So-called Hollow are, in essence, corrupted and twisted souls. Under the stimulation of Reiryoku, they begin to devour and slaughter one another—manifesting as high-density spirit particle aggregations controlled entirely by warped emotions.
Before reaching full maturity, these creatures possess only the base instincts to kill and devour, completely lacking in intellect. Even Adjuchas-level Hollows frequently exhibit uncontrollable emotional volatility due to their overwhelming negative energies.
As such, these beings can be controlled—but only under very strict conditions.
"It's a decent idea, Obito—but I have to warn you."
Black Zetsu's voice, as cold as ever, poured a bucket of icy water over Obito's enthusiasm. "These creatures are all soul-based lifeforms, and they're brimming with negative spiritual energy. In terms of raw intensity, each one is on par with the monsters sealed inside the Box of Ultimate Bliss."
"If you want to control them, you first need the power to suppress this level of negative spirit power. I'm not questioning your will or resolve—but with just one Mangekyō Sharingan, you'll be lucky to dominate even one or two."
Obito's expression darkened beneath his mask.
It was true.
If the Uchiha clan's Mangekyō Sharingan was the manifestation of Yin Release chakra in its most distorted form… then Hollows were the grotesque aberrations of negative Reiryoku itself.
This clash wasn't just a matter of will—it was a collision of chakra and spiritual power.
And Obito, with only a single Mangekyō eye, might not even be able to suppress a Gillian, let alone an Adjuchas.
Black Zetsu, half white and half black, poked his head from the earth and changed the subject.
"However, if I combine it with the power that Lord Madara left me, we might be able to control a portion."
"Do you have to be so dramatic when you talk?" Obito muttered irritably. "Madara's spiritual power—how much of it can you tap without compromising yourself?"
"If used together with your Mangekyō…" Black Zetsu calculated aloud, "we might control three or four humanoid Hollows on par with that one that broke through your Kamui. Or maybe a dozen weaker ones."
It was a conservative estimate. Kaguya hadn't left Black Zetsu with much power, and although his nature allowed him to recover over time, he didn't want to end up weakened. Especially not while Yuki Yoru still roamed free.
"That number… should be enough to draw the Shinigami's attention."
Obito nodded to himself. He didn't question the inconsistencies in Black Zetsu's words.
After all, Black Zetsu was Madara's Yin-Yang Release creation, meant to assist—or perhaps supervise—his grand plan after death.
The fact that the old man had left Black Zetsu some trump cards didn't surprise Obito.
In fact, he felt a bit smug that he had managed to force those cards into play.
"Let's begin. Now it's our turn to become the hunters."
Obito's voice turned cold and low.
Black Zetsu nodded wordlessly, manipulating the surrounding Wood Release barrier to slowly lift their bodies from the underground. As they emerged, they simultaneously began selecting suitable targets for control.
The more they observed, the more shocked they became.
Not only were these Hollows devoid of intelligence, their hierarchy was brutally strict. Higher-level Hollows could command and even devour lower-level ones at will, turning them into pure nourishment.
But what truly shocked Obito and Black Zetsu were the abilities these monsters possessed.
During their initial encounter, the Hollows had only shown a fraction of their true strength. Now, they discovered:
Bodies impervious to conventional attacks
Energy blasts on par with Tailed Beast Bombs
Regeneration surpassing even Sage Body users
Space-time movement techniques rivaling Flying Thunder God—without needing a seal
It became abundantly clear: this was Yuki Yoru's bio-weapon research facility.
He had been developing these monsters as ultimate war assets.
After considerable effort—and Black Zetsu's aid—Obito succeeded in controlling two Adjuchas, twenty-one Gillian, and over a hundred base-level Hollows.
"Let your precious creations destroy the very village you've worked so hard to build—Kirigakure!"
...
Meanwhile, in Kirigakure…
"What the hell is Suna doing?!"
Inside the Mizukage's office, Yuki Kiri sat beside the Mizukage's chair, frowning as she read the latest intelligence from the Sand Village.
This year's Chūnin Exam in Suna was a massive event. Most of the major news outlets in the shinobi world were covering it live.
So when Nagato appeared and declared war on Yuki Yoru, the moment was caught on camera and broadcast in real time.
But as soon as the real fighting began, the transmission was cut off—destroyed in the chaos.
All the public knew was that someone had infiltrated the exam venue and tried to sabotage it.
Naturally, without full details, most people assumed it was just another case of Suna's poor security—a minor incident at best.
After all, attacking while the Mizukage, Hokage, and Kazekage were present?
That was suicide.
But Yuki Kiri wasn't so relaxed.
Through a mix of summoning techniques, monitoring microbes, and other surveillance jutsu, she had pieced together the real story:
Nagato, leader of the Akatsuki and wielder of the Rinnegan, had challenged Yoru after fully recovering
The Fourth Kazekage had been mind-controlled and switched sides
The Akatsuki launched an all-out assault, trapping everyone inside the arena
"Latest intel," came a voice.
Miroku, seated in meditation, suddenly opened his eyes.
"Uzumaki Nagato has fused with Hashirama cells and now possesses Wood Release comparable to the First Hokage. He's also being aided by an Uchiha who can summon a Complete-Body Susanoo."
"What?!"
Kiri's eyes narrowed.
"Wood Release and Complete Susanoo…?" Captain of 12th Division, Orochimaru, licked his lips, his eyes gleaming. "Fascinating… exhilarating. That's the power that once ended the Warring States Era."
"It's nothing to worry about," said Second Mizukage, Hōzuki Gengetsu, stroking his mustache dismissively. "Even the power of the so-called God of Shinobi is nothing before our Fourth Mizukage."
"I believe in Yoru's strength," Kiri said, shaking her head. "I'm just concerned about how we'll handle the aftermath. Suna allowed something like this to happen—yet they're our allies. We can't just ignore it."
At those words, everyone present wore the same bitter expression.
Indeed, with Yoru's power and Kirigakure's current strength, they could probably flatten the entire shinobi world.
They all knew how powerful Yoru had become.
So even upon learning that their enemies wielded the same powers as Madara and Hashirama, no one felt truly anxious.
But how to spin this incident…
That was another matter entirely.
Kirigakure had been advocating peace, commerce, and industrial cooperation—not domination.
The Quincy training initiative was also at a critical stage. Public image still mattered.
"I don't get what you're all fussing about," Tsunade muttered, arms folded. "Just release a statement. Who's going to dare challenge us publicly?"
"It's not that simple—"
BOOM!!
A deafening explosion shook the building, cutting Kiri off mid-sentence.
Everyone inside the Mizukage's office froze.
Then turned toward the window, eyes wide with disbelief.
From the direction of the Dueling Tower, a massive fireball rose into the sky.
"Malfunction in the Dueling Tower equipment?" Gengetsu guessed aloud.
"Impossible. ANBU checks it every day."
"…Wait. This chakra…"
None of them considered invasion at first.
Until they sensed it: a twisted spiritual power—at once familiar and foreign.
A malicious killing intent… and greedy eyes, cold and sharp as blades, piercing their hearts.
Then came the red beams of Cero, slashing through the sky toward the office.
"Bakudō 81: Dankū!"
A transparent shield blocked the incoming Cero.
The explosion sent flaming clouds into the sky—and from the smoke emerged several monstrous figures.
They howled toward the heavens and unleashed chaos.
For the first time since Yuki Yoru took office, the invasion alarm rang across all of Kirigakure.
And it was the highest-level alert—meaning the intruders were S-class threats (Captain-class).
Both the Dueling Tower and Mizukage's Office were under attack by Hollows.
The vast majority of the village's defense forces were drawn to the scene.
Adjuchas-level Hollows were not enemies ordinary Shinigami could handle—much less ninja.
"Infiltrators confirmed to be Hollows. Soul Society has taken command. ANBU and shinobi are to prioritize evacuating civilians and protecting life and property!"
"Yes, sir!"
Merchants and civilians in the streets continuously rushed towards the shelters
ANBU agents moved through the crowds, guiding and protecting them.
Hidden among them were covert Shinigami, undetectable to ordinary senses.
But at the Kaguya clan compound, things were getting… strange.
"Seriously?! We're under attack and you want us to evacuate civilians? Not fight?!"
Several high-ranking Kaguya clan jōnin surrounded the Shinigami messenger, faces full of frustration.
"What's wrong with you Shinigami?! This is our home! You think the Kaguya clan is just gonna sit around while the village is in danger?!"
"Exactly! It's been years since we had a good fight—uh, I mean, defended the village!"
"Whether you're Shinigami or ninja, we're all part of Kirigakure! Why can you fight, and we can't?!"
"You look down on us, don't you? You're from the Momochi clan, right, you little brat?!"
"Get outta the way—we're going to defend the village!"
The Kaguya clan's notorious battle maniacs were restless.
With Kirigakure growing stronger by the day, very few dared provoke them anymore.
Even high-risk A-rank missions rarely led to actual combat—once the enemy learned they were up against Kiri shinobi, they'd often flee without hesitation.
While this gave Kirigakure a flawless reputation and near-perfect mission success rate…
To the Kaguya clan?
It was torture.
There was nowhere left to fight!
Aside from the Dueling Tower—which had "anti-addiction measures"—they had no place to vent their excess energy.
Now, finally, a fight had come to them—and these damn Shinigami were blocking them?
"It's not that we're stopping you," the Shinigami messenger tried to reason, "but the invaders are Hollows. This isn't your area of expertise—"
"Screw that! You think only Shinigami can fight Hollows?! We've been training in Reiryoku under Miroku-sama too!"
"Yeah! I'll punch a Hollow's head clean off! You guys got nothing on us!"
"Enough talking—I'm going to fight—I mean, protect the village!"
The Shinigami wanted to cry.
Why did he have to get this mission? These lunatics were impossible to deal with.
"Is something wrong here?"
A gentle voice interrupted.
Everyone froze.
Even the wildest of the Kaguya looked to the newcomer with respect.
The Shinigami's eyes lit up like he'd seen salvation.
The boy appeared no older than five or six. He wore pristine white robes, with two red markings on his brow. His white hair was tied neatly behind him, and his face was delicate and composed.
"What's going on, Dairō?"
He was none other than Kaguya Kimimaro—head of the Kaguya clan, its greatest genius in centuries, and a prime candidate for the Fifth Mizukage.
"The village is under attack, Kimimaro-sama! We were just about to go help protect it!" Dairō scratched his head nervously.
"It's not what you think, Kimimaro-sama," the Shinigami tried to explain.
"The invaders are confirmed to be Hollows. Orders from the Mizukage's Office state that Soul Society has taken command. All ninja are to focus on civilian evacuation and asset protection. So…"
Before he could finish, space twisted nearby.
A blood-red three-tomoe Sharingan glared at Kimimaro with undisguised hunger, as if he were some kind of priceless treasure.
"Found you, Kaguya Kimimaro!"