Chapter 122: Ōtsutsuki Genshiki
"There's no mission right now. Can't I take care of some personal matters?"
Uchiha Itachi stared calmly at the two men in front of him, though beneath that composed exterior, he was already preparing for potential conflict.
"Besides, as I recall, this organization doesn't restrict our personal freedom. Are you planning to break the rules?"
"Of course not," Obito replied with a snort. "I'm just... checking in. Concerned, you might say."
He scoffed inwardly. Does Itachi really think anyone buys his act?
He knew exactly who Itachi was—an obvious double agent. Trusting him completely? That was a joke.
On most days, Obito wouldn't have bothered. As long as Konoha didn't interfere with the Akatsuki's operations too much, Itachi could play whatever game he wanted.
But recently? Every encounter with Konoha had become a major hassle—unexpected, dangerous, and too frequent.
He couldn't allow Itachi to keep acting on his own anymore.
"We're just on our way to evaluate a new recruit," Kisame added with a grin.
"Didn't expect to run into you, Itachi. Why not come along? It'll be more convenient that way."
Itachi remained silent, deep in thought.
His encounters with Konoha had grown more intense—and dangerous. Despite still considering himself a shinobi of Konoha, the people he faced certainly didn't see him that way anymore.
Just recalling that incident in the Land of Earth gave him chills—he was nearly wiped out by a single Flying Thunder God technique.
If not for Susanoo, he'd be dead.
He needed to bolster his strength—fast.
As the former heir of the Uchiha clan, he had access to certain knowledge and archives, and he'd been eyeing a few legendary artifacts for some time.
"The Totsuka Blade… and the Yata Mirror…"
He'd read about them long ago. He had wanted to seek them out before, but after the massacre, everything was too chaotic to act.
Now, he couldn't wait any longer.
"Why so quiet, Itachi?"
Kisame's grin widened. "Don't tell me you've got a secret of your own?"
"Everyone has their secrets," Itachi replied coldly, staring him down.
"But if you insist on tagging along, I won't stop you. Just know this—what I'm after belongs to the Uchiha."
"Oh?" Kisame raised an eyebrow, still polite in tone, though his words had a sharp edge.
"That's rich, coming from someone who slaughtered his entire clan. Still clinging to the Uchiha name?"
Itachi said nothing, but his gaze darkened.
"Uchiha treasures… you're trying to prepare for another run-in with Konoha?"
Obito, more composed, furrowed his brow.
"Something like that," Itachi nodded.
"Those artifacts probably only work with Susanoo. Planning to compete with me over them?"
"Relax. I have no interest in that kind of power. I'm just here for the recruit."
Obito shook his head—he had no access to Susanoo anyway.
Frankly, he didn't care what Itachi was after. He only needed to keep tabs on him.
Besides, he thought, no treasure could compare to the power I already hold.
"Well, since we're here, let's go together," Obito added casually.
"Think of it as me doing you a favor."
"Please don't speak like that. I know exactly what you're thinking."
Itachi's voice remained cold as he turned and began walking.
"If you're coming, keep up. Just a heads-up—
the information I have is sparse. Finding it won't be easy."
---
Meanwhile, in the Land of Fire, Kitagawa Gen emerged in a moonlit valley.
"Finally, some time to stretch my legs," he said as he stood atop a tall tree, gazing down at the forest bathed in silver light. He cracked his neck lazily.
After nearly a month of dealing with Konoha's affairs, he'd finally wrapped things up. Leaving behind a Shadow Clone to handle the rest, he snuck out without hesitation.
The past month had been productive—besides networking with the other Jōnin alongside Kakashi, he had also acquired some very interesting materials from Hiruzen SaruObito.
"I heard bloodline limits can be replicated through chakra fusion. I wanted to try it myself."
When Hiruzen questioned him, Gen recited his pre-planned excuse without hesitation.
"Plus, with my precise chakra control, I can probably master more elemental jutsu—it'll make experimenting easier."
"I understand," Hiruzen replied. "It's a risky approach, but I'll support you. Just promise me this—if you feel anything strange, don't act alone. Inform me, or Kakashi, Jiraiya, even Tsunade. We'll keep you safe, even if we can't help you succeed. Understand, Gen?"
Gen appreciated Hiruzen's support. It wasn't just because he was one of the "Hokage's inner circle"—he'd earned that trust through action.
"If I ever shout 'I want to be Hokage!' that old man might just start grooming me for it."
As he sprinted through the forest, he chuckled inwardly.
"No need to even say it. He probably already has the idea."
He reviewed the techniques he'd obtained—jutsu scrolls of various elements, battle insights, even personal notes from the First Hokage, and classified jutsu from the Second.
His eyes sparkled with excitement. For some reason, Hiruzen had even encouraged him to study the Second Hokage's specialties.
"Water Style, genjutsu, and some peculiar secret techniques…"
"Are you trying to make me the new Tobirama? Am I that shady?"
"You damn sly Monkey, that's a dirty comparison…"
Though he complained internally, Gen eagerly accepted the challenge.
Over the month, he had refined both his Yin and Yang Release and immersed himself in these powerful techniques.
---
He figured his future heroic image might as well be based on the Second Hokage—
white hair, short sword, Flying Thunder God.
Aside from the forbidden techniques, he was already mastering most of it.
"At least I'm not as conniving as he was."
He shook his head, dismissing the thought.
As he approached the Fire Temple, he paused and pulled out a scroll.
Poof!
A burst of smoke revealed a mask and a white cloak infused with Indra-like chakra patterns.
"That should do it."
Dressed in his new gear, Gen formed a seal. A shimmering water mirror appeared before him.
He looked at his reflection, gave a satisfied nod, then extended his hand.
Hum—
With a flicker of chakra, a black rod slowly materialized in his grip.
"This is the best I can manage for now… but it's enough."
Testing the weight and feel, Gen gave a small nod.
"Alright. Let's begin."
---
Beneath the pale moonlight, inside a chamber at the Fire Temple…
"Sora, are you alright?"
Dilu, who had been guiding the boy's training, looked over in concern. Sora had collapsed, face twisted in pain.
Sora was a novice ninja monk of the Fire Temple, and more importantly—the son of Kazuma, one of the former Twelve Guardian Ninja.
But within Sora resided a dark, unstable power. It had once overwhelmed the temple's defenses and nearly destroyed the surrounding villages. Most of the monks viewed Sora with suspicion or fear.
Only Dilu still cared for him.
"I… I don't know. But inside me…"
Sora's voice was strained. Despite his brash nature, he knew who treated him kindly.
"That monster inside me… it's afraid."
"Afraid?"
Dilu's heart skipped a beat. Something was definitely wrong. He scooped Sora into his arms.
"We need to get you out of here. I'll find someone to seal that creature again."
As he rushed toward the underground chamber, a sudden chill ran down his spine. He looked up.
A white-cloaked figure floated silently in the moonlight, mask concealing his face.
"So this is where you were hiding."
The masked man's voice was calm—but as he spoke, Sora began to scream in agony. A red chakra flared up around him.
"Who are you?! What do you want?!" Dilu shouted.
"Your target… is Sora?"
"Yes… and no," the man said, shaking his head.
"I'm simply here to reclaim something that should have been mine from the start."
"The Nine-Tails' chakra…"
Dilu didn't speak—but his thoughts were racing.
The masked figure continued, unconcerned.
"Besides, it's clearly hurting him. Wouldn't it be better to return it to its rightful owner?"
"And what if I refuse?"
Dilu finally asked, his tone grave.
"And just who are you?"
"Refuse? That would be unfortunate…"
The figure sighed. Then he raised his hand, and pointed the black rod into the night sky.
CRACK—
The sky shimmered like shattered glass, cracks spreading out like a spider web before shattering completely.
"The Sealing Iron Barrier… destroyed just like that?"
Dilu watched in disbelief. The supposedly "unbreakable" temple barrier—shattered again, with such ease.
The noise immediately alerted everyone in the temple.
Still, the masked figure floated calmly forward, looking down at them with an air of disdain.
"Nice barrier. But not as tough as you think."
He paused.
"You may call me… Ōtsutsuki Genshiki."
---
Elsewhere, in a forest near the Fire Temple…
"Still haven't found what you're looking for?"
Obito gave Itachi an annoyed glance. He was getting irritated—especially after refusing to use Kamui for a shortcut and trekking this far on foot with no results.
"I told you—the intel is sparse. This will take time."
Itachi remained calm, his cold eyes locking with Obito's.
"Weren't you here to test the newcomer? Why not go do that?"
"What a coincidence—the target is nearby. I already have everything I need on him."
Obito scoffed.
"So I might as well watch you instead. Hmm?"
But he stopped mid-sentence, eyes widening.
All three—Obito, Itachi, and Kisame—suddenly turned toward the Fire Temple.
A powerful chakra was flaring.
And not just any chakra—
"That's… the Nine-Tails?! What's going on?!"
--