Transaction
Obito was confident in his genjutsu, as long as the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, did not engage in prolonged high-intensity battles.
Once combat escalated, the chakra of Yagura and the Three-Tails (Isobu) would inevitably synchronize, creating vulnerabilities in the illusion. If those cracks were exploited, Yagura could regain control, and Obito's grip over Kirigakure would be at risk.
Although Obito had the means to reinforce the genjutsu, Yagura had already left the Mizukage Building. Performing the technique again in public was out of the question—it would expose his identity and compromise future operations.
Thus, Obito had no choice but to relinquish control over Kirigakure, allowing the village to gradually return to Mizukage rule. However, after years of his influence, Kirigakure would not recover immediately, ensuring that the Eye of the Moon Plan remained unaffected.
From this perspective, his manipulation of Kirigakure was largely a success.
But before leaving, there was one final matter to settle—dealing with the traitor, Jūzō Biwa, who had defected to Nagato. Kirigakure could be abandoned, but betrayal could not be tolerated.
Just as Obito was preparing to eliminate Jūzō, the sound of footsteps echoed in the corridor.
His Sharingan gleamed as he instinctively turned toward the approaching presence. A figure in a black cloak and a fox-patterned mask walked toward him with unhurried steps.
Who is this? Since when has Kirigakure had someone like this?
Obito combed through his memories but couldn't recall ever encountering such a presence in the village.
Deciding to test the intruder, he raised his hand and rolled up his sleeve. A sharpened wooden spike sprouted from his palm and shot forward at blinding speed, nearly imperceptible to the naked eye.
Crack.
The masked figure casually caught the wooden spike, snapped it in half, and let the pieces drop to the floor.
Obito narrowed his eyes.
This person… was not ordinary.
The mysterious figure was Naruto Uzumaki. His original objective had been to search the Mizukage Building for forbidden techniques akin to Konoha's Scroll of Seals, but stumbling upon the masked man had changed his priorities.
Taking a measured glance at Obito, Naruto spoke in a calm, almost indifferent tone:
"Wood Release, Mangekyō Sharingan… Shisui was right. You really do possess both Senju and Uchiha blood."
Obito's expression darkened.
Catching a Mokuton technique wasn't necessarily difficult for a skilled jōnin. But this stranger not only recognized the fusion of Senju and Uchiha abilities—he also knew Shisui Uchiha. That was concerning.
Shisui had mysteriously resurfaced months after his supposed death, on the very night the Uchiha clan was nearly wiped out. He not only thwarted Itachi's plans but also led the surviving Uchiha to abandon Konoha and relocate to the isolated Land of Whirlpools.
It had all seemed too convenient.
Now, things were beginning to make sense.
Shisui hadn't acted alone. He had been guided by someone.
And that someone was standing right in front of him.
Obito's voice was low and sharp:
"So… it was you who saved Shisui. You were the one who helped him lead the Uchiha to the Land of Whirlpools?"
Naruto met his gaze and nodded.
"That's right. And I also wiped out every last one of those pale creatures you sent to infiltrate the Land of Whirlpools."
Obito's Sharingan spun slightly. The White Zetsu clones…
With a cold chuckle, he mused, "So… does that mean you're a descendant of the Uzumaki clan?"
Naruto gave a slight nod.
"In terms of blood, yes. But the Uzumaki clan was never truly exterminated. Only scattered."
Obito scoffed. "And yet, the Land of Whirlpools never produced a ninja as strong as you in its prime. Now, after its destruction, you expect me to believe it suddenly birthed someone like you? Why not just admit your real identity?"
Naruto countered, his voice steady. "The Uchiha were nearly wiped out as well, yet here you are."
He paused, then added, "You orchestrated the Nine-Tails attack on Konoha, manipulated events to ensure the Uchiha clan's downfall, and secretly controlled Yagura for years. If I didn't already know that Madara Uchiha was dead, I might have believed you were him."
Obito's lips curled into a smirk.
"Are you so certain Madara is dead?"
Naruto's gaze remained unwavering.
"And what? You expect me to believe you are Madara? If you're Madara, then I must be Senju Hashirama."
A chilling silence settled between them.
Obito's Sharingan gleamed with malice. "Enough talk. What is your purpose? You've never been in my way before, yet you eliminated my subordinates and ruined my plans. Now, you've come here directly. You want a fight?"
Naruto's response was measured. "I do intend to fight you. But not yet."
Obito raised a brow.
"Then why are you here?"
"I came to claim Kirigakure."
Obito was silent for a moment, then chuckled. "Oh? And what will you offer me in return? Kirigakure isn't insignificant, even if I no longer control it directly."
Though wary, he was also intrigued. The masked man before him wasn't just an enemy—perhaps, he could be a useful ally.
After all, Nagato had already dealt him a serious blow, and Jūzō's betrayal proved that trust was a luxury. Even Itachi and Kisame couldn't be fully relied upon.
Naruto considered his words before replying, "Money and fame don't interest you. You took over Kirigakure for one reason—the Three-Tails. You want a Tailed Beast, don't you?"
Obito's expression stiffened.
Naruto smirked slightly. "I can give you a Tailed Beast, but in return, my forces must be recognized as the ones who saved Kirigakure."
Obito frowned. "Only one Tailed Beast?"
"One is more than you have now."
After a moment, Obito nodded. "Fine. But I still don't understand. If your goal is to control Kirigakure, why do you need a Tailed Beast?"
Naruto's eyes sharpened. "Because I intend to rebuild the Land of Whirlpools into the Sixth Great Nation. And for that, I need a Jinchūriki."
Obito scoffed internally. The Sixth Great Nation?
A ridiculous notion. Uzushio had been annihilated for lacking military power. There was no way it could surpass the Hidden Rain, let alone rival the Five Great Nations.
Still, there was potential in this alliance.
Obito glanced toward the misty village beyond the window. "One last thing. Before I leave Kirigakure, I need a favor from you."
Naruto raised a brow. "And what is that?"
Obito's gaze darkened.
"I need you to kill someone. A traitor. Jūzō Biwa has returned to Kirigakure. And he must die."
Visit patreon.com/Akeyno to get 30+ chapters