Obito's figure stepped from Kamui space's vortex, appearing in the familiar corner of the Mizukage's office.
Everything remained identical to when he departed, including that small figure wearing a hat seated behind the office desk.
As usual, Obito approached Yagura, preparing to exert control. Just as he was about to touch the Fourth Mizukage.
The seated Yagura suddenly raised his head. His eyes, which should have been vacant and lifeless, burned with long-suppressed fury.
Dark red tailed beast chakra instantly erupted, covering his entire body. Yagura raised his hand, striking toward Obito who stood mere inches away.
Obito's pupils contracted sharply. He instinctively activated his intangibility.
Yagura's hand passed through his chest without obstruction, as though striking only a phantom.
Obito reacted extremely quickly, stepping forward while passing through Yagura's body. Simultaneously, his hand reached back toward the opponent's nape, attempting to reclaim control.
Just as he raised his hand, dense mist permeated the office without warning. Visibility plummeted dramatically.
"Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique!"
Scorching acidic liquid poured down from the ceiling, passing through Obito's body. Seizing this opportunity, the half-tailed beast transformed Yagura exerted force from his feet, explosively leaping backward and creating distance from Obito.
Within the thick fog, Zabuza Momochi had appeared behind Obito at unknown time, wielding a kunai stabbing toward Obito's neck.
However, this strike intended to secure victory likewise fell into nothingness.
Though consecutive attacks proved ineffective, Kirigakure shinobi cooperated seamlessly. Led by Mei Terumi and Zabuza, Ao plus several ANBU elites had already scattered, faintly surrounding Obito at center.
Beneath his mask, Obito's expression turned terrifyingly dark. A miscalculation. He never expected Kirigakure people could discover and dispel the genjutsu he imposed on Yagura.
"Tch..." He released a dissatisfied click of his tongue. Continuing to remain here entangled held no meaning, especially with opponents prepared and Yagura already escaped.
Now was not the time for full-scale war.
Space began twisting again. Before everyone completed encirclement, Obito's figure, like ink melting into water, soundlessly vanished in place.
After confirming the masked man departed, the tailed beast chakra on Yagura slowly receded. Heavy panting came from beneath his hat. To facilitate prolonged control, Obito had constantly maintained him in a relatively weakened state. That brief eruption just now nearly drained his stamina completely.
"Mizukage-sama," Mei Terumi stepped forward, voice carrying concern.
Yagura indicated he was fine, removing the Mizukage hat. His eyes swept the chaotic office before finally settling on the arriving Genshi.
Genshi, leaning on his snake staff, walked before him and carefully observed him briefly before turning toward surrounding ANBU, ordering gravely, "Immediately begin tracking! Search all suspicious traces within the village and surroundings. Absolutely cannot let that intruder escape! Simultaneously, strengthen security at all entry and exit points!"
"Yes!" ANBU received orders and rapidly mobilized.
After ANBU dispersed, only core members like Genshi, Yagura, Mei Terumi, and Zabuza remained in the office.
Yagura, as though losing strength, slowly sat back in his chair. His voice proved extremely hoarse, carrying deep fatigue and self-reproach as he looked toward Genshi. "Elder, I... what have I done?"
Land of Fire's eastern border, before dawn.
Over a hundred rogue ninja and wandering shinobi, taking advantage of night, divided into several groups and soundlessly stepped onto Land of Fire soil, preparing to execute their harassment mission.
The forest remained silent, only wind through leaves producing rustling sounds. However, just as the first batch of shinobi penetrated less than a hundred meters past the border line.
Countless kunai tied with explosive tags, like torrential rain, poured from dense forests on both sides, shooting toward the most concentrated crowd areas!
"Ambush!"
"It's Konoha people!"
Exclamations and explosions sounded almost simultaneously! The originally peaceful forest was instantly filled with firelight and battle cries.
Kakashi's figure appeared on a large tree trunk. His Sharingan swept the chaotic battlefield.
"As expected, they came." That intelligence transmitted back through ANBU channels proved accurate.
Uchiha Shisui remained active on the battlefield's other side. Multiple solid clones struck simultaneously. The short blade in his hand traced lethal arcs, intercepting every intruder attempting to break through the defense line.
Konoha's ambush forces obviously prepared thoroughly with seamless cooperation. Momentarily, they caught the numerically superior invaders completely off guard, forcing them into retreat.
However, at the chaotic battlefield's edge, Orochimaru disguised as an ordinary wandering ninja locked his gaze on a particularly conspicuous squad within the battlefield.
This four-person team moved swiftly as wind with flawless cooperation. Most eye-catching was that during their darting movements, their eye sockets occasionally flickered with that demonic scarlet Sharingan.
"Finally found them..." Orochimaru's long tongue unconsciously licked across his lips.
The Root members following behind him exchanged glances. They likewise confirmed battlefield circumstances favored Konoha. These motley mercenaries obviously could not break through defense lines.
As Orochimaru moved soundlessly, this squad also, like shadows, quietly approached that Uchiha ANBU squad currently engaged with wandering ninja.
Konoha Village, Hokage Tower.
The horizon already showed pale dawn light. Faint morning rays passed through windows, spilling across the Hokage office floor.
"Calculating time, over there... they should have already acted," Tsunade stood by the window, gazing at the gradually illuminating skyline.
Intelligence regarding Wave Country mercenary movements was transmitted back at highest priority in duplicate.
According to ANBU analysis department interpretation, the message source came from another long-term infiltrated reliable squad. Credibility was assessed at highest level.
For this, Tsunade, building upon existing defense lines, dispatched several additional elite squads for support.
Once raid timing and location were confirmed, for Konoha, the opposing motley crew could not create much trouble.
With Kakashi and Uchiha Shisui's capabilities, handling a mercenary group theoretically should not prove too uncertain.
Shuji stood not far beside her. "Yes, according to plans, ambush should have already launched before dawn. No emergency distress signals transmitted back at minimum indicates battle conditions remain within controllable range."
Just then, the office door was gently pushed open. Shizune poked her head inside.
"Lady Tsunade, the time has almost arrived. The ceremony venue is completely prepared. All advisors, clan heads, and representatives have already arrived."
Hearing this, Tsunade took a deep breath, as though expelling an entire night's fatigue and worry together.
She vigorously moved her somewhat stiff neck and shoulders. That head of dazzling golden hair, in morning light passing through windows, seemed plated with a layer of soft radiance.
"Understood," Tsunade turned around, her face showing confident expression. "Let's go. It's also time to complete this troublesome ceremony."
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild