"This is strange… why haven't Shihara Ren and the others made any move yet?"
Inside the Mizukage Tower of Kirigakure, Obito rubbed his chin, unease creeping into his voice.
It had been nearly a week since Ren and his group arrived in the Land of Water.
An entire week—and not a single ripple.
No sightings.
No disturbances.
No signs of infiltration.
They had vanished as if they had never existed.
If Obito didn't know how terrifying those people were, he might have even suspected they were already dead.
But that was impossible.
And the quieter they were, the more restless he became.
"Maybe they're planning something," Black Zetsu replied calmly, flipping through intelligence reports.
"And with Kirigakure on such high alert, they probably don't dare act recklessly."
In truth, Black Zetsu desperately wished Ren would just leave.
Ever since witnessing that golden chakra state—something eerily close to a Yang-Release chakra mode—he hadn't slept well.
No one understood better than him what that implied.
And yet… he couldn't confirm it.
"Besides Senju Hashirama, every Asura reincarnation relied on tailed beasts," Black Zetsu thought grimly.
"But Ren doesn't have one—so how did he reach this level?"
If he hadn't failed to sense the Nine-Tails' chakra, he might have even suspected Ren had already moved against Kurama.
Either possibility was disastrous.
Because uncertainty meant loss of control.
And there was nothing Black Zetsu hated more.
"That's why we need to be cautious," he said aloud.
"Their silence means they're brewing something."
"You think they'll exploit the chaos?" Obito scoffed.
"They're strong, sure—but do you really think they can just find me? And even if they do, would they dare attack a Kage inside Kirigakure?"
He paused, then snorted.
"Burning the Tsuchikage Tower. Kidnapping the Raikage. Abducting the Tsuchikage's son…"
"…Actually, yeah. They probably would."
Still, Black Zetsu frowned.
Understanding Obito's connection to the Mizukage wasn't easy.
To be safe, he added, "Ren's analytical ability is dangerous. I'll notify Nagato and the others. They should have recovered by now."
"Do whatever you want," Obito waved him off.
He didn't think it was necessary—but caution never hurt.
After all, since becoming "Uchiha Madara," Ren was the only person who had repeatedly humiliated him and dumped blame on him without mercy.
That alone made Ren unsettling.
"…But Nagato's condition isn't great," Obito muttered.
"If this continues, he'll only deteriorate. Isn't there a way to boost his combat power?"
Black Zetsu stared at him as if questioning his sanity.
"Keeping him as he is is already dangerous. Strengthen him further, and he'll be even harder to control."
"He's just a pawn," Obito scoffed. "Don't overestimate him."
Black Zetsu dropped the subject, but the idea lingered in Obito's mind.
Nagato was strong—undeniably so.
But he wasn't a threat.
Ren was different.
Ren had space-time abilities—just like Minato.
That was why Obito kept losing.
Nagato didn't.
The Rinnegan wasn't even his own, and every use burned his lifespan.
No space-time jutsu.
No escape.
Strengthening Nagato just enough—letting him clash with Ren repeatedly—
That was Obito's ideal outcome.
Elsewhere, deep beneath Kirigakure, in a sealed underground chamber—
"Are you feeling better?" Konan asked softly.
Nagato nodded, his face pale but steady.
"I'm fine."
He glanced around and let out a cold chuckle.
"That black plant creature knows Kirigakure far too well. He bypassed every barrier and brought us here without a sound."
"And chose a perfect location."
"What do you think his role really is?"
"Nothing about this is simple," Konan replied.
Neither of them trusted Obito—or Black Zetsu.
Everything felt like they were being pushed toward a cliff.
"Maybe they already have information on Ren," Nagato said quietly.
"He might already be inside Kirigakure."
"That's very possible," Konan agreed.
"I heard from Kakuzu—they came here to hunt Uchiha Obito."
Nagato activated a soundproof barrier.
"Then let's assume that's true. I've always suspected that 'Uchiha Madara' is actually Obito."
"If Ren is hiding here… what role do you think he's playing?"
Konan frowned.
"That's beyond me."
"But this may be our best chance. We're here for Ren. If we can't find him, the mission fails."
Nagato nodded.
"Yes. This may be our last opportunity."
Suddenly—
A piercing alarm tore through the night.
Even underground, the shrill warning echoed clearly.
They stiffened.
"…Trouble has begun."
At the same time, Zabuza cursed internally as he moved through Kirigakure with his subordinates—and several "subordinates" who were clearly disguised ANBU.
To move against the Mizukage, an excuse was needed.
Someone had to light the fuse.
And Zabuza fit perfectly.
"This isn't what I signed up for…"
He'd expected prison at worst.
Not outright rebellion.
"Bunch of backstabbing bastards…"
He glanced at the disguised ANBU.
Monitor dogs.
"My lord, it's time," one whispered.
Zabuza clenched his teeth.
"Tonight, we change Kirigakure," he growled.
Fog thickened.
Explosions erupted near the Mizukage Tower.
From a distant hill, Ren and the others watched silently.
Ren gently took Yūgao's hand.
"Cold?"
"We're ninja," she replied—then didn't pull away.
"It's started," Jiraiya said grimly.
"Follow the plan."
Below, Kirigakure descended into chaos.
Ren moved through the Mizukage Tower like a shadow.
His objective was clear.
The Fourth Mizukage.
And Uchiha Obito.
"Without a Byakugan… forcing him out won't be easy," Ren muttered.
A sudden spatial distortion tugged at him.
"Kamui."
Ren vanished and reappeared behind the masked man.
"So it really is you, Obito."
Obito attacked without hesitation.
Black rods smashed down.
Ren parried casually.
"…Your taijutsu is awful," he remarked.
"Are you sure you're an Uchiha?"
Obito's fury exploded.
"Shut up!"
Ren accelerated.
Golden chakra flared.
"Rasengan!"
The tower shook violently.
Obito staggered back, blood soaking his mask.
"…Why do you know?" he rasped.
"Because you're predictable," Ren replied coldly.
"You blamed Minato."
"So how could you forgive Kirigakure—the village that forced Rin to die?"
Obito froze.
"…Policy," he whispered.
"Yes," Ren said softly.
"Destroy a village from the inside."
"Blood Mist."
"You never wanted justice."
"You wanted ruin."
His will cracked.
"Wood Release—Tree World Descent."
A colossal tree burst through the tower, tearing skyward.
From afar, Yuan Shi watched in silence.
"…Wood Release."
Ao's voice rang out.
"The barrier's gone—I see it!"
"The Fourth Mizukage… he is under genjutsu!"
The truth was finally exposed.
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