Obito

"White Zetsu, still no leads?" Obito asked, already growing impatient.

White Zetsu was equally puzzled. Such a large living person had to eat, dress, and live somewhere, yet this person seemed to have popped out of a rock, without the slightest trace of a past. "No. I can guarantee that when the clan was exterminated, not a single person was allowed to escape. I think this guy might not be an Uchiha."

"Oh?"

Confident in his investigative abilities, White Zetsu suddenly thought of a possibility. "Maybe we've been looking in the wrong direction. He might not be alive at all. This could all be something Orochimaru created with Impure World Reincarnation."

Obito was somewhat distrustful of that explanation. Impure World Reincarnation was fundamentally different from a living person; Itachi should not have been unable to distinguish such an obvious difference.

Yet for some unknown reason, he did not deny White Zetsu's theory either.

Suddenly, White Zetsu seemed to sense something. "The White Zetsu stationed around Konoha and Sunagakure have sent word." However, after receiving the information, White Zetsu's expression became somewhat strange.

Seeing Obito's questioning gaze, White Zetsu chose the important parts. "Someone from the Uzumaki Clan has appeared out of nowhere in Konoha, and they can use Adamantine Sealing Chains. They may affect our later efforts to capture the Tailed Beasts.

"Meanwhile, in Sunagakure, there's someone suspected of possessing the Sharingan. Wearing a white-faced mask, he's been shouting that he wants Sunagakure's One-Tail as a pet. Could that be the person Itachi mentioned?"

After hearing this, Obito pondered for a moment. "Go to Sunagakure first. The Tailed Beasts cannot be lost. As for Konoha, we'll assess the situation when the time comes. Recruit them if possible; if not, kill them directly."

"Understood!" White Zetsu slowly sank into the ground.

As expected, three days later, Uchiha Gen faced a far more vigilant and furious Sunagakure. Moreover, when Uchiha Gen had infiltrated the village, he had cast several genjutsu on the guards, allowing the meeting hall to be breached.

Because of this, Sunagakure made all kinds of defensive preparations against genjutsu and set traps around the area, intending to keep this arrogant fool who knew no better behind. The matter even alarmed Chiyo, who had long stopped wanting to fight and intended to retire in peace.

When Temari and Kankuro learned of the news, they were furious. What did that guy take Gaara for?! Their mission during this period had been to protect Gaara, but even without that order, they would protect their younger brother!

Three days later, Uchiha Gen directly used Instantaneous Shift and appeared before Sunagakure's conference table, instantly rendering all of Sunagakure's preparations useless.

The gathered higher-ups were shocked and instinctively launched attacks. For a moment, all kinds of ninjutsu and kunai came flying at Uchiha Gen.

Uchiha Gen wore a warm smile. While dodging the attacks, he knocked out one of the fiercest attackers with a slap and patiently reasoned with them. "Look, you people from Sunagakure don't like Gaara anyway. Why not hand him over to me? I'll feed him well and take good care of him. I guarantee he'll never appear before you again. How about it?"

Uchiha Gen's proposal did indeed tempt some of the higher-ups. But if a ninja village simply handed over one of its own shinobi—especially a Jinchuriki—they would have no place among the Five Great Nations. If word got out, they would become a laughingstock throughout the Ninja World.

Besides, this guy had clearly shown no respect for Sunagakure in his letter. What did he mean by saying they did not know what was good for them? So wanting their Tailed Beast was supposedly doing them an honor?

All things considered, there could only be a fight to the death between Uchiha Gen and Sunagakure!

Yet Uchiha Gen seemed completely unfazed by the situation and continued, "I really like Shukaku. How about I bring him back to see you every few years? I guarantee I'll raise him nice and plump. Maybe in a few years, he'll even come back with a daughter-in-law for you."

Yet as he spoke, more than half the shinobi had already fallen. Even if they wanted to respond, they could not. Watching Uchiha Gen steadily approach Gaara behind them, Temari and Kankuro felt as though their entire bodies were drenched in sweat.

The pressure was immense. From beginning to end, Uchiha Gen had never even gotten serious. The shinobi lying on the ground were not dead, merely unconscious.

But that made it even more terrifying. Temari's face turned pale. Was Gaara really going to be taken away like this?

Seeing the two protect him in front of him, Gaara suddenly thought of Naruto and fell silent for a moment. He had to protect them! Just as Gaara was about to tell Temari and Kankuro to move aside first—

"Oh ho ho, don't you think your actions have gone a bit too far, sir?" Chiyo slowly walked toward Uchiha Gen, her tone carrying the feebleness of old age.

Temari's heart leaped with joy at the sight. "Lady Chiyo!" She had not expected Chiyo to come. Gaara should be saved now.

However, at that very moment, Uchiha Gen received the memories from a Shadow Clone Technique being released. They've already arrived? Looking at Chiyo before him, Uchiha Gen nodded seriously. "It does seem like I went a little too far."

After saying that, he did not continue tangling with Chiyo and vanished from the spot right in front of her.

Chiyo's originally lifeless eyes narrowed slightly. Seeing the many higher-ups and Jonin lying on the ground, she then turned back to look at Gaara. With that kind of strength, if this person's target had been Gaara, why would he go through so much trouble?

He could have taken Gaara away directly, and no one would have been able to stop him. Could it be that he truly followed the principle of consent? Or did his ability have a time limit, forcing him to leave immediately after she arrived?

Temari had no such thoughts. After this incident, she admired Chiyo even more. Lady Chiyo had appeared and scared that person away at once.

Uchiha Gen dispelled the other Shadow Clones that were still outside gathering information. Since each of them only possessed a little chakra, they had been blown apart immediately upon encountering Obito and the others.

Time to run, time to run. Although I achieved my goal, I still need some pride as a strong person. Being too proactive makes me seem cheap.

Just as he was about to leave Sunagakure's territory, Obito suddenly emerged from the space in front of Uchiha Gen. He had just been about to say something when Uchiha Gen moved directly behind him and took off again.

This ability... Obito was certain it was not the Body Flicker Technique. He had just sensed a fluctuation. Was it Space-Time Ninjutsu like his own?

Obito appeared once more along Uchiha Gen's escape route and blocked him. "Who are you? What was that ninjutsu just now?"

Uchiha Gen did not speak. He threw several kunai and shuriken, controlling them as they attacked Obito, but they all passed straight through him. Seeing that his attacks were useless, he complained, "Shouldn't I be asking you that? I only wanted to get myself a pet, but you blew up my clone and now you're chasing me without letting up. What do you want?"

Ignoring Uchiha Gen's complaint, Obito continued asking, "What is your name?"

"If I tell you, will you let me go?"

Obito snorted coldly. "You are not qualified to negotiate terms with me!"

At that, Uchiha Gen narrowed his eyes. Without sufficient strength, one could not receive the treatment one deserved. "Although I don't want to fight you, that doesn't mean I can't beat you!"

After saying that, Uchiha Gen threw out more shuriken as black chakra rose around him. A massive black hand of Susanoo slammed toward Obito!