The outskirts of Kirigakure, along the coastline.
The night was deep, waves crashing against the reefs.
Arashi stood on the deck of a warship, the sea breeze fluttering his robes.
Behind him stood Konoha elites such as Fugaku and Hyuga Hiashi, lined up neatly.
Mei was also present, already overseeing arrangements for the Land of Water.
"Daimyo-sama." Mei stepped forward. "The Daimyo of the Land of Water has already signed the agreement. Now, only Kirigakure remains."
Arashi nodded, his gaze fixed on the village shrouded in mist in the distance.
"Is there any movement from Kirigakure?"
"No," Mei replied. "He does not seem to know that the Daimyo Manor has already surrendered."
"Or perhaps," Fugaku said slowly, "the one controlling him simply does not care."
Arashi curled his lips into a cold smile.
"Uchiha Obito."
"I have waited a long time for this name."
Fugaku and Hiashi exchanged glances, shock flashing in their eyes.
The Daimyo actually knew the masked man's true identity.
"Daimyo-sama," Fugaku asked carefully, "are you planning to act personally?"
"What else?" Arashi turned to look at him. "What did you think I came all the way to the Land of Water for, sightseeing?"
Fugaku fell silent. He knew the Daimyo was unfathomably powerful.
Arashi smiled faintly, then leaped straight off the warship.
Without using any Ninjutsu, he stepped onto the sea surface, walking calmly toward Kirigakure.
Fugaku watched his retreating figure. The Daimyo was about to make a move again.
"Everyone, listen to my orders," Mei said sharply. "Seal off all exits of Kirigakure."
"Tonight, no one is allowed to escape."
…
Kirigakure, Mizukage Building.
Obito stood by the window when he suddenly sensed an overwhelming surge of chakra.
He spun around, his Sharingan activating instantly.
"He's here," Black Zetsu said as he emerged from the ground, his voice heavy. "This chakra is extremely strong."
Obito said nothing, staring out through the mist.
A figure slowly approached from within the fog.
Clad in white robes, he stood out starkly against the night.
With every step, ripples spread across the water beneath his feet.
"Chiba Arashi, Daimyo of the Land of Fire," Obito growled. "He actually came in person."
Black Zetsu did not respond, his gaze fixed on the approaching figure.
Having lived for over a thousand years and seen countless powerful beings, the feeling this man gave him still made his core tremble.
"Be careful," Black Zetsu said quietly.
Obito snorted. "So what if he is strong?"
"We will find out once we fight."
The moment he finished speaking, Arashi was already standing at the entrance of the Mizukage Building.
He raised his head, his gaze piercing through the mist to meet Obito's eyes.
"Uchiha Obito," Arashi said calmly. His voice was not loud, yet it echoed throughout Kirigakure. "Come out and die."
Obito's pupils shrank.
How did he know his name?
How did he know he was here?
"Interesting," Obito sneered as his figure vanished.
In the next instant, he appeared on the rooftop, looking down at Arashi.
"Arashi," Obito said through the mask. "You are a Daimyo. Why are you not enjoying yourself in Konoha? Did you come here to die?"
Arashi did not answer, only watching him quietly.
"Take off the mask," Arashi said. "Aren't you tired of playing the ghost?"
Obito laughed and raised a hand, removing the mask.
His scarred face was revealed, along with a single crimson Sharingan.
"Satisfied?" Obito sneered. "Now you can die."
He vanished again.
Kamui.
Space distorted as Obito appeared directly behind Arashi, driving a kunai toward his heart.
However.
Arashi did not even turn his head. He simply raised one hand.
Snap.
The kunai was caught barehanded and could not move an inch.
Obito's expression changed completely.
How was this possible?
Kamui was a space time Ninjutsu. How could it be stopped so easily?
"Is that all?" Arashi turned his head, his eyes calm. "An Uchiha traitor only has this much strength?"
Obito gritted his teeth, chakra erupting as he tried to break free.
But Arashi's grip was like an iron clamp, completely unmoving.
"Who are you?" Obito roared. "What exactly are you?"
Arashi did not answer. He flicked his wrist.
Boom.
A terrifying force exploded outward, sending Obito flying as he smashed heavily into the Mizukage Building.
The wall shattered instantly, dust filling the air.
"Cough." Obito staggered to his feet, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.
He stared at Arashi in disbelief.
Just how powerful was this man?
"Black Zetsu," Obito shouted. "Are you just going to watch?"
Black Zetsu burst out of the ground, his body turning into a black mass as he lunged forward.
"Die."
Arashi merely raised his hand.
Boom.
An invisible force erupted, blasting Black Zetsu away and slamming him into the ground.
"This… what is this…" Black Zetsu struggled, unable to rise.
Arashi walked over slowly and looked down at him.
"Black Zetsu," Arashi said calmly. "The will of Kaguya. You have lived for over a thousand years just to resurrect your mother."
"Unfortunately."
"Your plan ends here."
Black Zetsu's eyes widened in horror.
How did he know?
How did he know everything?
"Who are you?" Black Zetsu shrieked.
Arashi did not respond. He raised his hand.
A vast surge of chakra erupted from his body, instantly enveloping all of Kirigakure.
It was Six Paths level power.
Obito and Black Zetsu both felt the crushing pressure, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.
"This… this is impossible," Obito whispered. "How do you have Six Paths chakra?"
Arashi finally smiled faintly.
"Because."
"I am not just the Daimyo."
"I am also the strongest person in this world."
As his words fell, his eyes transformed.
Rinne Sharingan.
Nine tomoe rotated slowly, radiating a power capable of destroying everything.
Despair filled Obito and Black Zetsu.
Only now did they understand.
The man before them was no ordinary Daimyo.
"It's over," Arashi said, raising his hand as terrifying power gathered in his palm.
"Chibaku Tensei."
Boom.
A massive black sphere formed in the sky as overwhelming gravity erupted.
Obito and Black Zetsu were dragged toward it, unable to resist no matter how they struggled.
"No… stop…" Obito screamed. "I still haven't finished my plan…"
"Rin… Rin is still waiting for me…"
Arashi watched him coldly. "Rin died a long time ago."
"It's time for you to join her."
The black sphere sealed completely.
Obito and Black Zetsu vanished within it, and all sound ceased.
Arashi waved his hand. The sphere shattered into countless fragments, falling into the sea.
Everything returned to silence.
In the distance, Fugaku and the others watched, too shocked to speak.
Only now did they truly understand.
The Daimyo's power far exceeded their imagination.
"Stand down," Arashi said calmly as he turned around. "The matter of the Land of Water is concluded."
"Yes," everyone answered in unison.
The sea breeze blew, carrying away the last traces of smoke.
From that night on, the Land of Water became part of the Land of Fire.
(To be continued.)