Chapter 24: Mission Complete
Boom—
With a thunderous impact, the clone of Uchiha Obito burst into smoke under the force of Mokuton's attack. At the same time, his mask shattered into pieces.
Had he not dodged in time, his head would've likely been obliterated on the spot…
"Damn brat!"
Obito clenched his teeth as he glared at Kitagawa Gen. Though he was enraged, he wasn't stupid—he was already piecing things together.
This brat… used Earth-Style Wall to block my vision, then applied pressure using a lightning clone. He forced me to use Kamui to warp away the kunai... but that kunai was a transformed clone all along?!
It wasn't an especially complex tactic—just a well-timed information gap. But the real problem was…
How does this kid know so much about my abilities? Could it be… he analyzed faster than even Minato Namikaze?!
Obito's face was a mix of disbelief and frustration. But now wasn't the time to ponder.
Whoosh—
Several ANBU operatives appeared, surrounding the area. They perched atop rooftops, weapons at the ready, eyes locked on Obito.
And then, Obito saw something—or rather, someone—he really didn't want to.
"Kakashi..."
Though Kakashi still looked exhausted, he and Guy had both moved in.
Their expressions were strange, however. They'd clearly seen Kitagawa Gen pierce right through Obito's body.
Yet somehow… this guy was fine. Only his mask was broken.
"Wait... that face..."
Both Kakashi and Guy froze. That familiar face sparked something deep within Kakashi's mind, rendering him momentarily blank.
Even Guy frowned, leaning toward Kakashi and whispering, "Hey... does this guy look familiar to you?"
"Who are you? Why are you in Konoha?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped forward, his sharp gaze locked onto the wooden spikes and the gleaming Sharingan in Obito's eye.
"Mokuton... and the Sharingan?"
He felt a deep unease growing inside him. Beside him, Danzo's face was equally grim.
That night… didn't we clean up everything? Could it be… Uchiha Itachi tricked us?!
"Hmph."
Obito scoffed and slowly got to his feet. His figure flickered, becoming distorted. His gaze swept across the gathered shinobi, pausing briefly on Kitagawa Gen—now back in position, standing in front of Naruto and Sasuke.
He knew the operation had failed. He wasn't about to get cornered by all of Konoha—especially not with that damn kid seemingly having figured out his abilities.
"My identity doesn't matter… we'll meet again."
"Attack!"
While the surrounding ninja hesitated, Danzo panicked and barked the order.
Kunai flew instantly toward Obito.
Clang—clang—clang—
They passed right through him, embedding into the wall behind. Like a ghost, Obito vanished.
"Gone?"
Jiraiya frowned, rushing to Naruto's side. After a quick inspection, he let out a sigh of relief.
"The seal is intact. Though his chakra's a bit agitated… guess that guy really pissed him off."
"Gen, what the heck happened here?"
Guy helped support Kakashi as they approached Kitagawa Gen. The moment Guy spoke, all eyes turned toward the boy.
"Guy-sensei, I'm not totally sure myself," Gen replied innocently, though deep down he was a little annoyed.
Damn it, he ran off so fast! At least leave a hand behind!
He glanced at the dazed Kakashi and sighed internally.
Well… might as well finish the mission.
"Naruto and I were on our way home when we ran into Sasuke. That's when I sensed we were being followed. I caught a glimpse of the guy's outfit—it definitely wasn't from Konoha, so..."
Of course, he couldn't say "The system told me." This excuse would have to do.
"So you attacked preemptively?"
Jiraiya glanced at the flames still burning nearby and nodded.
"Smart. And it helped alert us."
"Yes."
Gen nodded, then added, "Also, I think that guy's working with Hoshigaki Kisame and Uchiha Itachi. Sasuke and I discussed it before—he didn't deny it. And he has the Sharingan."
"That's possible," Hiruzen muttered, but that only deepened his headache.
He stepped closer to Gen, wearing a forced, gentle smile.
"Gen, you fought him up close. What's your impression of him?"
The fact that this mysterious figure simply vanished—and had wielded Mokuton—made Hiruzen's scalp tingle. But it was clear Gen had outsmarted him somehow, and that alone warranted a deeper look.
"Lord Hokage," Gen said respectfully, thinking for a moment before continuing,
"He uses some sort of unique space-time technique to warp objects—including himself. It's nearly impossible to land a hit. I only noticed this because I caught him off guard. Naruto and Sasuke saw him ignore fire attacks too."
He glanced at the two. One looked completely out of it. The other was being poked and prodded by Jiraiya, who was likely reinforcing the seal.
Still, Sasuke nodded—though his eyes lingered on Gen with a complicated expression.
He's… this strong?!
"Space-time jutsu?"
Hiruzen felt a chill. He knew exactly how dangerous techniques like the Flying Thunder God were.
"By the way, Lord Hokage."
Just as Hiruzen was about to ask more, Gen spoke again.
"That guy is... strange. The moment he attacked, Naruto reacted strongly—almost violently. Something about him triggered Naruto."
"A strong reaction?"
Hiruzen winced. Jiraiya had phrased it more gently earlier—"He got angry."
A dark thought crept into his mind.
Could it be…?
"Also, when I was stalling for backup, he said 'Konoha ninjas are always late' and sounded really bitter."
Seeing no one respond, Gen pressed on.
"And… he seems to have a personal grudge against Kakashi-sensei."
"Kakashi?"
The mention of his name made everyone glance toward the still-stunned Kakashi.
Gen's voice continued.
"Yeah. He kept calling Kakashi-sensei useless—like they have a history. Oh, and... his Sharingan is in the right eye. Kakashi-sensei's is in the left. Could there be a connection?"
"!!!"
That final sentence sent a jolt through the entire group.
Kakashi's vacant eyes seemed to hollow further.
"No way… could that guy really be..."
Guy muttered under his breath but quickly fell silent.
After all, that person… was supposed to have died a hero of Konoha.
The group lapsed into silence.
Even Gen turned to Kakashi with an inward sigh: Sorry.
But just then, a familiar message pinged in his mind.
[Side Mission Complete: "Don't Get Cocky, Dead Last!"]
[Calculating rewards…]
[Special Mission Complete: Help Kakashi Confront His Lost Friend, Uchiha Obito]
[Calculating rewards…]
Seeing this, Gen pursed his lips.
"Some wounds… better torn open now than later."
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