Chapter 399: Conspiracy

The Land of Wind, Sunagakure.

In the Kazekage's office, the weight of responsibility loomed heavy. A middle-aged man sat at his desk, his brows furrowed as he studied the documents before him. The growing power of Konohagakure had not escaped his notice. Though Sunagakure had spent nearly a decade recovering from past conflicts, a sense of looming crisis persisted.

This man, the Third Kazekage, is known as the strongest Kazekage in the history of the village. Yet, even he could not shake the unease creeping through the sands of his homeland.

Boom boom!

A knock on the door broke his concentration.

"Come in," he called, his voice steady.

The door creaked open, revealing a red-haired boy carrying a tea tray. His striking features and calm demeanor exuded a maturity beyond his years.

"Sasori," the Kazekage acknowledged, his stern expression softening slightly.

It had been ten years since Minato Namikaze had infiltrated Sunagakure and glimpsed this child. In that time, the boy had grown into a young man of remarkable talent.

Sasori, or Red Sand Sasori as he was more commonly known, nodded respectfully and approached the desk. He placed the tea tray in front of the Kazekage, the aromatic scent of the tea wafting through the room.

The Kazekage took a sip, his eyes lighting up as the drink's refreshing qualities washed over him.

"You truly live up to your heritage," he said, placing the cup down with a satisfied sigh. "Your skills, even in something as simple as brewing tea, reflect your grandmother's excellence."

Sasori chuckled lightly. "It's my duty to serve, Lord Kazekage. You work tirelessly for the village. This is the least I can do."

The Kazekage's expression softened further, but a hint of sadness crept into his gaze. "If your parents could see the ninja you've become, they would be proud."

For a moment, the warmth in Sasori's demeanor dimmed. His eyes clouded, though he quickly masked his emotions.

"If there's nothing else, Lord Kazekage, I'll take my leave," Sasori said evenly. Without waiting for a reply, he turned and exited the office, shutting the door behind him.

As he walked down the corridor, the cold detachment he displayed toward the Kazekage melted away, replaced by a sly smile.

It's been almost a month… The accumulated poison in his system should be nearing its peak.

He pulled out a small puppet model from his robes, admiring its intricate design.

"The time has come to claim the finest material," he murmured. His beautiful eyes gleamed with a hint of madness. "Konohagakure… Hatake Sakumo… Namikaze Minato… you will all pay for the blood debt of my parents."

With that, he disappeared into the shadows of the corridor, his quiet footsteps fading into silence.

Meanwhile, in the duel arena of Konoha, a different kind of battle raged on.

Obito Uchiha and Genma Shiranui stood several meters apart, their bodies battered and bruised. Their heavy breathing betrayed their exhaustion, but the fire in their eyes refused to dim.

Though their fight lacked the sheer spectacle of the earlier clash between Guy and Shisui, it had captivated the audience in its own way.

The most surprising revelation was Obito. Once considered a marginal student barely scraping by, he now held his ground against a top graduate like Genma.

The spectators buzzed with disbelief. How had Obito, the class clown, risen to this level?

"You've improved a lot," Genma admitted, spitting the senbon from his mouth as he struggled to catch his breath.

Obito grinned weakly. "You're not so bad yourself."

They exchanged a brief nod before launching into combat again.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The duel devolved into a pure test of endurance. Every punch and kick was delivered with raw intensity, each blow landing squarely on the other's body. Neither fighter gave an inch.

Obito's fist connected with Genma's chin, sending the latter stumbling back. At the same time, Genma's foot struck Obito's abdomen, forcing him to retreat a few steps. Both fighters collapsed to the ground, their energy completely spent.

"Obito!"

Nohara Rin's worried cry echoed from the stands as she moved to rush forward. Before she could take another step, Shisui stopped her with a firm hand.

"If you intervene now," Shisui said quietly, "everything Obito has fought for will lose its meaning."

Torn between her concern and her understanding of Obito's resolve, Rin hesitated, her hands clenched tightly.

On the ground, Obito fought against the darkness creeping at the edges of his vision. His gaze shifted toward Rin, her anxious face giving him the strength to keep going.

I can't lose… not here, not now.

A fire ignited within him, fueled by the promises he had made—to Rin, to himself, and to the future he envisioned.

"I will surpass them all," he whispered hoarsely. "Guy, Shisui, Kakashi… Minato-sensei. One by one, I'll surpass them and become Hokage. That's my path. I am Uchiha Obito!"

Clenching his teeth, Obito bit down on his tongue, the sharp pain jolting his body back to life. Blood trickled from his lips as he forced himself to his feet, staggering but unbroken.

His determination sent a ripple of astonishment through the crowd. Even Hiruzen and Minato, observing from the Hokage's office, were moved.

"Such willpower…" Hiruzen murmured.

Minato's expression softened. "Obito's resolve is remarkable. He's truly grown."

In the arena, Genma's eyes widened at the sight of Obito standing tall, despite his obvious injuries. The madness flickering in Obito's gaze sent a shiver down his spine. Unable to muster the strength to continue, Genma's body slackened, and he lost consciousness.

The Chunin referee raised his hand. "The winner of the final match is Uchiha Obito!"

A wave of applause erupted from the stands, but Obito's body gave out the moment the announcement was made. Before he hit the ground, a pair of gentle hands caught him.

"Rin…" Obito rasped, his voice barely audible. "I won."

Rin smiled through tears, her hands glowing with healing chakra as she began to tend to his wounds. "Yes, you did. You really did."

For the first time, the crowd saw Obito in a new light. No longer the class clown or the underdog, he was a shinobi who had earned their respect.

"Hokage-sama, I'll take my leave now," Minato said, turning to Hiruzen.

Hiruzen nodded. "Go ahead."

In a flash of yellow, Minato vanished from the Hokage's office, reappearing moments later beside Obito, Rin, and Shisui in the arena.

"You've pushed yourself too far, Obito," Minato said, crouching beside his student.

Obito grinned weakly, blood staining his teeth. "I had to win… to keep my promise."

Minato shook his head, a mix of exasperation and pride in his expression. "You've done well, but let's get you proper treatment. You and Genma both need immediate care."

With a swift movement, Minato placed a hand on Obito's shoulder and teleported them both to Genma's side. Before the medical staff could respond, the three of them disappeared in a flash of yellow light.

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