Obito Uchiha! (Please Keep Reading)

"All right, the battle is over."

Just as the entire arena fell silent, Hidezawa quietly put away his kunai and extended a hand to Itachi Uchiha.

Itachi Uchiha seemed not to have recovered from the shock yet. He stared blankly at Hidezawa as the latter pulled him to his feet, his mind completely empty.

Hidezawa paid him no mind. After patting him on the shoulder as a form of "encouragement from an elder to a junior," he turned and walked toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.

But at that moment, the previously silent examination hall seemed to erupt, exploding with thunderous cheers!

"Flying Thunder God—that's the Flying Thunder God Technique!"

"Unbelievable! Absolutely unbelievable!"

"That was incredible!"

Amid those cheers, countless people began discussing it enthusiastically.

Though the Flying Thunder God did not hold quite the same significance for Konohagakure as Wood Release, it was certainly not far behind. Especially for those ninja who had lived through the Nine-Tailed Fox Incident—they could never forget the Flying Thunder God's power.

In their eyes, it had been the Flying Thunder God Technique that saved Konohagakure that night!

The berserk Nine-Tails had fired a Tailed Beast Ball directly at Konohagakure. Had the Fourth Hokage not used the Flying Thunder God to transfer it away, that terrifying explosion would undoubtedly have struck within the village.

And if the Fourth Hokage had not transferred the entire Nine-Tails out of Konohagakure, the losses that night would likely have been even greater.

Many ninja even felt that Wood Release's significance to Konohagakure was more that of a symbol of overwhelming power.

The Flying Thunder God, meanwhile, was what Konohagakure needed most right now!

How could they possibly not be excited to see the Flying Thunder God appear in Konohagakure once more?

"Lord Hokage, the mission is complete."

Though Hidezawa appeared calm as he listened to the cheers, he was deeply satisfied inside.

If he wanted to inherit "Danzo's legacy," he had to demonstrate a certain level of ability, while also building up some prestige.

This Chunin Exams had happened to give him that opportunity, along with the relevant mission.

If Hidezawa did not make proper use of such a ready-made opportunity, it would be far too disrespectful to the chance that had fallen into his lap!

"Mm."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind was buzzing as well. He truly had not expected Hidezawa to actually learn the Flying Thunder God!

When he had given the Flying Thunder God to Hidezawa, one reason was that Hidezawa's performance on missions had been so outstanding that he needed an appropriate reward.

Beyond that, he had also hoped to completely turn this Root member over to his own side.

After thinking it over, it seemed that only the Flying Thunder God, this "Hokage's technique," was suitable.

Yet now, his mind was a little dazed, because he realized that Hidezawa's talent seemed far greater than he had imagined!

Not only had he learned it, but he had done so in just a few months.

"Well done!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly snapped back to his senses, and a brilliant smile spread across his wrinkled face.

Hidezawa learning the Flying Thunder God was unquestionably wonderful news for Konohagakure!

Konohagakure was far too weak right now. Having someone like Hidezawa as a much-needed boost was a good thing for everyone!

With that thought, he decisively reached out and gave Hidezawa's shoulder two heavy pats.

"Well done, Hidezawa!"

"..."

Watching Hiruzen Sarutobi go from astonishment and blankness to excitement and relief in an instant, Hidezawa briefly wondered whether he had just witnessed a face-changing act.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi did not care about that. Smiling, he continued.

"The Flying Thunder God is no simple technique. I never thought that after Minato, I would be fortunate enough to witness it shine once again.

Hidezawa, I must thank you—and congratulate you as well!"

"Thank you, Lord Hokage."

Hidezawa smiled and nodded. Look at the Third Hokage's way with words—it was leagues beyond Danzo's!

"Go get some proper rest first. The examination will continue afterward, but I doubt anyone will be watching anymore."

Hiruzen Sarutobi continued with a teasing smile, pointing toward the cheering crowd and shaking his head.

"Kakashi and the others are watching. I imagine they're excited too, so don't keep them waiting.

Also, once the exam is over, I have something to give you."

At that, he paused slightly before continuing.

"They are notes and insights on the Flying Thunder God left behind by my teacher, the Second Hokage, as well as the Fourth Hokage, Minato.

I believe they are what suit you best now."

"Then thank you, Lord Hokage."

Hidezawa nodded without refusing. After all, once he raised the proficiency and usage options of his Flying Thunder God through stat allocation, they would be fed back into his mind anyway.

These notes would at least help conceal the fact that his proficiency was far too high.

After all, he had directly obtained the LV6 Flying Thunder God Technique through the Shinobi World Professor!

Hidezawa did not know just how far Minato Namikaze had taken the Flying Thunder God Technique, but he knew one thing.

He could sense every Flying Thunder God Mark left behind by the Fourth Hokage!

For example, right now.

With a smile on his face, Hidezawa walked toward Yugao and the others as they cheered, while casually glancing out of the corner of his eye at a large tree some distance away.

In his perception, there was a Flying Thunder God Mark there!

Obito Uchiha? Why is he here?

"This kid doesn't seem simple."

Hidden behind a large tree, the black half-face of the Pitcher Plant Monster spoke quietly to Obito.

"I have already investigated his background. He is an ordinary orphan, but he entered Danzo's Root and received training there.

He is exceptionally skilled in Earth Release, and he also has decent Water Release techniques. And now, it seems he has mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique as well."

"Mm."

Obito watched Hidezawa gather with Yugao, Kakashi, and the others, laughing and chatting continuously. His gaze was somewhat unfriendly.

He did not care what happened to Kakashi. Ever since Rin had died by Kakashi's hand, his heart had died as well.

His greatest dream now was to carry out the Infinite Tsukuyomi and create a world of his own—a world with Rin, and with the real Kakashi!

What truly irritated him was the Flying Thunder God Technique. He could not forget how Minato Namikaze had thoroughly beaten him with it back then.

"But the plan will continue. This kid's identity, along with his Flying Thunder God Technique, has given me quite a few ideas!"

"Oh?"

Black Zetsu gave Obito a surprised glance, but he quickly understood what Obito meant.

"You intend to make use of his Root identity and the Flying Thunder God Technique?"

"Mm."

Obito nodded directly and spoke calmly.

"I know that Danzo has prejudices against the Uchiha. I have watched everything he has done over the years.

Since this brat came from Danzo's side, it would not be strange for him to bear ill will toward the Uchiha.

And he just happens to know the Flying Thunder God Technique. If one of the Uchiha brats were suddenly attacked, yet no traces could be found at all...

Then who do you think they would suspect?"

Clearly, they could only suspect someone capable of doing such a thing!

Obito looked into the distance, toward where Itachi Uchiha and Shisui Uchiha were.

Those two were his targets.

Sarutobi God, activate!