Jiraiya found himself at a complete loss for how to answer this question. Although he had guided Naruto in mastering Sage Mode, he had provided absolutely no instruction on how to regulate or control the power of the Nine-Tails.
"Sage Mode is undeniably important, but the true reservoir of his absolute power stems from the Nine-Tails. Therefore, we must accelerate the depth to which he controls the Nine-Tails' chakra."
At the mention of this matter, Uchiha Itachi, who had been deeply distressed by Sasuke's situation, suddenly spoke up: "I can assist him in mastering the Nine-Tails as quickly as possible."
Itachi's proposal caused Senju Tobirama's brow to furrow deeply. He inquired with a trace of uncertainty: "Through genjutsu?"
The most optimal method for the Uchiha clan to suppress a tailed beast had always been through the use of genjutsu.
The Uchiha clansman standing before him possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan and was indeed fully capable of suppressing a tailed beast; however, for a Jinchuriki, the actual significance of such an amplification was limited.
Regarding this concern, Uchiha Itachi shook his head: "No. Pure suppression and control won't enhance the Nine-Tails' power by much. I can simply assist Naruto in establishing a more effective channel of communication with the Nine-Tails."
Uchiha Itachi was an exceptionally perceptive individual. In his estimation, the Nine-Tails was fundamentally a sentient entity capable of rational communication; as long as Naruto learned how to cooperate and converse with it properly, his practical combat strength would naturally experience a massive elevation.
This proposal sounded incredibly far-fetched, yet Senju Tobirama chose to trust Uchiha Itachi's deduction.
"Jiraiya, in that case, I will trouble you to escort Itachi to Mount Myoboku immediately."
Time was of the absolute essence. Although the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was a crucial trump card for Konoha, Uchiha Itachi's time was similarly restricted, coupled with the immense anxiety he harbored regarding his younger brother's current situation.
Right now, barely a single day remained before Sunagakure's scheduled general offensive. Given that the Kazekage had officially confirmed the timing of the assault, it would absolutely not alter. Therefore, they had to utilize this final day to implement the most rational and effective defensive layout possible.
"An individual of the Uchiha, in the final analysis, can never be trusted."
Following Uchiha Itachi's departure, Danzo's quiet, muttered remark instantly provoked the intense dissatisfaction of Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Itachi is a man who can be fully trusted!"
As if fundamentally incompatible with the Third Hokage, Danzo tilted his nose toward the sky, shooting back with immense arrogance: "Still as naive as ever, Hiruzen!"
Watching his two students, who were already advanced in years, continuously snapping at each other, Senju Tobirama felt a distinct headache coming on.
Back when that initial batch of students had graduated from the Ninja Academy, Hiruzen Sarutobi's capabilities had been the most outstanding, instantly drawing Tobirama's focused attention.
Very quickly, Tobirama had selected Hiruzen as a prime target for cultivation, ensuring that the young Hiruzen grew up under his rigorous education and meticulous protection from childhood.
Because Hiruzen was highly intelligent and deeply valued by their mentor, Tobirama, Danzo—who was part of the same graduation class—developed an intense jealousy, believing that the Second Hokage harbored only Hiruzen in his heart. This was the absolute genesis of his lifelong friction with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Later on, Danzo successfully petitioned to study under the Second Hokage as well. Under the direct guidance of the Second Hokage, coupled with Danzo's unyielding and relentless efforts, he managed to master a series of exceptionally powerful Wind Style ninjutsu.
What caused Tobirama immense vexation, however, was that Danzo and Hiruzen were constantly bickering.
Consequently, Tobirama frequently admonished them that comrades must remain united. In order to force them to get along harmoniously, Tobirama deliberately paired them together as a two-man squad during ordinary missions.
In addition to this, Senju Tobirama had paired Uchiha Kagami with Torifu Akimichi, and Homura Mitokado with Koharu Utatane, ordering each pair to operate in tandem.
Through a prolonged period of executing high-risk operations together, Tobirama's students eventually came to view one another as genuine friends, while Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo consistently viewed each other as rivals, maintaining an unceasing competition.
Danzo's underlying prejudice against the Uchiha clan was far more severe than even Tobirama's own.
The Second Hokage remembered with absolute clarity that during past missions, Uchiha Kagami had repeatedly utilized his genjutsu to extricate Shimura Danzo from lethal plights.
Why does he harbor such intense hostility toward the Uchiha clan now?
Furthermore, Danzo's physical form exuded a distinct trace of both Wood Style and Sharingan chakra signatures.
This fellow had clearly conducted a massive number of clandestine experiments in the shadows; even Uchiha Madara had been resurrected into the living world via the Impure World Reincarnation because of his machinations.
"The current plight confronting Konoha bears an exceptional resemblance to the time when Kumogakure surrounded the village long ago... therefore, you have absolutely nothing to fear."
During the latter years of Senju Tobirama's life, his six students had progressively grown into mature adults. However, it was precisely during this period that the First Shinobi World War erupted.
Kumogakure staked everything on a single throw, deploying over a thousand shinobi to launch an aggressive invasion against Konoha.
Tobirama had led the elite forces of the village to intercept the Cloud ninjas' invasion, guarding Konoha and ultimately securing victory for the village, forcing Kumogakure to conclude the war as the defeated party.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzo, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane were all individuals who had personally experienced that historical era. In an instant, tears welled up in their eyes as they knelt one after another: "Our deepest apologies, Teacher, for causing you such worry."
Their teacher and Hashirama-sama were both individuals who had passed away long ago. Yet, for the sake of Konoha, they were forced to risk the permanent obliteration of their souls to participate in this Shinobi World War. At this thought, the aging officials completely broke down, kneeling on the floor.
Watching the group of old timers reminiscing with his grand-uncle, Tsunade and the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, stood quietly to one side like complete non-entities, silently observing the scene.
Fortunately, Tsunade was a direct descendant of the Senju bloodline. Had it been any other Hokage in office, being thoroughly sidelined in this manner would have undoubtedly fostered a profound sense of psychological alienation.
"Tsunade-sama, apart from ourselves, Konoha can resurrect even more individuals to deploy into the fighting forces—for instance, my wife, Kushina Uzumaki."
Kushina Uzumaki was a true master of sealing jutsu in a definitive sense. Long ago, even after the Nine-Tails had been forcefully extracted from her body, she had still been capable of utilizing her Adamantine Chains to restrain the Nine-Tails head-on, proving her immense combat capability.
Danzo was also seriously weighing this prospect. At this moment, Homura Mitokado spoke up: "Within the Uchiha lineage, Uchiha Kagami, Uchiha Zhan, and Uchiha Shisui can all be targeted for the Impure World Reincarnation."
At the mention of the Uchiha lineage, the Third Hokage fell silent before shaking his head: "Zhan and Shisui are likely entirely unsuitable. Kagami passed away far too early, and his Sharingan never evolved into the Mangekyo."
What a joke. Konoha had backed the Uchiha clan into a corner to the point of near-extradition and total annihilation; even the Third Hokage could not guarantee that these individuals would maintain their past loyalty toward Konoha once resurrected.
"We can utilize cursed seals to enforce absolute compliance."
"Uchiha Itachi is a living person... excessively plotting against the Uchiha will only risk triggering completely unnecessary internal fractures."
Minato Namikaze, who had been acting as a non-entity, strongly opposed Danzo's administrative methodology. Tsunade, as Jiraiya's long-standing comrade and occupying the structural position of the Fifth Hokage, similarly opposed this style of handling matters.
Mount Myoboku...
"You want me to establish better communication and cooperation with the Nine-Tails?"
Naruto Uzumaki stared with wide, bewildered eyes at Uchiha Itachi. He had seemingly never expected that Sasuke's elder brother would appear here specifically for this purpose.
"But Sasuke is currently missing! Itachi-niisan, you should find a way to track him down and bring him back first!"
Seeing that Naruto was actually more worried about Sasuke than even himself, the slight complexity within Itachi's heart instantly settled into absolute tranquility.
Soaking in the gentle sunlight of Mount Myoboku, he shook his head slowly: "The situation confronting Konoha is of far greater importance. If Konoha falls into ruin, how can the two of you ever speak of a bond?"
Both Kumogakure and Iwagakure had already been completely annihilated; among the original Great Shinobi Villages, only Konoha remained standing alone.
The final showdown in one day's time would be incomparably brutal. Since Uchiha Itachi had taken up this responsibility, he had to give it his absolute all to assist Naruto in completing his transformation.
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