Seeing the Masked Man following him along with the chains in his hand, Minato's eyes narrowed. "A space-time ninjutsu that doesn't require any coordinates? Furthermore, you abandoned the situation back in the village just to chase after me, which means... your real target is me, isn't it?"
The Masked Man gently shook the chains in his hand. "No wonder you're the Golden Flash. You figured it out so quickly. That's right, my objective is to capture you!"
"Capture?" Minato asked heavily. "Are you planning to control me with genjutsu like you did with the Nine-Tails? Use my status as Hokage to fulfill your ambitions? If that's the case, then among the other village Kages, there must already be puppets under your control, right?"
Obito was greatly shaken. He had only brought the chains to create a reasonable explanation for his actions—if he failed to kill Minato and the latter returned and reported this incident, it would help others believe that his target wasn't Minato himself, but rather the Hokage authority he represented.
After all, "Madara Uchiha" shouldn't harbor such intense hatred toward someone from the younger generation. Later explanations could also steer others toward the idea that Madara hated the Hokage itself.
However, he hadn't expected that one careless remark from him would expose all his secrets completely.
He had secretly controlled the newly appointed Mizukage of the Mist Hidden Village not long ago!
Minato, who had been carefully observing his eyes, noticed the brief flicker of panic and spoke solemnly, "So I was right. Your eyes have already revealed everything!"
Damn it, just because you're smarter doesn't mean you have to act so smug... Obito muttered to himself. He was already "Madara Uchiha" now—why did he still have to endure this intellectual suppression?
Ashamed and enraged, Obito swung the chain directly toward Minato. "You can only be arrogant now! Once Konoha is destroyed, let's see if you can still smile!"
"No, Konoha won't be destroyed!" Minato dodged while declaring firmly. "With Seiki Shimaseki and the Third Lord present, your ambitions are destined to fail!"
"Hmph, then just wait and see!"
...
Inside Root's underground chamber.
A group of Root ninja gazed forward with admiration and respect at the figure before them. The evening's chaos had indeed been foreseen by Danzo-sama.
Too bad that foolish Hokage, though warned by Danzo-sama in advance, still allowed Obito to succeed.
"Lord Danzo, what should we do now?"
"Should we go into hiding underground until the chaos settles and then clean up the aftermath?"
Go into hiding underground? Foolish!" Danzo snorted coldly. "Konoha has Hiruzen, Orochimaru, Minato Namikaze, and even that kid Seiki Shimaseki. Even if the Nine-Tails rampages, it won't change the overall outcome! Hiding now will only weaken the support for me!"
Hearing this, one Root ninja suggested, "Then should we go fight against the Nine-Tails now?"
"That would be even more foolish!" Danzo glared coldly. "There will be many people fighting the Nine-Tails, but only the one who finally defeats it will be remembered. Are you planning to be a background character for others to shine?"
"Then what should we do?"
"Of course we should go save people!"
"Your role on the battlefield may not be significant," Danzo waved his hand broadly, "but when it comes to disaster relief, your strength will certainly suffice!"
"And don't forget to mention your affiliations to the people you rescue!" Danzo added without a trace of shame. "All of this is to help lead Konoha in the right direction!"
"Yes, sir!"
...
Hiruzen's residence.
Hearing the furious, brutal roar, the Third Hokage—who had been practicing calligraphy—immediately stood up. "Could this be... the Nine-Tails?"
He couldn't afford not to be anxious—after all, Biwako was currently assisting in Kushina's childbirth!
Even though he was a pervert and a peeping tom, he knew he was still a family man!
"P-Biwako, please be safe!" He steadied himself, trying to focus on the task at hand. "Since Seiki is there, it probably won't go wrong. The top priority now is to stop the Nine-Tails!"
"Shō!"
At the Third's summons, an Anbu ninja wearing an elephant mask instantly appeared before him.
Though he had already stepped down from the Hokage's seat, he still commanded considerable power.
"Lord Third!"
As Hiruzen put on his battle gear, he issued orders. "I'll handle containing the Nine-Tails. You are to protect the non-combatants, and immediately notify the Fourth, Seiki, and Orochimaru!"
"Yes, sir!"
...
Uchiha Clan Compound.
"Damn it! Who the hell is behind this attack on us?" Fugaku muttered, his limbs growing cold as he watched the Nine-Tails wreaking havoc in the distance. There was no need for further proof—the massive tomoe within the beast's eyes were sufficient evidence of the Uchiha's involvement.
All his hard work over the years had been in vain!
"Damn it! How could this happen?"
"Fugaku, you..." Mikoto looked at him with concern.
"We must clarify our stance immediately!" Fugaku quickly made a decision. "Only by joining the effort to intercept the Nine-Tails can we avoid being purged afterward!"
"Mikoto, I'm sorry, but I must lead our people to stop the Nine-Tails now!"
Though worried, Mikoto didn't try to stop him. Instead, she gently adjusted his collar. "Go do what you must. I'll go help evacuate civilians with some of our clansmen."
"Don't be reckless—it's far too dangerous out there!"
"How is that reckless? I'm an Uchiha too!"
Seeing the determined look in his wife's eyes, Fugaku changed tactics. "What about Sasuke? He needs your protection!"
Mikoto gently shook her head and looked toward Itachi, who was standing at the doorway. "Itachi, you can take good care of your younger brother, right?"
Itachi nodded firmly. "I will definitely protect Sasuke!"
Seeing this, Fugaku sighed helplessly. "Fine then, but please stay safe!"
"Yes, you too!"
...
On the chaotic streets.
"Damn it! How could the Nine-Tails suddenly go berserk?" Guy asked with wide eyes.
"Come on, you know that's impossible!"
Kakashi sighed, standing right beside them, "Look at the tomoe in its eyes. It must be under someone's control!"
"What? Controlled by someone?" Might Guy's shock only lasted a moment before he quickly rallied and shouted, "If that's the case, let me take it on!"
At that moment, a figure suddenly blocked their path.
"Don't fool around. It's not your turn yet, kids. Hurry up and gather at the assembly hall!"
"Huh? Why?"
"It's an order from the elder generation!"
"Is it Lord Third's command?" Guy asked hesitantly.
"Senior Yūhi!" Kakashi's voice was firm. "We can help too. Let us come along!"
Shinku Yuhi frowned. "I know you're both strong, but this is the Nine-Tails we're talking about!"
"Yeah, I know it's the Nine-Tails!" Guy raised his right hand high. "I heard from Kakashi that it had been controlled. That's the perfect moment to use some happy memories to awaken it!"
"Happy memories?" Shinku Yuhi asked in confusion.
"Of course I'm talking about those joyful times when we used to play cards together!" Guy smiled with a thumb raised.
"It might actually work!" Kakashi nodded thoughtfully. "The Nine-Tails does have significant emotional fluctuations when playing cards. This could actually help it break free from control!"
Shinku Yuhi just stared blankly. How did the tense and serious atmosphere suddenly become so ridiculous?
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~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** on the weekend!