"Asuma, hold your fire."
"After all, there's no need to fight anymore."
Chiriku didn't attack and also stopped Asuma from doing so. His gaze fell on Kazuma, who was already restrained by two Uchiha. He knew full well that all three of them were far stronger than he and Asuma—by a large margin. Rather than fighting, it was better to clarify things first.
"Not fighting?"
"Fine. At least now many things will become clear."
"Hey, how's it going over there?"
Kakashi dispersed the lightning from his body, casting an admiring glance at Chiriku. Compared to Asuma, this high monk from the Fire Temple was truly the wise one.
Of course, that also had to do with Obito and Shisui's overwhelming strength. Just as Kakashi had sent Asuma reeling with a single punch, the two Uchiha had already seized control of Kazuma from either side. Shisui further used his Sharingan to subdue him completely. Kazuma was now utterly defenseless—a lamb awaiting slaughter.
This was the true might of the Sharingan, one of the Three Great Dōjutsu. With its power, controlling someone weaker was almost effortless.
"Asuma, if you still consider yourself part of Konoha, you shouldn't be obstructing us."
"Moreover, as a Guardian Ninja, shouldn't you be seeking the truth behind the assassination of the former Daimyō?"
Kakashi crossed his arms and looked at Asuma, who was about his age, his eyes filled with disapproval. Even if Asuma now served as a Guardian Ninja, he shouldn't forget his roots—the Sarutobi clan had always been loyal to Konohagakure. The late Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had devoted his life to the village. As his son, how could Asuma dare to raise his blade against his own people?
"My affairs are none of your concern."
"But since you've captured Kazuma, I'm rather curious about this 'truth' you speak of."
"The assassination of the former Daimyō caused quite an uproar, yet the killer was never found. You claim Kazuma is the murderer?"
"Then prove it."
Asuma sheathed his blades and lit another cigarette, this time fixing Kazuma with a sharp, scrutinizing gaze.
"Indeed. Kazuma's collusion with Danzō was exposed some days ago."
"Though the Daimyō hasn't spoken, his actions make it clear he no longer trusts the Guardian Shinobi."
"If Kazuma truly is the cause of it all, then the Guardian Shinobi must set things right."
Chiriku stepped forward to voice his agreement. Having been sent to the Daimyō's Manor by the Fire Temple and joining the Guardian Shinobi, his duty was to serve the Daimyō's authority. Uncovering the cause of the former Daimyō's death was an obligation he could not ignore.
"At least you two know your place."
"You go, or shall I?"
Obito looked toward Shisui, asking which of them would perform the genjutsu.
"I'll handle it," Shisui said immediately. "My eyes specialize in genjutsu. Making him confess what he did will be easy."
Obito considered arguing but remembered their private sparring sessions. He had to admit, Shisui's genjutsu ability surpassed his own.
Even within the Uchiha clan, there were areas of focus. Obito preferred to combine dōjutsu with ninjutsu, while Shisui excelled in pure illusion.
Their teacher often criticized this difference. As Kazuyama Gekkō would scold:
"Specializing again, huh? You've both got a perfectly good pair of eyes, yet you insist on extremes? I ought to smack you two!"
As Shisui's Sharingan activated, the fury in Kazuma's eyes vanished, replaced by emptiness.
"The genjutsu has taken hold. Tell us everything you've done."
Shisui's Sharingan spun rapidly, deepening the illusion's control over Kazuma. Under its power, Kazuma lost all resistance and began to speak.
"The previous Daimyō…"
"Hmph! A weakling! He deserved to die!"
"Without his death, the Daimyō's Manor of the Land of Fire would never improve!"
A flicker of satisfaction crossed Kakashi and his comrades' faces. It seemed the suspicions of Hokage-sama and their sensei had been completely correct. This bastard really had plotted to assassinate the Daimyō.
Asuma and Chiriku, however, were stunned. Though they had mentally prepared themselves, hearing Kazuma confess with their own ears was still difficult to believe.
"Just as sensei said. Hmph. With this, the Daimyō's Manor surely can't tolerate this man any longer."
"Asuma, shall we escort him to His Lordship the Daimyō?"
Kakashi remained with arms folded, though his eyes were full of contempt. That someone who targeted the Daimyō could become captain of the Guardian Ninjas—what a disgrace to the organization.
Asuma stood frozen, lost in thought, while Chiriku could only shake his head helplessly beside him. The Guardian Shinobi, with people like this among their ranks, had a bleak future ahead....
...
In the desert, the Five-Tails sat upon the sand, while before her, Kazuyama Gekkō had already begun drinking sake leisurely.
After a heart-to-heart conversation, the Five-Tails Kokuō had temporarily set aside her anger toward the man and the insect before her. The matter of the Ten-Tails was too serious—so serious that she, like Shukaku, had chosen to place her trust in Kazuyama Gekkō.
"I never thought you could give me such an undeniable reason for killing me back then."
"And even more surprising—you've joined forces not just with Chōmei, but with Shukaku and Matatabi too."
"You're not leaving them any chance to resist, are you?"
Kokuō lay sprawled across the sand. The desert's heat meant nothing to her; the steam from her Boil Release was far hotter than any desert sun.
Kazuyama Gekkō took a sip of sake, purely to moisten his throat—he had no idea how long he'd been talking.
As for Chōmei, he was buzzing about aimlessly, utterly useless in the conversation. He didn't comment either; communication was never his strong suit.
"Giving them a chance would be irresponsible to ourselves."
"They clearly want our lives—why should we give them an opportunity?"
"Kokuō, are you sure you're thinking straight?"
Kokuō was left speechless by Kazuyama Gekkō's three simple sentences—because he was right.
"Then what's your plan? You've been searching for them for ages and still haven't found anything."
"Exactly why I'm gathering all of you big ones together. Rather than letting them pick us off one by one, we'll unite and strike together when they appear!"