Outside the Mizukage Building in Kiri.
Obito stood hidden within the shade of the trees, completely concealing his form.
A moment later, Zetsu's head popped out as he said, "The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, recently became the jinchuriki of the Sanbi. We're too late."
Obito, motionless as a statue, gave a slight tremble and awakened.
He accepted without emotion the news that his shadow clones had dispersed and returned to his original body.
"It's not too late."
Obito looked at the Mizukage Building and said, "We came here for two purposes: one was to control the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, and the other was to capture the Sanbi. Now our two goals have become one—we only need to control Yagura Karatachi. Once he becomes useless, we can extract the Sanbi."
Zetsu nodded without saying anything else.
Obito vanished.
"Who goes there?"
Yagura sensed an unusual chakra, grabbed his staff adorned with green flowers, and looked alert.
A faint spiral of water ripples formed.
Obito's figure appeared.
Yagura's eyes narrowed.
This dramatic entrance appeared to be space-time ninjutsu.
But from his memory, aside from Minato Namikaze of Konoha, no one else exuded such a dangerous aura.
"Who exactly are you?"
When Yagura received no answer after waiting for a long time, he asked again.
"You..."
His gaze fell upon those eyes—black, triangle-shaped blades.
Ominousness oozed from them.
What is this...?
His last conscious thought faded away.
Obito exhaled in relief—it had been easier than expected.
However, the chakra he used up was more than he expected.
This was his first attempt to control someone as powerful as a Kage.
He had mentally braced himself for failure.
Never did he imagine it would succeed on the first try.
Hashirama's cells were truly remarkable.
Obito mused that without Hashirama's cells, his Mangekyo Sharingan wouldn't be this powerful either.
"Done?"
Zetsu emerged from the ground, patted Yagura once, and when he got no response, immediately chuckled.
"Very good. The Akatsuki has also gained control over Kiri. What should we do next?"
"Nagato wants to create the Six Paths. He needs six bodies. What could be more suitable than Kekkei Genkai (bloodline limit)?"
Obito replied coldly, "Kaguya Clan."
Zetsu's eyes flickered briefly.
Kaguya—that was his mother's name.
The Kaguya Clan naturally carried the bloodline of the Otsutsuki Clan.
But that didn't matter much.
After all, even though the Sage of Six Paths was his mother's son, he still chose justice over family, sealing her away.
For mere descendants, if they could contribute to resurrecting his mother, it would be the highest honor they could receive.
"The Kaguya Clan possesses Shikotsumyaku, an exceptionally powerful bloodline limit. It'd be quite fitting as one of Nagato's Six Paths," Obito added.
Obito didn't know what Zetsu was thinking.
His reasoning was simple.
The Kaguya Clan ranked among the strongest ninja clans in Kiri.
Taking them down now would reduce future obstacles for Konoha.
Though in his eyes, they were only minor obstacles.
"As you wish."
Zetsu glanced at him but detected nothing unusual.
The Kaguya Clan's Shikotsumyaku is believed to have originated from Mother Kaguya's Kekkei Tota, All-Killing Ash Bones.
But the disparity in strength was like night and day.
Well, dead is dead.
"What do you plan to do?"
"Do? What do you mean 'do'?"
Obito looked at Yagura Karatachi and grinned. "I've heard the Kaguya are extremely arrogant and conceited, and they're not popular in Kirigakure either. Let the newly-installed Fourth Mizukage eliminate this menace on behalf of the people."
"Stirring up trouble by proxy—sounds good to me."
Zetsu nodded approvingly, a smirk tugging at his lips.
A silent smirk curled Obito's lips.
He truly wondered who was really pulling whose strings here.
"Take us to the Kaguya Clan."
Obito ordered.
The dazed Yagura Karatachi regained his senses upon hearing these words, appearing as he usually did.
But inwardly, he was no longer himself.
"Somebody's here."
Zetsu suddenly said.
Obito vanished instantly.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Enter."
"Mizukage-sama."
A tall, beautiful woman entered through the doorway.
Terumi Mei.
"What brings you here?"
Yagura's expression didn't change, maintaining his usual gentlemanly demeanor.
"There's something I must inform you about."
"Must be urgent for you to come all this way so late."
Yagura smiled.
He felt quite pleased with this talented ninja who possessed two Kekkei Genkai.
"The Taki Hidden Village's Seven-Tails has been captured by a mysterious organization."
Terumi Mei spoke gravely. "Based on our Anbu analysis and combined with events in Sunagakure, we can almost certainly conclude the mysterious organization's goal involves the Tailed Beasts."
Yagura's smile faded, his face turning grave.
"You're worried they'll target me and San Jinchuriki Shiina next?"
"Precisely."
Terumi nodded. "Of the nine Tailed Beasts, two have already been captured. The remaining ones are divided: three in Konoha, two in Iwagakure, and two in Kirigakure. Konoha's power is at its zenith right now, especially with Haruki and others present. Although the mysterious organization's members are strong, attacking Konoha would be suicidal. In comparison, Iwagakure and Kirigakure are more vulnerable targets."
"And among them, Kirigakure is weaker than Iwagakure—we're their best option."
Yagura continued after her. "Terumi Mei, strengthen Shiina's protection detail."
"As you command, Mizukage-sama."
Terumi Mei hesitated briefly before suggesting, "Also, I believe it would be wise to reinforce your personal security detail."
"No need," Yagura refused. "After all, I am the sitting Mizukage—I already have many guards. It's unnecessary to add more personnel."
"But—"
"Don't worry."
Interrupting Terumi Mei, Yagura added, "Right now, I'm the Three-Tails' jinchuriki. Though I may not be number one in Kirigakure, I'm definitely among the top three strongest. If this mysterious organization wants to capture me, they'll create tremendous commotion—and that will give you plenty of time for rescue operations."
Terumi Mei remained silent for a moment.
She said nothing further.
To continue pressing the issue would come off as disrespectful.
After all, he was the sitting Mizukage.
He wouldn't tolerate being seen as vulnerable.
"Understood, Mizukage-sama. I'll make the arrangements right away."
Terumi Mei bowed slightly before leaving the Mizukage's office.
"It seems Kakuzu's team has successfully captured the Seven-Tails."
Zetsu reappeared, looking at Yagura Karatachi with a strange grin. "How ironic — reporting to a Mizukage who's under control about how to protect him."
"Although the Seven-Tails can fly and is extremely fast, it doesn't stand much of a chance against Darui's Lightning Release. With Kakuzu, Zabuza, and Kisame working together, capturing the Seven-Tails was only natural."
Obito spoke in a calm tone. "Let's go to the Kaguya Clan."
Upon hearing this, Yagura Karatachi immediately leaped forward.
Obito and Zetsu silently followed behind. Moments later, they arrived in a secluded valley, bathed in moonlight, as if shrouded in a silvery veil.
Obito gazed at dozens of houses while expanding his sensory perception. No wonder it was regarded as one of the Mist Village's most powerful ninja clans. In terms of strength, it was already on par with Konoha's Hyuga Clan. He'd heard rumors of possible familial ties between the two clans.
A momentary hesitation crossed Obito's face before hardening into firm determination. The Mist Village is destined to be an enemy of Konoha. He would show no mercy.
"Yagura Karatachi, begin the assault. Let them witness the power of *their* Mizukage."