The movements of the three major ninja villages were immediately reported to Konoha. Aoba became highly alert. He had already realized that the storyline had completely collapsed, and his advantage of foreknowledge was gone.
However, he quickly deduced that this phenomenon was definitely orchestrated by Black Zetsu.
In the original storyline, Black Zetsu fully embraced his manipulative nature. He consistently used subtle guidance and cunning schemes, rarely showing direct strength or employing overt strategies.
But this time, after being forced to reveal himself early due to Aoba's actions, Black Zetsu was now taking a completely different approach.
Unable to hide in the shadows any longer, he was leveraging the influence of the Mizukage under Obito's control to begin contacting Kumogakure and Iwagakure.
Aoba didn't need to guess to know that they were likely planning an alliance against Konoha.
He had anticipated that other ninja villages might unite, but he hadn't been too concerned. Based on historical issues and rivalries, he knew that even if the major villages had such ideas, true collaboration would not happen overnight.
In the original storyline, the five great villages only united quickly because of the emergence of the White Zetsu army and the imminent threat of a world war.
Currently, although Konoha was aggressive, it had not taken any major military actions. Based on Aoba's understanding of the Raikage and Tsuchikage, their deep-seated grudges made a short-term alliance unlikely.
However, if Black Zetsu, acting in the name of the Mizukage, mediated between them, then all bets were off.
Konoha had almost monopolized most of the surrounding maritime trade, largely due to Kirigakure's self-imposed isolation.
After all, Kirigakure's ninjas were the most skilled at water-based combat. The maritime trade business should have been dominated by them.
But with Kirigakure reduced to a shadow of its former self under Obito's manipulation, they had no energy to compete for maritime dominance, leaving Konoha to reap the benefits.
Obito's goal was to torment Kirigakure. Black Zetsu's goal, however, was different. It sought to ignite a ninja world war to create an opportunity for Kaguya's resurrection.
Therefore, it didn't care whether Kirigakure was weakened or not.
Years of Kirigakure's isolation had also left the other villages with little knowledge of its current state.
Even so, Kirigakure was still one of the five great villages. Mizukage Yagura, as a perfect Jinchūriki, was undoubtedly a top-tier ninja.
If he took the lead, the Raikage and Tsuchikage would at least give him some respect. It was indeed possible for the three villages to come to an agreement.
This was a scenario Aoba didn't want to see. While Konoha and Sunagakure together against the other three villages could still secure victory, the cost would be far too great.
A full-scale war would weaken the strength of the entire ninja world. Aoba, who had already factored the power of other villages into his plans, sought to minimize any damage.
If the three villages united, not only would their combined strength increase, but their mindset would also shift significantly, potentially leading to ambitions they shouldn't have.
Black Zetsu's plan was clearly to provoke a ninja world war, something Aoba was determined to prevent.
Konoha's leadership quickly convened an emergency meeting. This time, it wasn't just the decision-makers; all available jōnin not on missions were also summoned.
"So, are we now facing the Fourth Great Ninja War, with the combined attack of three villages?"
"That's not certain yet, but it's the most likely outcome. Konoha's foreign policies have already put the other villages on high alert. The Fourth Great Ninja War is imminent," Shikaku analyzed accurately. From the perspectives of Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure, it was best to crush Konoha before it fully rose.
The ideal move would be to strike first, joining forces to destroy Konoha completely—or at least curb its expansion plans so they could regain breathing room.
"Can the three villages, with their long-standing grudges, really unite so quickly?"
Hiashi Hyūga raised his doubts, finding the scenario too sudden.
Aoba picked up the topic after hearing this.
"What I'm about to say involves some of Konoha's classified information. However, due to the information leak during the Sunagakure mission and Konoha's current state of readiness, I have been authorized by the Hokage to declassify the following."
"According to the intelligence from the Anbu, Mizukage Yagura is under someone's control through some unknown method. In other words, Kirigakure's current decisions do not represent the true Kirigakure."
"Controlled? What do you mean? Yagura is a perfect Jinchūriki, who could possibly control him?"
The greatest difference between a perfect Jinchūriki and an ordinary ninja was their near-immunity to genjutsu, as the tailed beast within them could dispel it at any time.
Unfortunately, Obito was an Uchiha. The Mangekyō Sharingan naturally excelled at genjutsu and was particularly effective against tailed beasts. Yagura's fall was simply a matter of unfortunate compatibility.
"Exactly as it sounds. He has been controlled by someone using genjutsu. And the one controlling him is an Uchiha."
At that, Hiashi Hyūga immediately understood.
"Is it that person the mysterious Uchiha who appeared during the Night of the Nine-Tails?"
"Correct. It's him. The masked man with the swirling pattern mask in the Akatsuki is also the same person."
"I see," Hiashi said. As an advisor to the Hokage, he was naturally privy to the details of the recent Sunagakure support mission. He knew that Aoba had confronted the masked man.
"That encounter you had with him, was it because of this?"
"Yes. I managed to use the Sharingan's abilities first to gain temporary control over him. But at the last moment, the individual known as Zetsu took control of his brain and forcibly extracted him.
From what I observed during that encounter, I can deduce that Zetsu has now completely inherited the masked man's abilities."
With this, the entire situation became much clearer.
"So, our true enemy is actually this mysterious being called Zetsu? And now it's using Mizukage Yagura to try to unite the three villages against Konoha?"
"Exactly."
"Then the question is, who exactly is this Zetsu? And who is the Uchiha it's controlling? Why are they so intent on targeting Konoha?"
Hiashi wasn't the only one asking these questions, Shikaku Nara was also looking at Aoba. With his intelligence, it wasn't hard for Shikaku to see that Aoba was withholding something.
Aoba glanced briefly at Kakashi, who had remained silent, but ultimately chose not to say more. During their last battle, although Kakashi hadn't directly fought Obito, the close proximity and Obito's use of Kamui likely gave Kakashi some hints.
At this point, Obito's identity no longer held much significance. The real threat came from Black Zetsu who was a far more dangerous figure than Obito.
"We are still investigating more about our opponent. However, our most urgent priority is to prevent the three villages from forming an alliance. And for that, I have a plan."
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Currently on Chapter 214 - Return to the Land of Rain