Chapter 54: The Gathering Storm
'Black Zetsu' continued, "However, judging by the strength he displayed in his fierce battle with the Fourth Mizukage, it won't be easy for Obito to deal with him."
As the strongest in Kirigakure, the Fourth Mizukage was naturally powerful. Even though he was controlled by Uchiha Obito for so long due to the Mangekyō Sharingan's restraint on Jinchuriki, that didn't mean Uchiha Obito, who could control the Fourth Mizukage, could definitely suppress Uchiha Naoki.
'White Zetsu' sighed upon hearing this. "It's just a pity. Such a genius is about to perish."
'Black Zetsu' nodded in agreement. "It really is a shame!"
Neither of them believed Uchiha Naoki could be a match for Uchiha Obito. The Mangekyō's illusions, its intangibility ability, and other mysterious powers that made him nearly invincible, combined with the intelligence they had gathered on Uchiha Naoki... they couldn't see how Uchiha Obito, with all his advantages, could lose to Uchiha Naoki.
'Zetsu' immediately submerged into the ground again, bringing the newly gathered information to Uchiha Obito.
And at this moment...
Uchiha Obito was sneering. "Well done, Uchiha Naoki. You've poached from me! Fine, let you enjoy this momentary success. Sooner or later, Kisame will be mine. What does it matter if you take him now?"
While Uchiha Naoki was causing chaos in Kirigakure, Uchiha Obito had also infiltrated the village. His purpose was simple—the same as Uchiha Naoki's: to find Kisame Hoshigaki. He needed to ensure the Akatsuki organization remained fully staffed. Just because he planned to kill Uchiha Naoki shouldn't affect the subsequent Tailed Beast capture plan. He had long since marked Kisame Hoshigaki as a target but never expected Uchiha Naoki to get there first.
"But it wasn't a completely fruitless trip." A slight smile curled under Obito's mask. "The Village of Light and Shadow... Hmph, you actually want to establish a new ninja village? What a dangerous guy! My idea of eliminating you early was indeed correct!"
Like Kisame, he believed in Uchiha Naoki's ability to accomplish anything!
...
The journey to Kirigakure had taken Uchiha Naoki's group five days. The return trip took only three. Of course, part of it was because they no longer needed to be cautious and could move faster. But it was also due to being pursued by Kirigakure's hunter-nin, forcing them to hasten their pace. This was expected. Even though Terumi Mei needed to deal with the village's chaotic affairs and restore order, that wouldn't stop her from dispatching hunter-nin. How could something as major as the Fourth Mizukage's capture be easily let slide?
Naturally, they wouldn't let the hunter-nin succeed. However, news of the Fourth Mizukage's capture slowly spread throughout the shinobi world with the dispatch of Kirigakure's hunter-nin, immediately causing an uproar.
This was the Fourth Mizukage, one of the Five Kage, from the mighty Kirigakure! Taken away by someone who directly invaded the village? How shocking! If it could happen to the Fourth Mizukage today, why not the Third Hokage or the Fourth Raikage tomorrow? The capture of the Fourth Mizukage was proof enough—this organization called 'Akatsuki' already possessed the power to threaten a Kage. And the existence of such power was absolutely intolerable to the Five Great Shinobi Villages! The shinobi world did not need a sixth great village! The balance of the shinobi world could not be broken!
Kumogakure...
"It's 'Akatsuki' again!" The Fourth Raikage was quite agitated upon hearing the news from Kirigakure. He immediately decided to convene a Five Kage Summit to discuss and decide their stance towards this 'Akatsuki.' He also planned to use this opportunity to demand answers from the Akatsuki organization regarding their Two-Tails Jinchuriki.
"Lord Raikage, I'm afraid that won't be possible now," his assistant, Mabui, poured cold water on his idea. "Kirigakure hasn't selected a new Mizukage candidate yet, so they cannot participate in the Five Kage Summit. Without Kirigakure, the summit's authority won't be recognized by the shinobi world."
Hearing Mabui's words, the Fourth Raikage frowned impatiently. "Then are we just supposed to let this Akatsuki organization run wild?"
These days, the troops he sent to search for Yugito Nii had almost all returned empty-handed, bringing back no useful intelligence. Whether Yugito was alive or dead remained a complete mystery.
Mabui adjusted her glasses. "Lord Raikage, I'm not suggesting we let Akatsuki continue its presumptuous actions. What we should do now is closely monitor the situation in Kirigakure and help them select a Mizukage as soon as possible. Now that both our great villages have suffered from Akatsuki, if we form an alliance, we will have sufficient pretext to hold the Land of Rain accountable and further pressure the Akatsuki organization."
"Additionally..." A cold glint flashed in her eyes. "The main perpetrators behind the Fourth Mizukage's capture are Uchiha Naoki and Uchiha Itachi—both rogue ninja from Konoha. If we can ally with Kirigakure, we can directly demand an explanation from Konoha and push them to actively pressure the Akatsuki organization. I don't believe the Akatsuki organization can withstand the pressure from an alliance of our three great villages. Then, we can naturally send people into the Land of Rain to investigate Yugito Nii and take corresponding measures based on the findings!"
After listening to Mabui's words, the Fourth Raikage calmed down and highly approved of her plan. "Good! We'll do it that way!"
Akatsuki Headquarters...
"Well done, Seiryū!" Even the Deva Path, Pain, couldn't help but praise after obtaining the Fourth Mizukage. The difficulty of this mission was extraordinary, yet under Uchiha Naoki's arrangements, it was executed so perfectly. He deserved this praise.
"You flatter me, Leader." Uchiha Naoki smiled modestly.
Immediately, the Tailed Beast sealing began!
"Sealing Art: Phantom Dragon Nine Seals!"
As all members performed the seal simultaneously, the Three-Tails within the Fourth Mizukage was swiftly extracted. Even though the Three-Tails struggled, before the Gedo Statue—a vessel specifically designed to contain and restrain Tailed Beasts—and with several Kage-level powerhouses present, it could only unwillingly become the "first tenant of this Gedo Statue."
After the sealing was complete, the lifeless body of the Fourth Mizukage was naturally useless. So, after Uchiha Naoki cremated it, he chose a suitable place for burial.
The Scarlet Sand Scorpion also reported being ambushed by Konoha's Root members on the way, demanding that Zero (Pain) give them a reasonable explanation. Pain was naturally furious about this and promised the Scarlet Sand Scorpion a satisfactory answer.
But Uchiha Naoki didn't think there would be any real explanation for this matter. Moreover, he wouldn't be around to hear it.
"Then, let's bring this to a formal conclusion, Uchiha Obito!" Standing before the waterfall, Uchiha Naoki declared sharply.