In the past, aside from being a student of Minato, Obito Uchiha was not particularly outstanding. After he went missing and was presumed dead, he was gradually forgotten. But before his supposed death, he had given one of his eyes to Kakashi. Kakashi rose to fame with this eye, but Obito himself was remembered by only a few.
Who would have thought that the next news of him would be a revelation: he was the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails' rampage.
Some went to the Third Hokage for verification, while others went directly to the Uchiha clan.
The Third Hokage, having anticipated the uproar Obito's identity would cause, was already prepared with a response. He stated that the matter was still under investigation and nothing was confirmed. However, the Uchiha's announcement of a change in clan leadership came as quite a surprise. A change of leadership was a minor affair, but at such a critical moment, the Uchiha clan's decision to invite outsiders to the ceremony was like a dagger to the Third Hokage's heart.
Now, ninja from other villages could openly enter Konoha to gather intelligence. Furthermore, according to custom, all Uchiha clan members were required to return to the village for the succession ceremony. This meant that the hundred or so elites Shisui had led away would be returning. The pressure on the Third Hokage mounted, and he even began to worry that Kawasaki might have other schemes in mind.
Unlike Konoha's delaying tactics, when other ninja clans came seeking the truth, the Uchiha clan gave a direct confirmation. They also informed everyone that Obito was responsible for the recent attack on Kakashi, his goal having been to reclaim his eye. They claimed Kakashi had fully uncovered Obito's identity and told anyone who doubted it to verify it with Kakashi himself.
In response, a large crowd mobilized, searching everywhere for Kakashi.
Kakashi himself had just found a secluded place to bury Rin. The moment he returned to Konoha, he was swarmed by people wanting to confirm if Obito was truly the one who had orchestrated the Nine-Tails' attack. Kakashi was filled with a bitterness he couldn't express. Although it was all Obito's doing, he couldn't bring himself to believe that his own teammate had become such a person.
Just as Konoha issued a gag order, Kakashi took the opportunity to hide away in the ANBU headquarters. But the series of blows had left him completely disheartened, and he became withdrawn and depressed.
After losing an eye, Kakashi's combat prowess took a major hit. His field of vision was limited, and even when using the Raikiri, his speed was too great for him to accurately lock onto his target. Although his chakra reserves were no longer as depleted as before, Kakashi had lost nearly all his passion for fighting. He stopped taking missions and no longer visited the Memorial Stone. He spent his days lying in bed, consumed by his pain, wandering around like a ghost.
In Kumogakure, inside the Raikage's office.
"Kawasaki Uchiha has returned to his village and announced he will take over as the Uchiha clan head in one month. The Uchiha have sent out invitations to all major villages for the ceremony."
"The Uchiha clan has declared Obito Uchiha as the culprit behind the Nine-Tails attack, has excommunicated him, and has issued a permanent kill-on-sight order with a bounty of 300 million ryo!"
"They specifically noted that Obito is a master of Space-Time Ninjutsu, often impersonates Madara Uchiha, and harbors a deep hatred for the entire ninja world. The Hidden Mist Village in the Land of Water has already suffered his retaliation."
"We have not yet received any official word from the Land of Water."
"An official invitation from the Uchiha clan should arrive shortly."
The efficient Mabui reported the latest intelligence to the Raikage.
The Raikage tapped his desk. "We just sent people to track Kawasaki Uchiha's whereabouts, and he returns to the village. Isn't that too much of a coincidence?"
"This Obito character requires close attention. Anyone who has mastered Space-Time Ninjutsu is not to be underestimated."
"At the same time, continue investigating the situation in the Land of Water. Find out exactly how Obito retaliated against them."
Mabui held her files and asked, "Should we send a representative to the Uchiha's ceremony?"
The Raikage laughed heartily. "Of course! Isn't this the perfect opportunity to probe Konoha?"
As old rivals, Kumogakure could use the Uchiha's ceremony to infiltrate Konoha, gauge their true strength, and assess the real relationship between the Uchiha and the village.
"Send Samui's team of three. Have them bring a gift. We can't have people saying Kumogakure has no manners."
In Iwagakure, the village was nestled among towering mountains of solid rock, making it a natural fortress difficult for outsiders to invade. However, this also meant they had less contact with the outside world. Iwagakure and Konoha had been at odds for years, clashing repeatedly during the great ninja wars, and their relationship was hostile.
The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, a direct disciple of the First and Second Tsuchikage, was exceptionally powerful. Known as "Onoki of Both Scales," he was a master of Earth Release and possessed the Kekkei Tota that surpassed Kekkei Genkai—Dust Release, a technique of unquestionable power. Most enviable of all, he could fly, making him one of the few ninja among the Five Great Nations with that ability.
Under Onoki's leadership, Iwagakure had reached its zenith. The only thing holding him back from challenging Konoha was the lack of a suitable successor.
Iwagakure's feud with Konoha began many years ago when a young Onoki accompanied his master, the Second Tsuchikage, to Konoha to sign an alliance treaty. They had reached an agreement with the First Hokage, only for Madara Uchiha to interfere. Madara not only rejected the alliance but also gave them a sound beating. From that day on, a grudge was forged between Iwagakure and Konoha.
During the Third Great Ninja War, on the battlefields of the Land of Grass, Iwagakure had once pushed Konoha to the brink of defeat. If it hadn't been for Konoha's Yellow Flash, Minato Namikaze, destroying the Kannabi Bridge and cutting off Iwagakure's supply lines, the war's victor might very well have been Iwa.
Onoki governed Iwagakure with a conservative and cautious hand. Despite the village's strength, he dared not rashly start a war.
In his office, Onoki read the paper report and let out a rare smile. So, the Nine-Tails attack all those years ago was the work of an Uchiha traitor. How ironic. He still vividly remembered the beating he had received from Madara Uchiha. And in the Third Great Ninja War, it was the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, who had turned the tide by destroying the Kannabi Bridge. To learn that Minato was killed by his own student was an irony of the highest order.
After the Nine-Tails attack, with Minato gone, Iwagakure had engaged in a brief conflict with Konoha. However, because the Sannin members Jiraiya and Orochimaru were still active at the time, Iwagakure gained no advantage and instead suffered considerable losses.
Now, in Konoha, the Sannin were all gone, Kakashi had lost an eye, and the Hokage's lineage was thin. The strongest force remaining was the Uchiha clan. A Konoha with the Uchiha was a world apart from a Konoha without them. This was especially true now that it was revealed several Uchiha possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan. Onoki had personally experienced the terror of the Susanoo years ago. The recent strained relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha was intriguing.
The Uchiha clan was still one of the most respected clans in the ninja world, so receiving an invitation to their ceremony was not unusual. Therefore, upon receiving the official invitation, Onoki decided to send a delegation, ostensibly to attend the ceremony but in reality to investigate.
"Send Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi," Onoki decided after a moment's thought. "Take plenty of guards. I want a clear picture of Konoha's current situation."
In Sunagakure, inside the Kazekage's office, Rasa sat at his desk, examining the invitation sent by the Uchiha. Although Sunagakure was nominally an ally of Konoha, their relationship was far from amicable. Suna had been defeated by Konoha multiple times in the previous ninja wars, and its national power had steadily declined. It was less of an alliance and more of a forced partnership.
However, Rasa's relationship with the Uchiha clan was much better, thanks to their commercial ties. Based on a business plan Kawasaki had left behind, Rasa had opened various shops both inside and outside Sunagakure. Though Suna was poor, these ventures had generated a modest income. Before this, no one in Suna had ever researched beverages; most cold drinks were difficult to transport, and anything used for cooling down was classified as medicine.
The creative products Kawasaki had suggested were an instant hit. The sweet and sour plum juice and the slightly bitter herbal tea became popular summer refreshments. Snacks like grass jelly were especially loved by the younger generation. The key was that all the ingredients were dry goods, easy to transport. Any raw materials not found in the Land of Wind were imported from the Uchiha, and the products were made locally.
In addition, Kawasaki had helped reinforce Gaara's seal, a personal favor Rasa felt he owed. With Kawasaki Uchiha set to become clan head, it was only right for them to send someone to attend. There was also the matter of Obito—was he a member of the organization Kawasaki had warned him about, the one targeting Jinchuriki?
Rasa quickly made his decision. "Have someone fetch Yashamaru."
A short while later, Yashamaru arrived at the office. Having survived his encounter with Gaara, Yashamaru was now free from his inner turmoil. With his short blond hair and bright, determined eyes, he was no longer the melancholic young man of the past. He had spent the last few years assisting Rasa and caring for Gaara, becoming one of the Kazekage's most trusted aides.
Rasa explained the invitation and the intelligence to Yashamaru.
"It would be wonderful if Gaara could go," Yashamaru said after listening. "His transformation these past few years is all thanks to Kawasaki. He's been very eager to see him again."
Rasa shook his head. "Gaara is still too young. He must remain in the village."
As a Jinchuriki, Gaara was a strategic weapon for Sunagakure. At his young age, Rasa couldn't risk something happening to him. However, since Kawasaki had reinforced the seal, Shukaku hadn't caused any trouble. This, combined with Suna's improved governance, had earned Rasa praise from the Land of Wind's Daimyo, who had increased their funding. Life in Sunagakure had become a little easier.
"I'm sending you as our representative because you are with Gaara every day and know his situation best," Rasa explained. "First, I want you to convey our gratitude to Kawasaki for his help with Gaara. Second, I want you to ask if the seal needs to be strengthened."
Rasa had endured too many of Shukaku's rampages when Gaara was younger. Each time, the village was thrown into chaos, and the repairs cost a fortune. Gaara's current stability was a huge financial relief, something Rasa cherished and guarded cautiously.
"Third, find out how much of a threat this Obito is. Is he a member of that organization that hunts Tailed Beasts?"
"Understood, Lord Kazekage. Should I tell Gaara?" Yashamaru, too, wanted to see Kawasaki again. The man had completely changed Gaara's childhood and saved his own life in the process.
A gentle smile appeared on Rasa's face. In recent years, Gaara was no longer tormented by Shukaku. He had become a completely normal child, and the wounds of the past seemed to be fading. A few years can change many things. Gaara, no longer losing control or hurting people, had even made a few friends. Following Kawasaki's advice, Rasa had taken a personal interest in Gaara's education and was surprised to find his son was exceptionally intelligent and had a strong sense of responsibility. If he could one day master the Tailed Beast, he would be an excellent successor.
"That boy is already becoming quite remarkable. You can tell him everything directly."
"Very well." Yashamaru nodded. Gaara had never forgotten that Kawasaki had come to reinforce his seal and had often said that he wanted to repay him when he grew up. Though Gaara couldn't leave the village yet, sending a message through him would be a nice gesture.
"Also," Rasa added, "have Temari and Kankuro go with you. Let them broaden their horizons. I'll have Baki look after Gaara."
In the Land of Water, in the Hidden Mist Village, Mei Terumi, who had already assumed the position of Fifth Mizukage, was the last to receive the news. The sea route was long, and even messenger birds took several days to arrive. Kawasaki, aware of the difficulties the Land of Water faced, knew that Mei would likely be too preoccupied to concern herself with the affairs of other nations. The invitation was merely a formality. He had even explicitly stated that he understood the journey was long and there was no need for them to send anyone. The one-month timeframe was barely enough for the travel alone, and a storm at sea could delay them even further.
Mei noted the bounty the Uchiha had placed on Obito. Kirigakure had suffered a great loss at his hands. It was more than a loss; if not for Kawasaki's visit, the Fourth Mizukage would still be under Obito's control. The Land of Water's decline in recent years was, in no small part, thanks to Obito. With such a massive scandal exposed by Kawasaki, Kirigakure felt a sense of shame. But there was nothing they could do. Too many people had witnessed the events, and Kirigakure was already notorious for its large number of rogue ninja. The news was bound to get out sooner or later.
But Mei had no time to dwell on these things, for a much larger problem had arisen.
The Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, was dead. He had committed suicide. Having almost single-handedly destroyed Kirigakure, his pride would not allow him to continue living. He had remained in his cell only because he was the Jinchuriki of the Three-Tails, Isobu, a precious asset to the village. But over the years, Yagura had faced constant assassination attempts and insults. People would scale the high walls of the prison just to spit on him. Even the prison guards turned a blind eye; too many people had died during the Fourth Mizukage's reign. Countless families with Kekkei Genkai had been shattered, and the number of people affected was immeasurable.
As a result, Yagura's mental state had deteriorated completely, and he had finally taken his own life not long ago. Isobu, the Three-Tails, died with him. No one knew when or where it would reform.
The Three-Tails was gone.
Many already opposed Mei's ascension to Mizukage. The loss of the Three-Tails only gave her detractors more ammunition. Mei was too busy cleaning up the mess to even think about sending someone to Kawasaki's inauguration ceremony. However, she still had to show Kawasaki respect; the massive crater he had left near the village remained unfilled to this day. Mei wrote a reply, explaining the situation via messenger bird, stating that Kirigakure had other urgent matters to attend to and she could not get away.
In the Land of Fire.
Kakuzu had just completed a job, and his partner had once again died "accidentally." He was now alone, carrying the corpse on his back to a remote location. The body's skin was ashen, and it was only simply bandaged, already emitting a faint odor. But that was nothing to Kakuzu. To him, the stench of a corpse was the smell of money.
Up ahead was a restroom. Kakuzu carried the body inside and pressed a spot by a urinal, revealing a hidden door. A bald man with a scar on his forehead emerged. Seeing Kakuzu, he quickly greeted him, "Brother Kakuzu, please, come in."
Kakuzu was clearly familiar with the place. He went inside and tossed the body onto a wooden plank. The bald man checked it and confirmed, "That's him. A rogue ninja from Iwagakure. Worth seven million."
Kakuzu wasn't entirely satisfied with the amount, but the Iwa-nin had been weak. The only difficult part had been finding him.
He took the case of money from the man and began counting as he asked, "Any good bounties or news lately?"
The bald man stood by, as if he had expected the question. "You've been busy lately, haven't you, Brother Kakuzu? There's been some big news."
Kakuzu's hands paused for a moment before he continued counting. After finishing, he said, "The money's all here. What's this big news you mentioned?"
"Two things. First, the Uchiha clan found the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails attack from all those years ago. It's a traitor named Obito Uchiha."
"The Uchiha have excommunicated him and put out a bounty of 300 million for his capture!"
"How much?!" Kakuzu asked, thinking he had misheard.
He knew that the bounty for Utakata, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, was only five million. Asuma Sarutobi's was thirty-five million. The heads of the Hyuga and Uchiha clans were worth, at most, a hundred million. The Kage of the great villages were worth between two and three hundred million.
What had this Obito done to be worth so much?