"Fire Release: Explosive Wind Dance!"
The space around Obito distorted through Kamui, creating a localized vortex of flames that spiraled toward Yae Miko. Obito knew that while her blue soul-flame was a terrifying defensive tool, it wouldn't necessarily stop a concentrated ninjutsu attack. He was beyond furious; being exposed in front of Kakashi and the world had stripped away his greatest weapon: anonymity.
"Oh dear... are you throwing a tantrum already?" Miko dodged the inferno with a grace that felt like a slap in the face. Her body moved in a seamless, elegant twist, making the high-speed flames look stationary.
Obito was prepared. His Mangekyo tracked her trajectory perfectly. "Wood Release: Wood Piercing Technique!"
A jagged wooden stake erupted toward her landing point, but it never reached her. A wild, spectral fox spirit intercepted the Wood Release mid-air, obliterating the dense timber into splinters. The onlookers were stunned—not just by the revelation that the "Masked Man" could use the legendary Wood Release of the First Hokage, but by how effortlessly the Sage Fox neutralized it.
"Obito, don't show off those eyes," Miko teased, summoning her Bankai, Ao-Andon, back to her side. "I know the limitations of your Kamui better than you do. Without both eyes, your power is a half-finished puzzle. As for your 'insight'... I can see a future you haven't even dreamed of yet."
Miko felt the pull of the multiverse. A notification pinged in her mind:
[Ding... Congratulations on successfully completing the Hard-Level mission. Points Reward: 400,000 (Split: 200,000 each).]
[Note: You may return immediately or stay for 30 minutes.]
Miko had no intention of lingering with these "overpowered children" any longer. She had played her part, sown the seeds of chaos, and it was time to collect her spoils.
[The Seed of Doubt]
As Miko's form began to fade into digital particles, Naruto Uzumaki rushed forward. "Wait! I have a question!"
"Sorry, brat... my time is up," Miko smiled, her eyes softening for a brief second. "But before I go, let me give you a gift. Little fox, do not let hatred blind you. Learn to distinguish who your real enemy is."
She flicked her wrist, and a small, glowing fox spirit surged into Naruto's chest. Inside his subconscious, the Nine-Tails (Kurama), who had been watching the battle with gritted teeth, suddenly stood up.
This scent...
The Nine-Tails was skeptical. How could a free, celestial fox from another world understand his cage? But as the spirit entered his space, it transmitted a massive flood of information—Yae Miko's "message." It contained everything: the truth of the Sage of Six Paths, the true origin of the Tailed Beasts, and the exact events of the upcoming Fourth Shinobi World War.
"This... this is..." Kurama's eyes widened. These were secrets even Hashirama Senju didn't fully grasp.
"Why are you helping me?" Kurama asked the fading spirit.
The messenger spirit spoke with Miko's voice: "Because my Master requires 'benefits.' Your current seal is a nightmare, isn't it? But remember, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. If you want true freedom, you must become our representative in this world. Defeat the mastermind, and when the time is right, you can leave this world and join my Master's realm. A world where you are a protector, not a tool."
Kurama remained silent. For centuries, ninjas had treated him like a battery or a weapon. The idea of a world like Teyvat—where spirits were respected—was a temptation he couldn't ignore.
"Freedom always has a price," the spirit added. "In my world, you must guard the peace. If you live recklessly, you'll just be used by the Abyss or other gods. Even Lord Zhongli wouldn't tolerate a rogue beast."
"Fine," Kurama growled. "I agree. But I want a measure of autonomy."
"Deal."
[The Aftermath on the Bridge]
Outside, Kakashi walked toward the masked man, his voice trembling. "Is it really you... Obito?"
Obito offered no response but a cold snort. He vanished into a spatial swirl, leaving his identity confirmed by silence. Sasuke, meanwhile, realized with a jolt that Karin was missing. In the chaos of the fox's Bankai and the revelations about his brother, he had completely neglected his sensor. To avoid being surrounded by the Leaf ninjas, he was forced to retreat, still needing the "Masked Man" to help him transplant Itachi's eyes before his vision failed completely.
Naruto stood frozen on the bridge. "Hey, Naruto? You okay?" Sakura asked.
"I... I feel like I can use some of his power now," Naruto whispered. A golden, flame-like chakra began to coat his body—not the red, hateful energy of before, but a pure, vibrant vitality.
Hey, brat... Kurama's voice echoed in his head. I'm lending you my strength, but there's a price. You have to tell Kakashi and the Hokage exactly what's coming. If we don't act now, we're all going to be Obito's puppets. And listen closely... my name is Kurama.
Naruto realized the massive advantage he had just been handed. Intelligence was the ultimate weapon. If they knew the Fourth Shinobi World War was coming, they were invincible.
[The Jade Chamber]
Back in the skies of Liyue, the mission ended. Two streaks of light landed on the pavilion of the Jade Chamber.
Yae Miko stepped out, carrying a confused and terrified Karin over her shoulder. Beside her, Ganyu appeared, guiding a silent, stoic Konan by the arm. The Sovereign's team hadn't just finished the mission; they had successfully "abducted" two of the most valuable strategic assets from the Shinobi world.
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