Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 217: Reluctant to Leave

Obito's decision wasn't made on a whim.

Rin's strength was much weaker compared to Kakashi, and it seemed the Seven-Tails hadn't fully accepted her, which gave him an opportunity.

After retrieving his other eye, the speed of Kamui's absorption had doubled, giving him confidence that he could quickly approach Rin and take her away.

As for Kakashi...

As long as he was still outside and hadn't returned to Konoha, Obito was confident he could capture him at any time!

Just as Obito made up his mind, Hozuki Gengetsu's Water Gun Technique attacked from the side, which Obito easily dodged.

"What's this? Not hiding in your shell anymore?" Hozuki Gengetsu brushed past Obito and turned to look at him. "Or is your chakra running out?"

He wore a smile, but his eyes were devoid of any amusement.

The defense of a fully-formed Susanoo wasn't something ordinary Kekkei Genkai could penetrate. The most effective ones were high-damage types like Boil Release or Lava Release, but even then, it was still a tough battle.

As for something more effective, like Dust Release?

Sorry, none of that here, since Mu hadn't lent him his power, nor could he request it.

Still, Susanoo was undeniably powerful, but it also drained a tremendous amount of ocular power. The recent skirmish had already consumed more than half of Obito's chakra.

'I should've pushed him harder earlier to deplete more of his chakra. Now things have gotten a bit tricky.'

Hozuki Gengetsu sighed inwardly, his gaze growing colder. However, when a certain Kekkei Genkai heightened his perception and detected a creature approaching Obito, the coldness in his expression eased somewhat, and his look became peculiar.

He remembered something often overlooked during battles. It seemed Obito's allies were also under Hyuga Fuji's command…

As the two quietly observed each other, calculating their plans, Black and White Zetsu emerged at Obito's feet, with White Zetsu speaking in a low tone, "Obito, Nagato is in trouble."

Obito frowned, his tone icy. "What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said."

Black Zetsu spoke calmly, "Previously, with White Zetsu's main body there, subtly guiding him, Nagato had been steadily improving himself, familiarizing himself with the Rinnegan's power. But after White Zetsu left, he couldn't wait to come out of hiding. It seems he's looking for a particular member for his organization, the one I mentioned to you before."

"I've already informed you of that individual's eye technique. If Nagato loses the Rinnegan or falls under that person's control, the Moon's Eye Plan can't proceed. Obito, what do you plan to do?"

"…"

Obito withdrew his gaze from Hozuki Gengetsu and coldly glanced at Black and White Zetsu, a whirlpool forming around him as he activated Kamui.

White Zetsu's main body hadn't been gone for long—had it even been a day?

Nagato couldn't have been so impatient, running out to find that Uchiha?

Obito didn't believe it!

Not to mention that information transfer between the two sides couldn't be so quick and smooth, even if Nagato had gone looking for that Uchiha girl, the gap between them shouldn't have been significant enough to endanger Nagato.

Such a flawed story—did they think he couldn't see through it?

Black Zetsu's intentions were clear—it was a threat. As long as he continued to stay here to capture the Tailed Beasts, Nagato's Rinnegan would be gone, and the Moon's Eye Plan would fail from the start!

'Madara really left another contingency with Nagato, didn't he?'

Obito vanished from the scene, his face dark as he entered Kamui's space.

Black and White Zetsu's obstruction at this moment didn't surprise him.

With both Kamui eyes and Madara's curse marks removed, Obito had completely broken free from their control. How could the ever-loyal Black and White Zetsu tolerate that?

If they watched him collect all the Tailed Beasts and control Nagato to revive the Ten-Tails, Madara would never be resurrected.

With both Kamui, aside from the Seven-Tails under Hyuga Fuji's control, the Nine-Tails in Konoha was the most difficult to capture. But as long as Akatsuki grew stronger, there would always be a chance.

Once the Seven-Tails was in his grasp, the rest of the plan would be smooth sailing, which is why Black and White Zetsu had intervened.

As long as the Seven-Tails remained, the powerful forces under Hyuga Fuji could pressure him into fulfilling his agreement with Madara, resurrecting him to boost their power.

"You've planned well, but Madara's body is in my hands. Whether he's revived or not is ultimately up to me!"

...

Watching Obito retreat without hesitation after weighing the pros and cons, Black and White Zetsu both breathed a sigh of relief.

After disregarding Rin's life, the only thing left to threaten Obito was the Rinnegan.

Thus, Black and White Zetsu could only use the Rinnegan as leverage. If even that didn't concern him, it would truly be a one-way trip, with no return.

Casting a glance at Hozuki Gengetsu, who was "coldly" observing them, Black and White Zetsu didn't linger, sinking into the ground and heading toward the Land of Rain.

Hozuki Gengetsu watched Obito leave abruptly and shifted his gaze to the slowly sinking heads of Black and White Zetsu, shaking his head in resignation.

'They're underestimating me.'

Although he was quite thankful for Black and White Zetsu's help, their intervention without him showing signs of losing did feel somewhat disrespectful.

However, Hozuki Gengetsu didn't care about such minor issues and quickly brushed it aside.

Now that the nuisances had mostly left, even Kakashi had sensed the danger and fled, it was time to head to the daimyo's palace.

Turning to the trembling Suna ninjas who had witnessed the battle, Hozuki Gengetsu smiled lightly and commanded Rin, who was walking toward him, "Give the order: rest tonight, and tomorrow we'll take the Wind Country's daimyo's palace."

"Understood." Rin put aside her thoughts and softly acknowledged.

...

At the daimyo's palace, the reporting ninja's face was pale. "Your Excellency, as you expected, the two sides fought. But…"

"Excellent."

The daimyo interrupted the ninja's words with a jubilant expression, smiling at the gathered nobles. "What do you think of my strategy?"

"Brilliant, daimyo…"

Sparse and scattered responses echoed.

Compared to last time, half of the people who had come to the castle today were gone.

Whether they had died or fled to other countries early on, everyone knew in their hearts.

Similarly, everyone could guess what the unfinished words of the ninja meant.

After all, the daimyo wouldn't live long. Letting him enjoy himself in his final moments wasn't a big deal.

It was just some flattery, nothing more.

Noticing some people's perfunctory expressions, the daimyo's smile grew even brighter. "Since the enemy has retreated today, let's prepare a feast!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the servants at the door began to enter and set up the venue.

The nobles exchanged glances, secretly observing Uchiya Shinji. Seeing no objection from him, they went along with the daimyo's suggestion.

Given the animosity between Uchiya Shinji and the daimyo, if the former didn't think there was an issue, then there likely wasn't one.

Even if the feast wasn't good, what poison could escape the notice of Suna's elder, Uchiya Shinji?

Noticing some people stealing glances at Uchiya Shinji's expression, the daimyo's lips curled into an almost imperceptible sneer.

To outsiders, he had been at odds with Uchiya Shinji recently, but in reality, they were quite close in private.

After all, they were in the same boat!

(End of this chapter)