"Wasn't Itachi the one who wiped out the Uchiha? What did that have to do with the ideals of the Third Hokage, Danzo, and the Second Hokage?"
After hearing Obito and Senju Tobirama's discussion, Hyuga Nozomu asked in astonishment.
It could not be helped. Although he had been born into the Hyuga Clan, known as the "Strongest Shinobi Clan of Konoha," and possessed Jonin-level strength, his status as a member of the Branch Family meant he could not access many secrets.
Kakashi gave Hyuga Nozomu a complicated look and said to Senju Tobirama, "Second Hokage-sama, now isn't the time to dwell on why the Uchiha were wiped out."
"This Masked Man is an unknown Uchiha. He was with those two rogue ninja earlier, and now he has come before us on his own initiative. There must be something suspicious about him."
Senju Tobirama nodded at those words and looked toward Obito. "Who exactly are you, and what is your purpose?"
"Second Hokage, I have no idea what you're talking about." Obito began playing dumb. "I'm merely an ordinary intern who just joined the Akatsuki. I have nothing to do with the exterminated Uchiha."
"I only came here this time to prevent you from interfering with my two seniors' operation."
"To be honest, I'm pretty scared. You have a Hyuga Clan Jonin, the Copy Ninja Hatake Kakashi, and two Hokage, while I'm all alone."
"If possible, I hope we can just have a nice chat and avoid fighting."
"Hmph, you mysterious fool." Senju Tobirama was eager to learn what had happened in Konoha and had no interest in wasting time with Obito. He immediately clapped his hands together.
"Water Style: Water Shockwave!"
A massive amount of water burst from the yellow sand around Senju Tobirama's feet, crashing toward Obito like roaring waves.
"As expected of the Second Hokage. He can actually use Water Release on this scale in the desert."
Hyuga Nozomu could not help saying in amazement.
"How will he deal with this? Earth Release, Fire Release, or some other ninjutsu?" Kakashi stared intently at Obito.
For some reason, he felt that the latter seemed familiar, yet he could not recall who the man was.
Perhaps he could glean something from the other man's techniques.
"Oh dear, what terrifying Water Release. I'm so scared I can't even move."
Obito spoke in an exaggerated tone, yet he truly remained completely motionless, just as he claimed.
Then, something unbelievable happened.
Under the impact of the massive waves created by Senju Tobirama, Obito remained entirely unaffected, as though he did not exist at all.
"What?"
"It didn't work on him?"
Kakashi, Hyuga Nozomu, and the ninja hound Pakkun were all shocked by the sight.
"How impressive. Let me try."
Senju Hashirama became interested and immediately clapped his hands together.
"Wood Style: Wood Spikes!"
The next moment, densely packed wooden spikes shot from Senju Hashirama's body, engulfing Obito in a sea of wooden spikes.
Yet just as before, every wooden spike passed straight through Obito's body.
If it had not been broad daylight, and if the Ninja World had not yet seen any real filthy spirits, Kakashi and the others might have suspected they had encountered a ghost.
"A space-time ninjutsu?"
Senju Tobirama narrowed his eyes, his thoughts racing. I can sense another person's Flying Thunder God Mark on him. That means his body can be attacked.
So far, he hasn't attacked us himself. Could it be that this space-time ninjutsu becomes ineffective when he attacks?
I also stand by my previous judgment. He must be an inherently evil Uchiha brat.
Then this space-time ninjutsu of his is... a Mangekyō Sharingan ocular technique?
At that thought, Senju Tobirama frowned.
He had fought Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Izuna, two Uchiha who possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan, and knew how powerful the Mangekyō Sharingan was.
If this Masked Man possessed the Eternal Mangekyo, he would be even harder to deal with.
Meanwhile!
Through the Clay Bird, Sasori and Deidara could already see the cliffs on the outskirts of Sunagakure.
"Sasori, Hyuga Chiba should be inside Sunagakure. Let's fly straight in."
Deidara suggested, "Since we're already here, we can take the One-Tailed Jinchuriki back with us while we're at it, hmm."
"Watch out!" Sasori had just been about to speak when his expression suddenly changed, and he hurriedly warned him.
Deidara reacted swiftly as well, urgently controlling the Clay Bird to move aside.
Soon, several enormous Gold Dust Spikes rose from the ground and pierced through the spot where the Clay Bird had been moments before.
"Sasori of the Red Sand? You still dare return to Sunagakure?"
Rasa stood atop a Gold Dust Flying Carpet with his arms folded, glaring furiously at Sasori.
Originally, Sasori had been the grandson of Elder Chiyo of Sunagakure and possessed extraordinary talent in puppetry.
However, after his parents were killed on the battlefield by Konoha's White Fang of the Leaf, Hatake Sakumo, when he was young, he had gradually embarked upon an extreme path.
Later, Sasori even killed the Third Kazekage and defected from the village.
Although this was how Rasa gained the opportunity to become the Fourth Kazekage, that did not mean he would forgive Sasori's crimes.
Still, Rasa had not expected to encounter Sasori at a time like this.
If nothing unexpected happened, Sasori and the young Iwagakure Rogue Ninja beside him were the uninvited guests Hyuga Chiba had mentioned earlier.
"Hey, old man, can't you see me?" Deidara said to Rasa in irritation. "Hmph, I'll show you my art."
"Deidara, leave him to me." However, Sasori spoke up. "Continue into Sunagakure and complete our mission."
After saying that, he leaped down from the Clay Bird himself.
"Sasori, are you really going to be okay? That old man can fly." Deidara looked at Sasori on the ground in surprise, then seemed to realize something and nodded. "Looks like you're planning to use that thing."
"In that case, I'll go find Hyuga Chiba first, hmm!"
As he spoke, Deidara controlled the Clay Bird to fly high into the sky, attempting to bypass Rasa from above.
"Neither of you is getting away!"
With a raised hand, Rasa sent a massive amount of Gold Sand soaring into the air, forming a gigantic Gold Dust Hand that grabbed toward Deidara.
"Magnet Release: Iron Sand!"
However, at that moment, a huge amount of Iron Sand erupted from the ground and blocked Rasa's Gold Dust Hand.
"Fourth Kazekage, you should focus on fighting me."
Sasori's voice rang out as well.
"Sasori, how dare you do such a thing?"
Rasa instinctively looked toward Sasori, then flew into a rage.
Beside Sasori now stood a blue-haired, yellow-eyed humanoid puppet wearing a brown robe.
More precisely, it was a Human Puppet made using the body of the Third Kazekage!
Before you continue