"The Fourth Mizukage… is being controlled?"
When Ao's report reached him, Yuan Shi's expression became indescribably complex.
Relief.
Shock.
And then—burning rage.
"You're absolutely certain of what you're saying?"
His voice was tight, teeth clenched as he stared at Ao.
"Great Elder," Ao replied without hesitation, dropping to one knee, "I can confirm it without a shred of doubt."
"This is not something I would ever joke about."
"The Mizukage Tower had barriers specifically designed to block the Byakugan. But the tower has now been destroyed."
"I can clearly see inside."
"I can confirm with one hundred percent certainty—the Mizukage has been placed under genjutsu."
"So it's true…"
Terumi Mei looked equally shaken.
After meeting Shihara Ren, she had always remained half-skeptical. After all, she hadn't lived through the era of Uchiha Madara. Her understanding of the Sharingan was largely limited to the Uzushio battlefield.
To her, the idea of fire-style-specializing Uchiha fighting Kirigakure—masters of Water Release, surrounded by mist—had always seemed absurd.
Was it arrogance?
Or insanity?
Yet that war had taught her the terrifying reality of the Sharingan.
Still—what she was witnessing now completely exceeded her expectations.
"Send out the signal," Yuan Shi said calmly.
Unlike Mei, he had already regained his composure. He understood very well the difference between ordinary Sharingan and the Mangekyō.
"Tonight's events are now confirmed. The Fourth Mizukage is being controlled by Uchiha Obito."
"He is nothing more than a puppet."
"We must accelerate our plan and resolve this immediately."
"Yes, Great Elder."
Ao nodded, then hesitated.
"But if some of them refuse to believe us—"
"Use my name," Yuan Shi interrupted sharply.
"Act in my name. You will accompany them personally and use the Byakugan to prove it."
"And make one thing very clear."
He paused briefly, then steadied himself.
"No matter what becomes of the Fourth Mizukage, the village's future will prioritize stability. There will be no drastic changes—for now."
"But that depends on their actions tonight."
"This is not a rebellion."
"This is the protection of Kirigakure."
"Go."
"Yes!"
Ao understood immediately.
Win—and it would be called safeguarding the village.
Lose—and it would be treason.
Tonight, they were betting everything.
As Ao hurried away, Yuan Shi let out a long breath.
"Winning is enough…"
Only then could they truly protect the village's interests.
Inside the shattered Mizukage Tower, Ren stood atop tangled vines, smiling faintly at the masked man before him.
"It seems your last disguise has finally been torn away."
Uchiha Obito said nothing. Beneath the mask, his face was twisted with pain.
"There were so many barriers," Ren continued calmly. "All designed to block the Byakugan."
"Wasn't that precisely because you were afraid of being seen?"
"That eye is watching this place right now."
"Do you think it can see you?"
Obito didn't need reminding.
He already knew.
Once the Mizukage was exposed, he could no longer remain hidden in Kirigakure.
His base—his long-term nest—had been uprooted completely.
For the first time, Obito felt something close to despair.
It felt eerily familiar.
Just like Uchiha Madara facing Senju Hashirama.
Had he… met his own nemesis?
"Don't get cocky," Obito finally rasped. "Do you really think you've already won?"
Ren didn't even let him finish.
"Give it a rest. You can't win against me."
"At least—not the current you."
"And I?" Ren smiled. "I'm winning decisively."
The words were calm.
And utterly humiliating.
"…Is that so?"
Obito steadied himself, his Mangekyō spinning rapidly.
"You inherited Wood Release," he said coldly. "Then let me ask you something."
"I've heard the First Hokage dealt with tailed beasts effortlessly."
"So tell me—how will you fare against one?"
Ren's eyes sharpened.
In the blink of an eye, he was already in front of Obito.
Golden light flashed.
His kunai pierced through Obito's body—only to pass through like mist.
"Tch."
Ren clicked his tongue.
"Still scurrying around like a sewer rat."
"Then let's make this interesting."
Obito had snapped.
If he couldn't stay in Kirigakure, then he would leave ruin behind.
And his bounty?
It would spread across the entire shinobi world.
That thought alone made his blood boil.
"If you won't let me live quietly," he roared internally, "then no one gets peace!"
His Mangekyō spun violently.
A terrifying pressure erupted inside the tower.
The next moment—
A colossal, turtle-shaped monster burst forth with a deafening roar.
The Mizukage Tower—symbol of Kirigakure's authority—collapsed completely.
Outside the village, Kisame Hoshigaki sprinted forward, eyes wide in disbelief.
"What the hell is happening?!"
Flames engulfed Kirigakure.
From the village center, monstrous roars echoed endlessly.
"This… this is hell."
"To attack the village itself—was this their goal?"
Without hesitation, Kisame accelerated.
Behind him, Kirigakure shinobi surged forward as well.
They had only one thought.
Protect the village.
Then—
The earth shook violently.
A thunderous roar tore through the mist.
And there it was.
The Three-Tails.
High above, Nagato observed silently.
"So that's how it is…"
Kirigakure's response was wrong.
Instead of focusing on suppression, they were evacuating civilians.
A sudden realization struck him.
"…Have they already contacted Shihara Ren?"
Before the thought could finish forming—
A deafening roar shook the heavens.
The Three-Tails had fully emerged.
On Gamabunta's head, Jiraiya stared at the ruined tower.
"…You people talk about peace," Orochimaru mocked from atop Manda, "but you're worse than us."
Jiraiya said nothing.
Because he couldn't refute it.
Kidnapping Kage.
Destroying towers.
Provoking tailed beasts.
Ren's missions were always catastrophic.
"…Damn it, Danzo," Jiraiya muttered. "What kind of monster did you raise?"
And then—
Golden light split the sky.
A figure hovered above Kirigakure, chakra blazing like the sun.
"You were curious whether I could handle a tailed beast," Ren's voice echoed calmly.
"Then watch carefully."
The giant tree that had pierced the tower twisted violently.
A massive Wood Golem emerged from the ground.
It charged.
One punch.
The Three-Tails was sent reeling.
Shockwaves flattened everything nearby.
Buildings crumbled.
Shinobi were thrown aside like leaves.
"Run!"
Cries echoed everywhere.
High above, Orochimaru licked his lips in delight.
"Magnificent…"
"Wood Release truly is terrifying."
Even he felt excitement stir.
From the Wood Golem's crown, Ren stood with arms crossed, golden chakra cloaking his body.
His expression was cold.
"You don't even know how to properly control the Three-Tails."
"You're just letting it fight on instinct."
"You thought that would beat me?"
Obito snarled silently.
The Three-Tails and Yagura were resisting him fiercely.
But he pushed harder.
The beast roared, chakra compressing rapidly—
A Tailed Beast Ball.
"Tail-Beast Ball!" Jiraiya shouted.
Panic swept Kirigakure.
Yuan Shi's voice rang out desperately.
"Everyone retreat! Now!"
Ren raised his hands.
"So you're desperate now?"
"Fine."
"Wood Release—Wood Dragon Technique!"
A colossal wooden dragon surged forth, binding the Three-Tails and devouring its chakra.
Then—
"Wood Release—Tree World Descent!"
An entire forest erupted beneath the beast, vines wrapping it completely.
The Three-Tails struggled, howling in agony.
But Wood Release was its natural predator.
"Damn it!" Obito raged.
He forced the beast's power further.
The Tailed Beast Ball fired.
Ren's Wood Golem punched straight into it.
Explosion.
Light consumed the night.
A mushroom cloud rose above Kirigakure.
When the dust began to settle, the Three-Tails was completely suppressed.
Standing atop the Wood Golem, Ren looked down calmly.
"These tailed beasts really have terrible luck."
Uchiha.
Senju.
Uzumaki.
Each lineage had tormented them in its own way.
Ren smiled faintly.
"Guess I'll prove one thing."
"Even a 'fake' can beat the 'original.'"
Far away, Obito watched in silence.
His defenses—his plans—had completely collapsed.
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