After Yagura returned to Kirigakure with the "three-plus-one" team, their mission was a complete success.
On the same day, Kakashi arrived back in Konoha and reported the massive mess he'd gotten himself into directly to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
But to the Third Hokage, this news didn't come as a sudden shock—not today, anyway.
Before returning to the village, Kakashi had already sent a report through his own channels, landing it squarely on Hiruzen's desk. He'd given the old Hokage enough time to prepare and respond.
So when Kakashi arrived back in the village, he was immediately taken into custody by ANBU under the direct command of the Hokage and brought straight to Hiruzen.
By then, Hiruzen had already blown a fuse. To be more precise—he'd been simmering for a long time. And in front of Kakashi, he erupted all over again.
"I trusted you, Hatake Kakashi!"
"And you... you lost the Nine-Tails!"
"You've failed the Hokage who raised you, and you've let down the people of Konoha!"
Shamed to the core, Kakashi bowed his head low. He laid out everything—every step, every mistake—and even revealed the part he'd left out of his initial report: the possibility that Danzo and Root had interfered behind the scenes.
But it was useless.
Even though Hiruzen had gotten the report a day in advance...
Even though Kakashi had pieced together Danzo's likely involvement...
The fact remained that under Hiruzen's watch, Konoha had lost its Jinchuriki. Kakashi's theories, no matter how plausible, were still just that—unproven speculation.
"You may leave, Kakashi."
Hiruzen exhaled a long, weary sigh.
Things had spiraled this far. He had expected it. He had steeled himself for this outcome.
Not long after Kakashi left—
Just as Hiruzen predicted—Danzo Shimura came knocking, impatient and urgent.
...
Seven days later.
The storm brewing at the highest levels of Konoha's leadership was invisible to the outside world.
Whether it was Hiruzen or Danzo, neither would allow word to spread that the village had lost its Tailed Beast.
From the outside, there was no hint of tension.
So when the announcement came that the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was retiring—
It rocked the entire village.
No prelude, no time for the public to react or prepare.
The very next day, twelve years after his return to the position, Hiruzen delivered his second and final retirement speech.
He formally stepped down as Hokage.
Hiruzen claimed that his abilities and moral character were no longer sufficient, and that he would never again serve as Hokage.
And thus, the Fifth Hokage of Konoha—Danzo Shimura—was officially announced.
To the general public, not just in Konoha but across the entire Shinobi world, Danzo wasn't exactly a household name. Not completely unknown, but certainly not widely discussed.
But to those in the upper and middle ranks?
He was more dangerous, more calculating, more ruthless than Hiruzen ever was.
Aside from Yagura and a very small circle in Kirigakure, no one knew how Danzo had so swiftly forced Hiruzen off the stage.
But that didn't stop the other villages from reacting.
Several of them immediately increased border patrols and tightened their guard around Konoha's perimeter.
...
Land of Rice Fields—a nation without a ninja village, now home to Orochimaru's Otogakure.
Obito's organization had also established a base there. This small, weak country—lacking a real shinobi force—was perfect for quietly taking missions from under-defended nations and raising funds.
Inside the base, White Zetsu relayed every bit of intelligence they'd gathered to Obito.
"And with Sunagakure essentially under control through the One-Tails…"
Behind the mask, Obito's expression darkened, a shadow flickering between his brows.
"Three-Tails, Six-Tails, Nine-Tails…"
Four Tailed Beasts, all gathered in one Hidden Village.
On top of that, Nagato's Rinnegan no longer offered an exploitable opening.
In truth, only he, Hidan, and Uchiha Itachi had the strength to capture a Jinchuriki solo. The rest of the organization's members? Cannon fodder.
Even White Zetsu couldn't find a single missing-nin strong enough to fill the gap.
Lack of funds, lack of strength, powerful enemies everywhere…
The Moon's Eye Plan felt more distant than ever.
"There's one more thing," said White Zetsu, switching topics in a half-joking attempt to lift Obito's spirits.
"Your friend—Hatake Kakashi—seems to be getting thrown away by the Third Hokage and Danzo."
Twelve years ago, when Madara was still alive, he was the one who'd passed this kind of intel to Obito.
Of all the people in the world, White Zetsu wouldn't mistake Kakashi.
"They've sent your little friend to Amegakure to dig up intel on Yahiko's group."
No need to say more.
Yahiko and his companions might preach peace, but they weren't without the means to fight.
They'd kept to themselves over the years, striking only when struck first.
Konoha already had deep blood grudges with Amegakure. This mission? It would be hell.
The fate of an old friend was easy to guess.
Obito said coldly, "Is that so? Then good luck to him."
White Zetsu blinked.
"Hey~ should we help him out a little? Feed him some intel on Yahiko, or maybe—"
"No need."
Obito cut off the sing-song tone with a sharp voice. "If he dies in Amegakure, so be it."
Forget Hiruzen and Danzo.
If not for the sentimentality of old memories—if Kakashi were just a stranger—
Obito would've personally hunted him down and executed him for losing the Nine-Tails to Kirigakure.
After years spent beside Obito, even someone like White Zetsu could read his mood.
Though the man wore a mask, the killing intent radiating from him now was unmistakable.
Wisely, White Zetsu said nothing more.
He quickly jumped to a new topic. "Oh right—Itachi Uchiha is on his way here."
On paper, Uchiha Itachi was the current figurehead of the organization.
Obito, operating under the guise of Uchiha Madara, couldn't be seen too openly.
The recent chaos in Konoha had drawn Itachi in. He was coming to speak with Obito.
"Itachi?"
Obito froze for a second, mind still reeling from all the events. Then he waved dismissively.
"Tell him I'm not here."
"Roger~"
White Zetsu sank into the ground.
Moments later, he popped up in front of Uchiha Itachi, nearly getting stepped on like a surprise landmine.
Itachi paused, withdrawing his foot.
"Did Madara send you?"
"Yes," White Zetsu replied, sticking to the message he was given. "He told me to tell you—he's not here."
White Zetsu was smart enough to read Obito's mood but didn't know the whole picture—classic clueless genius.
Having dealt with White Zetsu before, Itachi knew exactly how to handle him.
"Understood," he said simply. "I'll take my leave."
Given the scale of recent events, coming to speak with Obito had been a formality.
With the organization still weak, they weren't in a position to make any major moves.
And deep down, Itachi hoped they never would be.
That man who called himself "Madara" had once saved his life from Konoha's hunters. For that, he owed him.
But he still had thoughts of his own.
...
Obito locked himself in a dark room for two days and one night.
Only after thoroughly analyzing the current situation in the shinobi world did he finally emerge.
He'd made up his mind.
He couldn't afford to keep "developing" any longer. Even if he didn't have all his top gear yet—it was time to act.
"Zetsu. Come with me."
White Zetsu, who had been snacking on dirt underground, surfaced at once.
"Where to?"
"We're going to find Danzo Shimura."
Obito and Danzo had worked together before.
Despite their differences, their interests often aligned.
This time would be no different.
Danzo would definitely agree—he'd want all the help he could get when it came to reclaiming the Nine-Tails.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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