Yahiko and the others were unaware that Kouki had known them all along. They approached him one by one, formally introducing themselves.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they were officially acquainted.
"By the way, do you know why that imposter Konoha ANBU targeted you?" Kouki asked after a moment of casual conversation.
"I have a theory," Yahiko replied, his eyes gleaming with insight, his tone grave and serious.
He exchanged a look with Nagato and Konan; their shared expressions confirmed they held the same suspicion. A silent understanding passed between them.
"It was likely someone claiming to be Madara Uchiha," Yahiko stated, his voice low and serious.
"About a year ago, this individual suddenly approached Nagato, claiming to be Madara Uchiha, the guide of the Rinnegan, and attempted to recruit Nagato."
"However, this individual was far too extreme and biased; we remained highly wary of him and did not give him any opportunity to exploit Nagato."
"I suspect this entire operation was orchestrated by him, his ultimate objective is Nagato. If you hadn't intervened, Nagato would almost certainly have become this individual's puppet."
Yahiko calmly laid out his theory. While it remained a theory, his tone conveyed a strong conviction.
After all, Obito's plan was undeniably strange. Controlling the Hokage and Mizukage, mobilizing such significant forces, only to stage a play before Yahiko and his companions? It made little logical sense.
However, once the information concerning Madara Uchiha was factored in, everything became far more coherent and plausible, the logic neatly aligning.
Given the circumstances, Yahiko's deduction was entirely reasonable.
Upon hearing Yahiko's explanation, Kouki couldn't help but chuckle. Obito had truly backfired spectacularly; his plan had boomeranged, striking him with devastating effect.
This failed operation had inadvertently served to heighten Yahiko and the others' vigilance, making any future attempts by Obito to manipulate or deceive them significantly more challenging.
However, Kouki chose not to reveal Obito's true identity. He had no way of knowing if White Zetsu were lurking nearby, and he was unwilling to expose his foresight and risk attracting the attention of Black Zetsu.
"Kouki, what are your plans now?" Yahiko asked, turning his attention back to Kouki.
"Naturally, I'll escort the Hokage back to Konoha. What about you?" Kouki responded, posing the question back to Yahiko.
Yahiko considered the matter, exchanging a brief glance with Nagato and Konan before replying, "We intend to return the Mizukage to Kirigakure and inform them that the Mizukage was under the influence of genjutsu."
Kouki found this unsurprising. Akatsuki, at this point in time, still adhered to its noble ideals, and such actions were entirely consistent with their principles.
Moreover, the Mizukage had been invited to attend the peace negotiations at their request; given the unexpected turn of events, they felt a strong sense of responsibility to ensure his safe return.
With their plans agreed upon, Yahiko and his companions departed, carrying the unconscious Yagura Karatachi. Kouki, meanwhile, approached Minato Namikaze, who remained buried beneath the earth.
"If I just dig you out, you'll attack me, right?" Kouki said, a hint of weariness in his tone, a subtle acknowledgment of the complexities of the situation.
Looking at the other unconscious and deceased Konoha ANBU and Military Police officers scattered on the ground, Kouki recognized the potential for further complications.
Minato Namikaze remained silent, his gaze fixed on Kouki with undisguised hostility. Still under Obito's control, he considered Kouki an enemy and couldn't be directly returned to Konoha.
Such a direct approach would be unnecessarily risky and could lead to unforeseen problems.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Kouki reached a decision. He focused his gaze on Minato Namikaze's eyes, his own Sharingan spinning as he activated the Kotoamatsukami technique.
This powerful dōjutsu not only dispelled the genjutsu controlling Minato Namikaze but also subtly altered his memories.
In essence, Minato Namikaze's memory was rewritten. The individual who had uncovered Obito's plot and repelled his forces was no longer Kouki but a mysterious individual who had appeared unexpectedly.
Kouki, along with the other ANBU, were now portrayed as Obito's pawns, under his control, attacking the Akatsuki leaders, only to be ultimately subdued by them.
Only after successfully altering Minato Namikaze's memories did Kouki dug him out of the ground.
Kouki then lay down on the ground, blending seamlessly with the other surviving Konoha ninjas, effectively playing dead.
Shortly after completing this delicate operation, Minato Namikaze regained consciousness. Recalling the events that had transpired, a cold sweat broke out on his brow.
"Who was that individual who wielded space-time ninjutsu? What was the purpose of his elaborate scheme?"
Minato Namikaze's mind raced as he replayed the events, a chilling realization dawning upon him.
If not for the timely intervention of this mysterious individual, he, the Hokage of Konoha, would have undoubtedly become Obito's puppet.
"We can't stay here; I must return to the village and inform Konoha immediately."
After briefly organizing his thoughts, Minato Namikaze quickly awakened the unconscious Konoha ninjas.
He carefully infused chakra into each of them, carefully disrupting the flow of Obito's genjutsu, and then led them back to Konoha, his movements swift and purposeful.
It is important to note that Kouki's use of Kotoamatsukami was limited to replacing a specific segment of Minato Namikaze's memories; it was not a continuous, ongoing control.
Consequently, Minato Namikaze's chakra levels remained entirely normal. Unlike Yagura Karatachi, his chakra flow wouldn't be perpetually disrupted, making him easily detectable by the Byakugan.
Even upon his return to Konoha, Minato Namikaze would not arouse any suspicion during any Hyuga clan investigations.
Furthermore, the Hyuga clan would be highly unlikely to conduct such an investigation without a compelling reason.
Even if they did, they would uncover nothing unusual.
The events that unfolded during the peace negotiations quickly caused a sensation within Konoha, bringing the "Masked Man" to the immediate attention of all high-ranking officials.
Based on Minato Namikaze's account, this individual possessed incredibly elusive space-time ninjutsu, was highly proficient in Wood Release, and possessed the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan.
The fact that even Minato Namikaze had fallen victim to this individual's abilities highlighted the extreme danger he represented.
However, this also served to elevate the status of the mysterious individual who had saved Minato Namikaze and shocked everyone in Konoha
This individual had not only effortlessly defeated Minato Namikaze but had also swiftly and decisively eliminated Yagura Karatachi, forcing the Masked Man into a hasty and humiliating retreat. Their actions were nothing short of extraordinary.
Upon hearing Minato Namikaze's detailed account of Kouki's battle against the various high-ranking ninjas, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other high-ranking shinobi in the office nodded in agreement. They were now virtually certain of the mysterious individual's identity.
"A year ago, during Kirigakure's invasion of Konoha, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were attacked; five were killed by this same mysterious individual.
According to eyewitness accounts from Yuhi Kurenai and Might Guy, this individual utilized a uniquely powerful black flame."
"And based on your account, Minato, this mysterious individual used the same black flame to repel both the Mizukage and the Masked Man. These black flames are undoubtedly the same technique."
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