Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 162: Black Zetsu 2.0: Obito? Lord Madara Called Him a Fool...

A thoughtful glint flashed in Obito's eyes. Suddenly, he disappeared from his position, using Kamui to phase behind Pakura, intending to test her abilities.

Pakura reacted swiftly, immediately turning and unleashing a surge of Scorch Release chakra flames from the cloak surrounding her, forcing Obito to retreat.

However, Obito had anticipated this move. Once again, he used Kamui's intangibility, allowing the flames to harmlessly pass through his body without causing any damage.

The two clashed repeatedly across the battlefield, exchanging numerous moves in a short span of time.

---

Black and White Zetsu had retreated to a safe distance, with half of their form merging into the ground, quietly observing the fight.

Although Black Zetsu 2.0 considered himself and White Zetsu the top generals of Madara's forces, they knew their combat capabilities were lacking. Intervening in Obito's battle would only create chaos.

"Obito isn't finishing this quickly."

Black Zetsu 2.0 watched with some surprise as Pakura's orange Scorch Release chakra cloak caused the surrounding structures to melt. "That chakra cloak… does it have an extremely high temperature? Even Obito gave up using absorption against her."

To Black Zetsu 2.0's knowledge, Obito's signature move—absorbing enemies into the Kamui dimension via physical contact—had never failed before. For Obito to voluntarily refrain from using it was unprecedented.

"It resembles the Four-Tails' Lava Release Chakra Mode, but it feels... different."

White Zetsu whispered, "Do you feel it? The moisture in the air is evaporating. The focus of its attack power doesn't seem to be just heat. When Obito attacks, he must materialize, and doing so puts him in contact with that cloak's range... It's like armor for a turtle."

"Is this a Kekkei Genkai?" Black Zetsu 2.0 mused, narrowing his eyes. "Have you seen this one before?"

White Zetsu responded, "No, but I've heard of it. It's likely..."

---

"Scorch Release?"

Recalling the initial fireball attack, Obito glanced again at the airborne Pakura, his brow furrowing.

To manipulate events in the shadows and execute his plans, he needed to master information about the ninja world.

He was no longer the naive Uchiha Obito from his academy days. All critical information and knowledge had been drilled into him.

With the help of White Zetsu's exceptional intelligence network, he had access to numerous classified details about the ninja world, including notable shinobi and unique Kekkei Genkai.

Although Pakura's Scorch Release had only briefly shone during her lifetime, identifying such an ability was simple for someone like Obito, who had studied extensively.

But Pakura wasn't a reanimated Edo Tensei ninja... the resurrection technique described in White Zetsu's intel—wasn't that Second Hokage Tobirama Senju's forbidden jutsu?

"You're the Scorch Release user, Pakura, aren't you?"

Returning to a standoff, Obito narrowed his eyes. "I originally thought my speculation might be wrong. But since even you've been resurrected, it seems controlling Hyuga Fuji must have been effortless for Tobirama Senju."

Relying on White Zetsu's reports, Obito drew conclusions similar to Madara's.

A man just a few years his senior, not only with immense strength but also capable of standing at the cusp of Hokage's power while manipulating Konoha's elites—it all seemed too suspicious.

Especially since Hyuga Fuji's defection alongside so many Leaf ninja was so baffling. But if the puppet master behind it all was Tobirama Senju, it made sense.

What did Hyuga Fuji's strength matter?

A Second Hokage who mastered Edo Tensei and resurrection techniques could send tremors through the ninja world. Controlling a Flying Thunder God-using Hyūga would be child's play.

"?"

Pakura gave Obito a confused look. How had he come to the conclusion that the Second Hokage was controlling Hyuga Fuji? Was he out of his mind?

After a moment's thought, Pakura chose not to explain.

The White Zetsu stationed beside Obito had already been secretly replaced by their own forces.

Whatever intel Obito received was under Hyuga Fuji's control, so this absurd conclusion could very well have been orchestrated by him.

It couldn't just be a misunderstanding... could it?

Seeing Pakura remain silent, Obito became more convinced of his theory. He pointed toward the rampaging Shukaku in the distance.

"You're here on Tobirama's orders, aren't you? You're not here to protect Sunagakure, are you?"

Pakura glanced briefly at the destruction caused by Shukaku and let out a cold snort.

"I couldn't care less whether they live or die."

Oh? Sunagakure's so-called hero was completely indifferent to the village's fate?

It made sense. If Tobirama Senju had chosen Pakura to be fully resurrected, there must be more to her death than met the eye.

Obito's eyes gleamed with calculation. Outwardly, he relaxed his tone. "Then we have no reason to fight."

Pakura's voice turned icy. "The Second Hokage didn't think highly of your Uchiha clan. He'd be even less fond of someone like you—a lunatic who's taken things to extremes and wants to destroy the world."

Since Obito seemed to believe Tobirama was behind everything, Pakura decided to go along with it. After all, Tobirama probably wouldn't mind taking the blame—it wasn't like he wasn't used to it.

Still... this would tarnish Hyuga Fuji's reputation.

'She only mentioned Tobirama's attitude toward me... does this mean her mission has nothing to do with me? Is she just here to take advantage of Sunagakure's chaos?'

Obito's eyes narrowed at Pakura's words.

"Fighting here isn't part of Tobirama's instructions, is it? With Sunagakure in disarray, it'd be easier for you to accomplish your objective."

Pakura frowned slightly and glanced at Shukaku again. She remained silent.

For Obito, this was a meaningless battle.

For Pakura, it was the same.

With her current forces, she likely couldn't defeat Obito.

However…

As she saw Sunagakure ninja heading toward them in response to the commotion, Pakura's lips curled into a smile.

"Since I've already played the villain, why not go all the way? This level of chaos is far from enough."

Obito's eyes narrowed slightly.

This woman... did she genuinely want to destroy Sunagakure?

---

Nearby, Black Zetsu 2.0, hiding in the shadows, seemed disappointed as the two fighters paused after several exchanges.

"Why doesn't Obito just kill her outright? Negotiating at a time like this doesn't seem like him."

"Did you forget that the Second Hokage can resurrect people? Even if Obito kills her, what's the point? Besides, Edo Tensei is a summoning jutsu. Given the four-person squad pattern of that covert team earlier, Pakura could probably summon three other Edo Tensei reinforcements. That would put Obito in danger."

"But this is Obito!"

"What's your point? What kind of impression do you even have of him?"

"In the memories Lord Madara left me, he was just a simple-minded fool! Although… after interacting with him, he doesn't seem that stupid. Still, in a situation like this, using brute force seems more in line with the image Lord Madara gave me."

"…"

White Zetsu's eye twitched.

This version of Black Zetsu really was something else...

(End of Chapter)

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