Near the border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain, multiple squads of Konoha shinobi from both the Anbu and Root divisions were fanning out, conducting a thorough investigation.
These were reconnaissance teams dispatched by the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzo, tasked with uncovering the cause behind the total annihilation of a top-tier Root squad.
"If this continues, the Akatsuki's hideout will be exposed ahead of schedule."
With a swirling vortex of space-time, a man wearing a spiral-patterned mask suddenly appeared—none other than Uchiha Obito, masquerading as Uchiha Madara.
His gaze landed on a nearby Konoha investigation team, and a slight frown crept across his face.
Nagato's earlier actions had struck him as reckless. But what was done was done—there was no point in lamenting over it now.
What mattered at this moment was diverting Konoha's attention and ensuring the Akatsuki base remained hidden.
His eyes settled on the squad. Killing intent surged.
Whoosh!
In a flash, Obito appeared beside one of the Konoha ninja.
Before the shinobi could react, a sharp branch in Obito's hand pierced clean through his body.
"Wood Release: Cutting Sprigs Jutsu."
The branch that had impaled the ninja quickly sprouted multiple offshoots, piercing through his body from all directions.
He died instantly—so fast he couldn't even scream.
"Who's there?!"
The noise alarmed the remaining three members of the squad. They spun toward the source of the sound.
There they saw their comrade's body, grotesquely impaled by numerous branches, collapse to the ground.
"Fugaku!!!"
Their eyes went bloodshot with fury at the sight of their comrade's brutal death.
Two of them immediately threw a barrage of shuriken toward Obito and launched a signal flare for reinforcements, while the third began forming hand seals to unleash a jutsu.
Thwip, thwip—
Effortlessly dodging the shuriken, Obito closed in on the two attackers and swiftly killed them with his wooden spikes.
Despite being elite jonin-level operatives qualified for reconnaissance missions, their skills were no match for someone like Obito—whose strength surpassed even most Kage.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves!"
The last remaining ninja's face contorted with rage as he completed his hand seals, unleashing dozens of rotating, blade-like wind blasts at Obito.
"Die!"
Hatred burning in his eyes, he hoped to shred Obito to pieces.
But in the next instant, his face froze in horror.
All the wind blades passed straight through Obito's body without leaving a scratch. It was as if they had struck nothing but air—a ghost without form.
Shlick—
Before he could process what had happened, Obito was already upon him, and a sharpened branch pierced through his chest.
Blood erupted from multiple wounds across his body as he collapsed, eyes filled with disbelief.
Why hadn't his jutsu affected the enemy at all?
Whoosh!
A figure was rapidly approaching, moving so fast that only afterimages were left trailing in his wake.
It was a young man wearing a mask and carrying a tachi on his back—Uchiha Shisui, the one renowned as "Shisui of the Body Flicker."
Noticing the emergency flare, he had broken away from his team and rushed over at top speed.
When he arrived, he saw Obito finishing off the final member of the investigation squad with a wooden spike.
"Wood Release—the First Hokage's bloodline limit?!"
Shisui's eyes widened in shock as he stared at the branch-wielding Obito.
There was no mistake. The technique Obito had used was Wood Release.
That could only mean this man possessed the same rare Kekkei Genkai as the First Hokage himself.
"Who are you? Why do you possess Wood Release? Why did you kill them?!"
Shisui's voice turned cold as his eyes scanned the fallen Konoha shinobi, murderous intent emanating from his body.
Anyone with the First Hokage's power who would slaughter Konoha shinobi could only be an enemy.
'What speed…!'
Obito was mildly surprised by Shisui's arrival.
He had intentionally allowed the signal flare to be sent, aiming to lure more Konoha forces away. But he hadn't expected reinforcements to arrive this quickly.
A cold smile formed behind his mask.
"So what if you know? You'll be dead soon anyway."
"Then I'll just have to take you down!"
Drawing his tachi, Shisui activated his Body Flicker Technique.
Whoosh!
In an instant, he closed the distance and slashed at Obito's abdomen with his blade.
"What…?!"
The blade passed through Obito like it was slicing air. Not even a scratch.
He had no physical form—just an illusion.
"Wood Release: Cutting Sprigs Jutsu!"
A branch extended from Obito's hand, aiming straight for Shisui's heart.
Just as it was about to strike, Shisui pushed his Body Flicker Technique to its absolute limit, dodging sideways at the last possible moment.
The sheer speed he displayed in that instant could rival even the fastest Kage.
Rip!
The branch grazed Shisui's waist, leaving a bloody gash as the two passed each other.
Shisui turned back, glancing at the wound on his waist, then fixed a serious gaze on Obito.
"Who are you really? What kind of jutsu was that?"
"Among those who use the Body Flicker Technique, only the Fourth Raikage might be faster than you. I never expected Konoha to have someone like you."
Obito turned as well, clearly intrigued by Shisui's performance.
The speed Shisui displayed had surprised even him.
"Someone like you should be eliminated early."
Obito's killing intent flared again.
"That's what I was about to say."
Shisui's gaze sharpened, filled with equal killing intent.
"Kotoamatsukami!"
His eyes transformed, revealing four bladed patterns—the activation of his Mangekyō Sharingan's ultimate genjutsu.
"Mangekyō Sharingan?!"
Obito's face twisted in shock beneath his mask.
This man was not only a fellow Uchiha—but also a Mangekyō wielder like himself.
He immediately avoided eye contact to prevent being caught in the genjutsu.
But it didn't help.
A strange force began invading his mind regardless, sending chills down his spine.
In a panic, he activated Kamui, shifting his body into the intangible state and retreating into his separate dimension.
"It's been nullified…"
Shisui frowned.
At first, Kotoamatsukami had taken effect—but soon it had failed.
It must have been that strange ability—the one that rendered even Kotoamatsukami ineffective.
He couldn't understand it. What kind of jutsu could nullify Kotoamatsukami?
"Young Uchiha… I'll remember you."
Obito shot one last wary glance at Shisui before disappearing into a swirling vortex.
Though he didn't believe he would lose, he had no intention of engaging Shisui just yet.
Every Mangekyō Sharingan bore its own strange, unpredictable power. Learning more about Shisui's abilities before fighting would significantly increase his odds of victory.
And now, a new thought had crossed his mind.
Could this one possibly be recruited into the Akatsuki?
After all, if someone with a Mangekyō Sharingan joined them… it would drastically enhance their strength.
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