Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 134: Edo Tensei: Release

"This trip wasn't in vain. I got to witness something interesting. It's just a shame... it wasn't Kirigakure that did it first."

Hozuki Gengetsu rubbed his temples and allowed a faint smile to appear on his face. "I'm a little curious to see how things will unfold. What about the rest of you?"

"Already switching sides so easily?" Mu asked sarcastically.

For once, Hozuki Gengetsu ignored the jab and replied candidly, "Clinging to the old ways and pretending to preserve order just makes us look like stubborn old men who can't accept change. Do you want to be ridiculed by the younger generation?"

"Despite Hyuga Fuji's arrangements, the people of this era have already made their choice. If we interfere now, it would only make us appear undignified as their elders."

Mu narrowed his eyes at Gengetsu.

This old fox does make sense, he thought, but this upheaval is taking place in the Fire Nation. What does that have to do with the Land of Water? Why are you so pleased about this?

Wait... now that I think about it, if the goal is to abolish the one-country-one-village system, the Fire Nation has the advantage of Tsunade's position to ease the transition. But doesn't the Land of Water also have its own advantages?

Being located overseas, the Land of Water is geographically isolated. News of changes there takes time to reach the other nations.

Moreover, compared to the nations on the mainland, the Land of Water is relatively independent economically, with fewer ties to the others.

If reform were to occur, the Land of Water would be one of the best candidates to follow in the Fire Nation's footsteps.

Once someone overthrows a Daimyo and alters the one-country-one-village system, the Daimyos of other nations will likely react strongly.

Outright rebellion would make them fear for their own positions. Economic sanctions and threats of military action would be their tools to suppress any such ambitions.

The Fire Nation, being the economic center of the shinobi world, isn't afraid of economic threats. The Land of Water, on the other hand, is insulated from mainland trade, making it similarly resistant to sanctions.

Both nations share a degree of immunity in this regard. The only issue left is the potential threat of military force.

But here lies the dilemma: if a Daimyo is to rely on military might, would they place their trust in the very shinobi village that holds the true military power? Or would they hesitate, fearing the ninja's potential for further rebellion?

With the Fire Nation already leading the charge, if Kirigakure's leadership understands the benefits of reform and seizes the opportunity to take control of the Land of Water, they could stand shoulder to shoulder with Konoha and have little to fear.

Mu cast a long, penetrating look at Hozuki Gengetsu.

Does this guy already realize this?

Has he been in contact with Kirigakure's leadership and made his preparations in advance? That sneaky bastard, going ahead without telling anyone.

Noticing Mu's suspicious gaze, Hozuki Gengetsu remained unfazed. He simply turned his attention to the other gathered shinobi. "What are your thoughts on all this?"

"We don't care about reform. We just want to be free from Hyuga Fuji's control."

Kinkaku, dressed in Kumogakure attire, sneered coldly. "Unlike you people, he only sees us as tools for studying bloodlines."

Every day in the lab, trapped under the scrutiny of countless shadow clones with white eyes, was torment beyond belief.

Hyuga Fuji was no ordinary researcher. He was a devil obsessed with unearthing new knowledge!

The other shinobi gave Kinkaku and Ginkaku a dismissive glance, their expressions indifferent.

Experiment subjects?

Which of us hasn't been subjected to Hyuga Fuji's experiments? Even the Second Tsuchikage hasn't complained—what makes you think your grievances matter?

Facing dozens of Byakugan every day? They had all grown used to it...

"If you lack the will to fight, you're free to leave," said Senju Tobirama, his face dark as he recalled the sight of his own body pinned to Konoha's Hokage Rock.

"I'll ensure the ending Hyuga Fuji envisioned becomes a reality!"

The crowd stared at Tobirama silently.

This old Senju ghost... he just wants revenge, doesn't he?

"I never said I lacked the will to fight," Hozuki Gengetsu muttered, his smile widening as the distant sounds of chaos reached his ears.

Shouts of battle.

The cries of pleading nobles.

The clash of blades.

All these sounds echoed around them.

And with them came an unspoken declaration:

The old order crumbles here!

For Gengetsu, these sounds only fueled his growing desire for combat.

And the best part? The perfect enemy had arrived.

Light, unhurried footsteps echoed from outside the hall, silencing their discussion.

"I knew you'd come to witness this moment. Looks like I wasn't wrong," Tobirama said coldly, turning toward the tall, slender figure entering the hall.

"How does it feel to see your masterpiece with your own eyes?"

"Perhaps similar to how you felt," Hyuga Fuji replied with a faint smile.

Tobirama's expression darkened, but he said nothing.

Hyuga Fuji glanced outside briefly before smiling again. "Tsunade-senpai doesn't lack resolve when necessary. But as for the final outcome... even I cannot say for certain until this all plays out. What do you all think of the melody of this crumbling order?"

"If only it didn't include your voice, I might have found it pleasant," Tobirama retorted, his body dissolving into white smoke as he vanished.

"Such confidence," said another voice as several other shinobi disappeared as well. Gengetsu was the last to go, grinning widely.

"That Senju ghost left you a lot of surprises. Let's see if you can handle them."

The moment Gengetsu's voice faded, Kinkaku, Ginkaku, and the remaining shinobi moved in unison. Their hands formed seals, and together, they slammed their palms onto the ground.

"Edo Tensei: Release!"

A flash of white light illuminated the hall. The connection between Hyuga Fuji and the Edo Tensei shinobi was severed as they regained their free will.

Their expressions turned cold as they stared at Fuji.

Edo Tensei, as a summoning technique, linked its user to the summoned shinobi in a master-servant relationship. However, if the summoned shinobi knew the release seal and had sufficient power, they could sever the connection, freeing themselves from the user's control.

This was one of Edo Tensei's inherent risks.

But in most cases, this risk was negligible.

Without sufficient strength, the summoned shinobi wouldn't be able to resist the user's commands, let alone break free.

Only those with extraordinary power—or those whose summoner chose not to exert control—could achieve freedom.

And now, the latter was clearly the case.

Mu, still standing in the hall, felt his heart sink.

Does Hyuga Fuji really have the confidence to face all of us alone?

He's far too calm. It's starting to remind me of bad memories...

As the Edo Tensei shinobi broke their bonds, the walls of the hall lit up with intricate seals. Fuji felt another connection vanish but remained unconcerned.

Instead, he looked at the seals with intrigue.

"A modified sealing technique based on summoning contracts?" he mused aloud.

(End of Chapter)