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...
In Konohagakure, on a moonless and windy night.
Having offended Gojo Kaigetsu and been demoted from the First Patrol Unit to guard the village gate, Hyuga Kō suddenly halted his steps.
A fellow guard ninja asked curiously, "Kō-kun, what's wrong?"
"…Nothing, perhaps my perception was off."
"I just felt like someone crossed the barrier into the village."
"Haha, maybe you're under too much stress, Kō-kun."
"I was watching just now; no one passed through the gate."
"So, I must have sensed incorrectly."
Hyuga Kō withdrew his gaze.
Being reassigned from the First Patrol Unit to the village gate was a cushy job for most ninjas, but for someone like him who craved growth... there weren't many opportunities to gain experience.
Because of this, he'd been under a lot of mental stress lately.
He couldn't shake the feeling that there had been a spatial disturbance at the village gate just now.
But...
There shouldn't be an enemy in the ninja world who could bypass the Byakugan's detection. If there were, that would be scary.
Shaking his head, Hyuga Kō continued to follow the patrol team, completing his night watch duties.
His companion teased, "Kō-kun, what if someone really did slip past the Byakugan's defense into the village? What would happen to us?"
"What else? We'd be dismissed. As for me, I'd probably have to return to the Hyuga clan as a guard."
...
...
"Konoha... I'm back again."
Uchiha Obito's expression was complex as he looked at the newly transformed Konoha through his orange mask, his single eye revealing mixed emotions.
It had only been about two years, yet Konoha had changed so much that he could barely recognize it.
The street where he used to help old ladies cross had now been transformed into a bustling super commercial district filled with the liveliness of the ninja world.
Brightly lit, travelers from various countries continued to spend even at nine o'clock at night, contributing their part to Konoha's development.
Obito took all this in, his fists clenching tightly.
The more prosperous Konoha became, the deeper the darkness grew in Obito's heart.
The tears he couldn't shed even with Kamui; everywhere he looked, he saw Rin.
Ever since witnessing Kakashi kill Rin with his own eyes, Obito's heart had plunged into hell. This Konoha was supposed to be the place where Rin lived.
Since she couldn't enjoy it, he would destroy it all...
"The time is almost up."
"In the next half-year, I will personally destroy everything in Konoha."
After entering Konoha, Obito didn't head straight to Gojo Kaigetsu's residence to kill him. Instead, he strolled leisurely down the streets, as if taking one last look at his hometown for the sake of his lost love.
He walked up to a small stall selling dango and spoke in a hoarse voice through his mask:
"Give me... two sticks."
Ninja attire varied greatly. Therefore, someone like Obito, wearing a mask and cloak, didn't draw any strange looks from the vendor on the commercial street.
The transaction was completed naturally.
Obito handed over a large-denomination bill-ten thousand ryō.
The vendor accepted the bill and, with sharp eyes, immediately noticed the "Land of Rain" mark on it.
While currency from any country was generally accepted, cash from the Land of Rain was quite rare. At least... he hadn't seen any in almost ten years.
The vendor looked down and rummaged through his change box. Finally gathering the correct change, he looked up: "Sir, here's your-"
"Eh? Where did he go?"
The vendor stuck his head out from the stall, scanning left and right, but the customer who had just bought the dango was nowhere to be seen.
"Really... Are all ninjas this wealthy? And they sure run fast."
Obito placed his hand on his mask, revealing a small gap just enough to eat through, and brought the dango to his mouth.
It wasn't that he wanted to eat; he mainly wanted to reminisce about the days when he and Rin ate together.
Walking and eating.
Obito recalled past memories, following the routes in his mind until he arrived in front of a standalone villa bearing the nameplate "Gojo."
This place hadn't changed at all.
Gojo Kaigetsu...
Underneath Obito's mask, his right eye revealed a hint of recollection. His impression of Gojo Kaigetsu remained fresh even after two years.
Minato Namikaze had been his teacher, so Gojo Kaigetsu was his senior...
But this senior had always treated him somewhat strangely.
It seemed he never really liked Obito but secretly helped him in many ways.
He remembered when he had just graduated from the ninja academy; Gojo Kaigetsu wanted to become the instructor for him, Rin, and Kakashi. However, because he was only a Chūnin, the then-Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi had vetoed it.
During the mission at Kannabi Bridge, Gojo Kaigetsu had strongly advised Minato against leading the team into battle.
It was as if... he really knew something.
In any case, he was a very mysterious figure.
If possible, Obito didn't want to kill Gojo Kaigetsu at this time. After all, when he began executing his plan to destroy Konoha, a mere Chūnin would die without any intervention.
But Gojo Kaigetsu should never have filmed that movie and attempted to distribute it throughout the entire ninja world.
Anyone who glorified Kakashi or the people of the Land of Water... deserved to die!
Paranoid hatred stimulated Obito's brain.
Swallowing the last piece of dango, the tomoe in his right eye began to spin rapidly-
"Activate Mangekyō!"
A surge of immense ocular power burst forth instantly, and a slight smirk appeared at the corner of Obito's mouth. An inexplicable arrogance welled up within him.
This was the power he had once longed to surpass Kakashi. Now, with this eye, he had far exceeded Kakashi.
No... Continuing to compare himself to Kakashi was demeaning.
Now, even among living ninjas, he was confident he could kill anyone-even the Hokage!
This was the confidence Kamui gave him!
The Sharingan allowed Uchiha clan members to be nearly invincible in one-on-one duels against ninjas of the same level.
And after the Sharingan evolved into the Mangekyō Sharingan, one's strength would leap scaryly.
With dual Mangekyō abilities plus Susanoo, they could basically treat anyone below Kage level the same, killing them as easily as slaying Genin.
Even Kage-level ninjas-if they were on the weaker side-wouldn't be a match for the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Obito's right eye could absorb enemies into the Kamui dimension upon touching or approaching them. Unless the opponent also possessed space-time ninjutsu, they could be trapped there and starve to death.
He could also transfer parts of his body into the Kamui dimension to achieve intangibility, avoiding enemy attacks.
In the Kamui dimension, he could prepare kunai, shuriken, explosive tags... killing opponents in an instant before they could react.
Perhaps in terms of frontal battlefield impact, Nagato's Rinnegan had more destructive power than his. But when it came to one-on-one battles or assassination missions, there was no ninja stronger than him.
The most disgusting part was that even if he couldn't beat his opponent, he could escape by transferring himself into the Kamui dimension.
He could fight and flee... Obito considered his ability the strongest!
With such power, he was invincible!
Obito's gaze coldly locked onto the gate of the Gojo residence. With murderous steps, he approached step by step...
His body began to swirl, gradually vanishing into a different dimension.
...
...
"Enough is enough! At least today... today, I need a break!"
"Go find Gojo Ai!"
Pakura crossed her arms, her face flushed with embarrassment and anger.
In that moment of shame and fury, she broke free from the constraints of her collar, momentarily forgetting her role as a "pet dog," daring to shout angrily at Gojo Kaigetsu.
"What do you mean you come to me only when she can't satisfy you? Am I inferior to her?"
Samui felt indignant, secretly rolling her eyes, crossing her arms and sulking silently on the side.
"Ah, don't argue. You're both my wings," Gojo Kaigetsu shamelessly said, completely oblivious to the cause of their quarrel.
He wanted too much.
Pakura... was swollen and couldn't give anymore.
As for where she was swollen... Gojo Kaigetsu thought it might be tonsillitis, but who knows-it could be elsewhere.
Practicing the "Black Elbow" technique too much could lead to this; he often couldn't control his strength.
"Tonight will be the last time. How about... the two of you together? Tomorrow I'll go find Terumi Mei," Gojo Kaigetsu tentatively suggested.
In return, Samui openly rolled her eyes at him.
This girl dared to give Gojo-sama an eye-roll without even signing a Three Stripes Agreement.
Gojo Kaigetsu prepared to give her a lesson: "Ai, I think tonight you should..."
Before he could finish his sentence.
Gojo Kaigetsu's expression changed. He instinctively raised his head to look toward his front door.
It was chakra! A familiar yet strange chakra! A chakra that both belonged to Konoha and didn't... It was somewhat similar to Fugaku's Mangekyō chakra.
Through his Six Eyes, Gojo Kaigetsu had already detected someone approaching outside the gate. The aura was extremely concealed. Without the Six Eyes, he might have faced a life-threatening situation.
"You're really underestimating me, sneaking into Konoha to play assassin politics."
"This chakra is..."
Gojo Kaigetsu searched his memory and, considering the current timeline, aside from Fugaku, the only one who had awakened the Mangekyō was...
"Obito, huh~"
"Pakura! Put your clothes on!"
"Eh? Why so serious all of a sudden?"
Pakura was startled, but upon seeing Gojo Kaigetsu's serious expression, her heart, which had been nearly tamed, chose to comply.
She pulled up the shoulder strap she had just lowered.
No more unintended exposure.
"What happened?"
"Someone's looking for trouble with me," Gojo Kaigetsu said calmly.
In just a few seconds, he had figured out the cause and effect.
If there had to be a reason for Obito to jump ahead of the timeline to come to Konoha seeking trouble, it could only be because of the release of [Konoha War Ninja].
Was it just because he made a mainstream movie promoting the Will of Fire with Kakashi as the protagonist?
He was enraged enough to come kill him?
really an innately evil Uchiha brat.
"Looking for trouble... an enemy?!"
Pakura and Samui spoke in unison.
Needless to say about Samui. She had invested so much in Gojo Kaigetsu; no way could she let him be taken out by an enemy! Otherwise, all her previous hard work would be for nothing.
If Gojo Kaigetsu died, with the other three advisors either stationed in other villages or being old hags, where would she go to gather intelligence?
Samui subconsciously glanced at Pakura, finding that the other woman had a similar reaction.
That was enough. As a hero of Sunagakure, Pakura... unless the enemy was a Kage-level powerhouse infiltrating Konoha, at the very least, she could hold off the enemy until Konoha's reinforcements arrived.
'Wait...'
"Seems like I forgot something."
'How did Gojo Kaigetsu know there was an enemy outside? Did he set up an alarm system I didn't detect?'
Pakura grew anxious.
Regardless of whether their bond was legitimate-whether it was psychological or physical-after leaving Sunagakure, she had found a "home."
If Gojo Kaigetsu died, she would become a ghost wandering the ninja world, living aimlessly until she found a place where no one could find her and end her life.
In any case... she wouldn't let anyone harm Gojo Kaigetsu in her presence.
Pakura's expression became serious. "Is the enemy... strong?"
Gojo Kaigetsu said calmly, "Not too strong, but not weak either. In a one-on-one situation... you're not his match."
"If you encountered him in Konoha's forests or alleyways, it would be quite dangerous."
"But, well, this is Konoha."
"This is my home turf."
Pakura was stunned. "I'll hold off the enemy here while you go for help?"
"No."
Gojo Kaigetsu shook his head. "In that case, you might die. In terms of speed, I might be killed before I can send out a distress signal."
"This is my home turf; why should I run?"
As he finished speaking.
Gojo Kaigetsu clapped his hands, summoning exactly what he wanted:
"Ninja Art: Summoning Reinforcements Technique!"
Boom-!
Gojo Kaigetsu's hands touched the ground. Complex patterns emerged on the floor, carrying his will to summon reinforcements, transmitting it afar.
"They're here~"
Pakura's heart tightened. She instinctively drew a kunai from the ninja pouch under the table, assuming a combat stance, her eyes fixed on the doorway.
Space began to distort bizarrely.
Someone bypassed the Gojo family's gate and appeared at the entrance hall.
A mysterious ninja wearing a mask made a grand entrance!
An orange mask, a chilling chakra-everything about him exuded an indescribable eeriness.
Pakura tightened her grip on her short blade. Although they hadn't yet engaged, judging from the aura emanating from the mysterious ninja and Gojo Kaigetsu's warning...
This guy was definitely not some minor character they could easily deal with.
"Hmm? You even have bodyguards." Obito's voice came through the mask to the three people. "Hmm, a Jonin-level guard, a Chūnin, and an ordinary woman with no chakra."
"Although it's a bit troublesome... it doesn't matter."
Obito feigned disappointment and shook his head. His rapidly swelling power made him utterly dismissive of a mere Jonin.
Bearing the name of Kamui, he was invincible.
"Who are you?" Pakura asked warily.
"My name is Uchiha Madara, the one who will bring down Konoha."
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