Regardless of status, personality, or age... everyone despises and spurns betrayal. This is especially true for Shinobi, whose standards include following rules and loyalty to their employer.
They detest betrayal more than ordinary people.
Kushina completely couldn't understand Yomatsuya's actions...
The Third Hokage personally instructing him, experts providing guidance in whatever area needed, neighbors often helping in daily life... Konoha's treatment and fostering of bonds with Yomatsuya were impeccable. She didn't understand why Yomatsuya would betray Konoha.
"I have not betrayed Konoha."
Hearing Yomatsuya's calm response, everyone was stunned.
Kushina blinked, instinctively asking, "Then what is this?"
"Carrying out a mission." Yomatsuya responded calmly. "I am not from Konoha. I am a puppet created by Master, tasked with infiltrating Konoha, learning Wood Release, and at the critical moment, delivering a heavy blow to Konoha."
"Impossible!" Kushina shook her head in disbelief. "Wood Release is the First Hokage's unique power. Only someone from the Senju Clan could possibly inherit it. Moreover..."
The remaining words Kushina didn't say, but everyone present knew.
That was: someone being focus-trained by the village couldn't possibly not have their identity investigated.
"People always judge things based on their own understanding, then instinctively deny things beyond their understanding. However..." Yomatsuya replied calmly. "A person's life is far too brief compared to the entire world. The truths one can comprehend are pitifully few."
"Wood Release was never the First Hokage's alone... No, Wood Release isn't the First Hokage's power at all, nor is it something only Senju can inherit."
"Although I don't know where the First Hokage obtained this power, its origin is not him."
"Master deciphered Wood Release's mysteries, using his unique power and technology to create me, possessing Wood Release. Whether you believe it or not, whether you accept it or not, this is the fact."
"Impossible!"
Kushina couldn't accept it. Powerful Chakra erupted from within her, golden chains shimmering around her body burst forth from her abdomen.
But the chains flew halfway before powerlessly fell to the ground. Even Kushina herself slumped down, held up only by the vines binding her.
—Chakra Absorption.
Once in contact with Wood Release, he could absorb the contactee's Chakra as nutrients, continuously growing stronger, while the target continuously weakened.
This was Wood Release's most bug-like aspect, the reason it most counters Tailed Beasts.
"Kurama, Gyuki, Isobu, Kokuo, Matatabi, Son Goku, Chomei..." Yomatsuya's calm gaze swept over the seven Jinchuriki one by one, calling out the names of the Tailed Beasts inside them, which stunned the Tailed Beasts.
Since the Sage of Six Paths created them and scattered them across the world, all humans, fearing their power, regarded them as symbols of disaster and fear.
By the end of the Warring States Period, the First Hokage used his immense power to seal them, distributing them as weapons to balance the Shinobi World's strength among the villages.
Aside from the First Hokage and the successive Asura's reincarnations, no one else had ever asked their names... no, there hadn't even been communication.
The Sage's prophecy that humans and Tailed Beasts would become mutually assisting partners seemed to have become a delusion that could never come true.
"How do you know our names?"
Gyuki swapped consciousness with B, asking.
"Master told me." Yomatsuya replied calmly. "Master has a plan. He needs your help, so he sent me to communicate with you."
"Communicate?" Gyuki sneered. "Isn't it to make us submit with force?"
"Master said you would agree."
"Oh? So confident?"
"Because this matter also concerns you... No, rather, this is originally your matter." Yomatsuya said. "With Master's strength, he could have stayed out of it. But he still has attachment to this world, bonds with the companions who nurtured and grew up with him. He wants to, while his humanity remains, resolve all hidden dangers for them."
"The hidden dangers refer to the Allied Shinobi Forces?"
Isobu, having swapped consciousness with Yagura, also spoke sarcastically. "If it's to help Sunagakure dominate the Shinobi World, your Master doesn't need our power at all!"
As he spoke, he looked towards the wall, the battle between the First Hokage, Ryuji, and Aka.
The three's immense power clashing had turned an area of dozens of miles into open ground. The wall, which even Bijudama couldn't breach, was covered in irregular, massive dents and fist imprints. A section over a kilometer long was tilted and leaning, even the foundation was raised.
However,
Although the battle's aftershocks were so chaotic, fighting one against two, the First Hokage was clearly in a suppressed state.
And with the loss of the First Hokage and the Jinchuriki's firepower suppression, even with the Second Hokage and Minato joining the battle, they couldn't recover the frontal battlefield's disadvantage.
It seemed the outcome was decided.
But...
"It has nothing to do with the Allied Shinobi Forces."
Looking at the greatly shocked Jinchuriki, Yomatsuya seemed to see the Tailed Beasts' similar expressions.
He said calmly, "Master never put the Allied Shinobi Forces in his eyes from the beginning. If not for resolving that hidden danger, they would have been completely annihilated before even reaching the Floating Continent. Even now, they could be wiped out with a wave of the hand."
"..."
Everyone's mouths hung open, but no sound came out.
'The Allied Shinobi Forces... never put in his eyes from the start, can be wiped out with a wave of the hand.'
"Wh-what nonsense!" Yugito had cold sweat on her forehead, questioning without confidence. "Anyone can boast. If you could truly wipe out the Allied Forces with a wave of the hand, then why sacrifice so many people fighting them? Playing house?"
"Ants can never understand why a child crouches watching them move, nor predict the child can easily destroy them with water or fire..." Yomatsuya's eyes sharpened. "People like ants, if you want to understand Master's actions, at least first transform from ants into humans."
"So what exactly does your Master want to do?"
The Nine-Tails' impatient voice came from within Kushina.
His relationship with Kushina wasn't good; he had to bargain with her for a while to get a chance to speak, eagerly wanting to know what the Tailed Beast-related matter was.
Yomatsuya looked over, his expression grave, slowly saying, "The Sage of Six Paths, the Ten-Tails, Kaguya-hime, and even the enemies from the stars she feared and was wary of... all hidden dangers remaining in this Shinobi World... no, in this world, in this universe, are all objects Master seeks to eradicate."
…
Inside the Mechanical City, the Allied elite squad moved through the silent, complex alleyways.
Obito, while moving swiftly, said worriedly, "We can feel such intense commotion from this far. What's the situation on the battlefield?"
"Is that even a question?" Kakko said. "They've already reached the wall; that means at least the earlier assault was an Allied victory. If they succeeded earlier, they will definitely succeed later too."
"Right, definitely!"
Obito clenched his fists as if trying to convince himself.
But both Kakashi and Shisui held pessimistic views regarding the outside battlefield.
Before infiltrating the Mechanical City, they had seen the frontal battlefield situation.
Although they had successfully breached onto the wall, they had paid a heavy price. Now facing a frontal assault and defense battle, it would surely be even more brutal.
Thinking of this, Shisui couldn't help but say, "Faster! The sooner we seize control of the Mechanical City, the sooner we can end the war!"
Hearing this, team leader Kakashi remained silent a moment, then nodded in agreement. "...Accelerate while ensuring stealth!"
"Yes!"
Everyone quickened their pace, turning out from the alley corner ahead, then suddenly stopped.
This was a relatively spacious alleyway, about half a football field in size. At the alley's end, leaning against the wall with giant gears beneath, stood a man.
He wore a white short-sleeved shirt and long pants, had a dense stubble on his chin, and messy hair. A half-burned cigarette dangled from his mouth, and his right hand hanging at his side held a liquor bottle with about a quarter left... His gaze was unfocused, listless, like an alcoholic perpetually drunk.
But Kakashi, Shisui, and even Obito all showed grave expressions.
They recognized this shabby-looking man… his name was 'Kohinata Mukai'.
"I used the Frost Concealment Technique to hide our tracks, but still discovered." Chukichi took a deep breath, warning. "He must have sensing ability. Be careful."
"So what?" Kakko drew the long sword from his back, smiling relaxedly. "No matter how formidable he is, he's just one person."
As he spoke, he formed a hand seal with his left hand. His body gradually faded, then vanished from the spot.
"Don't be rash; that guy is formidable!" Kakashi called out a warning but received no response.
He worried inwardly but didn't dare act rashly.
Because, Mukai's unfocused gaze looked over, giving him immense pressure. An illusion arose in his mind that the slightest distraction would lead to his death.
But was it really an illusion?
Konoha's Anbu had seventy members, under the Anbu Commander and Vice-Commander. Below were four divisions, each with 17 people. Each had a Captain, overseeing four teams.
As one of the four Anbu Captain, Kakashi had high authority.
He had reviewed Mukai's file, knew he was another Anbu Captain, with a mission record that could be called glorious, definitely not ordinary.
"You finally came."
Mukai didn't pay attention to Kakko vanishing in the alley. He smiled happily, removed the cigarette butt from his mouth and stepped on it, then downed the remaining liquor.
"Burp~"
Mukai let out a belch, swaying slightly, seeming even unsteady on his feet.
He raised a thumb, pointing behind himself. "The control system is right behind me. Just kill me, and the city gates will open automatically."
"Kakashi!"
Obito roared, taking a lunge to stand at the front of the group, both hands quickly forming seals. Kakashi and Shisui drew their short swords, charging towards Mukai from left and right.
[Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique]!
Obito spat a fireball, flying ahead between Kakashi and Shisui.
Mukai chuckled lightly, throwing the bottle to the left.
"Crash!"
The bottle shattered mid-air. Kakko, slicing with his sword, appeared in the air as if running into it himself, then was grabbed by the neck by Mukai.
"You didn't review my intelligence, did you?"
Mukai said contemptuously, flinging Kakko towards the fireball.
Boom!
The fireball exploded, sparks and shockwave spreading around, forcing Kakashi and Shisui, who were following, to leap aside.
But the moment the two jumped aside, Mukai's figure charged from the smoke, fast enough to leave afterimages.
"Careful!"
"Don't engage him in close combat!"
Kakashi and Shisui were both startled inwardly, calling out warnings.
But Obito had his own plans.
He had already opened his Mangekyo Sharingan, seeing Mukai's trajectory clearly... The other party's speed was fast but not too fast for close combat.
And as long as he engaged in close combat, the other would look at him.
As long as Mukai looked at him, he could use the Mangekyo Sharingan to make eye contact, using Genjutsu to subdue him.
Although Dojutsu of the same level could resist or even be immune to Ocular Genjutsu, his Mangekyo Sharingan's level was clearly above the Byakugan.
As long as their eyes met, even for an instant, victory could be decided.
Moreover, his Kamui had more advantages in close combat.
As these thoughts flashed, Mukai arrived before Obito, right hand forming a palm, striking following through.
Obito didn't dodge. Instead, he similarly reached out to grab Mukai.
Whoosh~
The palm wind stirred. The two seemed to be in the same world but not on the same parallel line, passing through each other.
Obito had planned this. The moment their bodies passed, he stopped, reaching back to grab again.
But Mukai stomped the ground fiercely, shattering it while doubling explosively. His body broke through the air resistance, suddenly appearing before Chukichi.
"Second!"
Mukai's voice entered this portly Kirigakure's Shinobi's ears. An iron palm lightly yet firmly pressed against his chest.
Chukichi's body shook, then was sent flying backwards, blood trickling from his mouth as he died.
Mukai slowly turned around, saying nonchalantly. "Three left."
"Da-damn it!"
Obito glanced at Kakko, covered in burns, not moving, then at Chukichi also no longer moving in the distance, fists clenching tightly.
"Don't act rashly!"
Shisui and Kakashi flickered to Obito's front, as if fearing he'd charge in recklessly.
"Relax, I won't act rashly."
Obito said through gritted teeth.
Although he wished he could immediately charge up and kill Mukai, the brief exchange made him realize the strength gap between them.
Kakko earlier, although acting dismissive, definitely wasn't the slightest bit careless... His strength might not be top-tier, but as a veteran Jonin from Iwagakure, his experience was definitely the richest among them.
From Kakashi's three's sudden change to grave expressions, he judged the enemy was a very troublesome opponent. So he deliberately acted dismissive to lull the enemy, setting up foreshadowing for a later sneak attack.
But he didn't know Mukai possessed the Byakugan. Acting based on past experience, he lost the chance to exchange information with Kakashi and the others, leading to the sneak attack's failure... He chose to sneak attack when Obito, Kakashi, and Shisui were coordinating their attack, when the enemy's attention was on the enemies attacking from the front.
This was indeed the best timing for a sneak attack, but the prerequisite was the other couldn't see him.
But Mukai had the Byakugan; even without activating it, he could see some things ordinary people couldn't.
Moreover, due to atavism, Mukai only had one Byakugan, with black pupils when inactive, making Kakko even more unable to anticipate.
When he thought his sneak attack succeeded, subconsciously let his guard down, he was hit by the bottle surprise attack, thrown off balance, then captured in one move by the enemy, used as a tool to break the technique.
Mukai's subsequent attack was also very clever, feinting east, attacking west. Seemingly targeting Obito, the actual target was the support personnel, Chukichi.
As a Sensor-type Shinobi, his combat ability was weakest.
Of course, this was also because Mukai knew in advance about the Kamui ability.
If he hadn't known about this ability, he might have had to expend some effort.
But during the execution, he used the Byakugan's ability, looking down while advancing, giving the enemy no opening, sufficient to show his veteran experience.
Perhaps, for them, the worst wasn't the gap in strength, but lack of experience.