Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 66: Minato: I Will Never Let Madara Go!

Letting out a quiet sigh, Genshi looked toward Sarutobi Hiruzen. "You're not going to take action against me? Capturing me would give Konoha more leverage during negotiations."

"We need a pretext, and only Kirigakure can provide it."

Sarutobi Hiruzen vanished in an instant, leaving only a faint whisper in Genshi's ear. "Hurry up and leave. If you die here, Kirigakure and Konoha will never stop fighting."

From the moment Kirigakure was founded, Genshi had dedicated himself to its cause. He was essentially Kirigakure's living history, holding a position equal to the Mizukage, with even greater prestige than the Third Mizukage.

If he were to die on the battlefield, it would become nearly impossible to halt the ensuing war.

Leaning on his cane, Genshi stood in place for a moment, watching Kirigakure's forces suffer defeat after defeat. Then, with the help of two ninjas, he slowly departed the battlefield.

When Yagura and Kisame arrived nearby, they learned from retreating ninja that the Three-Tails had already fallen into Konoha's control and the frontlines had collapsed. Upon hearing that Genshi had retreated safely, their expressions became complicated.

"The Third Mizukage—doesn't he see what's happening?" Kisame muttered under his breath.

"Evidence? You'll see it," Yagura thought bitterly, recalling the words of a Konoha ninja.

With a self-mocking smile, Yagura remarked, "Maybe he truly can't see it."

If someone could control tailed beasts and Jinchuriki, why wouldn't it be possible to control a Kage?

Kisame cast him a confused glance, but Yagura simply shook his head. "Let's go. Catch up with Genshi's group. We don't have much time. Konoha won't stop once they've won; they'll press the advantage."

...

By the time the Fourth Hokage returned to the command post, it was already night. The Third Mizukage, defeated by the Sannin, had been brought back here as well.

"Have Jiraiya lead a unit to take the coastline. Notify other units to push forward and give Kirigakure no breathing room."

Back at the command post, Namikaze Minato listened to reports from his ANBU on the various battlefronts, assessed losses and reinforcements, and issued orders to the different units.

After finishing, he said, "Send for Fuji."

Moments later, Hyuga Fuji entered the room, and Minato got straight to the point. "What's the status of the Third Mizukage?"

Hyuga Fuji nodded. "I checked. He's definitely under a genjutsu."

"As expected..." Minato sighed. Meeting Fuji's calm gaze, he offered a helpless smile. "You don't seem surprised at all."

"We've suspected this for a while, haven't we?" Hyuga Fuji said in a low voice. "It actually makes more sense for the Third Mizukage to be under control."

"But the person controlling him is the real problem." Minato fell silent for a moment before sighing. "That person might very well be Uchiha Madara!"

The thought of the demon who had supposedly been killed by the First Hokage still being alive—and orchestrating Kirigakure's actions from the shadows—was almost unbelievable.

"Uchiha Madara..." Hyuga Fuji murmured, repeating the name. "If we link this to him, then perhaps the situation with Obito makes more sense."

"Obito?" Minato, unaware of Obito and Rin's recent events due to his separation from Kushina, frowned in confusion. "What does this have to do with Obito?"

As he spoke, he became more alert. Mentioning Obito reminded Minato of how a white creature had used Obito and Kakashi to lower his guard, creating an opportunity to attack him.

The Hyuga Fuji standing before him—was he real?

"Fuji, tell me, what's the first thing you said when you came to my house?"

Hyuga Fuji stared at him oddly. "You've developed a trauma to White Zetsu, haven't you? I've never been to your house."

Hearing this, Minato let out a small sigh of relief and smiled. "Apologies. The white creature's transformation jutsu was too convincing. Only Kushina can reliably identify them."

"I've heard about it. I even saw something similar on Obito." As he spoke, Hyuga Fuji produced a white arm—the remnants left behind by Tobi.

Minato's eyes narrowed at the sight. He, too, took out a scroll and retrieved the piece of the white creature he had brought back.

"This was part of the attacker. But after it died, it didn't disappear like a shadow clone, nor did it turn into another substance like a water clone. I brought it back for study."

"Its persistence likely relates to its nature." Handing over a report, Hyuga Fuji explained, "I had medical ninja analyze this arm."

Minato took the report and began reading. "Cells brimming with vitality, significantly different from human cells...and connected to Wood Release. As I suspected, it ties back to the First Hokage."

He had already considered this possibility.

Wood Release users recorded in history were limited to the First Hokage. If another appeared out of nowhere, it was only natural to suspect they had acquired Wood Release through experimentation with the First's cells.

After all, Konoha's Root had once conducted such research—research that had supposedly been halted. Supposedly...

Thinking of Konoha's so-called "Darkness of the Shinobi World," Minato frowned.

Would that man really stop? Most likely not...

"Obito can use Wood Release, too," Hyuga Fuji continued as Minato's thoughts returned to the matter at hand. Fuji detailed his encounter with Obito.

"The one behind the scenes clearly has extensive knowledge of Wood Release and the ability to bestow it upon others. These white creatures are likely cultivated from the First Hokage's cells."

"As for Obito, his encounter with Rin seems suspicious. According to Kakashi's investigation, Rin was captured by Kirigakure. But with the Third Mizukage under genjutsu, the situation doesn't add up. It could have been orchestrated to push him into awakening his Sharingan."

"The Mangekyo Sharingan and Wood Release—Obito now wields two powers that brought an end to the Warring States period. If Uchiha Madara is truly alive, he's the most likely person to understand these powers and manipulate them."

This made Madara highly suspicious. Obito might have been rescued by him, then groomed as a pawn.

Minato absorbed Fuji's words, his expression grave. He nodded slightly, letting out a sigh for Rin's death and Obito's tragic fate. "Thank you for your efforts. If you encounter Obito again, don't hold back for Kushina's or my sake. Protect your own life, even if it means..."

He trailed off, unable to say the rest. But he trusted Fuji understood his intent.

Obito had cared deeply for Rin. For him to kill her with his own hands was unimaginable, a trauma that could push him to the brink.

In such a state, perhaps only Obito's grandmother could calm him. But Minato, Kushina, and Kakashi would have to prepare for a confrontation if they met him again.

As for anyone else—they wouldn't stand a chance.

"First, we end this war. If Uchiha Madara is truly behind this...I will make him pay!" A cold light flashed in Minato's eyes.

Toying with his student and manipulating the war between Kirigakure and Konoha—if it was Madara's doing, then as a teacher and as the Fourth Hokage, Minato vowed to bring him to justice!

In the following days, Konoha steadily advanced, pushing Kirigakure's forces back to the coastline.

Konoha's strongest shinobi dominated the battlefield, with massive summons and the Three-Tails bringing devastation to Kirigakure. The capture of the Third Mizukage further sowed discord within Kirigakure, with rumors spreading about him being under genjutsu.

Under such circumstances, Yagura, with Genshi's support, temporarily assumed the role of Mizukage and initiated peace talks with Konoha.

(End of Chapter)