Chapter 334: Candidate for the Fifth Hokage

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While the rogue shinobi were being easily dealt with by Haku and the others, chaos erupted within the daimyo's mansion. The Daimyo's Guardian Ninja, led by Kazuma, Daisuke, Fushū, Nakagin, Naoto, and Aozora, initiated a rebellion.

Their first targets were the surviving members of the original Twelve Guardian Ninja: Asuma, Chiriku, Kitane, Nauma, Seito, and Tōu.

When Kazuma and his group arrived, Asuma and the others were already prepared.

Facing Kazuma, Asuma attempted to persuade him one last time:

"Kazuma, you should know that even if you kill us, even if you take control of the daimyo's mansion, you will never succeed."

Kazuma, however, smiled confidently.

"No, Asuma, you still don't understand. From the moment I took action, success was inevitable."

"I've never forgotten the words that Lord Shūichi once spoke. It's those very words that guide my actions today."

Asuma frowned deeply.

Kitane shouted, "Asuma, there's no need to say more. Let's finish this!"

The time for words was over. They had chosen different paths, and now it was a matter of life and death.

Kazuma added cryptically, "After today, my dream will be realized, and it won't be altered by my life or death!"

Asuma furrowed his brow but quickly activated his chakra. A powerful wind chakra enveloped his body, forming rotating rings of sharp, azure energy around his arms and legs.

Wind Release: Chakra Mode!

This was a technique developed by Asuma himself, distinct from the Wind Chakra Mode used by Sunagakure's Baki.

Instead of forming a chakra cloak, Asuma's mode created razor-sharp, circular wind blades, resembling high-speed, rotating currents of cutting air. This technique was inspired by the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken.

Gripping his signature blades, Flying Swallow, Asuma declared gravely:

"In that case, let us fight to defend our own ninja paths!"

As the words fell, both sides vanished from their positions, and the battle began!

Asuma directly engaged Kazuma, while Kitane and the others faced off against Daisuke, Fushū, and the rest. Initially, Asuma's side was at a disadvantage in terms of ninjutsu.

However, in the next moment, one of the rogue ninjas shouted in alarm.

"I can't see anything! It's getting dark! I can't even see my hand in front of my face!"

"Careful! It's genjutsuBringer-of-Darkness Technique!"

"Argh!"

Suddenly, the sounds of kunai clashing, blades cutting flesh, blood spraying, and agonized screams filled the air.

Itachi and Hayate had arrived with a squad of elite Anbu.

Hayate moved like a phantom, wielding the massive Samehada, draining the enemy's chakra.

Meanwhile, Itachi's Sharingan—each eye bearing three tomoe—instilled overwhelming terror in the rogue ninjas. Anyone who met his gaze was instantly ensnared in genjutsu, their bodies rendered motionless.

Outside the battlefield, Obito and Nagato silently observed.

Nagato commented, "This clansman of yours is stronger than you."

Obito said nothing, silently acknowledging the fact.

When it came to talent, not only was Uchiha Itachi superior, but Uchiha Shisui also outshone him.

Of course, the ultimate gift of the Uchiha Clan was the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Obito was curious to see what Itachi's Mangekyō abilities would be.

The Eyes That Reflect the Soul—what kind of powers would such eyes manifest in this era?

Retracting his gaze from the battlefield, Nagato remarked, "It seems our intervention isn't needed here."

Despite being outnumbered, Asuma's side had gained the upper hand.

Suddenly, Obito turned his head, and Nagato followed his gaze.

Someone was approaching.

"It's him!"

Nagato's eyes narrowed. It was Shinnō, the physician who worked alongside the Land of Fire's daimyo.

"As expected, he's not an ordinary man," Nagato muttered, sensing something unusual.

Obito remarked, "Looks like we'll need to act after all."

With that, he disappeared into the Kamui dimension.

Nagato rose into the air and landed before Shinnō.

"So, you've already seen through me?"

Shinnō looked at Nagato with mild surprise.

Nagato scrutinized Shinnō. "So, you're the mastermind behind this incident?"

Shinnō smiled faintly. "No, I'm merely going with the flow."

His appearance had indeed been a coincidence, but the power he demonstrated had solidified Kazuma's resolve.

"Still, it's a pity that Shūichi Hoshita didn't come here himself."

Shinnō appeared disappointed but also relieved deep down.

If Shūichi had come, this person would never have dared to show up.

As for the figure before him... he was a stranger to him.

"It seems the ninja world is about to descend into chaos, hehe..."

Shinnō chuckled inwardly. A chaotic ninja world would provide the perfect opportunity for the Sky Ninja to act, allowing him to seize the power of the Tailed Beasts.

The rogue shinobi he sent out earlier were merely a test. If he could gain the power of the Tailed Beasts, that would be ideal. If not, once the ninja world fell into turmoil, there would still be opportunities.

Facing Nagato, Shinnō suddenly grabbed his robe and tore it off.

Under Nagato's watchful gaze, Shinnō's muscles began to writhe. His previously frail body rapidly swelled, transforming him into a hulking figure brimming with muscle.

"A technique similar to the Eight Gates or Natural Breathing?"

Nagato immediately thought of the Eight Gates Release and the Natural Breathing Technique developed later by Shūichi.

These were the most powerful taijutsu forbidden techniques he had ever seen.

If this person's forbidden technique could rival the Eight Gates...

Nagato grew serious, raising his right hand as his Rinnegan flared to life.

Universal Pull!

Buzz! 

Shinnō's body was drawn into the air, pulled by an invisible force.

But Shinnō quickly bent his knees and crouched mid-air.

Boom! 

The air exploded as Shinnō propelled himself forward, breaking free from the pull and hurtling toward Nagato.

"As expected..."

Nagato had anticipated this. His eyes shifted as he unleashed Almighty Push.

Boom! 

The invisible repulsion force clashed with Shinnō's advancing body, creating a deafening explosion. Shinnō was momentarily halted mid-air, but then he suddenly shifted sideways, appearing at Nagato's flank and delivering a devastating punch.

Thud! 

Nagato's body exploded into a splash of water, falling to the ground.

The puddle quickly morphed like a serpent, coiling around Shinnō. But Shinnō's immense strength shattered it instantly.

At that moment, however, Nagato had already reappeared behind Shinnō, activating the Asura Path's abilities. A barrage of rockets fired from all directions.

Boom! Boom! Boom! 

The explosions roared as fire and smoke engulfed Shinnō completely.

When the smoke cleared, Nagato was mildly surprised.

"Not just raw power, but incredible regeneration too!"

Shinnō's wounds were healing at an astonishing rate. His muscles writhed, sprouting new tissue rapidly.

Such regenerative abilities—Nagato had only ever seen them in Shūichi Hoshita, Uchiha Madara, and himself when he was the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki.

"No wonder he's confident enough to orchestrate this."

Nagato prepared to use Chibaku Tensei, but before he could act, space twisted nearby. Accompanied by Shinnō's pained grunt, his left arm was forcibly wrenched off and disappeared.

Kamui!

Obito, hidden in the shadows, had made his move.

"Who's there?!"

Startled, Shinnō immediately began flashing through the area, moving at high speed to evade. Simultaneously, he further activated his body, accelerating the regeneration of his severed arm.

Obito appeared on the rooftop, watching Shinnō's erratic movements, unable to lock onto him again.

At that moment, Nagato spread his arms wide.

Almighty Push!

Boom! 

With Nagato at the center, the floor erupted outward in all directions as the devastating force swept through the area.

Even with his immense strength, Shinnō couldn't resist the full power of Nagato's Almighty Push and was flung through the air.

Seizing the opportunity, Nagato immediately canceled the repulsion force and switched to Universal Pull, locking onto Shinnō mid-air.

On the rooftop, Obito saw the airborne, immobilized Shinnō. His Sharingan twisted space once more as he activated Kamui, targeting the defenseless man.

Before Shinnō could break free from Nagato's hold, his body was severed at the waist. His lower half was instantly sent to the Kamui dimension by Uchiha Obito.

Boom! 

Shinnō's upper body fell to the ground. The grievous wound made him scream in agony, and his bulging muscles rapidly atrophied, reverting to their normal state in moments.

Swish, swish!

Nagato and Obito appeared simultaneously in front of Shinnō. Nagato grabbed Shinnō by the hair while Obito locked eyes with him, casting a genjutsu.

"Uchiha... Mangekyō Sharingan!"

Shinnō's eyes widened in terror before he fell into the illusion, ceasing all resistance.

Nagato first probed Shinnō's memories, then extracted his soul directly.

Thud! 

Shinnō's lifeless body collapsed.

Obito glanced at Nagato. "Who was this guy?"

Nagato replied, "The leader of the Sky Ninja. He controlled a creature called the Zero-Tails and sought to obtain the power of the Tailed Beasts to strengthen the Zero-Tails. His goal was to create a being even stronger than the Ten-Tails to unify the ninja world."

Obito frowned. "The Sky Ninja? I remember that village was wiped out during the Second Shinobi War. They even attempted to assassinate the Third Hokage back then."

"And the Zero-Tails… Is it similar to the Tailed Beasts?"

Nagato furrowed his brow. "Probably. Both are chakra constructs, but the Zero-Tails might be even more dangerous. It's formed from dark chakra and grows stronger by feeding on the darkness in people's hearts."

Obito immediately understood. The danger of the Zero-Tails wasn't just its strength but its inherently evil nature.

Nagato thought for a moment and said, "We should hand this information over to the Alliance."

Obito nodded in agreement. Since Nagato suggested it, it meant there was no immediate need for them to intervene personally.

Nagato then turned his gaze toward where Itachi and the others were fighting. "The battle is almost over."

"Impressive genjutsu abilities," Obito remarked.

"They're likely second only to Shūichi and Shisui," he added.

A short while later, the battle concluded.

Itachi and Asuma approached Nagato and Obito, though Asuma appeared somewhat dispirited.

Nagato relayed the intel he had obtained from Shinnō, and Obito instructed, "Itachi, report this information to the Fourth Hokage when you return to the village."

Itachi nodded solemnly. "Understood."

Nagato added, "You'll be in charge of eliminating the remaining rogue shinobi. Leave the Daimyō's situation to us."

Itachi nodded again. Asuma hesitated but eventually asked, "The Daimyō was also under Shinnō's control..."

Obito glanced at Asuma coldly. "That's irrelevant."

"This matter is not your concern. Follow your orders."

His tone was uncharacteristically blunt.

Itachi quickly led Asuma away.

Watching them leave, Obito suddenly said, "Asuma isn't a suitable candidate for the Fifth Hokage."

Nagato considered this and replied, "Aside from Shūichi, the best choice would be Kakashi Hatake, wouldn't it?"

Obito nodded. "That guy's definitely qualified."

There was a faint bitterness in his tone.

(End of Chapter)

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