In a dark cave hidden from the world, Uchiha Obito, concealed behind his distinctive mask, listened intently as Zetsu, the pitcher plant-like being, delivered his latest intelligence report.
After absorbing everything Zetsu had revealed, Obito found himself somewhat stunned.
"The Naruto Uzumaki you're describing... is he the same person I know?"
Fortunately, his mask helped conceal his expression, preventing him from losing the composure befitting his identity as a major antagonist. This reaction was entirely understandable, though. Anyone receiving such incredible news would inevitably be shocked.
How could Uchiha Obito not know Naruto? It was simply that Naruto remained unaware of him. During the Nine-Tails incident twelve years ago, he had orchestrated the deaths of his former teacher and his teacher's wife. It was then that he first laid eyes on the newborn Naruto.
Since that night, Naruto had been confined within Konoha Village, and Obito occasionally received updates about the boy's development. The child had clearly been just a dead-last student like his former self, but recently he had completely transformed, as if he'd become an entirely different person.
The first substantial information Obito received about Naruto came from Kakuzu, who was out earning bounty money for the Akatsuki organization. Of course, it wasn't Kakuzu's fault for not knowing about the Tailed Beast capture plan. After all, the Akatsuki was still in its dormant development stage. Apart from Nagato and Konan, only he and Zetsu were aware of the true Tailed Beast strategy.
When Obito learned that Kakuzu had accepted a bounty to eliminate Kakashi and kidnap Naruto, his first instinct was to rush to the scene. Not to prevent it... if Kakuzu could capture the Nine-Tails jinchuriki in the process, that would actually prove beneficial. He simply wanted to ensure nothing went wrong.
But news of Kakuzu's death arrived even faster than expected. This development made him begin paying serious attention to Naruto Uzumaki, his teacher's child.
Later, Orochimaru, who had already defected from Akatsuki, sent word proposing "cooperation." So Obito once again issued orders as "Uchiha Madara," having Nagato dispatch the Itachi and Kisame duo to Konoha.
According to Orochimaru's cooperation plan, he would attract Konoha's main fighting forces elsewhere. When that happened, Itachi's team would only need to deal with Naruto and a small portion of the jonin examiners.
In Uchiha Obito's assessment, with Itachi and Kisame's combined strength, handling one Naruto should be more than sufficient. The only concern was whether Itachi, this "undercover agent," would truly commit to capturing the Nine-Tails.
But with Kisame Hoshigaki as surveillance, whatever choice he made couldn't escape observation.
Yet what transpired next far exceeded Obito's expectations.
"You're telling me Naruto Uzumaki single-handedly repelled both Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki, then personally executed that Danzo character in front of Orochimaru?"
Obito looked incredulous, almost wanting to ask if Zetsu hadn't awakened properly from hibernation. Although he had always looked down on that old parasite Danzo Shimura, Obito remained very aware of the man's capabilities.
It seemed that Naruto Uzumaki was definitely not as simple as just a "Genin," and even the strength he had currently displayed might not represent everything he possessed.
After all, according to Zetsu's description, that kid had never utilized the Tailed Beast's power from beginning to end. The only time Nine-Tails chakra leaked out lasted just an instant before being immediately cut off.
Even Danzo, who possessed Shisui's Sharingan, had been killed by Naruto Uzumaki without any ability to retaliate?
Wait! Shisui's eye!
"Where is Danzo's corpse?! What happened to the Sharingan he had transplanted into his eye socket?"
Obito suddenly questioned Zetsu with obvious anxiety.
Zetsu spread his hands and answered helplessly.
"He was completely vaporized on the spot by Naruto Uzumaki's attack. Not even a trace of residue remained."
Hearing this response, Obito sank back into his seat with visible frustration. This represented a tremendous loss. If he had known, he should have gone there personally. That way he could have at least preserved that Sharingan.
The "Kotoamatsukami" technique had once made him extremely wary, but simultaneously, he desperately hoped to obtain this ability. Even if it was single-use. After all, it was the power to directly "modify someone's will."
Uchiha Obito began adjusting the danger level of Naruto Uzumaki, this "Nine-Tails jinchuriki," in his mental calculations. At the same time, the previously established Tailed Beast capture plan also required significant modifications.
"Oh right, there's one more development."
At this moment, Zetsu seemed to remember something additional.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi has resigned from the Hokage position. Jiraiya didn't want to be Hokage, so he fled early, and Danzo is obviously dead."
"Now Konoha's leadership wants to send ninja to locate Hashirama Senju's granddaughter, Tsunade, one of the Sannin."
"It appears that Naruto Uzumaki accepted this mission alone and might leave the village by himself next."
"Those Konoha higher-ups seem completely unable to prevent the jinchuriki's decisions."
"Perhaps this presents an opportunity for us."
After delivering this information, Zetsu fell silent, apparently leaving the decision to Obito.
Obito also pondered deeply after absorbing this intelligence.
After prolonged silence, he finally spoke.
"Spread this news, especially to those major ninja villages. Let them test Naruto Uzumaki's true depths."
Sunagakure Village
Baki, the jonin who had returned with Gaara and the others in disgrace, was explaining to the senior advisors, the siblings Chiyo and Ebizo, what they had encountered.
Simultaneously, he revealed the fact that the Fourth Kazekage had long been murdered and replaced. This was something they only discovered after being released.
This revelation made their entire operation completely meaningless, even transforming it into a cruel joke.
"Do you know who was responsible?"
"It should be Konoha's rogue ninja Orochimaru. He and Danzo orchestrated a scheme to overthrow the Third Hokage's rule."
"I see..."
Chiyo and Ebizo fell silent, finally reaching a new decision: Form an alliance with Konoha.
After all, Konoha had been relatively courteous this time, actually releasing their people, and both sides shared common enemies, so they might as well unite. Even if it was only temporary, it would suffice to stabilize the current situation.
At this time, another ninja entered and conveyed a certain message to the three.
"...Don't engage in any unnecessary actions. Sunagakure needs stability now."
Ultimately, this news remained contained within this room and didn't cause much disturbance.
However, not every major ninja village remained unmoved after receiving this explosive intelligence.
Kirigakure Village
The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, still sat high in the Mizukage's position, controlling this village. In corners beyond his sight, Mei Terumi was quietly discussing something with her subordinates.
"Perhaps we could establish contact with this individual..."
These whispers gradually dissipated in the mist, as if no one had ever mentioned them.
Kumogakure Village
"Ha! Incompetent Konoha!"
The Fourth Raikage A roared thunderously, hurling the intelligence report onto his desk.
"Now is the perfect opportunity! We must act immediately!"
His orders were ultimately talked down by his assistant Mabui. After all, although Konoha had indeed been caught somewhat off guard by this development, their actual power loss wasn't that substantial.
After extensive persuasion, they managed to convince A to abandon this reckless plan.
But shortly afterward, A slammed his fist on the table again and declared:
"Not targeting Konoha directly is acceptable, but we cannot ignore that son of Minato Namikaze!"
"Where's that idiot B? Where did he disappear to this time?"
Iwagakure Village
The cunning Third Tsuchikage, Onoki the great fence-sitter, merely glanced at the intelligence a few times before setting it aside, acting as if he hadn't seen it at all.
This type of news with unknown origins was obviously being promoted by someone with ulterior motives behind the scenes.
However, perhaps they could hire some bounty hunters to probe a little...
For a moment, the entire ninja world began to stir because of one person's decision.
(TL NOTE: Unfortunately, my LOTR: Playing Minecraft in Middle-earth book was mistakenly flagged as spam on Webnovel and removed. I'll re-upload it under a different title by tomorrow at the latest. Thank you for your patience!)