After a full day of work, all the documents, classified intel, and forbidden techniques that could be salvaged from the ruins of the Mizukage building had been recovered.
As a member of the Mizukage's direct subordinates, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Reiji—wielder of the great sword Samehada—also participated in the cleanup.
The efficiency of the ninja was incredible. By the end of the day, not a single brick or shard of rubble remained at the site.
That night, Reiji returned to his apartment, left behind a shadow clone, and casually picked out an unlucky soul from the ANBU dungeon. Then he headed outside the village and summoned that crafty Hōzuki Gengetsu once again.
He hadn't even lowered his hand from the seal when an excited voice burst out from the dust-covered body.
"Here I am again! Back in action! Mu is gonna be so jealous!"
Gengetsu shook off the dust and casually strolled up to Reiji like they were old friends.
"Little fatso, what's the plan today?"
Reiji smiled and shook his head, then sat cross-legged on the ground and spoke softly.
"Second Mizukage, Lord Hōzuki Gengetsu. Since you already know I'm not Fuguki Suikazan, why keep pretending?"
As he spoke, Reiji pulled out a small piece of oil-soaked paper from inside his cloak and calmly placed it in front of him.
Two characters were written on it in clear ink: Samehada.
Gengetsu paused for a moment, then sighed and shook his head with a wry smile before sitting down across from him.
"To take Fuguki Suikazan's place and stay hidden in the village this long... clearly, you're no ordinary guy. I figured you had some way to monitor or control me.
Alright then—what do you want me to do?"
As he finished, his browless forehead creased slightly, eyes locked sharply on Reiji.
Seeing Gengetsu's wary and combative attitude, Reiji let out a bitter chuckle and rubbed his temples.
"I thought after yesterday's teamwork, we'd at least built a little trust."
"Bullshit!" Gengetsu blurted out instinctively. "Teamwork? That was just me getting my ass kicked solo, thank you very much!
By the way, those Rinnegan eyes—what's the story there? Why did that guy look so damn familiar?"
Reiji could tell from the gleam in Gengetsu's eyes—if he didn't explain a few things, getting cooperation out of him would be a lost cause.
After thinking for a moment, he replied.
"That guy yesterday? That was the legendary Madara Uchiha."
Gengetsu's eyes went wide, and he let out a wild shout.
"What?! Madara Uchiha!!!
Holy crap, now that you say it, it really does look like him! But how is that bastard still alive?
I'm already dead, and that old geezer's still kicking? What is he, part turtle? Guy's damn near immortal!"
Heh...
Second Mizukage, you really do have a mouth on you.
Good thing Madara isn't here—or he'd probably smack you into next week.
Watching Gengetsu curse away without stopping, Reiji finally just laid it all out.
"Second Mizukage, please—quiet down. I'm honestly worried that big mouth of yours is gonna summon him."
As he spoke, Reiji placed a Konoha forehead protector on the ground between them.
"Let me reintroduce myself. My name is Obito. I'm from Konoha, part of Lord Danzō's Root organization.
I didn't infiltrate Kirigakure to disrupt your village's peace, or to steal any secrets.
My mission is simple—ruin Madara Uchiha's plans. Whatever he's trying to do, I'm here to sabotage it."
Hearing that, the corners of Hōzuki Gengetsu's eyes twitched involuntarily—twice.
What a mess.
Damn, where do I even begin complaining?
For a moment, Hōzuki Gengetsu just stood there, mouth half open, staring blankly at Reiji, completely speechless.
Seeing this, Reiji didn't press further and continued calmly.
"Actually, about three or four years ago, Root already suspected that Madara Uchiha was hiding behind Kirigakure. But due to the international situation and other complications at the time, we couldn't confirm anything.
It's only recently, after a string of unusual moves from your village, that the great Lord Danzō decided to send me in as an undercover agent.
According to my investigation, your current leader, the Third Mizukage, seems to be under Genjutsu control.
Also—"
Just as Reiji launched into another round of official-sounding jargon, Hōzuki Gengetsu waved his hand with a scowl and cut him off.
"Can you talk like a normal person? Say something I can actually understand?"
"Sure!" Reiji nodded.
"The Land of Water is far from the mainland, loves to shut itself in, and frankly, your strength is garbage. If Madara wasn't targeting you, who else would he go after?"
Hearing that, Gengetsu choked on the words, his stiff mouth twitching uncontrollably.
I said talk normal, not drop hard truths!
And what's with this Danzō guy—is he brain-dead?
Sending a loudmouth like this on a solo mission? Isn't he afraid the kid'll get killed halfway?
After a long pause, Gengetsu finally buried his urge to rant and spoke up.
"So you pulled me out of the Pure Land just to... help you cause trouble?"
"Exactly." Reiji nodded.
"But don't think stirring up trouble is easy—it's actually pretty complicated.
First, I need to get promoted. Ideally, become the Third Mizukage's aide, or at least an advisor.
That way, I can keep close tabs on him, figure out what our dear Madara Uchiha is plotting, and make preparations to counter it.
And don't worry—I'm not interested in stealing your village's secret techniques. I already know more jutsu than I care to count.
Plus, if I wanted to control you... it wouldn't be hard."
As he said that, Reiji formed a hand seal with one hand—and instantly vanished from sight.
In the very next instant, he appeared right behind Hōzuki Gengetsu and gave him a light pat on the shoulder.
"Damn it!" Gengetsu cried out instinctively, trying to jump up—but he found his body wrapped in a strange force, completely immobile.
Now he understood why that Danzō guy had the guts to send this kid out alone.
The Flying Thunder God Technique.
He'd seen it before—used by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, the so-called "fastest shinobi in the ninja world."
And he knew—it was an insanely powerful space-time jutsu.
No exaggeration, with that jutsu, this kid named Obito was practically uncatchable. No chance of him getting jumped.
At that moment, Hōzuki Gengetsu made his decision.
He'd help the kid. Watch him closely. Secretly reconnect with trusted subordinates. And try to break the Genjutsu binding the Third.
He believed about fifty percent of what Reiji had told him.
He had seen it with his own eyes yesterday—that was definitely Madara Uchiha, Rinnegan and all.
Still, his biggest reason for agreeing?
He was under this kid's thumb. Better to cooperate than be used as a mindless weapon with no dignity or control.
At least this way, he could make preparations of his own.
With that thought, Hōzuki Gengetsu slowly stood, stroked his little mustache, and nodded decisively.
"Alright. Let's see this so-called plan of yours."
Hearing that, Reiji grinned wide.