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

Watching his departing figure, the Third Generation puffed on his pipe, his eyes filled with emotion.

"The Will of Fire... has a successor."

However, he was unaware that this "successor of the Will of Fire," on whom he had placed such high hopes, was thinking something else entirely.

"Obito, Obito, I'm here to open the door to your hellish dungeon."

Inside the Hokage's office, sunlight streamed through the window onto the spread-out map, making the location of Kannabi Bridge stand out prominently.

"Lord Hokage, this bridge is more than just a bridge."

Zhang Hai pointed his finger heavily at the red circle on the map, his tone resolute, "This is the main supply artery for the front lines of Iwagakure. After repeated reconnaissance and simulations, Minato and I have confirmed that as long as this line is cut off, Onoki's tens of thousands of troops will run out of food within a week. At that time, they will be toothless tigers, collapsing without a fight."

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, took a deep drag on his pipe, and amidst the swirling smoke, his eyes became profound and solemn.

“I understand the logic. But that stubborn old man Onoki knows the strategic value of this place better than anyone else. According to intelligence, Iwagakure’s most elite demolition unit is stationed there, along with several Jonin skilled in Earth Release barriers who guard it day and night.” The Third Hokage raised his head and looked at Zhang Hai. “This is undoubtedly a mission deep into the lion’s den, and its danger level even exceeds that of a decisive battle on the front lines.”

“That’s precisely why we need to join forces with Senior Minato.” Zhang Hai smiled slightly, a smile that exuded a powerful confidence. “With Senior Minato’s Flying Thunder God Technique combined with my eye techniques and puppets, there’s no den of dragons and tigers in this world that we can’t break through.”

Looking at this spirited young man before him, Sandai seemed to see his younger self in him. That fearlessness, that desire for victory, ignited a fire within him as well.

"Good!" The Third Hokage slammed his hand on the table. "Since you have this determination, then I entrust the future of Konoha to you! Go, blow up that bridge, and end this damned war!"

"You will definitely live up to your destiny!"

As Zhang Hai walked out of the Hokage Building, the smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by a calculating look hidden deep in his eyes.

Besides the overt mission, he had another secret motive for returning to the battlefield that he absolutely could not let anyone know—Uchiha Madara.

"That old bastard is probably hiding in some underground cave near Kannabi Bridge, barely clinging to life."

Zhang Hai secretly calculated in his heart. According to the timeline of the original work, Madara Uchiha at this time was already too old to move, and was only kept alive by the Gedo Mazo. Although a starved camel is still bigger than a horse, he was, after all, an old man on his deathbed.

“If we can find his hiding place…” Zhang Hai licked his lips, a glint of greed and madness flashing in his eyes, “Rinnegan… that’s a power even more advanced than the Mangekyou Sharingan. If I can snatch it while he’s weakened, I can truly stand at the pinnacle of the ninja world.”

This is a high-stakes gamble. But he has confidence in himself. With the Mangekyou Sharingan, the Kazekage puppet, and various life-saving techniques he learned from Sasori, even if he can't win, escaping shouldn't be a problem.

"The key lies with Obito." Zhang Hai narrowed his eyes. "As long as we keep an eye on that idiot, we'll definitely find the entrance to Madara's lair."

……

At the entrance of Konoha Village, the sun is setting.

"Are you ready?"

Zhang Hai stood under the shade of a tree, looking at Mei Terumi, who had transformed into his own appearance using a transformation technique.

"Hmm." Mei Terumi nodded. Although she appeared cold and aloof, her eyes revealed an unconcealable sadness. "This is the first time I've realized how ugly you look."

"Stop being so glib." Zhang Hai rolled his eyes at her, then formed a hand seal, "Toad Concealment Technique!"

His body instantly transformed into a black shadow, seemingly melting away, and directly disappeared into the shadow beneath Mei Terumi's feet.

"Let's go, don't give anything away." Zhang Hai's voice rang directly in Terumi Mei's mind. "Walk out openly and naturally, just like I always do, and no one will suspect anything."

Mei Terumi took a deep breath, trying her best to imitate Zhang Hai's aloof and unapproachable demeanor, and strode towards the village entrance.

As expected, the Konoha ninja on guard simply bowed respectfully when they saw it was "Zhang Hai," without stopping him or even bothering with the routine questioning.

This is a privilege reserved for core members of the Dark Division, and it's also part of Zhang Hai's plan.

After walking a few kilometers out of the village, we arrived at a secluded, dense forest.

"Okay, just send it here."

Zhang Hai emerged from the shadows and returned to normal.

Mei Terumi deactivated her transformation jutsu, reverting to her alluring red-haired girl from the Hidden Mist Village. She stood there, looking at Zhang Hai, but her feet wouldn't move.

"So soon...we're going to part ways already?"

She lowered her head, deliberately walking slowly, each step as if she were delaying time. In her heart, she was screaming and praying, hoping that the man would say something to stop her, even just a simple "Don't go," and she might really stay regardless of everything.

"Hurry up, or we'll miss the boat."

However, what came from behind was Zhang Hai's calm, almost ruthless voice.

Mei Terumi's heart skipped a beat, and tears welled up instantly. She didn't turn around, gritting her teeth and quickening her pace, afraid that if she turned around, she wouldn't be able to hold back her tears.

"Bastard... big bastard..." she cursed inwardly, but the path beneath her feet became increasingly blurry.

Just when she thought this was the end.

"Miss Terumi Mei."

A gentle, soft voice suddenly rang out from ahead.

Mei Terumi suddenly stopped in her tracks, her eyes blurry with tears, and looked up to see a small blue and white slug perched on a large rock, waving its antennae as it looked at her.

"Lord Slug?"

“Lord Zhang Hai has already gone ahead to carry out his mission,” the slug explained. “But he specifically asked me to stay behind and escort you to a safe place. And… he has some things he wants me to tell you.”

Mei Terumi's heart pounded, and she asked anxiously, "What did he say?"

The slug mimicked Zhang Hai's tone, slowly saying, "He said, 'Parting is for a better reunion. Don't look so sad, like it's a matter of life and death. In this chaotic world, growth is always accompanied by all sorts of separations. But you must remember the promise I made to you before—whether it was about the battlefield, or about… that oath to the traitorous ninja, it will always stand.'"

He also said, "Only by becoming strong enough can you protect those you want to protect in this cannibalistic world. I'll be waiting for you in the future, waiting for you to become the true Mizukage."

Upon hearing these words, Mei Terumi could no longer control herself and squatted down on the ground, bursting into tears.