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...
"He's someone I don't recognize..."
Minato Namikaze let out a long sigh, tossing the broken mask in his hand aside.
As the dust settled, a large pool of white blood became visible on the ground.
Huge craters appeared on the ground and tree trunk, silently attesting to the immense power of Minato's full-strength Rasengan just moments before.
He had essentially blasted Obito to death.
Looking at the pale face full of hatred and unwillingness lying in a pool of blood, Minato shook his head helplessly.
Although there was an indescribable sense of familiarity, he indeed did not recognize this person.
Minato seemed to think of something and lifted the eyelids of the masked man. One eye had lost its light, and the other was a deep, dark void.
There was no expected Sharingan tomoe.
Why impersonate Uchiha Madara? Why launch an attack on Kaigetsu-kun? All these questions remained unanswered due to the masked man's death.
"Although you were the enemy, you weren't bad."
"Strange vitality, space-time ninjutsu comparable to the Flying Thunder God, the ability to make your body intangible..."
Minato had to admit, this was the most formidable enemy he had encountered besides the "A-B Combo" of the Kumogakure. In some ways, this guy was even more troublesome than the "A-B Combo."
If such a powerful enemy harboring hostility toward Konoha were allowed to roam free, Minato Namikaze would feel uneasy.
People live for peace of mind.
This time, the masked man had attempted to assassinate Kaigetsu-kun, who bore the Flying Thunder God mark and had mastered fixed-point communication ninjutsu. What about next time? If the masked man targeted other elders of the village, could they defend against it?
But Minato wasn't worried about the other Konoha elders besides Kaigetsu-kun...
To say something irreverent, even if the other elders besides the Third Hokage were assassinated, it would only slightly affect Konoha's prestige in the ninja world-not a significant concern.
But what if... the masked man targeted Kushina?
He was the Hokage; it was impossible for him to be by Kushina's side 24/7. Moreover, the day of Kushina's childbirth was approaching...
He had just tested the depths of the masked man's abilities. Ignoring the assassination ability to escape thousands of miles away after a failed strike and the ability to make his body intangible to avoid attacks, his own ninjutsu skills weren't exceptionally high.
Probably... at the level of an elite Jonin?
But facts are facts, and facts speak louder than words. These two strange abilities of the enemy couldn't be ignored.
The activation speed of the masked man's abilities was so fast that only someone like him, the Yellow Flash, could barely dodge. Moreover, Kushina wasn't like Killer Bee of the Kumogakure-a perfect Jinchuriki who could freely utilize the Nine-Tails' power.
If the masked man attempted to assassinate Kushina, especially on the day of her childbirth...
Minato couldn't help but shudder. The consequences would be unimaginable.
Fortunately, the unknown masked ninja died here, personally ended by him in Konoha's forest.
The huge commotion caused by the Rasengan spread far.
Before long, Anbu members and Police Force ninjas quickly gathered around Minato.
Seeing the Hokage cloak swaying gently in the breeze, Uchiha Fugaku stepped forward proactively: "Fourth Hokage, what's the situation?"
"Phew..." Minato nodded. "The intruder has been killed."
"Arrange for the sealing team to come and collect the body."
"Fugaku, please personally lead a team tonight to strengthen the village's defenses. Also, Anbu, do not lower your guard. Ensure that patrols within the village leave no blind spots."
Uchiha Fugaku looked at the corpse lying in front of the tree, his eyes flickering. "You mean, the impostor claiming to be Uchiha Madara might have accomplices?"
"We can't rule out that possibility. After all, this attack on Konoha was without any warning."
"In any case, it's better to be cautious."
"Tomorrow morning, Fugaku, please attend an emergency meeting at the Hokage building."
After giving instructions.
Minato clapped his hands, and the surrounding scenery changed. In the next second, he appeared at the location where Gojo Kaigetsu held the Flying Thunder God kunai.
He looked around. "This is... the Memorial Monument? Kaigetsu-kun, why are you here?"
Minato followed Gojo Kaigetsu's gaze and immediately saw the traces of battle on the ancient tree. The trunk had a small, smooth, and neat hole, as if it had been swept by Onoki's Dust Release.
Minato approached.
"It's nothing. I felt that the mysterious masked man might appear here, so I came by myself."
"As a result, he ran away as soon as he saw me, probably worried that I would summon you again."
Gojo Kaigetsu said casually, wiping away the dust that had settled on the portraits of Rin Nohara and Obito due to the recent battle.
"So, he later went to a stronghold in Konoha's forest?"
"Yes." Minato nodded. "I hit him with another Rasengan; he's dead now. I don't know if it's my illusion, but when he reappeared, he seemed to be in worse condition than when he was first injured."
"Eh? You killed him?"
This was really... an unexpected surprise.
But that guy Obito-was he so easy to kill? And Minato's reaction-did he not recognize that it was Obito?
Gojo Kaigetsu felt a bit uneasy and asked, "Did you check the enemy's body?"
"Checked. He only had a right eye, and the eye was blind. His heart was completely pierced, showing no signs of life."
"His eye was blind?"
Gojo Kaigetsu squinted.
He immediately realized that Obito had used Izanagi. However, Obito in a one-eyed state-using Izanagi was no different from being dead.
Regarding Izanagi, Gojo Kaigetsu didn't have a deep understanding of this forbidden technique, or perhaps only a superficial one. Danzo used it to reset his state in place, and Uchiha Madara used it to fake his death and escape from Tobirama's lab after a long period.
What is the limit of resurrection?
Gojo Kaigetsu couldn't figure it out, so he decided not to think about it and planned to ask an expert in this area.
Moreover... this might even be made into a trap targeting Black Zetsu~
That guy Black Zetsu might be watching from some corner.
"Have you arranged personnel?"
"I've already arranged for the sealing team to handle the body. Fugaku is maintaining order at the scene; there won't be any problems."
Gojo Kaigetsu nodded.
Although it was a pity not to have taken Obito's right eye and obtained the bug-like ocular technique Kamui.
But it wasn't without gains.
Seeds of doubt had already been planted in Uchiha Obito's heart. If he really died, that would be good. If later he was revived by things like Rinne Rebirth, Impure World Reincarnation, or Izanagi...
No matter how unwilling he was to believe, once he calmed down, he would start pondering what had been said.
Would he confront Black Zetsu directly, or confess everything to Nagato, or perhaps, disheartened, confess everything to Konoha... Surely he wouldn't stubbornly persist down the wrong path, refusing to face reality.
As long as it's not the last possibility, it would be enough to disgust Black Zetsu.
Maybe he could even avenge Madara by turning the tables.
Gojo Kaigetsu praised, "Well done, Minato. You can add 'slaying a Mangekyō Sharingan user' to your personal record."
"Uh... wait, Mangekyō Sharingan? Kaigetsu-kun, what do you know?"
"I saw it," Gojo Kaigetsu said softly. "Just now, when he was about to escape at the Memorial Monument, I saw through his mask-a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan."
"He really was Uchiha Madara?" Minato subconsciously asked. "But when I took off the mask... that face wasn't his."
No wonder Minato had thoughts of overturning his previous conclusion.
After all, the Mangekyō Sharingan was extremely rare.
Even according to Konoha's historical records and secret knowledge passed down by the Hokage, the number of Uchiha clan members who awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan in the history of the ninja world was very few.
"What are you thinking? Uchiha Madara was from the same era as the First Hokage; how could he still be alive?" Gojo Kaigetsu flatly denied. "It's just a lunatic trying to use Madara's name to intimidate the ninja world."
"Then who is he?"
"Who knows?"
Gojo Kaigetsu shrugged, temporarily not intending to reveal the truth to Minato to avoid affecting his ninja way.
His own disciple, who died in the war, resurrected to attack the village, and he personally killed his disciple.
Knowing such a thing would be a heavy blow. After all, Kushina had even cooked meals for Obito before; Naruto never had that treatment.
"In any case, the first phase of this assassination incident is over." Gojo Kaigetsu stretched lazily and instructed, "By the way, Minato, during tomorrow's meeting, remember to act devastated and reveal the news that I'm about to die."
"We're about to start the second phase of the plan."
"Eh? But aren't you fine, Kaigetsu-kun?"
"And what's the second phase?"
Even though he hung out with Gojo Kaigetsu all day, Minato still maintained the simplicity and sincerity of a ninja. His mind wasn't filled with as many schemes as Gojo Kaigetsu's.
Gojo Kaigetsu exaggeratedly explained:
"A smokescreen, it's a smokescreen!"
"Because I want to enjoy it!"
"Minato, don't you think this approach is exciting? The esteemed Gojo Kaigetsu, with countless beauties, is about to die. Those female ninjas who had conflicts with him and couldn't understand their true feelings would set aside past prejudices and come to his side regardless of everything!"
"Those ninjas who wavered in their stance and had received his kindness would unite against a common enemy upon hearing this news! Unify the ideological front!"
"Those enemies lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity, would jump out one after another. These are impurities that we couldn't detect or find suitable reasons to eliminate under normal circumstances!"
"It's like becoming the protagonist of the ninja world; everything revolves around me."
Gojo Kaigetsu spread his arms:
"Most importantly, this is a knife. No one outside knows who that mysterious masked man is, but whoever we say he is, that's who he is! As the victim, I have the final say."
"..."
Minato looked at him with a deep gaze, that familiar feeling. "So, who do you plan to cut with this knife, Kaigetsu-kun?"
"I'm rather greedy. Since the enemy handed us a knife, we naturally have to maximize its use." Gojo Kaigetsu licked his lips greedily. "The Land of Grass, the Land of Rivers."
"???"
"Why these two countries... And the Land of Grass is currently our ally, right? As for the Land of Rivers, we're about to sign a transit agreement with them."
"The situation with the Land of Grass is that while they're our allies, they've also joined the Kumogakure's mutual prosperity circle." Gojo Kaigetsu spread his hands. "Plus, there's a 'ninja' in their village I'm very interested in."
"The Land of Rivers also has a ninja I'm interested in. Moreover, they're charging us passage fees. Just because they have some geographical advantage, they think they can lie down and make money off Konoha?"
"These small ninja villages are causing too much trouble; they have a death wish."
Bandits, real bandits!
Minato wanted to say more but felt that what Gojo Kaigetsu proposed completely went against the decisions of our ancestors.
The 'Will of Fire' mentions that Konoha's founding vision was peace in the ninja world... He wondered what the First Hokage's reaction would be if he knew Konoha was initiating invasions.
But after spending so much time with Gojo Kaigetsu, Minato also understood what false peace was and what true peace was.
Now, he had to imbue the 'Will of Fire' with new missions and vitality for the new era.
Minato sighed, chose to comply, and expressed his concern: "If we take action against these two countries, won't the Kumogakure intervene?"
"Ahem! What are you saying? We're launching a special military operation as a ninja village-a decapitation operation to defend the village's dignity. We'll only punish the evil leaders and won't touch a single needle or thread of the common people in the Land of Grass and the Land of Rivers!"
"If the Kumogakure steps in to obstruct, then the special military operation escalates into a ninja war!"
"After all, I'm not asking for much. I just want two ninjas and to kill some people who oppose Konoha. The old guys in the Kumogakure will debate with me."
"Well... I hope so." Minato thought for a moment and realized that seemed to make sense.
If he put himself in the shoes of his 'teacher,' the Third Hokage, if the Kumogakure launched a special military operation with the same excuse-just wanting two insignificant ninjas and to kill some people from other villages-they might just compromise.
"Then, why not include the Land of Rain?" Minato drew inferences and suggested, "We can conclude that the three countries jointly planned a terrorist attack against Konoha."
"Ahem... Konoha is benevolent."
Gojo Kaigetsu coughed lightly, rejecting Minato's suggestion as a bad student.
Some villages don't weigh much; they might be just a few pounds. But if you put them on the scale... compared to the current Konoha, it's hard to say which is heavier.
Even if Konoha won in the end, it would probably be an extremely tragic victory.
Before gathering several elements like the 'Evening Elephant' Guy, a healthy Itachi, and bringing back intelligence from Jiraiya, Gojo Kaigetsu didn't plan to take action against the Land of Rain.
"Is that so? What a pity."
Minato felt a bit regretful and scratched his head embarrassedly. "Um... Kaigetsu-kun, there's something I'd like to ask you."
"Oh? Go ahead."
"Can you ask Tsunade to return to the village?"
...
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