Chapter 116

"Uchiha Obito!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression changed drastically.

There was no way he would leave Konoha without having spies embedded in critical positions, and naturally, he had heard about Obito's return. According to reports, Obito was said to have been under Uchiha Madara's control, with the entire plot of his supposed demise and reappearance tied to Madara's machinations.

But in Hiruzen's eyes, this entire affair was nothing more than an elaborate farce staged by the Uchiha clan to wrest power away from the village's leadership. And the bitter truth was that the Uchiha had indeed succeeded in doing so.

Reflecting on his failure, Sarutobi Hiruzen regretted not having taken decisive action to annihilate the Uchiha clan, even if it had meant mutual destruction.

So, now that Obito stood before him, his presence was shocking yet not entirely unexpected.

The daimyo, who lay motionless on the ground, showed a fleeting look of joy in his fading eyes. Sarutobi shouted angrily:

"Do you realize what the Uchiha clan is doing?!"

The ministers, who had been frozen in terror, finally snapped out of their stupor and scattered in all directions, screaming as they fled like startled birds.

Obito, his expression cold and disdainful, scoffed.

"This is just a transaction."

Obito's eyes, both glowing with their Mangekyō Sharingan patterns, made it clear he had reclaimed the full power of his ocular abilities. His demeanor was relaxed, as if the assassination of the daimyo and Sarutobi clan members was nothing more than a trivial task.

For Obito, who harbored deep-seated resentment toward the Third Hokage, this was a mere errand. And with Shi Yu sweetening the deal by providing him with Kakashi's Mangekyō Sharingan, it was an offer far too lucrative to refuse.

---

"Fire Style: Flame Bomb!"

Suddenly, flames erupted as several members of the Sarutobi clan launched an assault, spitting fire toward Obito in unison.

But Obito didn't even flinch. He allowed the flames to pass harmlessly through his intangible body.

Walking calmly through the blaze, he closed the distance between himself and his enemies. With a swift motion, his bloodstained blade easily pierced the chests of several Twelve Guardian Ninja guards.

The remaining Sarutobi clan members froze in fear, their faces pale as they trembled before Obito.

At this moment, they finally understood the terror once experienced by the Uchiha Police Force during the original timeline.

Every attack against Obito was futile, passing through him like smoke. But each of Obito's strikes landed with deadly precision, leaving no room for error.

---

Sarutobi Hiruzen narrowed his eyes as he observed Obito's movements closely. The deaths of his clansmen didn't cause him to waver or hesitate.

Finally, as Obito lunged forward for another strike, Sarutobi saw his chance.

He flung a shuriken at Obito, his hands flashing through a rapid sequence of seals.

"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"

The air filled with the sound of countless shuriken multiplying mid-flight, forming a dense barrage aimed at Obito.

However, as expected, the long blade in Obito's hand phased harmlessly through one of Sarutobi's own guards instead of striking him directly.

Sarutobi smirked knowingly and shouted to the gathered ninjas:

"Listen up! He can only become tangible when he attacks! Avoid his strikes, and don't let him land a hit!"

---

Obito's eyes gleamed with amusement.

"Impressive. You figured it out so quickly. But…"

A cruel grin spread across his face as branches erupted from his right arm, shooting out in all directions.

"Wood Style: Cutting Technique!"

"Nani?!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes widened in disbelief.

Wood Style?! When did it become so widespread?

Sarutobi's mind raced. After decades of experimentation and countless sacrificed test subjects, his team had barely managed to replicate Wood Release once. Yet now, Obito wielded it effortlessly.

But before he could fully process the implications, screams erupted from outside the daimyo's mansion.

The panicked cries of the fleeing ministers echoed through the corridors, only to be abruptly silenced.

A dozen blood-soaked lotus leaves flew in through the doorway and embedded themselves into the walls of the mansion.

Sarutobi turned toward the entrance, his heart sinking as a shadowy figure walked slowly through the door.

For a brief moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen froze in stunned silence.