"So, where are you from?" Terumi Mei asked me.
At that moment, we were lying in ambush for Obito. The plan was incredibly simple—one might even say primitive—but that didn't make it any less effective.
"From the Land of Iron."
To avoid unnecessary questions, I could use this story. I had no doubt that the truth—that I'm not from the Land of Iron—would eventually come out, but I needed to keep up this game as long as possible.
"Quite a distance you've come," Ao remarked.
"That's life. You never really know what will happen tomorrow."
Terumi Mei glanced at me and, after a few seconds, said:
"What surprises me more is that such a strong shinobi appeared in the Land of Iron. If I'm not mistaken, samurai aren't particularly known for producing individually powerful shinobi. Who trained you?"
"Self-taught," I replied with a shrug.
My answer somewhat satisfied their curiosity, as there were precedents in this world of geniuses who were anomalies compared to the vast majority.
However, my response didn't fully put them at ease.
"I like mysterious men," Mei said. "Unveiling their secrets is a pleasure."
"I'll be happy to help with that," I said calmly. "But only after the mission."
Mei merely smirked at this statement. Light flirting served both as a way to gather information and as entertainment before the undoubtedly important task.
At that moment, I felt the fabric of space-time deforming. Space distorted, forming a vortex emitting a faint glow. Seconds later, a silhouette began to emerge at the center of the vortex, gradually taking on clear contours.
The shadow transformed into the figure of a masked man. Uchiha Obito materialized as if he had stepped out of another dimension. His appearance was like a ghost arising from nowhere—first an indistinct shadow, then an increasingly defined image until he fully took shape.
Obito stood leaning against a solitary stone, his red Sharingan glimmering in the twilight like an all-consuming eye. The mask concealing his face added mystery, and his black attire with red clouds hinted at his affiliation with the Akatsuki.
"I sense strong chakra 500 meters from Yagura," Ao said.
Ao's words prompted everyone present to ready themselves for battle.
"We proceed according to plan."
The shinobi nodded. At that moment, I began my work. Having observed Obito's arrival using telekinesis and control over electromagnetic fields, I quickly figured out how his Kamui worked.
My knowledge of the fabric of space-time, combined with Orochimaru's expertise in ninjutsu and my own knowledge of fūinjutsu, allowed me to create a countermeasure swiftly.
Activating the Rinnegan, I rapidly began forming hand seals. In five seconds, I had completed more than ten seals, ending with the Tiger seal.
The technique I created was essentially something at the intersection of ninjutsu and fūinjutsu. The main source of inspiration was the Hiraishin.
From beneath the ground within a kilometer radius, trees emerged, fully covered with intricate hieroglyphs. These trees served as some of the best conduits for my chakra when performing fūinjutsu.
The Mist shinobi were shocked by the manifestation of the First Hokage's kekkei genkai, but I had no time to enjoy the attention.
"Let's move."
A dark purple barrier formed around the area.
"I don't think you have time to be surprised."
—= Uchiha Obito =—
The meeting with the Mizukage was supposed to go without any problems. Obito was confident that there were no shinobi in Kirigakure who could threaten him.
"Interesting," Obito said, watching Water Release techniques approaching him. "You managed to break free from my genjutsu?"
The Fourth Mizukage, who had played the puppet in Obito's hands all this time, merely intensified his onslaught in response.
Obito smirked. He understood perfectly well that such an attack wouldn't harm him. The Uchiha prepared to shift part of his body into Kamui to avoid the attack, but the impossible happened.
"Argh!"
As Obito attempted to use his Mangekyō, his eye throbbed with excruciating pain.
The water projectile, now dangerously close to his torso, posed a significant threat to Obito. Overcoming the pain and using his reflexes, he dodged the attack.
"Not so fast!" Obito heard a shout from behind.
Despite the pain, the Sharingan granted him enhanced reflexes. Obito saw Water Release techniques and projectiles like shuriken and senbon flying at him. He leaped to the side, somersaulting and barely avoiding the water stream and sharp projectiles that sliced through the air where he'd stood a second earlier.
Obito's mind, aided by the Sharingan, had already constructed a three-dimensional model of his surroundings and began searching for a way out.
"Damn you all!"
With no alternatives, Obito had to act decisively. He activated Mokuton, and wooden spears burst from his hand, deflecting the attacks of the Kirigakure shinobi. Wooden stalks grew, forming a barrier that shielded him from enemy assaults.
"If I were you, I wouldn't struggle so much," a male voice sounded behind Obito.
Obito, wasting no time, raised his fist to strike. The blow was caught in a palm. He felt an incredible physical strength squeezing his fist like a vise.
"You..." Obito uttered, his voice trembling with anger and pain.
Reed effortlessly held Obito, preventing him from breaking free.
Squeezing his hand even tighter, Reed threw Obito aside like a rag doll. Obito crashed to the ground. He got to his feet, his eyes burning with hatred.
"I won't let you interfere with my plans!" he shouted, activating another Mokuton technique.
But before Obito could complete his technique, Reed was beside him again, this time striking him in the solar plexus. Obito doubled over in pain; before he could recover, he received a punch to the jaw that sent him flying backward.
"Time for you to enter the realm of Morpheus," Obito heard before losing consciousness.
—= Reed Richards =—
Obito without his Kamui was quite a straightforward opponent. The Uchiha's entire fighting style was built around the special abilities of his Sharingan. By disabling access to Kamui, I had cut off Obito's main trump card.
Mokuton might pose a threat to ordinary shinobi, but I was no ordinary shinobi. For that reason, I could handle him with ease.
"Now that we're done with him," I said, ensuring Obito was truly unconscious, "we can proceed to the next stage, can't we?"
Terumi's people acted like true professionals. Obito's body was stripped of all weapons, and his access to chakra was hindered by rods inserted into his chakra pathways.
Now all that remained was to await the end of the interrogation. After that, I could proceed to the next phase of my plan.
While the Kirigakure shinobi were attempting to extract information from Uchiha Obito, I was actively studying his unique ability.
My Mangekyō Sharingan possessed a special ability identical to Itachi's, since my eyes were based on his. However, I didn't need Tsukuyomi, as telepathy offered a broader range of possibilities.
But Kamui could be useful to me. For this reason, I began studying Obito's eye, which I had managed to acquire during the transfer.
"Hmm..."
Using telekinesis and electromagnetic control, I started dissecting Obito's DNA structure. I already had the basic DNA patterns of the Uchiha, so the work wasn't overly complicated. The gene structure accounted for many aspects of the Sharingan's abilities, but I needed a specific segment responsible for Kamui.
Employing high-precision scanning, I analyzed nucleotide sequences to identify key changes in Obito's DNA. I stimulated my consciousness with chakra, redirecting my body's resources to accomplish this task.
The genetic makeup of the Sharingan was complex and multilayered; each variation in the code could have significant consequences for the bearer's abilities. I searched for unique mutations that could explain the Kamui ability. Simultaneously, I used data previously gathered from analyzing Itachi's and Sasuke's eyes to create hypothetical models and test their compatibility.
"There it is," I whispered upon finding the necessary DNA sequence.
This sequence contained unique mutations that apparently were responsible for Kamui. Like other Mangekyō Sharingan abilities, it was embedded in a specific region of the genome, different from the ordinary Sharingan.
In an instant, my eyes began to change, adopting the DNA sequence I needed. As soon as I felt the knowledge of how to use Kamui, I realized the deed was done.
"Now this is truly interesting..." I whispered, testing my new power.
The Kamui dimension I accessed was unlike Obito's. While the Uchiha had rectangular boxes of incredible size, mine featured columns that also descended into an abyss and were equally immense.
At that moment, I decided to test a certain magical theory. Forming the necessary seals with my hands, magical energy emanated from my body.
"Ha!" escaped me as the energy returned.
I was able to confirm my theory...
—= Some Time Later =—
"You still couldn't extract any important information from him?"
Terumi Mei, who approached me from behind, smirked and said:
"You expected that, didn't you?"
I was well aware that Uchiha Obito was an unhinged psychopath, and that he possessed incredible willpower.
"Of course I expected it. The guy's crazy—do you think there's any point in trying to fit such people into normal standards?"
The future Mizukage could only agree with me, as her people hadn't managed to break him. To give the psycho his due, he had an extraordinarily strong will. Kirigakure's torture methods, like those of all shinobi, were as far from the word 'humane' as torture could be.
"You want to recruit me, don't you?"
Predicting Terumi's next move was just as easy, as such a step could eliminate several problems awaiting the village.
"You're quite perceptive," Mei said, leaning against the railing beside me, a promising smirk on her lips. "Does that idea bother you so much?"
I turned to face her, looking directly into her eyes.
"You're beautiful, no doubt, but right now I have other tasks before me, and besides, my girlfriend is waiting for me."
Terumi's smirk only widened at my words. Placing a finger on my chest, she said:
"And who said that would stop me?"
That question made my eyebrows rise a couple of centimeters. Terumi closed the distance between us and kissed me on the lips. Satisfied with the effect she achieved, she headed to her quarters.
—= Some Time Later =—
"How does the hat look on me?" Terumi Mei asked.
She spun around to showcase all her assets. I had to admit, Mei looked incredibly attractive.
"Magnificent."
Yagura and Mei concluded that Karatachi would step down from his position but retain the role of ANBU leader. This way, they managed to please both sides.
"And you said you didn't know how to please a girl," Mei said with a twinkle in her eyes.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy Terumi Mei's attention, but I didn't want to harm my relationship with Susan in any way. In my value system, my relationship with Susan was more important than anything I could have with Terumi.
"Mei, I told you I have a girlfriend."
Mei just smirked at that and said:
"You said you have a girlfriend, but you didn't say you're not ready to start a relationship with me, which only means I'll have to convince your girlfriend."
I had nothing to say to that...
"When will your inauguration take place?"
"Next week. Your actions forced us to postpone the process by a couple of days."
I decided not to allow Kirigakure to create a local branch of the Uchiha clan. Such a move would spoil any relatively normal relations with Konoha. Besides, Obito's descendants could become a problem for the world order Naruto was striving to build.
Obito was too powerful and dangerous a ninja, and his descendants could inherit his abilities, becoming a new threat to the world. I couldn't allow that to happen. Therefore, having collected all the necessary data and extracted genes, I took measures to eliminate any traces that could lead to the creation of a new Uchiha clan.
—= Some Time Later =—
The day of Terumi Mei's inauguration as Mizukage was momentous for Kirigakure. This event marked the end of Yagura's tyranny and his bloody regime. The villagers gathered in the main square, awaiting the appearance of their new leader with hope and excitement.
"Please welcome the Fifth Mizukage, Terumi Mei!" the herald's voice rang out, overriding the crowd's noise.
Mei ascended the stage with the grace and confidence reminiscent of a panther. Her gaze swept over the faces of the villagers, in whose eyes burned the fire of hope. Pride and joy for her country shone on her face.
She felt that an important mission lay before her—to bring peace and order to these lands, ravaged by cruelty and fear. Mei understood that her new position was not only an honor but also a tremendous responsibility.
"Dear citizens of Kirigakure," she began, her voice firm and confident. "Today we stand on the threshold of a new era—an era of peace and prosperity. I promise to serve you honestly and justly. Together, we will restore our village and make it stronger than ever before."
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