A Sage's Pursuit of Power

In the confined space, Aoba and Obito's figures blurred past each other. The Kusanagi Sword in Aoba's hand sliced through empty air.

In mid-air, both turned simultaneously. Obito launched two wooden spikes from his hand, while Aoba responded with a kunai.

As expected, the kunai passed harmlessly through Obito's intangible form.

Now!!

The opportunity Aoba had been waiting for finally arrived. In the next moment, Aoba vanished and reappeared along the kunai's trajectory.

The Flying Thunder God: Second Step, the very move the Fourth Hokage had used to defeat Obito.

Aoba had been biding his time for this moment. However, instead of using the Rasengan, he swung the Kusanagi Sword directly at Obito's neck.

If possible, Aoba had no qualms about killing Obito right here and now.

In a flash, the two passed each other again, both landing with grim expressions.

Obito's face was dark because he hadn't expected Aoba to use the Flying Thunder God Technique, let alone replicate the Fourth Hokage's Second Step. He had narrowly avoided being decapitated.

Aoba, on the other hand, was frustrated because he had failed. Despite all his planning, his strike neither killed Obito nor even injured him.

There were two reasons for the failure. First, Aoba wasn't proficient enough with the Flying Thunder God Technique. Though he had overcome the dizziness that followed teleportation, he could only use the technique three times before it became too disorienting. This was why he hadn't used it casually before.

Although he had managed to mitigate the disorientation, executing the complex maneuver of tracking a high-speed kunai and teleporting to it still pushed the limits of his reflexes.

Aoba's neural response times were top-tier, but even so, he couldn't execute the move flawlessly. His attack was a fraction of a second too slow.

Second, after being defeated by the Fourth Hokage, it seemed Obito had specifically trained to counter this tactic, reacting much faster than expected.

Aoba had even extended the Kusanagi Sword to increase his range, but all it managed to do was slice through Obito's cloak.

The two stood silently, glaring at each other.

Aoba realized that Obito was beginning to consider retreating. At this stage in his plans, Obito wasn't likely to risk his life unnecessarily.

The Flying Thunder God Technique was one of the few things capable of threatening him.

Sure enough, seeing that he couldn't easily defeat Aoba, Obito decided to withdraw.

But at that moment, Aoba tilted his head slightly, sensing activity outside the lab.

In Sage Mode, Aoba could detect that numerous ANBU and members of the Barrier Corps were rapidly setting up a containment barrier outside, preparing to trap the intruder.

To be honest, Konoha's ANBU had responded impressively. This level of preparation would trap almost anyone in the ninja world, even the Raikage wouldn't escape easily.

But against Obito Uchiha, it was meaningless.

By the time Kakashi led a large group of ninjas into the lab, all they found was a scene of chaos.

Kakashi's face displayed disbelief. He knew how strong Aoba was and could see he was still in Sage Mode. Yet despite this, Aoba hadn't been able to stop the intruder.

This wasn't the wilderness; this was Konoha. Someone had infiltrated one of its most secure labs, fought one of its strongest ninjas, and escaped unscathed?

When had such a powerful individual appeared in the ninja world?

"It's complicated," Aoba said. "All I can say is that he possesses a unique space-time ninjutsu that allows him to disappear at will. No matter what method is used, it's impossible to harm him, let alone trap him."

With so many ANBU present, Aoba didn't elaborate further.

It wasn't until Aoba, Sasuke, and Karin accompanied Kakashi to the Hokage's office that he began to explain. Just as he was about to speak, a voice interrupted from behind.

"It's a space-time dōjutsu. That man has a Sharingan," Sasuke said. He had watched the entire fight and had seen Obito's Mangekyō Sharingan firsthand.

Aoba glanced at Sasuke and nodded.

"He's right. And if I'm not mistaken, that man is the mysterious Uchiha who appeared during the Nine-Tails incident. Based on some information left behind by Root, it's likely he was also present on the night of the Uchiha massacre."

The room fell silent, and everyone's expressions darkened. Shikaku's face grew grim as he began piecing together various conspiracies.

"So, this man is an enemy of Konoha and has been targeting the village for years?"

"Exactly. The Nine-Tails incident, the Uchiha massacre... Each time he acted, Konoha suffered heavily. If I hadn't been here tonight, the Research Institute's work could have been completely destroyed."

Aoba couldn't help but feel a pang of fear. He had grown lax in his vigilance against Obito. If he hadn't been working late tonight, the lab might have been leveled by now.

"Aoba, do you think there's more to the Uchiha massacre than we know?" Tsunade asked, not bothering to shield Sasuke from the question.

The question clearly struck a nerve with Sasuke, who looked at Aoba intently.

"I can't say for certain, but one thing is clear: on the night of the Uchiha massacre, Itachi had help. That helper was likely the same man who attacked tonight."

"So, the person who killed my entire clan is also partly responsible?" Sasuke asked, his voice trembling.

"Yes, that seems to be the case. Sasuke, there are some harsh truths I've withheld from you.

According to information we retrieved from Root, they were partially involved in the Uchiha massacre. Their goal was the Sharingan. However, Root didn't acquire many Sharingan, and Itachi didn't have time to collect them either.

That night, I realized that Itachi must have had an accomplice who harvested the majority of the Sharingan. I wasn't sure who it was until now. It must be this mysterious man."

Sasuke was momentarily overwhelmed by the influx of information. However, thanks to his mental resilience forged by Itachi's torment, he quickly regained his composure.

"So now I have two enemies to kill?"

"That's how it looks. Hokage-sama, should we notify Naruto about this?"

"Notify Naruto?"

"Yes. Based on what we know, this mysterious man was likely the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails incident, which means he was responsible for the deaths of the Fourth Hokage and his wife. So…"

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Currently on Chapter 180 - The Great Upheaval in Kirigakure