章節 198: Chapter 198: Could This Be the Work of the Sharingan's Genjutsu?
"It seems we failed," said White Zetsu's clone, Tobi, emerging slowly from a stone pillar. "It's impressive that this brat developed a power comparable to Susanoo on his own!"
Black Zetsu, however, understood the situation better. "Obito's Susanoo hasn't reached its full potential."
"And don't underestimate the power of the Nine-Tails that Shūichi possesses. The Nine-Tails' power is nothing to scoff at," Black Zetsu added.
"Given the situation, capturing the Four-Tails won't be possible. Let's retreat."
Uchiha Obito nodded and then activated Kamui, absorbing himself into his own dimension. White Zetsu's clone, Tobi, sank back into the stone pillar, vanishing into the earth.
Shūichi didn't attempt to stop them, dispelling his Star God technique as he watched Obito and his allies retreat.
"Possessed by both Black and White Zetsu… it seems Obito was fully under their control."
"Now, with Rin's staged death, he might have regained some control over his body?"
Shūichi had refrained from directly interacting with Uchiha Obito, sensing that something was off about his condition. He wasn't entirely sure if his secret signal had been understood.
After all, Obito was known to struggle with theoretical lessons. Still, the darkness within him seemed to amplify his strength tenfold; Obito wasn't a fool.
"With the current situation, Obito likely won't gain Black Zetsu's full trust, so arranging a private meeting would be difficult."
"But if he's only under White Zetsu's influence, I might have a chance to launch a surprise attack."
As Shūichi pondered, Shisui and the others dismounted from the Four-Tails, with Kitsuchi and Sumashi of Iwagakure bringing their team forward.
"Lord Shūichi, thank you all for your assistance," Kitsuchi said, bowing respectfully.
If not for Shūichi's team arriving when they did, they would have not only lost the Four-Tails but suffered heavy casualties.
Shūichi nodded slightly. "Let's prioritize saving the wounded."
"Asuka."
Asuka nodded. "Understood."
She and a shadow clone of Shūichi, created earlier, went to assist in healing Iwagakure's injured. Kitsuchi expressed his gratitude again, then glanced at the Four-Tails nearby and asked, "Lord Shūichi, it seems you have a good relationship with the Four-Tails?"
Shūichi nodded. "Indeed, we get along well. He even has a name—Son Goku."
"We share a common enemy."
Suma's face grew serious. "Uchiha Madara?"
"He's after the Tailed Beasts—all of them?"
Shūichi did not clarify that it was Obito rather than Madara. He simply nodded. "It appears so, for now."
"More concrete intel is still beyond our reach."
There was only so much information they could reveal. Each of the other four great villages had their own interests, and any talks of alliances now would be wasted effort.
Shūichi had no intention of helping the other villages only for Black Zetsu to take advantage of the situation. Unless he gained the power to sweep them all aside, he would prefer using Black Zetsu and Nagato to divert the other villages' attention. This strategy would buy him time and reduce pressure on Konoha.
With the wounded tended to, they set up camp, and Kitsuchi quickly sent a messenger to Iwagakure to report. His earlier confidence with a hundred elites was gone; even with ten thousand now, he didn't feel secure.
Having fought alongside the Third Raikage before, Kitsuchi found this recent battle brief but far more terrifying than anything with the Raikage.
Kitsuchi felt that only his father's presence would provide the necessary sense of security.
And with the threat of Uchiha Madara, even the Tsuchikage's involvement was warranted.
Besides the threat of Madara, the relationship between Konoha and the Four-Tails also made Kitsuchi uneasy.
Upon receiving the urgent report in the middle of the night, Ōnoki, the Tsuchikage, climbed out of bed, almost doubting his hearing.
"Uchiha Madara?"
Ōnoki's brow furrowed deeply. "Are you sure it was him?"
"It was someone wearing a mask, so we can't confirm, but Lord Kitsuchi said the Susanoo was unmistakable."
"Moreover, Konoha originally provided the intel on Uchiha Madara."
"His target was the Four-Tails, and it seems they've clashed with Konoha before."
Ōnoki's expression grew somber. "I see. So Konoha is deducing Madara's identity from the presence of Susanoo?"
"However…"
After some thought, he concluded that Madara's reappearance was indeed the most plausible explanation.
Unless this was all orchestrated by Konoha, but there seemed little point in that.
The reporting Iwagakure ninja continued, "Lord Tsuchikage, Shūichi and the Four-Tails seem to share an unusual bond."
"They seem to be…companions."
Ōnoki's frown deepened. "Companions?"
The ninja nodded. "Yes, according to Shūichi, it's because they have a common enemy. The masked Uchiha seems to be after more than just the Four-Tails."
Ōnoki pondered, "Returning the Four-Tails was not only about ending the war, but also to share the burden?"
"So, it seems Madara is truly still alive?"
He knew all too well the weight of Uchiha Madara's presence. Back then, Madara had effortlessly...
Unpleasant memories surfaced, and Ōnoki let out a cold snort. "But I'm not the same as I was back then..."
Calming himself, Ōnoki said, "You may go rest. I'll personally handle the response."
"Yes!"
The Iwagakure ninja who had reported the situation withdrew, while Ōnoki proceeded to issue a series of orders.
First, he ordered a secret increase in protection for Han, the Jinchūriki of the Five-Tails, and temporarily restricted any travel outside the village.
Secondly, he arranged for reinforcements to depart immediately to rendezvous with Kitsuchi and his team.
Although he appreciated Konoha's efforts, the Four-Tails was Iwagakure's responsibility, and they would be the ones to protect it!
After a quick breakfast at dawn, Ōnoki finally set out with two of his personal guards, flying toward the rendezvous point.
…
In the barren landscape, Shūichi was in conversation with the Four-Tails when he suddenly looked up toward the sky.
Ōnoki! The Third Tsuchikage had come in person!
It seemed this mission was coming to an end.
"It's the Third Tsuchikage!" Shisui appeared beside Shūichi, and moments later, Asuka and Pakura joined him.
Pakura looked at the figure descending from the sky and remarked, "I've heard the Third Tsuchikage possesses the only known Kekkei Tōta in the shinobi world."
Asuka commented, "A Kekkei Tōta, combining three chakra natures—far more complex than a Kekkei Genkai. I wonder how powerful it is?"
Shisui chuckled. "Strength lies in the person, not in the ability itself."
"The Third Hokage had neither a Kekkei Genkai nor a Kekkei Tōta, yet he was the strongest Hokage."
Shūichi nodded in agreement. The Third was indeed the strongest Hokage.
The previous Hokages wielded Wood Style and Water Style in their respective eras.
Ōnoki soon landed in front of Shūichi's team, and Kitsuchi stepped forward, preparing to introduce them. But before he could, Ōnoki addressed Shūichi directly: "No need for introductions. The Blue Flash of Konoha—I've known of you for quite some time."
Shūichi smiled. "Lord Tsuchikage, your name has long echoed in my ears as well."
However, the warmer Shūichi's smile, the more Ōnoki sensed his cunning. Still, this was no time for hostility, so he masked his thoughts and asked, "Are you certain that was Uchiha Madara?"
"Men from that era should already be buried in the ground."
Shūichi replied, "Mangekyō Sharingan, Susanoo... no one else comes to mind other than the Madara of legend."
"Of course, I've never met Madara myself, so I can't be certain."
"But I've heard you've witnessed Madara firsthand. If you encounter him again, you might be able to confirm his identity."
"Regardless of who he is, this individual is extremely dangerous and clearly has his eyes on the Tailed Beasts."
After saying this, Shūichi made his move to depart. "Since you're here personally, Lord Tsuchikage, I trust the Four-Tails will be safe. We'll take our leave and report back."
Ōnoki frowned. He had hoped to extract more information, but he had no grounds to keep Shūichi and his team. He nodded and replied, "As you wish. Extend my regards to the Third Hokage."
"I will!"
Shūichi then turned to the Four-Tails. "I hope the next time we meet, you're well."
The Four-Tails replied, "And I hope you don't die too soon."
Shūichi chuckled, "Thank you for the blessing."
After nodding toward Ōnoki and the others, Shūichi and his team took off.
Ōnoki watched them leave, feeling unsettled.
The Four-Tails had only been gone a short time, yet it seemed to have been "trained" to this extent?
Ōnoki shifted his gaze back to the Four-Tails.
The Four-Tails looked down at Ōnoki, and for a moment, they stared each other down.
Kitsuchi whispered, "Should we seal it?"
They had brought the sealing vessel, after all.
Ōnoki felt a bit out of his depth—this was the first time he'd encountered such a cooperative Tailed Beast.
Then the Four-Tails spoke, "You'd better choose a decent, smaller Jinchūriki, or I won't be so accommodating."
Kitsuchi: (⊙o⊙)…
It was the first time a Tailed Beast had made a demand like this.
Ōnoki replied sternly, "Of course, we'll choose the most qualified candidate."
The Four-Tails nodded. "Then bring out the sealing vessel!"
At Ōnoki's signal, the sealing squad from Iwagakure watched in disbelief as the Four-Tails entered the vessel willingly.
This… was the easiest Tailed Beast sealing in history!
Kitsuchi whispered to his father, "Has this guy been caught in a Sharingan genjutsu?"
Ōnoki, well-versed in the Sharingan, replied, "If it were Sharingan genjutsu, you'd see its distinctive patterns in his eyes."
"There's more going on here than we understand. It's clear we need to be careful when selecting the next Jinchūriki."
"Let's hope the next Jinchūriki can fully control the Tailed Beast's power. Then perhaps we can gain some valuable intel from the Four-Tails."
…
On the way back to Konoha, Shūichi was contemplating the sight of Ōnoki descending with his guards. "It seems I should develop the technique to alter the density of matter to master the Lightweight Boulder Jutsu. It would make travel far easier."
Ōnoki could not only fly himself but also carry others along with him. It was far more convenient and didn't even require constant chakra expenditure.
(End of Chapter)
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