Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 205: Obito: "Conquering the Ninja World Begins with Dual Kamui!"

'If we can capture Obito and take control of the Kamui dimension, research on alternate dimensions can finally begin in earnest.'

The study of alternate dimensions was broad and far-reaching. Theoretically, techniques to counter Flying Raijin would require alternate dimension research as a foundation, along with technologies to create space itself...

Tsunade pondered briefly before pulling herself back to reality. She and Minato headed toward the cave's exit—she leading the way, while Minato, still disguised as an Anbu, followed behind.

As they walked, Tsunade asked, "He fought us for three minutes, and the fight with Fuji also lasted three minutes. Does his phasing ability have a time limit?"

Obito's battles with Konoha shinobi had occurred three times in total.

The first was during the chaos caused by Rin's rampage, where his fight with Hyuga Fuji revealed the most information. However, the confrontation lasted only about three minutes before Obito voluntarily withdrew.

The second was against Yamato. Since Yamato was already fatigued, Obito didn't display much of his strength and easily secured victory.

The third was this encounter, where, once again, Obito withdrew after about three minutes.

This led Tsunade to suspect that Obito's abilities had some kind of limitation—

A time limit?

Or perhaps a restriction on his ocular power?

"It's possible," Minato agreed. "The prolonged use of Mangekyō abilities is a burden even for the Uchiha. Even with Hashirama cells, his ocular power can't be expended endlessly."

Seeing Minato's agreement, Tsunade frowned. "Do you think the three-minute limit is genuine intel, or is it a bluff?"

"That depends on his fight with Fuji. Did he retreat because he reached his limit, or was he holding back?"

Minato's tone grew somber. "He's no longer as naive as he used to be."

If it were the old Obito, Minato would've trusted the three-minute intel without question. Back then, Obito didn't know how to conceal himself. But the current Obito? It might very well be a deception.

"I see..."

As they conversed, the two exited the cave.

Outside, twenty Anbu encircled Kushina and Naruto in tight layers, vigilantly scanning their surroundings.

At the center, two medical-nin and Shizune stood by Kushina and Naruto, their bodies tense.

They hadn't moved Kushina to a more distant location. In the current situation, there was no safer place than staying near Tsunade and Minato.

When Shizune saw Tsunade and Minato return safely, her body visibly relaxed.

"Tsunade-sama."

She quickly approached, her gaze scanning Tsunade's body for injuries. Only after confirming she was unharmed did Shizune breathe a sigh of relief. "All's well."

"Trust my luck!" Tsunade laughed heartily.

She'd lost so many times gambling—how could anything go wrong here? Even if trouble arose, it would only be a close call!

Shizune, aware of Tsunade's gambling history, couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Standing behind Tsunade, Minato looked over at Kushina holding Naruto and felt his heart warm.

Both of them were safe—that was all that mattered.

...

Obito stood atop the Fourth Hokage's Monument, gazing coldly at the site of his earlier clash with Minato and Tsunade.

"Why didn't you tell me Tsunade was there?"

Beside him, Black Zetsu's emergence from the ground paused as it stared at him in exasperation.

Weren't you the one who said they were irrelevant?!

And you ran so fast, directly into the Kamui dimension—how were we supposed to warn you?

Perhaps realizing his question was unreasonable, Obito remained silent for a few moments before finally speaking. "Namikaze Minato has been resurrected. Likely through Edo Tensei."

A faint trace of relief could be heard in his voice.

If not for the layer of Tobi (Chatterbox) armor protecting him, the Flying Raijin mark alone, coupled with Minato's perfectly executed Rasengan, could've cost him half his life.

Hearing this, Black Zetsu II was momentarily shocked before asking curiously, "Since Minato was there and Tsunade was present as well, why didn't you just retreat? Why engage them at all?"

"To assess Namikaze Minato's strength."

Obito's explanation was casual. "If I can't defeat Minato, it'll be difficult to proceed with the next stages of my plan."

Black Zetsu II asked bluntly, "So, did you win?"

"I lost." Obito's expression remained unchanged in the face of the tactless question. "During Kamui's phasing period, I failed to gain the upper hand."

Hearing this, White Zetsu calculated the timing silently. Comparing it to Obito's other battles, he noted a consistent pattern.

Obito's engagements—whether against Minato, Tsunade, or Hyuga Fuji—never lasted beyond three minutes.

Could Kamui's phasing ability really be limited to three minutes?

If that were the case, perhaps Obito wasn't as dangerous as they'd thought...

Obito's peripheral vision caught the subtle reactions of Black and White Zetsu, but his face remained impassive.

The fight with Minato and Tsunade had never been about testing strength—it was a ruse to conceal his true capabilities.

However, Obito didn't trust the Zetsu duo and naturally wouldn't share this information with them.

Whether Black or White Zetsu, both were Madara's creations, not his subordinates.

"Is Kakashi still on the Land of Wind battlefield?" Obito suddenly asked.

"Yes. Why, are you planning something?"

White Zetsu sensed a shift in Obito's tone, a flicker of realization crossing its mind.

"I need more power."

Obito's Sharingan glinted with a cold light. "One Mangekyō Sharingan isn't enough. I need both. I will use absolute strength to seize control of the coming events!"

"Mobilize all White Zetsu and locate Kakashi!"

Conquering the ninja world begins with dual Kamui!

...

The next morning.

Unaware that his "friend" was about to come for him, Kakashi led his unit into Getsugakure.

Walking through the streets, he noticed the tightly shut doors and windows of the houses, his brows furrowing.

Just last night, the Wind Country's forces stationed in Getsugakure had abruptly withdrawn. It seemed they'd received reinforcements from the Earth and Lightning Countries and, realizing they couldn't hold the village, decided not to defend it.

But upon entering Getsugakure, Kakashi quickly realized the severity of the problem.

Anti-Fire Country sentiments were rampant here, with damaging rumors spreading like wildfire.

Aside from the nobles and commoners, the entire treasury of the town had been emptied by the retreating Suna shinobi, leaving nothing behind.

Worse still, the Suna elder, Ueno Shinji, had made three critical moves before retreating: he redistributed land among the populace, waived taxes for three years, and provided the villagers with deeds to water-rich lands.

The first two were expected—Kakashi hadn't counted on earning goodwill or gaining resources.

But the third move was a devastating trap.

"Kakashi-sama, we've questioned some of the residents. They said Uchiya Shinji began distributing land deeds a few days ago, and everyone has already received theirs."

A ninja appeared behind Kakashi, reporting, "And those lands all come with water sources."

"Redistribute land, waive taxes."

Kakashi muttered the six words under his breath, his expression growing colder.

Well played, Uchiya Shinji.

Water was scarce in the Land of Wind, where even clean drinking water could be sold at exorbitant prices. The people were used to rationing and reusing water.

Now, with water-rich lands granted to the people, any attempt to reclaim them by force would be tantamount to taking away their lifelines.

Uchiya Shinji's move had doubled the difficulty of the Fire Country's governance over Getsugakure, ensuring long-lasting chaos.

(End of Chapter)