Naruto: Promotion is my Ninja Way

The mysterious masked figure stood motionless on the rocky shoreline, his covered face turned upward toward the barren mountain dominating the island's center. Even through his disguise, an aura of deadly intent radiated from his imposing form.

"The Three-Tails Jinchūriki is located within a deep cave system inside that mountain!" Black Zetsu reported as he emerged from the underground depths, his dark form materializing from the earth like a living shadow.

"There are Mist Ninja forces concealed along the southeastern coastline," Zetsu continued with his characteristic gravelly voice. "They appear to have discovered his location as well. Should we eliminate them before proceeding with our primary objective?"

"Unnecessary," Uchiha Obito replied in a sinister tone that would make anyone's blood run cold. "The Three-Tails takes absolute priority over everything else!"

"As for those Mist Ninja..." Obito's voice carried unmistakable disdain and contempt. "They are beneath consideration."

His dismissive attitude toward the Kirigakure forces was absolute. In his estimation, they represented no meaningful threat whatsoever!

The dimensional space around Obito began distorting with familiar spiraling patterns as he activated his Kamui technique, transporting himself directly toward the mountain's base.

Southeast Coast - Mist Ninja Encampment

On the opposite side of the island, Kirigakure forces continued their careful reconnaissance and strategic positioning.

"This particular island served as the ancestral home of the Fourth Mizukage's family for generations," one Mist Ninja subordinate explained while addressing his commanding officer. "As environmental conditions deteriorated over the years and fresh water sources became increasingly difficult to obtain, all the civilian inhabitants eventually relocated to more hospitable locations."

The subordinate directed his report toward a strikingly beautiful woman wearing a distinctive blue tube-top dress. Her long, curly reddish-brown hair cascaded gracefully down her back, and her intelligent green eyes surveyed the distant mountain with tactical precision.

"So there's a reasonable probability that Mizukage-sama would instinctively return to this island during a period of mental distress?" inquired a gaunt, white-haired man whose sickly appearance and obvious ill health couldn't disguise his underlying strength and competence.

The speaker possessed an unmistakably frail constitution, with loose bandages wrapped around his neck and two unusual swords secured to his back, also wrapped in protective cloth coverings.

"Exactly correct, Mangetsu-sama!" the subordinate confirmed with respectful deference.

Despite the thin, white-haired man's obviously deteriorating physical condition and appearance of someone who might collapse at any moment, none of the assembled Mist Ninja dared show anything less than complete respect and attention.

After all, Hōzuki Mangetsu's reputation as Kirigakure's greatest prodigy had become legendary throughout the shinobi world. The tragic reality that this genius wouldn't live much longer only made his presence more poignant and respected.

Even in the final stages of his abbreviated life, Mangetsu's combat capabilities and strategic thinking remained absolutely formidable.

"Mangetsu, you didn't need to accompany this mission," the beautiful woman with curly hair observed with genuine concern as she gazed toward the distant mountain peaks. "If circumstances favor us, we might be able to retrieve the Fourth Mizukage without any combat engagement whatsoever."

The speaker was Terumi Mei, one of Kirigakure's most promising young leaders and a master of advanced bloodline techniques.

"It's perfectly acceptable, Terumi Mei," Mangetsu replied, though his response was interrupted by a prolonged coughing fit that left him gasping for breath. "I consider it... cough cough... extraordinarily fortunate that I can offer my life in service to our village during these final moments."

"As the captain of our ANBU forces, if I had recognized the abnormalities in the Fourth Mizukage's behavior much earlier, countless tragedies could have been prevented throughout Kirigakure's recent history."

"I am here to atone for my professional negligence and failure!"

Terumi Mei shook her head sadly, understanding the guilt consuming her dying comrade. If Hōzuki Mangetsu hadn't insisted on participating in this dangerous mission, he could still enjoy whatever time remained to him, however brief that might be.

Who could blame him for feeling such overwhelming responsibility? The ANBU forces had failed in their protective duties, their Mizukage had been manipulated by outside forces, and Kirigakure had suffered years of misery and internal conflict as a result.

These accumulated failures created genuinely devastating psychological burdens...

Just as Terumi Mei found herself lost in contemplation about their village's tragic circumstances, one of the assembled Mist Ninja suddenly spoke with urgent alarm. The speaker was notable for wearing a protective eyepatch over one eye, heavily secured with sealing techniques.

Beneath that eyepatch lay a perfectly functional Byakugan - the legendary dōjutsu belonging to Konoha's Hyūga clan, completely unaffected by the Caged Bird curse seal that normally restricted such stolen eyes!

This was none other than Ao, the veteran Jōnin of Kirigakure who had once appeared on Konoha Village's most wanted lists due to his possession of the stolen Byakugan.

Ao raised his hand and activated his Byakugan's ultra-long-range vision capabilities, focusing his enhanced sight on the towering mountain at the island's center. Within moments, he located the Fourth Mizukage Yagura within the deep cave system.

However, the chakra flow patterns visible throughout Yagura's body showed severe abnormalities and dangerous instability, indicating his physical and mental condition had deteriorated significantly.

Just as Ao prepared to deliver his initial report, he observed with shock as an unknown figure suddenly appeared within his enhanced vision, rapidly approaching Yagura's location deep within the cave.

"Terumi Mei-sama, we have visual confirmation of our target!" Ao announced with professional urgency.

"An enemy combatant has also appeared! The Fourth Mizukage is in immediate and extreme danger!"

Upon hearing this critical intelligence, Terumi Mei's expression instantly transformed into one of deadly seriousness as she issued immediate orders: "Move out! All units advance!"

"Yes, ma'am!" came the synchronized response.

All assembled Mist Ninja dispersed from their concealed positions and began racing toward the mountain at maximum speed.

Deep Within the Mountain Cave

At that same moment, Uchiha Obito was steadily advancing through the cave system's depths, his black robes blending perfectly with the oppressive darkness surrounding him.

"Maggots are perfectly suited for hiding in filthy places like this," Obito sneered with obvious contempt, completely unconcerned about potential discovery by Yagura.

In Obito's estimation, his former puppet represented nothing more than helpless prey awaiting slaughter, possessing no meaningful ability to resist or escape.

His only concern involved the safety and security of the Three-Tails itself. Otherwise, he wouldn't waste any effort worrying about Yagura's fate. In Obito's twisted worldview, everyone in Kirigakure deserved death anyway.

Black Zetsu's distinctive deep voice provided crucial context: "Years of continuous genjutsu manipulation have rendered Yagura's mental state completely unstable. His consciousness now teeters on the edge of total collapse, making it impossible for him to distinguish between reality and illusion!"

The genjutsu control over Yagura had been broken long ago, but the psychological damage remained permanent. He could no longer differentiate between genuine experiences and false memories implanted through years of manipulation. This explained why Yagura had isolated himself far from Kirigakure - he feared that remaining near the village would cause additional harm to his people.

"Whoosh—"

Uchiha Obito came to an abrupt halt as a wave of superheated air struck his face. Deep within the cave's interior, a small but ominous light began gathering energy.

A Tailed Beast Bomb was forming!

"BOOOM..."

The devastating explosion erupted with tremendous force, channeling enormous destructive energy throughout the cave system. Raging flames shot directly from the cave entrance like a volcanic eruption, illuminating the entire mountain in hellish red light.

Violent seismic tremors spread throughout the mountain's structure, creating countless fractures and fissures as massive boulders began cascading down the slopes.

"Move faster!" Terumi Mei commanded as her forces dodged the falling debris while desperately trying to reach the cave entrance.

Enormous quantities of flames and thick smoke poured from newly created cracks in the mountain walls, creating a scene of absolute devastation reminiscent of a catastrophic volcanic explosion.

"CRASH!"

Countless fragments of shattered rock flew in all directions as two figures burst from the completely ruined cave system. Even while airborne, they continued their violent confrontation without pause.

"THUD!"

Yagura crashed heavily to the ground, his human appearance now barely recognizable. A brilliant scarlet Tailed Beast cloak surrounded his transformed body, while three long tails whipped through the air as animalistic roars echoed across the mountainside.

He had achieved a partial Tailed Beast transformation!

After rolling several times and smashing through multiple boulders, Yagura regained his footing in a distinctly bestial stance, supporting himself on all four limbs.

"He has indeed lost all rational thought and reverted to pure animal instincts," Uchiha Obito observed with cold clinical detachment, standing calmly at a safe distance. His black robes remained perfectly undamaged without even a single wrinkle.

"ROOOAR!"

The partially transformed Yagura's speed increased dramatically as he appeared before Obito with apparent teleportation, striking with razor-sharp claws backed by terrifying momentum.

Obito didn't even consider evasive action. The deadly claws approached with devastating force, but they passed harmlessly through his intangible body due to his Kamui technique, instead creating a deep crater in the ground and sending clouds of dust and debris into the air.

"CRACK!"

A seemingly ordinary wooden staff materialized in Obito's grasp, which he used to strike the half-transformed Yagura with tremendous force, instantly launching his opponent through the air.

"CRASH, CRASH, CRASH..."

Yagura flew across the battlefield before slamming into the ground with bone-crushing impact. His body rolled uncontrollably, destroying everything in his path while carving a deep furrow in the earth before disappearing into the distance.

Uchiha Obito clenched his fist with casual indifference and began walking slowly toward Yagura's landing site.

"WHOOSH, WHOOSH, WHOOSH..."

Hurricane-force winds began howling as uprooted trees flew toward Obito in rapid succession. The tremendous impact force created powerful wind currents that whipped his clothing, but in his intangible state, these massive projectiles proved completely ineffective.

"ROOOOOAR!"

"Wood Style: Cutting Sprigs Technique!"

Uchiha Obito opened his palm and aimed it directly at Yagura, who was charging toward him with renewed ferocity. Numerous sharp wooden spikes materialized and shot toward his target with lethal intent.

"ROAAAAAR!"

The Tailed Beast unleashed a roar that shook the heavens and earth. The horrifying sound waves instantly deflected several wooden projectiles while Yagura dodged at the last possible moment, bringing his claws down in another devastating attack.

"THUMP—"

A sudden, powerful heartbeat resonated through the air!

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