Konoha: The Soul King from the Uchiha Clan

Chapter 334 Dramatic Changes in the Hidden Mist (4400 words)

As the head of the Kirigakure Anbu, Fuguki had no trouble entering the Mizukage Building and smoothly arrived at the Mizukage's office.

A rhythmic knocking sounded on the door, and a somewhat childish voice came from inside. Pufferfish Demon pushed open the door and closed it behind him.

Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage, has a naturally baby face and his voice may not match his age, but he is actually quite old.

Unlike the offices of the other four Kage, the Water Shadow's office was not brightly lit. The curtains were drawn, and the lighting inside was rather dim, giving it a gloomy feel.

"Lord Mizukage." The pufferfish demon approached the desk and bowed.

"Pufferfish Demon, what brings you here in person?"

Yagura sat in his office chair, his hands crossed and resting on his chin, expressionless and speaking in a flat tone.

"Lord Mizukage, I have something very important to report to you."

"explain."

"I've received intelligence that Master Yuan is preparing to send Terumi Mei, Ao, and others to attack you," the pufferfish demon said solemnly.

Yagura raised an eyebrow and said indifferently, "This joke is not funny at all. What reason would Master Yuan have to attack me?"

"Is he trying to incite internal strife within the Hidden Mist Village?"

The pufferfish demon lowered his voice and said, "According to my investigation, they seem to suspect that you are being controlled by illusion magic."

Upon hearing this, Yagura's expression changed, a hint of bloodlust appeared in his eyes, and an astonishing killing intent erupted from his body.

The pufferfish demon felt a chill run down his spine, but outwardly remained unperturbed, saying, "This is utter nonsense; it's just an excuse for them to seize power."

"Lord Mizukage, you are a Jinchūriki, and a perfect Jinchūriki at that. How could you possibly be controlled by genjutsu?"

Yagura's murderous aura dissipated considerably, and he said with a half-smile, "What if... what if I really was controlled by illusion magic?"

Upon hearing this, the pufferfish demon's expression shifted for a moment, then he gritted his teeth and said, "Then...then I will also pledge my allegiance to you!"

"Because he was promoted by you, you gave him more power and more wealth."

The murderous aura emanating from Yagura completely dissipated, and he threw his head back and laughed loudly, "Haha...you're afraid that they'll strip you of your power and wealth once they seize power, aren't you?"

"By the way, you might even be in mortal danger."

The pufferfish demon chuckled awkwardly, "Lord Mizukage, you truly have discerning eyes. However, I remain loyal to you."

Bah, are you loyal to me?

Your loyalty is to power and wealth!

However, if the right approach is taken, such people can be the best targets for exploitation...

As long as the ultimate goal can be achieved, no one matters; for him and the Akatsuki organization, virtue is far more important!

"They were right, I was indeed controlled by an illusion."

As Yagura spoke, a spatial vortex appeared out of thin air, and Obito's body was spat out from the Kamui dimension.

Obito's attire was simple: a black robe covering his body, an orange spiral mask, and a three-tomoe Sharingan in his right eye socket that exuded a mysterious and eerie aura.

The pufferfish demon took two steps back, seemingly frightened, its face filled with horror, and stammered, "You...who are you?"

Obito did not answer immediately, but walked towards the Mizukage's throne. Yagura stood up blankly and gave up his seat.

Obito sat casually on the Mizukage's throne, legs crossed, one hand supporting his tilted head. Every move he made exuded immense confidence in his own strength, seemingly unafraid of any tricks from the pufferfish demon.

"The instigator of the Nine-Tails Night, Uchiha Madara... the inheritor of power and will."

As he spoke, Obito stared into the eyes of the pufferfish, and the three-tomoe Sharingan in his right eye quickly transformed into a triangular scythe shape.

Obito didn't want to use Madara Uchiha's name to intimidate people, but Konoha's warrant for his arrest was already known throughout the entire ninja world.

Claiming to be Madara Uchiha is nothing short of laughable.

Fuguki lowered his head, avoiding Obito's Mangekyou Sharingan, and said in a deep voice, "So you are this important person..."

"To be able to unleash the Nine-Tails to wreak havoc in Konoha, to scheme against and kill the infamous Yellow Flash, and to escape unscathed, while even controlling the Fourth Mizukage, who was a perfect Jinchūriki—I have the utmost respect for you!"

"Sir, you're practically the nemesis of the fourth generation!"

Obito actually felt quite pleased with the flattery from Fuguki. Although he almost suffered a setback at the hands of the Fourth Hokage, he was still the ultimate victor.

"Alright, stop flattering me."

"If you want to follow me, you still need to pass a test."

"Once you pass the test, the power and wealth I give you in the future will far exceed your imagination," Obito said in a deep voice.

Hehe, in Infinite Tsukuyomi, you can have as much power and wealth as you want. Even if you want to become the ruler of the world and possess all the wealth in the world, it can all be achieved.

"Please give me the task, sir," the pufferfish demon said with a serious expression.

Obito nodded slightly: "Since Master wants to break the Fourth Mizukage's genjutsu, then I will take this opportunity to weaken Master's power."

"A good plan, sir, but I have a question."

"You mean to ask why, given my strength, I didn't assassinate Master Yuan, right?"

The pufferfish demon felt a chill run down his spine. This person was indeed extraordinary; he had guessed his thoughts in an instant.

"Your Excellency is wise; this is indeed the question I have."

"With my strength and methods, assassinating a Yuan Master would not be difficult, but killing him would do more harm than good."

"Please enlighten me, sir."

"What do you think of my policy?"

"Uh...it's alright," the pufferfish ghost said insincerely.

"Heh heh...not bad?"

"I know there are many ninjas in the village who oppose me, and their discontent is growing daily..."

"Most of the ninjas who oppose me are gathered under Master Yuan's command, and with Master Yuan around, I can still control them."

"What would be the consequences if I killed Master Yuan?"

Obito wanted revenge on Kirigakure, but that didn't mean he wanted to see all the ninjas who opposed him turn against him in desperation...

As long as Obito continues to control the Mizukage and the ninja below don't all become desperate and act rashly, he can continue to slowly whittle down the Hidden Mist Village.

If all the opposing ninjas were to act rashly, Obito's forces in Kirigakure wouldn't have much of a chance of winning.

Because Obito wasn't very popular in Kirigakure, he maintained his rule entirely through the strength of a perfect Jinchūriki and the support of his cronies who benefited from his position.

Unless they are willing to expose the Akatsuki and White Zetsu, but now is clearly not the right time to do so.

Furthermore, by continuing to control the Mizukage, Obito could also control a significant portion of Kirigakure's resources, which would greatly benefit the Akatsuki's development and the realization of the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan.

No matter how much Kirigakure declines, it is still one of the five great ninja villages, and it is not something that ordinary forces can mess with.

Upon hearing this, the pufferfish demon suddenly understood and said with a beaming smile, "My lord, I understand now. You are truly farsighted! How come I never thought of that..."

Beneath the mask, Obito smiled faintly and said in a deep voice, "Now tell me my plan, listen carefully."

"Yes." The pufferfish demon's smile vanished, replaced by a serious expression.

How many ANBU ninjas can you control?

"Remember, it must be something you are absolutely certain you can control; don't have even the slightest doubt."

The pufferfish demon pondered for a moment and said, "My lord, including myself, there are twenty people."

The Hidden Mist Division also has four squads, each with seventeen people, plus other miscellaneous personnel, totaling about eighty people.

"Twenty isn't a lot, but it should be enough."

"To avoid being detected by me, Master Yuan must have sent very few people; I estimate they were mainly elite ninjas."

"Your Majesty, it is clear."

"Continue to keep a low profile and monitor them. I estimate they will make their move when the Anbu ninjas loyal to Master Yuan are in charge of the defense of the Mizukage Building."

"You need to lead your men to infiltrate the Water Shadow Building before the shift change and wait for the Yuan Master's men to walk right into our trap."

"I will secretly cooperate with your actions."

"No problem, sir."

The pufferfish demon finished speaking with a determined look, then his face fell.

"There's just one thing: Qing might make a move."

"He can sense ninjutsu and has the Byakugan, so they'll definitely scout ahead before they act."

"I'm not confident I can hide it from him..."

"Sensory ninjutsu can be blocked or disrupted, but the Byakugan is a bit troublesome..."

Obito hesitated for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "It seems I have to take action myself."

"I'll use my Mangekyou Sharingan to hypnotize them; that will make it easier for them to fall into my trap."

Upon hearing this, the pufferfish demon was overjoyed and said, "Then there's no problem."

"With my men leading the attack alongside you, sir, they have absolutely no chance of escape!"

"I won't make a move."

"Why is that?" The pufferfish demon's expression froze for a moment, then he asked cautiously.

"What do you think?" Obito said coldly.

It was already difficult enough for him to control Yagura and the Three-Tails; he couldn't control them to engage in high-intensity combat anymore, and could only intervene slightly at most.

Making a slight move won't have much effect; instead, it will make people more aware that the puppet being controlled is severely limited in strength.

"Understood, it's to prevent exposure."

"It's good that you understand."

This guy misunderstood, but it's good that he misunderstood.

"Pufferfish Demon, don't hold back on the day you make your move, or I'll personally hunt you down."

"You jest, sir. Ninjas from the Hidden Mist Anbu are never merciful, whether to enemies or their own people."

"I am truly dedicated to serving you, my lord. Please witness my performance!" the pufferfish demon patted his chest and assured him.

"Okay, I look forward to your performance."

"Go on, get to work."

"yes!"

After bowing, the pufferfish demon opened the door and left.

Once the pufferfish demon had moved aside, a White Zetsu named Tobi slowly emerged from the ground...

"Send White Zetsu to monitor him."

Ah Fei nodded slightly, his body, which had not yet been fully exposed, retreated back to the ground.

A spatial vortex appeared, and Obito's body was sucked into the Kamui dimension. Yagura, his face blank, returned to the Mizukage's throne, a blood-red light flickering deep within his eyes...

Atop a building a kilometer away from the Water Shadow Building, a hazy white mist faintly outlined a human figure.

If someone with Byakugan were to look this way, they would see that what appears to be an empty place actually conceals a terrifying amount of chakra...

"Obito's soul aura, White Zetsu's soul aura, but unfortunately no Black Zetsu's soul aura, what good luck."

"Let's stay here a bit longer; maybe Black Zetsu will come along in the meantime..."

The next moment, the hazy human figure in the mist vanished...

Three days later, late at night, the day before the ANBU ninjas loyal to Master Yuan were to change shifts.

In a detached house on the east side of Kirigakure, a figure wearing an orange spiral mask and a black robe silently appeared in the master bedroom, deliberately making a sound when landing.

Qing, who was lying on the bed, suddenly opened his eyes. He lifted the quilt with his left hand, picked up the three kunai on the side of the bed with his right hand and threw them out. Then he sprang up like a carp. The whole set of movements was as if he had rehearsed it a thousand times, and it was as smooth as flowing water.

Pop pop pop, three kunai pierced through Obito's body and into the wall, demonstrating their powerful force.

"Who are you?"

Qing stood on the bed, adopting a defensive posture, looking wary.

Obito slowly raised his head, and a Mangekyou Sharingan came into Ao's view...

Qing knew something was wrong, but it was too late; he was instantly caught in an illusion.

Translate the seal!

Obito moved swiftly, leaping onto the bed. He aimed his Mangekyou Sharingan at Ao's normal eyes and slowly rotated it, transmitting his ocular power through his gaze.

Obito then jumped off the bed, removed the kunai stuck in the wall and put it back on the bed, before disappearing into the spatial vortex.

Qing lay blankly on the bed, covered herself with the quilt, and closed her eyes.

Obito used the Transcription Seal to seal a genjutsu in Ao's eyes, setting the condition that it would activate at night when he observed the Mizukage Building with his Byakugan.

In this way, Qing was no different from usual, and no one else could detect anything unusual.

It's impossible for Mei Terumi and the others to be acting in broad daylight, as the Mizukage Building and the surrounding area are bustling with people during the day.

Since being controlled by Obito, Yagura has returned home less and less often, and eventually he simply started living in the Mizukage Building.

Gen Uchiha observed Obito's actions silently without intervening.

If Obito couldn't come up with a solution, Gento Uchiha was prepared to lend him a hand.

In the latter half of the second night, as the fog thickened and all was quiet, Mei Terumi and her companions, who had been preparing for a long time, officially began their operation.

A series of dark figures darted swiftly through the mist, all wearing masks and plain clothes without any distinguishing features.

The group skillfully evaded the patrols of the Hidden Mist Village's night watch ninjas and arrived at a distance of seven or eight hundred meters from the Mizukage Building.

All eyes turned to Qing, who nodded slightly, formed a hand seal, and bulging veins appeared around his right eye. An invisible wave spread out, and his vision changed drastically...

With the conditions met, the transcribing seal was activated, and Qing fell into an illusion, becoming oblivious to the anomalies he saw in the Water Shadow Building.

"No problem," Qing said in a low voice.

"Alright, let's act now and finish this quickly!" Mei Terumi immediately gave the order.

After saying that, Mei Terumi took the lead and leaped towards the Mizukage Building. Swish, swish, swish... Eleven black figures immediately followed.

The ANBU ninjas on guard had already left, so Mei Terumi and the others were not stopped at all when they arrived at the Mizukage Building and were able to easily sneak in.

After entering the Shuiying Building, the group completely concealed their footsteps and silently arrived outside the Shuiying office.

A ninja from the Hidden Mist Village tiptoed to the gate, took out a key, inserted it into the lock, and gently turned it, silently pushing the door open.

The group filed in silently, each finding a hiding place in the Mizukage's office, while Mei Terumi and Ao arrived at the door of the lounge.

The two exchanged a glance, and Mei Terumi kicked out, sending the lounge door flying with a bang.

The instant the door was kicked open, Ao's ninjutsu was already prepared. With the help of his Byakugan, ropes formed from flowing water precisely wrapped around Yagura, who was lying on the bed.

As Yagura sprang to his feet like a carp, he was caught in the crossfire, his limbs and neck bound by the water whip.

Mei Terumi, moving at full speed, flashed into the house, her right hand, brimming with chakra, pressed against Yagura's chest.

"Do you want to rebel?"

Yagura glanced down at the hand pressed against his chest, then looked up, a fierce expression on his doll-like face.

Mei Terumi's heart skipped a beat upon seeing this. Could it be that their investigation was wrong?

"Oh no, this is a shadow clone! We've fallen for their trap!"

"Retreat immediately!"

The illusion had worn off, and Ao, using his Byakugan, sensed something amiss with the amount of chakra in Yagura's body. His expression changed drastically, and he couldn't believe it.

Just then, the pufferfish demon and his men made their move, unleashing a ruthless attack aimed at killing...

(End of this chapter)