Slayer: Look directly at the Seraph, standing on the sun

"Damn Danzo! He's utterly useless and more likely to cause trouble than anything else!"

The intelligence from Koizumi meticulously documented everything that happened in Amegakure. Yahiko was killed, Nagato went berserk, the Rinnegan awakened, Hanzo and the entire Root army were wiped out…

Each word was like a heavy hammer blow, striking Zhang Hai's heart hard.

"I was too naive." Zhang Hai rubbed his temples, his heart filled with regret. "I originally thought that out of respect for Konan, I would let those three brats live a little longer, and then safely retrieve their eyes after the Third Shinobi World War. I didn't expect Danzo, that troublemaker, to act so quickly and drive Yahiko to his death."

He knew all too well what this meant. Yahiko's death was the pivotal moment in Nagato's descent into darkness. From that moment on, the kind, introverted boy died, replaced by "Pain," who wanted to inflict pain on the world.

The powerful villain in the original work was inevitably born because of his momentary soft heart and hesitation.

“If I had acted sooner… even if I had been a little more forceful and taken them away…” Zhang Hai sighed, “it’s too late to say anything now.”

His gaze returned to the scroll's descriptions of the "Outer Path Golem" and the "Purple Dragon."

"Instantly drained of life force, becoming emaciated..."

Zhang Hai frowned. According to the original story, Nagato's body was indeed ruined after summoning the Gedo Mazo. But he had always had a question: both possessed the Rinnegan, so why was Madara Uchiha perfectly fine when he summoned the Gedo Mazo, even able to chat and laugh as if nothing had happened? While Nagato seemed to have had his life force drained.

"Is it because of impure bloodline? Or because of insufficient chakra?" Zhang Hai shook his head. "The Uzumaki clan's chakra reserves are already among the best in the ninja world. The only explanation is that those eyes are ultimately not his. The Gedo Mazo is not friendly to him, its 'false master,' and uses the crude method of forcibly overdrawing its life force to drive it."

This forbidden power deepened Zhang Hai's apprehension.

"Nagato's body is now ruined, but his spirit has been fully awakened. Add to that the golem... if I go to Amegakure to find him now, it will probably be a fierce battle."

Zhang Hai paced back and forth in the room, weighing the pros and cons.

"Go? Or not?"

If he were to go, he would have to set off immediately, risking a desperate counterattack from Nagato. More importantly, as a core member of Konoha's Anbu, the Third Hokage was undoubtedly watching him; a prolonged absence from his post would be difficult to explain.

and……

He glanced at the calendar on the wall.

"At the Iwagakure battlefield, Minato Namikaze is already preparing for the Battle of Kannabi Bridge. That's a crucial battle that will determine the course of the Third Shinobi World War, and also the turning point for Obito's descent into darkness. If I'm absent, it could trigger an even bigger butterfly effect."

On one side is Nagato, who has already gone berserk, and on the other side is the impending Battle of Kannabi Bridge.

Zhang Hai finally stopped, his eyes regaining their composure.

"Forget it. Since things are already settled with Nagato, going there now won't change anything. Let's focus on the current situation first. Kannabi Bridge absolutely cannot be compromised."

"What's wrong? You look so pale, has something serious happened?"

Mei Terumi walked over with two cups of hot tea, looking at Zhang Hai with some concern. She rarely saw Zhang Hai show such anxiety.

Zhang Hai took the teacup and forced a smile: "It's nothing, it's just that a perfectly planned thing was disrupted, and I'm a little annoyed."

He didn't tell Mei Terumi the specifics of Amegakure. This level of power struggle was too much for her to bear right now.

Looking at the red-haired girl in front of him, who had recovered to her full of energy and was even starting to become a little clingy, Zhang Hai made another decision.

"Meimei".

Zhang Hai put down his teacup and looked intently into her eyes. "Your injuries have almost healed. Moreover... the situation in the ninja world is becoming increasingly tense, and Konoha is about to make a major move."

Mei Terumi's hand tightened slightly on her teacup, as if she had a premonition of something, and the smile on her face gradually disappeared.

"so what?"

"So, it's time to send you back."

Zhang Hai's voice was calm, yet undeniable, "Although things are chaotic in Wuyin right now, it is still your home. That old man Yuan Shi must be frantic with worry. Besides, you've been staying here for too long. If you're discovered, I won't be able to protect you."

Mei Terumi bit her lip, and her eyes instantly reddened.

"Are you... trying to get rid of me?"

"I'm doing this for your own good." Zhang Hai stood up, walked to her, and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "This separation is for a better reunion in the future. I will come to you after this damned war is completely over. I swear."

Mei Terumi stared at him for a long time before sniffing and managing a smile that looked more like a grimace.

Okay. I'll do as you say.

She suddenly threw herself into Zhang Hai's arms, hugging his waist tightly, as if she wanted to etch the warmth of this moment into her heart forever.

"But you must remember your oath! If you dare to lie to me, I will... I will bring the entire Hidden Mist Village to raze Konoha to the ground!"

Zhang Hai patted her back with a wry smile: "Don't worry, even though I'm a scoundrel, I always keep my promises to women."

But as he gazed out the window at the gloomy sky, his heart was heavy.

Nagato turns to the dark side, Obito is in grave danger, Madara is lurking in the shadows, and Black Zetsu is plotting something...

The turbulent waters of the ninja world are getting deeper and deeper. And he must navigate this storm step by step until he reaches the summit.

The atmosphere inside the underground laboratory was somewhat oppressive, filled with the sorrow of parting.

Mei Terumi lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, her voice trembling with obvious sobs: "But... if I go back, what will we do if we meet on the battlefield? You are an Anbu from Konoha, and I am a ninja from Kirigakure... Will you kill me then?"

Seeing her anxious and uncertain expression, Zhang Hai's heart softened. He stepped forward, cupped her cheeks in his hands, and gently stroked her slightly reddened eyes with his thumbs.

"Silly girl, what are you thinking?" Zhang Hai's voice was gentle, like he was coaxing a child. "Am I the kind of person who would kill his wife... cough, his savior?"

He leaned closer, forehead to forehead, his tone becoming extremely serious: "Listen carefully, if that day ever comes and we meet on the battlefield, no matter what your stance is at the time, no matter how many people are watching, I will never lay a finger on you."

Mei Terumi sniffed, looking at him with some disbelief: "Really? But that's a battlefield. If you don't fight back, you'll be killed."