The Nine-Tails Takes Over

The Shadow Clone Technique required hand seals, which meant briefly interrupting the Water Release technique. Moreover, in Sage Mode, a shadow clone required more chakra than usual. That would force Minato to end his attack early, preventing him from continuing with the tactics he had laid out.

But Minato did not hesitate. The instant the Nine-Tails finished speaking, he created a shadow clone.

As another Naruto appeared beside him, Minato was shocked to sense a slight fluctuation in the shadow clone's chakra. A moment later, the clone slipped out of his control.

"Tch, this feels strange." The shadow clone Naruto smacked his lips. Even in this urgent situation, he found time to kick his legs and pinch his cheeks, as though warming up.

Then the shadow clone Naruto turned toward Minato, who was possessing the real Naruto's body, and waved impatiently. "Leave this to me. Whatever you want to do, get going. And make it quick. I'm not used to a human body, and there's no telling how long this clone will last."

Minato had never expected the Nine-Tails to be able to control a shadow clone through chakra. He had never even heard of such a thing.

Besides, if anyone else had been there and known the truth, they would certainly have found the scene both absurd and bizarre.

Neither of the two "Narutos" talking to each other was actually Naruto.

The real Naruto's consciousness was inside his mindscape, staring in confusion at the gray surroundings. Apart from the mist obscuring almost everything, there was nothing to see.

After feeling his way around for a while, Naruto reached the bars representing the seal and peered curiously into the interior, which was shrouded in mist and impossible to make out.

"This looks familiar. Where... am I?"

The Water Release stopped? Though Obito was still intangible, he noticed the change in the water flowing around him. His gaze turned cold. Did they leave?

Letting this person escape would be troublesome. After all, he had given Uchiha Itachi his word, and not a single detail of this affair could be allowed to come to light.

But who exactly is this person? To think the Uchiha Clan still had someone this skilled...

"Hey, what are you thinking about?"

An arrogant, contemptuous voice suddenly came from above. Startled, Obito looked up.

Only to see a face he had never imagined would appear here.

"Kakashi?"

Obito froze, then realized he should not have blurted that out. He should not have reacted so strongly to this person. Anyone paying close attention could use that to deduce his identity.

But he never would have imagined his opponent was Kakashi—and looked exactly as he had back at Kannabi Bridge. Even his body...

No! Obito abruptly came to his senses, anger flashing in his Sharingan. "You think such a pathetic Transformation Technique can fool me?"

His figure twisted, and a moment later, he appeared behind "Kakashi." His attack followed in an instant, undeniably fast. But "Kakashi" seemed to have anticipated it. As Obito used Kamui to shift positions, he was already running in another direction, moving with astonishing speed like a red bolt of lightning.

His attack missed. Obito had not even sensed his opponent using chakra. It seemed like a Body Flicker Technique performed through pure taijutsu. How was that possible?

Obito looked up, his expression dark beneath his mask.

He hesitated. His opponent was clearly trying to draw his attention.

And unlike before, his opponent was no longer using ninjutsu to trap him, instead using the Transformation Technique to take on Kakashi's old appearance. There was no attempt to hide the intention to stall for time. Besides, Obito still had not found that Uchiha girl from earlier.

Things had changed, making Obito realize something was wrong. This Uchiha Clan Massacre, planned entirely by the Konoha High Command, should never have allowed someone like this to slip into the operation. Which faction did he belong to?

Yet just as Obito prepared to meet up with Uchiha Itachi first and try to confirm this person's identity, the shadow clone controlled by the Nine-Tails and disguised as Kakashi suddenly stopped, turned around, and spat out a name with contempt.

"Obito Uchiha. Aren't we going to continue?"