Ao tensed at the sight, quickly disrupting his chakra flow. He leapt from the window and gave chase.
How could an Uchiha suddenly appear in Kirigakure? This was no small matter.
They ran out of the village, guards joining when they saw a child dart past.
Several shinobi chased one child, but soon lost him in the thick mist. Searching carefully, they found no trace. Ao frowned, then returned home.
At his doorway he saw eight words scrawled on the mirror: The Fourth Mizukage is under genjutsu.
His brow furrowed tight. He studied the message, then removed the patch from his right eye. Veins bulged, Byakugan flared, seeing far into the village.
"Genjutsu… Tomorrow I'll test and know for sure." He replaced the cover.
The next day, Ao gathered several elders, sharing his suspicion. They prepared, waiting for Yagura.
Over the years, Yagura's decisions had some logic, but his rule was tyrannical. During the Third War, Kirigakure had been weak, so the elders endured his harshness. But the war had ended half a year ago, and the other villages had signed peace. Kirigakure only worsened.
Missing-nin increased, allied clans destroyed. The village was now the weakest of the Five. If left unchecked, it might lose its place entirely.
They had doubted him before, but never imagined he was trapped in Uchiha genjutsu.
The Uchiha of Konoha—truly a clan to fear.
In the council hall, Yagura entered, staff in hand. "You all came early today," he greeted.
Ao uncovered his Byakugan and shouted, "As I thought, the Fourth Mizukage is under genjutsu! Release!"
Yagura shuddered violently, fury rising. "What are you doing?"
Meanwhile, in the mountain cave, Obito stiffened. "What? Someone broke my genjutsu?"
No warning signs. Just days ago he had slaughtered the rebel Kaguya. Yesterday's council was calm. How did they learn now?
"Zetsu, you were watching. Explain." His masked voice dripped with anger.
"I was focused on the Rokubi's host yesterday. No reports came from my clones. Something went wrong," Zetsu replied.
None imagined it began with a child.
"What now? Ha. Your plan failed, but you've already ruined this village. Shall we stir it further before leaving? If you can control Kyūbi, surely Sanbi is no problem," White Zetsu cackled.
Unlike Black Zetsu's calm, White's mania was obvious.
Obito's eyes lit. "True. I can't control Yagura now, but I can release Sanbi from him. Enough lurking here. Two or three years wasted. Any word from Orochimaru?"
"He's been signaled. He'll come to the Land of Water soon," Black Zetsu said.
"Tell him not to. Akatsuki has other business. You two leave. Contact Kisame. Have him wait for me in Amegakure. I'll finish here."
His voice was cold, threaded with killing intent. They had tricked Rin. He would not forgive.
The air warped, and Obito vanished. Black and White Zetsu merged and sank into the earth.
Obito did not act at once. Yagura's genjutsu was broken, the elders investigating. Yagura himself was conflicted, half-accepting the deeds as his own, half-denying.
This proved Obito's genjutsu had reached a frightening level, like brainwashing. The victim knew excesses were wrong, but could not separate them from himself.
For three days Yagura was questioned. On the fourth he was released, exhausted, doubting himself. He did not even know when the genjutsu began. Worse, the elders had already submitted a petition to the Daimyō to depose him.
His reign was finished.
That night he drank heavily, drowning in confusion. Drunk and collapsed, even his family dared not approach.
Past midnight, sounds of battle came from his chambers. Moments later, explosions shook the village. Sanbi Isobu burst free from Yagura's body.
Kirigakure plunged into chaos. Though Isobu was gentle by nature, its immense size and hostility to humans meant disaster. Even just moving through the village would bring destruction.
"Perfect."
From a high mountain outside, Shigeo smiled. Beside him, Kimimaro listened to the roars through the mist. He could not see the village, but the tailed beast's cry told him all. Shigeo's goal was achieved.
(End of Chapter)
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