Facing Obito's attack, Zabuza gritted his teeth and swung his blade toward him.
Obito merely flickered to the side, easily dodging the strike. With a sidestep, he closed the distance and delivered a punch to Zabuza's stomach. The powerful impact sent Zabuza stumbling back several meters before dropping to one knee, staring at Obito ahead.
Obito hadn't even used his full strength, but if Zabuza had been at his peak, he might have been able to defend himself. However, after his battle with the Fourth Mizukage, his stamina was down to almost nothing.
He could still hold his own against weaker opponents, but against someone of Obito's caliber, he could only endure the blows.
Seeing Zabuza injured, Haku and Kimimaro rushed to his side, helping him up before stepping in front of him to guard against Obito.
Obito glanced at Haku's ice blade, then at Kimimaro's bone blade, his brows furrowing slightly.
Something about them felt off, familiar, even, but he couldn't immediately place why. Engaging them in a few rapid exchanges, he quickly realized the truth. No wonder they felt familiar, they had White Zetsu attached to them.
That traitor, Black Zetsu, must have transferred control of some White Zetsu units to Byakuya. Byakuya had then used White Zetsu's abilities to empower these two ninjas to fight against the Fourth Mizukage, whom Obito had carefully cultivated.
Did Byakuya really want to steal the credit that badly? The retrieval of the Three-Tails and Six-Tails was supposed to be Obito's task.
Still, it wasn't necessarily a bad thing. The faster Byakuya collected the Tailed Beasts, the quicker the Eye of the Moon Plan could proceed. And once the Tailed Beasts were secured, Byakuya's usefulness would end.
Regaining his composure, Obito looked at the Kirigakure ninjas before him. His objective had already been achieved, so there was no need to linger. However… taking a few Kirigakure ninja down before leaving wasn't a bad idea.
With that thought, Obito attacked again.
This time, he activated his intangibility. No matter how much Haku's ice blade or Kimimaro's bone spears slashed at him, they couldn't touch him.
Seeing this, Haku and Kimimaro became visibly shaken.
With the enhancement of the Wood Release seed, they thought they had become strong enough to compete at the highest level in Kirigakure, strong enough to even fight against a Tailed Beast.
But now, faced with the true mastermind, they couldn't even land a hit.
Mei Terumi gathered a large amount of acidic mist, hoping to bypass Obito's defenses, but he effortlessly dodged every attack. He was like a ghost, untouchable, untouchable, and seemingly unreal.
At that moment, after observing for a while, Ao spoke up, "The masked man's chakra has vanished. He likely possesses some sort of space-time ability, hiding his body in another dimension. That's why none of our attacks are landing."
Mei Terumi asked, "Then how do we fight him?"
Ao thought for a moment before answering, "Space-time techniques aren't invincible. If he hides in another dimension, he can't attack either. As long as we keep our eyes on him and don't let up, he'll eventually be forced to return to this space."
Hearing this, Obito's expression immediately darkened. What the hell is wrong with the ninja world these days?!
Why was it that every time he used a technique, someone could see through it?! Was his space-time ability really that obvious?!
Not wanting to reveal the five-minute limit of his intangibility, Obito voluntarily canceled it.
Walking into the middle of the group, he sighed lightly, "Originally, I wanted to keep playing with you using my intangibility. But since you've figured it out, I'll have to keep it a secret, by killing all of you."
With that, Obito raised his hand and activated Mokuton, Piercing Stakes, launching into close combat.
Before Mei Terumi could even react, a wooden stake grazed her, tearing her clothes and leaving a deep scratch on her skin.
Ao, standing nearby, wasn't as lucky, his thigh was pierced straight through, crippling his mobility.
In mere moments, half of the Kirigakure shinobi collapsed, while the remaining few were too injured to fight.
Haku and Kimimaro tried to retaliate, but they soon realized that the chakra in their Wood Release seeds had been exhausted.
The only ones left with any fighting strength were Biwa Juzo and Zabuza.
Looking at the battered shinobi around him, Obito sneered,
"You talk big, but your strength is pitiful. If you don't have some secret trump card, I'll just kill each of you one by one and reclaim Kirigakure."
"After all, for over a decade, your Mizukage has been nothing but my puppet."
Saying this, Obito laughed, a loud, unrestrained, arrogant laugh.
The Kirigakure shinobi's expressions darkened. But at this point, they had lost nearly all their strength. Any further resistance would only land them on the rogue ninja list before their inevitable deaths.
But if they lost here… Kirigakure would return to the past. Nothing would change.
The Bloody Mist policy would continue. Kirigakure Academy students would still be forced into brutal survival battles. Teams of ninja would still distrust and betray one another.
That was not the future they wanted.
That was not what Kirigakure should be.
With this thought, Zabuza struggled to his feet. Dragging his sword behind him, leaving a trail of blood, he walked toward Obito.
When he got close, he lifted his head, grinning as he said, "Don't underestimate my village. Even if the Mizukage becomes your puppet, there will always be a demon like me to chop off the puppet's head."
Obito glanced at him and casually flicked his wrist, sending a wooden stake flying toward Zabuza. To him, killing Zabuza at this point was no different from crushing an ant, just a matter of choice. Zabuza's current state reminded him of himself back at the Kannabi Bridge. The sight made him feel sick.
The ninja world's law is survival of the fittest. Any resistance before absolute power is meaningless.
Only in dreams could a ninja become truly strong, only in dreams could true peace exist. But just as the wooden stake was about to hit Zabuza, a black-haired figure intercepted it mid-air.
Zabuza looked at the newcomer in surprise, sighing before saying, "So, in the end, we still have to rely on you. I must have disappointed you, both me and Kirigakure."
The black-haired figure shook his head and replied, "You and the Kirigakure shinobi have done well. You successfully lured out the masked man. Now, leave the rest to me. This is my fight with him… and the grudge between our clans."
Pausing, the newcomer turned to Haku and Kimimaro, saying, "Haku, Kimimaro, here are some medical scrolls and medicine. Treat the injured and fall back."
Haku and Kimimaro took the scrolls and medicine, then retreated to tend to the wounded.
After finishing all this, the black-haired figure looked toward Obito in the distance and activated the Body Flicker Technique.
The black-haired figure was none other than Byakuya, who had been watching for quite some time. He had arrived near the battlefield as soon as Obito made his appearance. However, he didn't act immediately. Instead, he observed Obito and the Mist ninjas, assessing their strength.
Only when the Mist ninjas were all defeated and Zabuza was about to be killed did Byakuya step in to save him. This way, he could maximize his favorability with Zabuza, making it easier to bring the Kirigakure under his control.
As he flashed to Obito's side, Obito furrowed his brows and locked eyes with Byakuya.
He hadn't expected Byakuya to appear without any disguise this time, showing his true face in front of so many people. Did this move have some hidden meaning?
After staring at each other for a few moments, Byakuya suddenly raised his voice, "Masked man, after hiding for so many years, you've finally shown yourself. Ever since our last encounter in Konohagakure, we've been searching for your whereabouts, from the Land of Fire all the way to the Land of Lightning."
I never expected you to be hiding in Kirigakure all this time, secretly controlling the Fourth Mizukage. But now that the Fourth Mizukage has been defeated and you're trapped here, it's time to settle the decades-long grudge between our two clans. Every last heir of Madara Uchiha must be eliminated."
Obito's eyes flashed with confusion as he stared at Byakuya in disbelief.
It was true that he was a successor to Madara, but had Byakuya lost his mind today? Why was he talking about eliminating Madara's heirs? There had never been any major feud between the Uchiha and the Uzumaki clans.
Before Obito could think further, Byakuya had already charged at him, unleashing Advent of a World of Flowering Trees.
Countless vines shot up from the ground, instantly transforming the lake into a dense forest, completely reshaping the terrain.
Faced with Byakuya's attack, Obito dared not be careless. Byakuya had defeated him three times in the past, he was the one person in the ninja world who understood Kamui almost as well as Obito himself.
Was Byakuya planning to eliminate him today and execute the Eye of the Moon Plan on his own?
Clenching his teeth, Obito barely held his ground for a few exchanges before gradually regaining his composure. Taking advantage of the cover provided by Advent of a World of Flowering Trees, he called out to Byakuya,
"Byakuya, what exactly is your plan in Kirigakure? If you tell me, I can cooperate with you."
Byakuya lunged at Obito again, responding with a serious expression,
"What Byakuya? What plan? Evil successor of Madara Uchiha, I'm here to eliminate you today. Your wicked schemes have threatened the entire ninja world! As a descendant of the Senju, I must remove this threat and restore peace to the world!"
Obito was speechless. After phasing through Byakuya's Cutting Sprigs Technique, he frowned and said, "Byakuya, I remember you being an Uzumaki. Since when did you become a Senju? Besides, you've recruited so many Uchiha yourself. You're more like the head of the Uchiha than I am."
Byakuya remained calm, looking at Obito with an indifferent expression.
"I have no idea what you're talking about. Didn't Itachi Uchiha already wipe out the Uchiha clan? What does that have to do with me? Besides, as a Senju descendant, I have solid proof that you orchestrated the Nine-Tails attack and controlled the Mizukage. I cannot betray the will of my ancestors by conspiring with Madara Uchiha's heir."
Seeing Byakuya feign ignorance, Obito had no choice but to use his trump card,
"If you keep pretending, I'll expose everything to Black Zetsu, and at the same time, I'll make sure the entire ninja world learns about Danzo's role in Shisui's disappearance."
Hearing this, Byakuya paused and looked at Obito.
"Masked man, if you expose the truth about Shisui, does that mean you're giving up on hunting the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki? Or are you planning to quit Akatsuki and go solo?"
"I'm not, " Obito started to deny it, but then suddenly realized something. He frowned and said, "Then what exactly is your plan? With your intelligence network, you should know that Kirigakure is under my control. If we wait for the right moment, I can make a move on the Three-Tails and Six-Tails and complete the organization's mission."
Byakuya looked at Obito and said, "Your plan may seem perfect, but it has many flaws. The Three-Tails Jinchūriki is the Fourth Mizukage. If you attack him, you'll alert Kirigakure. The successive disappearances of the Tailed Beasts will also raise alarms in the Five Great Nations. When that happens, capturing the remaining Tailed Beasts will become much more difficult."
Obito frowned, displeased. "Then what better method do you have? Why insist on targeting Kirigakure? Don't you realize your actions have exposed me and the Tailed Beast plan? How am I supposed to carry out my missions now?"
Byakuya continued, "Your identity was already compromised. In the future, I plan to let you and the Tailed Beast hunt be fully exposed to the Five Great Nations so that the entire world knows an organization is secretly collecting the Tailed Beasts."
"Why?" Obito stared at Byakuya, clearly displeased. To him, Byakuya was acting like a traitor.
Byakuya smiled and said, "Once the hunt for the Tailed Beasts begins, how long do you think you can keep it hidden from the Great Nations? Rather than trying to cover it up, it's better to expose the plan early and direct their attention toward you.
This time, I'm confronting you as a Senju to ensure the ninja world sees us as enemies. That way, when you attack the Jinchūriki in the future, I can use the opportunity to infiltrate the Five Great Nations from within. The safest place is often the most dangerous one. The Five Great Nations would never expect this."
Obito fell into deep thought after hearing Byakuya's plan.
It was indeed a clever strategy, but there was one glaring issue, why should he be the one lurking in the shadows, drawing all the hatred as Madara's successor, while Byakuya could walk in the light, becoming a hero who stood against the Eye of the Moon Plan?
As if sensing Obito's thoughts, Byakuya spoke casually, "Honestly, I don't want to pretend to be a Senju and act as a spy in the Five Great Nations either. But the problem is, you attacked Konohagakure, controlled the Fourth Mizukage, and just so happen to be the heir of Madara, you're the perfect scapegoat to attract all the hatred."
Pausing for a moment, Byakuya added, "Don't hesitate. Didn't you want to become the greatest contributor to the organization? This is your best opportunity."
Obito remained silent for a long time before finally speaking. "If you had this plan all along, why didn't you tell me earlier? Do you not trust me?"
Byakuya nodded and replied matter-of-factly, "Of course, I don't trust you. I've always worked with you using my real identity, while you've always hidden behind a mask. I don't even know who you really are. Are you just Madara's successor, or Madara himself?"
"My identity doesn't matter. I've already forgotten my past."
Obito gazed at Byakuya and, in a quiet voice, asked,
"And besides, I may wear a mask, but at least I know I am an Uchiha. But you, an Uzumaki, are you really an Uzumaki?"