The Truth of Mizukage
After several White Zetsu clones assigned to monitor the Uchiha disappeared, Obito Uchiha finally took notice.
He had never been overly concerned with the Uchiha remnants who had fled Konoha under Shisui Uchiha's leadership. Sending White Zetsu to observe them was merely a precaution—to track Shisui's movements.
The existence of these rogue Uchiha served multiple purposes: they could act as a counterbalance to the unpredictable Itachi Uchiha, and they also functioned as a diversion. By feeding information about them to Konoha's higher-ups, Obito ensured that Konoha's focus remained on the remnants rather than investigating deeper threats. It was a strategy that allowed him to manipulate events to his advantage.
However, the sudden disappearance of White Zetsu operatives forced him to pay closer attention.
Although White Zetsu's intelligence was limited, their Wood Release abilities and ability to merge with terrain made them valuable assets. Moreover, if Shisui, who had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, had discovered a way to harness their abilities, it could pose a serious threat.
Even so, Obito remained uncertain about how to deal with Shisui.
A direct attack was too risky. He was also unsure of the extent of Itachi's loyalties—had they truly severed ties, or was Itachi still willing to conspire with him, as they had during the Nine-Tails attack?
Pondering these uncertainties, Obito abandoned the idea of sending more White Zetsu and instead chose to share the intelligence with the Akatsuki.
Beyond himself and Itachi, there were others in Akatsuki with vested interests in the Uchiha. Orochimaru, obsessed with the pursuit of genetic experiments, and Sasori of the Red Sand, who sought rare specimens, might take an interest in hunting them down.
Pushing these thoughts aside, Obito shifted his focus to his surroundings—the Mizukage's mansion. He gazed out at Kirigakure, the Village Hidden in the Mist, perpetually shrouded in fog.
Whenever time allowed, he returned here, assuming the role of the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi. Through this position, he issued ruthless directives, inciting Kirigakure's internal strife and orchestrating the purging of Kekkei Genkai clans.
His motives were layered. On one hand, it was a way to pass the time, a distraction while he awaited the right moment to execute his larger plans. On the other, it was a deliberate effort to weaken Kirigakure. When the time came to capture the Tailed Beasts, the Great Nations would resist, and ensuring that Kirigakure was no longer a formidable force would prevent them from becoming an obstacle.
And beyond strategy, there was personal satisfaction. He had never forgotten that rainy night when he first activated Kamui—when his perception of reality shattered. If the world was false, then he saw no issue in making Kirigakure suffer.
At that moment, Zetsu emerged from the ground and reported, "Obito, the Kirigakure ninja you were monitoring has completed his mission. He assassinated Fuguki Suikazan, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. The 'Demon' has returned."
Obito nodded, then turned and manipulated the puppet-like Yagura, whose eyes remained lifeless, making him leave the mansion.
In the damp and dimly lit underground base of Kirigakure's Anbu, Obito met Kisame Hoshigaki, a young but promising Jōnin.
Kisame stood before him, gripping the Samehada sword in one hand and holding a burlap sack in the other. His eyes gleamed with excitement.
Inside the sack was the severed head of his former master, Fuguki Suikazan. By slaying him, Kisame had not only proven his strength but also claimed Samehada—one of the Seven Ninja Swords—earning his place among the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist.
His reasons for executing Fuguki were straightforward.
The veteran Jōnin, who had once brought glory to Kirigakure, had betrayed the village. He had leaked intelligence to enemy nations and conspired against the Fourth Mizukage.
"Lord Mizukage, this is the head of a traitor," Kisame said as he lowered the sack.
As he spoke, he subtly studied Yagura. The childlike Kage, a Jinchūriki of the Three-Tails, had been a divisive figure in Kirigakure.
Yagura had ended the Third Mizukage's infamous "Blood Mist" policy, yet paradoxically turned against the village's Kekkei Genkai clans, weakening Kirigakure's overall strength. His leadership divided the village—civilians gained more influence, while the military elite suffered setbacks.
Those who dared question his authority were dismissed, imprisoned, or mysteriously eliminated, plunging the village into a state of fear.
Kisame didn't concern himself with politics. He was a ninja—his duty was to complete missions, not to question them.
Yet, he couldn't help but wonder: Why did the Fourth Mizukage remain so reclusive, issuing commands from his mansion rather than engaging with his Jōnin? Was he afraid of something? Had a faction within the village grown strong enough to challenge him?
As these thoughts churned in Kisame's mind, another figure emerged from the shadows.
Obito stepped forward, his face concealed behind a swirling mask, with the red glow of his Sharingan piercing through the dimly lit room.
The moment Kisame laid eyes on that Sharingan, everything became clear.
The inexplicable orders. The paranoia. The silence from Kirigakure's top brass.
Yagura, the supposed leader of the Hidden Mist, was nothing more than a puppet. The real mastermind had been standing before him all along.
The world was a lie. So what, then, was the truth?
Kisame's expression darkened as he spoke. "Who are you… to control the Mizukage like this?"
Obito removed his mask, revealing his face. A smirk played on his lips as he said, "I am the one pulling the strings in Kirigakure. The ghost of the past… Uchiha Madara."
Kisame's eyes widened. He repeated the name in disbelief, struggling to process the revelation.
From the darkness of the corridor, Obito's voice rang out:
"Now that you've seen the truth behind the Blood Mist, what will you do? Will you fight me? Or will you seek the truth of this world alongside me?"
Kisame hesitated.
If Madara had only recently taken control, there was still a chance to resist. But if Kirigakure had been under his influence for decades, then the reality Kisame had known was a fabrication. He had never served the true Mizukage—only this man standing before him.
Realizing the sheer absurdity of his existence, Kisame fell into deep contemplation.
—
Obito's plan to recruit Kisame succeeded effortlessly. The swordsman was soon assigned a mission: to assassinate the Daimyō of the Land of Water.
Of course, the mission was doomed to fail.
Once Kisame's attempt was exposed, he would be branded a traitor. That would create the perfect opportunity for Obito to push him toward the Akatsuki, turning him into a loyal asset within the organization.
Obito had long used his position as Mizukage to groom elite ninja for his own ends. He had already planted one such operative—Jūzō Biwa—within the Akatsuki.
However, Jūzō had proven too independent, growing closer to Nagato and Konan. With that in mind, Obito selected Kisame as his next infiltrator, a sharper and more controllable weapon.
After Kisame left, Obito examined a list compiled by Kirigakure's Anbu. It contained the names of Jōnin who harbored resentment toward the Mizukage, those suspected of plotting a coup.
His gaze settled on two names: Zabuza Momochi and Mangetsu Hōzuki. A knowing smirk formed on his lips.
He would manipulate them into launching their coup—giving him the perfect excuse to eliminate them. With their deaths, Kirigakure's fighting strength would diminish further, securing its decline into a second-rate village.
After all, orchestrating the downfall of nations was one of the few pleasures Obito still allowed himself.
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