Iwagakure and Kumogakure Suddenly Clash!
Upon learning about this news, Shinji was utterly confused. How did Obito's trip to Iwagakure result in a conflict between Iwagakure and Kumogakure? From what the White Zetsus reported, Obito's intention was to frame Konoha!
According to Nigou (Little White), Obito had controlled the Five-Tails Jinchuriki Han, releasing the Five-Tails, and deliberately left evidence pointing to Konoha, such as a forehead protector and kunai.
All the evidence of this disaster pointed towards Konoha!
However, despite this, Iwagakure didn't trouble Konoha but instead directed their aggression towards Kumogakure.
After thinking it over, Shinji realized that not long after the Third Great Ninja War, Iwagakure, as one of the Five Great Nations, undoubtedly had spies in Kumogakure.
Therefore, they were certainly aware that after the Two-Tails was released, the culprit deliberately left a Konoha forehead protector and kunai. Analyzing this, they concluded that the culprit intended to incite a dispute between the two hidden villages.
Connecting the dots, Raikage recently sent a letter to Iwagakure suggesting they bully Konoha together. After expressing their stance as "neutral," Iwagakure believed Raikage wanted to stir up trouble between Iwagakure and Konoha and join the battlefield opportunistically.
After all, the Fourth Raikage not only disliked Konoha but hated Iwagakure even more because of the grudge from his father's death. Putting himself in the Raikage's shoes, Shinji could understand the frustration.
Damn that Raikage! Such a schemer!
Onoki cursed inwardly, having no suspicion towards Konoha. In his view, Konoha, having just experienced the Nine-Tails incident, wouldn't dare act recklessly.
They wouldn't be stupid enough to leave such obvious evidence behind after committing a crime!
Thus, despite spending heavily on the Ultra-Ancient Light Giant project, Onoki managed to scrape together enough funds to organize a squad from Iwagakure to hunt down Kumogakure ninja worldwide.
No talk, just action upon meeting!
Raikage quickly noticed the abnormality as his ninja teams were failing missions at an unusually high rate. Half the teams barely returned, prompting Raikage to investigate.
Guess what he found?
Onoki, that old geezer, was behind it! Known worldwide for his explosive temper, Raikage didn't hesitate to form his own special squad.
This elite team had one mission: hunt down Iwagakure ninja on missions and attack on sight, no questions asked!
So far, the losses on both sides were about equal, with each losing around ten ordinary teams and several elite Jonin.
As the conflict intensified, both sides prudently recalled their elite Jonin, fearing they might be ambushed. Elite Jonin were precious assets, and losing even a few was a heavy blow.
Thus began an unwritten rule between Kumogakure and Iwagakure ninja: attack each other on sight while hiding their identities, preferably using Konoha headbands.
Recently, Konoha headbands have soared in price and demand on the underground black market, with both Iwagakure and Kumogakure ninja ensuring they each carried one.
…
"Is there something wrong with Obito's brain?"
After a long silence, Shinji finally asked this question.
To Shinji, if Obito intended to frame Konoha, he should've been smarter. Leaving a headband and kunai was too obvious a setup!
"Um... Obito said that if he used the Uchiha identity and Konoha found out, they might realize Uchiha Madara was still alive, risking exposure."
Hearing Nigou's explanation, Shinji nodded, "No wonder he was always the last in class. No wonder he never doubted anything after being manipulated. It's because his brain doesn't work well."
Shinji stopped and looked out at the vast sea. His world travel plan was nearing its end.
He would pass through Amegakure and Takigakure, then cross the ocean to the Land of Tea, pass through the Land of Fire and Uzushiogakure, cross the sea again to reach the final stops: the Land of Water and the Land of Eddies.
Ancient secrets buried across the ninja world would soon surface and ferment...
…
In Kumogakure, Raikage trembled with anger as he read a mission report: a team claimed they were attacked by Konoha ninja on their way back to the village...
Are they idiots?!
Konoha ninja, all masters of Earth Release?
If they mastered Earth Release, would they still be from Konoha?
While Raikage cursed Iwagakure for dishonorably wearing Konoha headbands to attack his ninja, Onoki was equally furious, glaring at a report of an Iwagakure team attacked by "Konoha ninja" proficient in Lightning Release, kenjutsu, and taijutsu.
"Those damn Kumogakure bastards!"
"Konoha has gone too far!"
"We can't let this continue!"
"Lord Tsuchikage!"
Facing the injured and outraged Iwagakure ninja, Onoki exploded.
"Are you all idiots?! Have you ever seen so many dark-skinned Konoha ninja proficient in Lightning Release, kenjutsu, and taijutsu?! No brains, any of you?!"
"But the headbands…"
"Get out, you morons!"
While Onoki fumed in his office, Obito, busy implementing his population control policy in Kirigakure, was puzzled.
Why wasn't his plan working?
According to his original idea, Iwagakure should've clashed with Konoha by now. Why was there no news?
After pondering, Obito decided to intervene personally, determined to ease Konoha's population problem!
Family planning starts with the children!
…
So, during their first escort mission, Chloe, Itachi, and Kabuto's team encountered a man obsessed with Konoha's population problem, Obito.
Their Jonin leader was the first to fall, followed by the VIP and their ordinary guards.
Seeing the masked Obito, Chloe cursed internally. Why now, you idiot?
Is this a whim?
"I hate Konoha ninja. Even if it's by chance, you can only blame your bad luck…"
Hearing Obito mimic Madara's voice, Chloe wanted to scream. This guy was definitely a psychopath!
"Do you accept the mission to stay behind and hold off Uchiha Obito to buy time for your teammates to escape?"
"Mission reward: Beginner-level Flying Thunder God, prestige points."
"Yes/No"
Do I have a choice?!
Chloe mentally screamed. Whether he accepted or not, with his current strength along with Itachi and Kabuto, none could escape Obito's grasp!
Unless... he revealed his identity!
But revealing his identity might raise other issues, potentially arousing Obito's suspicion!
"Itachi! Kabuto! Run!"
After saying this, Chloe charged at Obito with kunai in hand!
No choice but to reveal his identity once Itachi and Kabuto were safe. This way, his future subordinates wouldn't die, and he'd survive!
"Blackie…"
Itachi stood frozen, watching Chloe bravely charge an overwhelmingly powerful enemy. His body wouldn't move.
"Hurry! Run!!"
"Ahhh!!"
Kabuto screamed, trying to snap out of his daze, then pulled out two long needles, yelling as he rushed to help Chloe.
Fighting Obito with taijutsu, Chloe's kicks and punches kept passing through Obito's body. He shouted again.
"Get Kabuto out! Itachi!!"
This time, Itachi finally bit his tongue to jolt himself awake.
"Sorry, Kabuto…"
With a swift chop, Itachi knocked Kabuto out, then hoisted him over his shoulder and sped away, mentally berating himself for lacking Chloe's courage.
…
'System, is there any chance I can survive without revealing my identity?'
"System analysis in progress…"
"Analysis complete."
"Fight with all your might, until you're utterly exhausted."
"This may earn you a slim chance of survival."
With no time to think, Chloe decided to go all out, using every move he knew, hoping for a miracle!
Watching this brave little kid fighting desperately to let his comrades escape, Obito's attacks gradually slowed.
Unknowingly, a shadow from his memories overlapped with this child.
That shadow was—
His former self!
The self he most wanted to deny!
"Kid, if you say you regret staying behind to let your comrades escape, I'll let you go."
'System, is this my chance?'
Chloe stopped, quickly distancing himself from Obito and asked in his mind.
"It is not. Based on Uchiha Obito's personality, if you say you regret it, he will kill you immediately."
'Is he a psychopath?! No, he is! Then what should I say?'
Following the system's advice, Chloe frowned, his face serious as he looked at Obito.
"Sorry, the word regret isn't in my dictionary!"
Hearing this, a nameless rage surged within Obito. This kid deserved to die!