Phasing, Human Puppet

"Wasn't it Itachi who wiped out the Uchiha? What does that have to do with the philosophies of the Third Hokage, Danzo, and the Second Hokage?"

Upon hearing the discussion between Obito, Senju Tobirama, and the others, Hyuga Nozomu asked in great surprise.

It couldn't be helped; although he was born into the Hyuga Clan, known as the "Strongest Shinobi Clan of Konoha," and possessed the strength of a Jonin, his status as a member of the Branch Family meant he was destined to be kept in the dark about many secrets.

Hatake Kakashi looked at Hyuga Nozomu with a complex expression before saying to Senju Tobirama, "Second Hokage, now is not the time to dwell on why the Uchiha were wiped out."

"This Masked Man is an Uchiha unknown to us, and he was just mingling with those two rogue ninjas. Now that he has taken the initiative to appear before us, there is definitely something suspicious going on."

Senju Tobirama nodded at these words, looked at Obito, and probed, "Who exactly are you, and what is your objective?"

"Second Hokage, what are you talking about? I don't understand at all." Obito began to play dumb: "I am just an ordinary intern who just joined the Akatsuki; I have nothing to do with any wiped-out Uchiha."

"I only came here this time to prevent you from interfering with the actions of my two seniors."

"To be honest, I am quite scared. After all, you have a Jonin from the Hyuga Clan, the Copy Ninja Hatake Kakashi, and two Hokage, while I am all alone."

"If possible, I hope we can just have a chat and avoid fighting."

"Hmph, you ghost-playing charlatan." Senju Tobirama was currently anxious to understand what had happened in Konoha and had no interest in wasting time with Obito here, so he immediately clapped his hands together: "Water Style: Water Shockwave!"

A massive volume of water surged from the yellow sand surrounding Senju Tobirama's feet, crashing toward Obito like a tidal wave.

"As expected of the Second Hokage, to be able to use such a large-scale Water Style in the middle of a desert."

Seeing this, Hyuga Nozomu could not help but exclaim in surprise.

"How will he deal with this move? Earth Style, Fire Style, or some other ninjutsu?" Kakashi kept his eyes fixed on Obito.

For some reason, he felt a sense of familiarity with the latter, yet he couldn't recall exactly who the person was.

Perhaps through the opponent's techniques, he might be able to discern a clue or two.

"Oh my, what a terrifying Water Style. It has scared me so much that I can't even move."

Obito spoke in an exaggerated tone, yet he truly remained motionless just as he had claimed.

Then, the incredible happened.

Under the impact of the massive water wave created by Senju Tobirama, Obito was completely unaffected, as if he did not exist at all.

"Nani?"

"It had no effect on him?"

Seeing this scene, Hatake Kakashi, Hyuga Nozomu, and Pakkun were all shocked.

"Impressive, let me try."

Senju Hashirama, however, became interested and immediately clapped his hands together: "Wood Style: Wood Spikes!"

The next moment, dense clusters of wooden spikes shot out from Senju Hashirama's body, submerging Obito in a "sea of wooden spikes."

But just like before, all the wooden spikes passed directly through Obito's body.

If it weren't broad daylight and if the Ninja World hadn't yet seen any truly supernatural entities, Kakashi and the others might have started to suspect they were seeing a ghost.

"Space-Time Ninjutsu?"

Senju Tobirama narrowed his eyes, thinking rapidly: I can feel a Flying Thunder God Mark left by someone else on his body, which means his physical form can be attacked.

He hasn't taken the initiative to attack yet; could it be that this Space-Time Ninjutsu becomes ineffective when he strikes?

I still believe in my previous judgment: he is undoubtedly a naturally evil Uchiha brat.

So, is this Space-Time Ninjutsu... a pupil technique of the Mangekyo Sharingan?

Thinking of this, Senju Tobirama frowned.

He had fought against Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Izuna, both of whom possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan, and he knew the power of those eyes.

If this Masked Man possessed the Eternal Mangekyo, he would be even harder to deal with.

On the other side!

Using the Clay Bird, Sasori and Deidara had already caught sight of the cliffs on the outskirts of Sunagakure.

"Brother Sasori, Hyuga Chiba should be inside Sunagakure. Let's just fly straight in."

Deidara suggested to Sasori: "Besides, since we're already here, we might as well take the One-Tailed Jinchuriki back with us, hmm."

"Careful!" Just as Sasori was about to speak, his expression changed, and he hurriedly called out a warning.

Deidara's reaction was also very swift, and he hurriedly maneuvered the Clay Bird to the side.

Soon, several massive Gold Dust Spikes rose from the ground, piercing the spot where the Clay Bird had been just a moment before.

"Sasori of the Red Sand? You dare return to Sunagakure?"

Rasa stood atop a Gold Dust Flying Carpet, arms crossed, glaring at Sasori.

Originally, Sasori was the grandson of Elder Chiyo of Sunagakure and possessed immense talent for puppetry.

But ever since his parents were killed on the battlefield by the "White Fang of the Leaf," Hatake Sakumo, when he was young, he had gradually walked down an extreme path.

Later, Sasori even killed the Third Kazekage and defected from the village.

Although this was the reason Rasa had the opportunity to become the Fourth Kazekage, it did not mean he would forgive Sasori's crimes.

However, Rasa had not expected to encounter Sasori at a time like this.

If there were no surprises, Sasori and the young Iwagakure Rogue Ninja beside him were undoubtedly the uninvited guests Hyuga Chiba had previously mentioned to him.

"Hey, old man, can you not see me?" At this moment, Deidara said to Rasa with some displeasure, "Hmph, I'm going to make you witness my art."

"Deidara, leave him to me," Sasori spoke up, however. "You continue into Sunagakure and complete our mission."

After saying this, he jumped off the Clay Bird himself. "Sasori-danna, are you really going to be okay? This old guy can fly, you know." Deidara looked down at Sasori on the ground with some surprise, then, as if realizing something, nodded. "It seems you're planning to use that thing, Sasori-danna."

"In that case, I'll go find Hyuga Chiba first, yeah!"

As he spoke, Deidara maneuvered the Clay Bird to fly high into the sky, attempting to bypass Rasa from above.

"None of you are getting away!"

Rasa raised a hand, and a massive amount of gold dust surged into the sky, forming a giant Gold Dust Hand that reached out to grab Deidara.

"Magnet Release: Iron Sand!"

But at that very moment, a vast quantity of iron sand rose from the ground, blocking Rasa's Gold Dust Hand.

"Fourth Kazekage, you had better focus on fighting me."

Sasori's voice rang out immediately after.

"Sasori, how dare you do such a thing?"

Rasa instinctively looked toward Sasori, and was instantly filled with rage.

Because beside the latter, there now stood a humanoid puppet with blue hair and yellow eyes, dressed in a brown robe.

To be more precise, it was a Human Puppet crafted from the body of the Third Kazekage!