Konoha Hospital was thrown into chaos.
"Move, move, move aside!"
"Critical patients coming through, clear the way!"
"Hurry up! The Hokage is coughing blood again!"
Stretchers were rushed through the corridors one after another, moving as fast as possible while medical staff shouted orders. The entire place was in disarray.
The hospital director, who had rushed over upon hearing the emergency, was drenched in sweat. His face was pale, and his mind felt like it was about to split apart.
What exactly happened?
The Fourth Hokage, the Third Hokage, Jiraiya, Akimichi Choza, Shibi Aburame, all of them were severely injured and brought in at the same time.
Was this an invasion?
Had Iwagakure, Sunagakure, or Kirigakure joined forces to attack Konoha?
Otherwise, how could so many top figures end up in such a state?
The director felt immense pressure. If even one of these people died, it would shake the entire village. Now, several of them were lying here at once. Worse still, the hospital did not have enough medical ninja to handle such a crisis.
"We're fine. Treat Minato first."
The Third Hokage spoke in time, his voice steady despite his condition. The director finally let out a breath and immediately stepped forward to examine Minato Namikaze.
After a quick assessment, his expression turned grim.
"Hokage-sama has been poisoned. He needs a specific antidote, but…" he hesitated, his brows tightly furrowed, "this poison is extremely complex. It may take a long time to develop a cure, or it might not even be possible."
"If Tsunade were here…" Jiraiya muttered as he slowly regained consciousness, struggling to sit up.
At that moment, an ANBU ninja stepped forward.
"Third Hokage-sama, Jiraiya-sama, I believe Hokage-sama and Akimichi Choza were poisoned by Shibi Aburame's venomous insects."
The ANBU then explained everything he had witnessed.
After hearing it, the Third Hokage immediately understood. With his experience, he reached the same conclusion.
"Wake up Shibi Aburame immediately."
The director rushed over and injected chakra into Shibi's body. Moments later, Shibi opened his eyes.
"That's good. He was under genjutsu," the director said with relief.
Shibi looked around, confused. "Why am I here? What happened?"
"Shibi, Minato may have been poisoned by your insects. Check him now," Jiraiya urged.
Shibi's expression changed instantly. He quickly examined Minato, and his face darkened.
"It really is my nano-venomous insects… how is this possible?"
Without wasting time, he began controlling the insects. Tiny creatures crawled out from Minato's body one after another. Then Shibi took out a small bottle and poured its contents into Minato's mouth.
Only then did he relax slightly.
"Fortunately, the number of insects was small. The poison hasn't spread deeply. After taking the antidote, Hokage-sama should recover within a few hours."
Everyone finally breathed easier.
As long as the Hokage survived, things could still be managed.
"Is that so? Unfortunately, you don't have that much time."
A strange voice suddenly echoed through the room.
Black and White Zetsu emerged from the ground.
The bizarre half-black, half-white figure instantly drew everyone's attention.
"Who are you?"
Jiraiya forced himself off the stretcher, glaring at the intruder. The Third Hokage, Shibi, and the ANBU quickly surrounded Zetsu.
"Relax. I'm not your enemy," Zetsu said with a grin. "Your real problem is behind you."
Everyone turned around.
Their expressions changed instantly.
Uchiha Obito stood there, holding Minato Namikaze.
"Obito, put Minato down immediately!" the Third Hokage shouted.
Obito let out a cold laugh. "Do you still think you can order me around, Hokage?"
"Obito, if you have demands, we can talk," Jiraiya said calmly.
"I want to destroy Konoha. Can we negotiate that?" Obito replied without hesitation.
"Minato is your teacher," Jiraiya continued. "Don't you care about that bond at all?"
"Bond?" Obito's expression was icy. "Meaningless. This world is rotten. None of that matters anymore."
He raised a kunai.
Everyone tensed.
At that exact moment, the Third Hokage acted.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere!"
A sharp wind blade shot toward Obito's arm.
Everyone prepared to strike the moment Obito was hit.
For a split second, it looked like the attack would land.
Then, a strange energy barrier appeared around Obito.
The wind blade struck it, weakened instantly, and vanished.
It was absorbed.
Obito stood completely unharmed.
"That was pathetic," Obito said coldly. He raised his hand. "Universal Pull."
The Third Hokage was dragged toward him uncontrollably.
In the next instant, Obito drove the kunai straight into his chest.
"Third Hokage!"
The room erupted in shock.
Obito then kicked him away like trash.
Jiraiya caught the Third Hokage and quickly checked him. The wound was severe, but not fatal. He was unconscious, but alive.
Jiraiya handed him off to the medical team and turned back, fully focused.
At that moment, Shibi acted.
A swarm of venomous insects rushed toward Obito, surrounding him completely.
"Got him!"
"Shinra Tensei."
A powerful force exploded outward.
Every insect was blown away instantly.
Obito stood there, untouched.
He raised his hand again.
Shibi was pulled toward him.
In one swift motion, Obito stabbed him through the chest.
The blade pierced straight through his heart.
Shibi Aburame died without even making a sound.
Obito showed no emotion as he kicked the body aside.
The room fell silent.
No one dared to move.
His abilities were too overwhelming, too strange.
"Konoha really is pathetic," Obito said with open disdain.
Then, without hesitation, he stabbed Minato Namikaze through the heart.
And kicked his body away.
"Minato!"
Jiraiya rushed forward and caught him.
After a quick check, his expression froze.
The heart was destroyed.
There was no saving him.
"Uchiha Obito…"
Jiraiya's voice trembled with fury.
But when he looked up, Obito was gone.
No trace of him remained.
Outside the village, Obito reappeared using Kamui.
Moments later, Black and White Zetsu emerged beside him.
"The Hokage is dead. The Third Hokage is severely injured. Even though the Nine-Tails plan failed, this operation is still a success."
"Yeah," Obito replied. "That interference was annoying, but we still achieved our goal."
"I killed the Hokage as an Uchiha. I almost captured the Nine-Tails. Konoha will direct all its hatred toward the Uchiha Clan."
"The tension will reach its peak. Eventually, it will explode. And when it does, our plan moves forward."
Zetsu nodded. "Everything is proceeding smoothly. What's next?"
"I'm going to Naka Shrine."
Zetsu paused. "Why there?"
"I want to see the stone tablet."
Zetsu felt uneasy but kept his tone steady. "Madara already explained everything about the Infinite Tsukuyomi. Why bother checking it again?"
Obito's eyes darkened.
"That guy mentioned something. He said the tablet might have been tampered with. He even pointed out inconsistencies."
He briefly explained what Ryūjin had told him.
Zetsu's thoughts turned chaotic. For a moment, it felt like everything might be exposed.
But when Obito mentioned Ryūjin suspecting Tobirama instead, Zetsu relaxed slightly.
Still, the irritation remained.
That boy again.
No matter how absurd his conclusions were, he had already planted doubt in Obito's mind.
And now Obito was going to verify it himself.
"I was careless," Zetsu thought. "I should have restored the tablet back then."
A small mistake had now become a dangerous flaw.
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