"The Fourth is actually being controlled?!"
Genshi had lived long and witnessed everything, but a village Kage being under prolonged manipulation truly exceeded his expectations.
A Kage was a Kage because the power they possessed provided one reason.
However, Genshi quickly forced himself to calm down. Now was not the time to investigate how or when Yagura was controlled.
The urgent priority was seizing this current opportunity—Ao's Byakugan confirmed that at this moment, only Yagura alone remained in the Mizukage's office. That manipulator's chakra reaction was not present.
They must utilize this time gap, immediately attempting to dispel the genjutsu on Yagura.
Genshi immediately summoned Mei Terumi and Zabuza Momochi.
"Yagura... Mizukage-sama is controlled by genjutsu?" Mei Terumi lost her composure, asking in shock.
Zabuza also could not believe. "Are you joking... That's a jinchūriki. How could..."
Genshi did not explain excessively. "Investigate details later! Right now, immediately follow Ao and rush to the Mizukage Building at maximum speed!"
"Ao will use Byakugan to reconfirm the building's internal situation. Once confirming no manipulator lurks within, you must unhesitatingly act, dispelling the genjutsu on the Fourth!"
A flash of sharpness passed through the aged elder's eyes. "As for that person hiding behind the scenes manipulating the Fourth... he will definitely return. We must seize the initiative before he reacts!"
Land of Waves, temporary assembly point.
Obito looked from afar at the first batch of hired shinobi already gathered in camp. Compared to Kirigakure's forces, from a discipline perspective, they could only be called a motley crew.
Individual squads remained distinctly separated, mutually wary, maintaining distance.
However, Obito did not mind. What he needed them executing was not battlefield missions but harassment. Therefore, it held little impact.
The attack target was one of the Five Great Nations, the Land of Fire. They faced Konoha. Wandering ninja daring to accept this mission all demanded high prices. The first payment as assembly fee deposit had already been distributed.
This was not yet complete. After formally beginning missions, compensation was calculated daily. Pay first, then act.
Therefore, funds Genshi handed to the Mizukage's office, before even starting, had already consumed over half.
"Zetsu, you say Orochimaru also accepted employment?" This was why Obito came.
"Yes~" White Zetsu answered. "He slightly altered his appearance."
Zetsu pointed toward the camp's corner. There, a lean-figured man with gloomy temperament stood quietly with several equally taciturn subordinates behind him.
Obito looked over, feeling somewhat wary yet harboring other thoughts.
Currently Konoha's strength proved formidable, but Nagato possessing Rinnegan also proved powerful. Obito even had methods to make him more powerful.
However, Nagato proving too powerful would affect his control over the organization. Executing the Moon's Eye Plan, he did not intend relying on others' hands, even Uchiha Madara himself proved unacceptable.
What kind of perfect world to create would be decided by himself.
Therefore, Obito more inclined toward recruiting those elite shinobi with outstanding strength yet would not threaten his own plans, thus balancing organizational internal power while strengthening chips against Konoha.
Especially Orochimaru. As one of the Legendary Sannin and former Konoha leadership, if pulling him into Akatsuki, more effective actions against Konoha could be made.
However, Orochimaru was an unpredictable figure. Even now, he did not wish excessive contact, lest exposing his own existence.
Using this current opportunity to test Orochimaru's attitude also proved acceptable.
"Have them launch attacks before dawn. Zetsu, pay attention to Orochimaru's movements."
Zetsu received orders, merging underground to relay directives.
Within the temporary camp, the disguised Orochimaru assessed surrounding varied wandering ninja with interest. Shinobi daring to accept commissions to act against Konoha possessed some capability. After this battle, his experimental vault could add considerable materials.
The Root squad following Orochimaru to this base likewise observed everything within camp. They had already memorized key information like personnel numbers and base layout.
Root merely came to eliminate the village's unstable factors, not betray Konoha. Currently, unexpectedly obtaining intelligence on this hired shinobi assembly point targeting Konoha represented no small additional gain for them.
When Zetsu appeared and relayed directives to begin attacking before dawn, a commotion rippled through camp. Taking advantage of this chaos, one Root member, under intentional or unintentional cover from three other companions, soundlessly separated from the squad.
He needed to quickly transmit this important intelligence back to the Land of Fire.
Orochimaru detected this subordinate's departure but made no reaction.
Accepting Kirigakure's commission merely facilitated completing his own objectives. It did not mean he now truly intended acting against Konoha.
Even when Zetsu finished relaying directives and his figure was about to submerge underground again, Orochimaru actively walked toward that direction, deliberately attracting the other party's attention.
Having concluded conversation with the Third Hokage, Shuji just exited the room when he saw an ANBU wearing a cat mask quietly waiting in corridor shadows.
Though the mask covered features, that familiar build and hairstyle let Shuji recognize the person immediately.
"Lady Tsunade instructed that if your conversation with the Third concluded, please return as quickly as possible to handle accumulated documents."
"At least let me catch my breath, Itachi," Shuji said somewhat helplessly. His figure moved, yet not toward the Hokage's office but instead leaping lightly onto the corridor window. Several bounds brought him to the Hokage Building's rooftop terrace.
Itachi followed like a shadow, soundlessly landing beside him.
"How does ANBU work feel?"
"Originally I thought it would prove more complex," Itachi answered.
"Your roles differ."
"Yes, I understand."
Before Itachi entered ANBU, Shuji had mentioned this Uchiha squad's role.
They were not used for executing dangerous or secretive missions but rather as a symbol and channel, undertaking some patrol and guard work, accumulating qualifications and merits. Afterward, Itachi's squad's three members could receive promotions, transferring from ANBU to other departments.
Itachi himself would continue remaining, selecting new Uchiha members entering ANBU. Henceforth, he would decide whether subsequent Uchiha entering ANBU should transfer to field operations, remain in ANBU, or transfer to other departments.
"In a few more years, you can probably escape from this attire. Until then, I must trouble you."
"This is my own choice," Itachi's voice remained calm. "Compared to this, Senpai, you are more..."
His words remained unfinished when another ANBU figure rapidly swept onto the terrace.
"Emergency intelligence. Shuji Jōnin, Lady Tsunade commands your presence."
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild