Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 52: The Delivered White Zetsu

"Lords, we can't handle the shinobi ahead. Please…"

A Mist ninja knelt on one knee, his entire body trembling.

It wasn't just the terrifying efficiency of the ninja outside slaughtering his comrades, but also the oppressive chakra leaking from the two Jinchuriki on the trees.

They weren't perfect Jinchuriki, yet ever since the Third Mizukage took them somewhere, they had somehow gained control over the Tailed Beasts' power. How was that even possible?

"We understand."

The two Jinchuriki leapt down from the trees, their faces twisting into feral grins as they looked at Hyuga Fuji, who was charging toward their position.

"A genius of the Hyuga clan, huh? You'll die here today."

Crimson Tailed Beast cloaks engulfed their bodies as they launched themselves toward Fuji at inhuman speeds, bounding like wild animals.

Fuji, narrowing his eyes, watched as they closed the distance. He could sense an abnormal chakra in their brains—genjutsu.

So this is Madara's handiwork. The goal must be to stall Minato and Kushina. But… have you prepared a countermeasure for Fugaku as well?

His thoughts settled, Fuji drew eight Flying Thunder God kunai, swiftly throwing them forward.

The two Jinchuriki paid no mind to the kunai, letting them strike their Tailed Beast cloaks and deflect harmlessly away.

But in the next instant, Fuji disappeared from sight and reappeared at the position of one of the kunai, causing the smirks on their faces to freeze.

Space-time ninjutsu?!

But his hair isn't yellow… And I've never heard of the Fourth Hokage being from the Hyuga clan…

Though confused, the two were seasoned warriors. Acting on instinct, one of them kicked at the other to force him away from Fuji. Simultaneously, the tails of their cloaks swung behind them, aiming to knock the airborne kunai in different directions.

Meanwhile, the surrounding Mist shinobi rushed to close in, ready to obstruct Fuji's movements.

This ninja unit had been specifically assembled to protect the Jinchuriki in case they encountered the Fourth Hokage. Without enough cannon fodder, Minato, with his mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique, could easily relocate them elsewhere. With proper preparation, he could eliminate them swiftly.

Their mission was clear: stall the Fourth Hokage at all costs. This was the Third Mizukage's direct order!

As this thought solidified in the minds of the two Jinchuriki, Fuji—whom they were carefully guarding against—made no move. Instead, where their tails were about to strike the kunai, two familiar figures appeared.

"Well then, you two—please come with me."

Minato and his shadow clone smiled faintly before vanishing, taking the two Jinchuriki with them in an instant.

Even Minato couldn't perform the sealing of Tailed Beasts amidst a thousand shinobi.

If not for the fact that Fuji's ability to use the Flying Thunder God had been kept secret, this plan wouldn't have gone so smoothly.

The Mist shinobi, seeing their dependable Jinchuriki suddenly disappear, froze in shock and turned stiffly to Hyuga Fuji.

"Too slow."

Murmuring softly, Fuji's hands became engulfed in blue chakra flames as he charged once more into the enemy ranks.

Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists.

The blue chakra flames significantly enhanced the power and defense of his arms. Even against direct strikes from swords or kunai, his hands remained unscathed, allowing him to dispatch enemies with even greater efficiency.

Those few Taijutsu-skilled Jonin who had managed to hold their own against him before were now completely powerless.

One Mist ninja, watching Fuji mow down his comrades, gritted his teeth and pulled out a kunai attached to explosive tags. Igniting them, he prepared to hurl the weapon toward Fuji—only to freeze in place when Fuji's Byakugan turned toward him.

Byakugan—Pressure!

Boom!

The explosive tags detonated in the ninja's hand, instantly blowing him and several of his nearby allies skyward.

Watching the carnage from a distance, Kakashi clicked his tongue and dispatched another approaching Mist ninja with a single slash.

As the battle wore on, some of the weaker-willed Mist shinobi began fleeing the battlefield. Those who attempted to escape in Kakashi and Yakumaru's direction were promptly stopped, while those fleeing elsewhere were left alone.

Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Hiruzen had all moved to the frontlines, with Tsunade soon to arrive as well. The Mist Village was already under immense pressure and had no forces to spare for reinforcements.

And besides, someone needed to survive to spread the word about what had transpired here.

Watching Fuji rampage through the battlefield, Kakashi's expression grew complicated.

If I had this kind of strength back then… would Obito still…

Obito?!

A figure darted across Kakashi's peripheral vision, the silhouette eerily familiar. His expression changed drastically, and without thinking, he took off in pursuit.

"Hey, what about our mission?!" Yakumaru shouted, frowning as Kakashi abandoned him.

"Sorry! I'll explain to the Hokage later, but I have to follow him now!" Kakashi's voice came from afar as he disappeared into the forest.

Yakumaru hesitated, glancing toward Fuji.

Letting Kakashi wander this battlefield alone made him uneasy, but Fuji… didn't seem to need his help anymore.

In just a few short minutes, half of the Mist ninja had already fallen to Fuji's hand.

With his mastery of the Flying Thunder God, Fuji's chances of facing danger were slim—he could always retreat if necessary. Their task of providing support was already more symbolic than practical.

Kakashi's erratic behavior, however, might have been the result of an enemy trap.

The mission, or my comrade?

"Is there even a choice?" Yakumaru muttered, before darting in the direction Kakashi had gone.

Fuji, you're the one opponent I acknowledge. Don't tell me you'll fall here!

Not long after Yakumaru left, a white head emerged from a nearby tree, followed by the rest of its body.

Stepping fully out of the tree, the figure transformed into the appearance of Uchiha Yakumaru.

"You didn't manage to collect Kakashi's chakra earlier, did you? Then leave it to me. I'll handle this alone."

The figure's voice was soft, as though speaking to the trees and earth themselves.

A gentle breeze passed through, but there was no response.

Still, the figure knew its comrades had already left.

…

A few minutes later, Fuji delivered the final blow to another Mist ninja with a strike of his Gentle Fist. Surveying the corpses hanging from the trees and littered across the ground, he began walking in Yakumaru's direction.

The total enemy count was around six hundred. After seeing Fuji cut down three hundred of their comrades without showing signs of fatigue, the remaining Mist shinobi had begun to scatter.

Although a few Jonin attempted to rally their forces, the demoralized Mist ninja were even attacking their own in desperation, unwilling to face Fuji.

He made no effort to pursue the fleeing or infighting ninja, instead dispatching only those who resisted.

With this, the Mist Village's force had been completely routed.

"Are you okay? Kakashi was acting strange—he chased after a Mist ninja. I sent a shadow clone to follow him. Let's go support him now," said "Uchiha Yakumaru" as Fuji approached, pulling a soldier pill from his pouch.

"You must've used a lot of chakra. Here, take this."

Fuji didn't even glance at the pill, letting it fall to the ground as he grabbed "Yakumaru" by the head.

"Has anyone ever told you your acting is terrible?" Fuji said coldly. "Uchiha don't speak this bluntly—or this kindly."

(Chapter ends)