansion.
Only she, the Hokage, was clear that rather than saying the Hidden Leaf was protecting Eida and Daemon, it was more appropriate to say the siblings had chosen to rest at the village. Thus, she was somewhat curious if Shinji could deal with this pair of siblings who possessed Shinjutsu.