Naruto: Manipulation

A person's life is a single line.

This line may become entangled with others.

However, sometimes two lines can only intersect far into the future, and it often takes someone using brute force to bring them together earlier than fate intended.

Shigen…

He was precisely the kind of person responsible for twisting these lines.

For Shigen, kidnapping Anko Mitarashi had become an insignificant task, and capturing leverage against Orochimaru was merely a convenient bonus.

Now, there was only one true goal Shigen had in Konoha—finding the right person. Someone he could manipulate into uncovering the truth about Obito Uchiha's survival and, in doing so, complete his SSSSS-ranked mission.

The right person…

That person had to have a bond with Obito Uchiha.

But Obito had long since lost everything. He had personally killed his teacher, Minato Namikaze, massacred his own Uchiha clan, and the only one left alive from his past was his former teammate, Kakashi Hatake. Only Kakashi would have any interest in Obito Uchiha.

These two…

Bound by an unbreakable past…

And inevitably tied together by the past in the future.

No…

Not exactly…

Strictly speaking, Minato Namikaze's son, Naruto Uzumaki, also had a fateful bond with Obito, though one built on hatred. But Naruto was only eight years old at this time…

Shigen couldn't afford to wait for Kakashi and Naruto to discover Obito's truth on their own. He knew how great the reward for an SSSSS-ranked mission was, and more importantly, this was the only mission he could complete at the moment.

He needed to finish it as soon as possible, free up his mission queue, and seek more tasks that would grant him greater power—power he needed to secure an advantage in the final battle he had planned.

The first step of this mission…

Was to draw out Kakashi Hatake.

Kakashi had personally witnessed a ninja being kidnapped within the village. Even though he seemed disinterested in most things, he wouldn't ignore such an incident.

Shigen sat beneath a large tree, absentmindedly sketching out theories on Edo Tensei in his scroll while contemplating his strategy.

If all went as expected…

Kakashi would definitely try to track them down.

Inside Konoha.

Kakashi had been rescued.

The moment he recovered, he reported Anko Mitarashi's abduction to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Even though Konoha had just suffered the massacre of the Uchiha clan, there was no way the Third Hokage would ignore the kidnapping of a Konoha ninja by an outsider.

No matter what…

Now that he knew…

Konoha could not remain indifferent.

"The enemy is highly proficient in Wind Release and kenjutsu."

Kakashi's statement made the Third Hokage furrow his brows. Fortunately, after a moment of thought, Kakashi added, "He is also extremely skilled in Earth Release. When I attempted to use Earth Style in battle, he countered and neutralized my technique before I could even complete it."

"The opponent is also highly experienced in combat. I was utterly powerless against him—he is definitely no ordinary ninja…"

"Additionally."

"He likely has an accomplice."

"There's a high chance that this accomplice is still hiding in Konoha, assisting him from the shadows."

"When I attempted to leave signals for the Anbu to follow, all of them were erased without me even realizing it."

"There's also something very strange…"

"After defeating me, the enemy didn't choose to kill me."

"Maybe he thought I was too weak to be worth his attention."

"After all, he claimed he didn't enjoy killing. But when he attacked, he showed no hesitation—if I had been a step slower, I would have died…"

"I see…"

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag from his pipe, lost in thought.

Kakashi was Konoha's most outstanding young ninja. The fact that he had been so easily defeated meant the opponent was far from ordinary.

Yet, even with all these details, the Hokage couldn't determine the enemy's identity.

If the opponent specialized in Wind Release and kenjutsu and had ties to Orochimaru, they would be easier to track.

The problem was…

He also excelled in Earth Release.

Such a person had to be a well-known ninja in the shinobi world, but no one came to mind. Unfortunately, there was no time to gather more intelligence.

"We have to take action immediately."

Hiruzen's expression turned serious. "Kakashi, I'm authorizing you to form a special retrieval team to bring Anko back."

"The barrier team reported an anomaly in the western section of the village earlier. Someone passed through our defensive perimeter—you should track toward the Land of Rivers."

"If the enemy entered Konoha unnoticed, they likely had inside help. I will send teams to investigate within the village and secure other possible escape routes."

"Yes."

Kakashi had no objections.

With Konoha's Anbu constantly on duty, the only available forces were the free-roaming ninjas. Fortunately, the village had suspended external missions, meaning he could recruit some strong allies.

And…

There were plenty of capable comrades to call upon.

Ninja battles were rarely simple one-on-one fights. Assembling the right team would prevent a repeat of his last defeat.

More importantly…

The opponent's strength wasn't completely overwhelming.

From Kakashi's experience, the enemy was still within the realm of normal ninja combat. Their Wind Release and kenjutsu were formidable, but not unbeatable.

"Jonin Might Guy."

"Special Jonin Kurenai Yuhi."

"And from the Anbu, my most trusted ally—Tenzo."

With time being short, Kakashi selected the most reliable team he could muster.

Might Guy's taijutsu was exceptional.

Kurenai Yuhi had strong sensory abilities and genjutsu skills.

Tenzo possessed Konoha's unique Wood Release. While his Mokuton was only a fraction of the First Hokage's, it was still a valuable asset.

Kakashi's own expertise in tracking and assassination complemented the team's strengths, making them a formidable force.

"The mission is clear."

"We need to retrieve Anko as soon as possible."

Kakashi glanced at his assembled teammates, chewing on a soldier pill as he briefed them. "This is not an opponent we can underestimate. We must work together…"

"No need for words!"

Might Guy clenched his fists excitedly.

The green-clad shinobi radiated energy and enthusiasm, his burning passion for youth practically tangible.

Despite his eccentricity, his determination had a reassuring effect on the team.

That Night – Western Forest of the Land of Fire.

Following the clues from the barrier team, Kakashi and his squad pursued westward. However, they had yet to find any direct trace of their target.

"Something's not right."

Tenzo, wearing his Anbu mask, spoke with concern. "Even if the enemy is fast, they're carrying Anko. They shouldn't be able to move this quickly…"

"No."

Kakashi shook his head. "If Anko is completely unconscious, and the enemy has high-speed movement techniques, plus the fact that we started tracking them late…"

"Wait… Is it possible we're chasing in the wrong direction?"

Might Guy suddenly had a realization. "Kakashi, how long have we been pursuing them?"

"We've been tracking for five hours."

Kakashi calculated. "It's been seven hours since Anko was taken…"

"We're on the right track."

Kakashi was confident in his judgment. "If we were chasing the wrong way, the Hokage's search teams would have already found other leads…"

"I found Anko's hair."

Kurenai Yuhi called out, holding up a strand of purple hair.

"This place was used as a temporary rest spot."

Her keen perception allowed her to deduce that Anko had deliberately left clues to help them.

"She left a signal… We're going the right way."

"Then let's move!"

Kakashi leaped forward, and the others followed, pushing their pursuit westward.

They didn't know…

They had already been noticed.

And Shigen was already making his next move.

Shigen was still changing directions while carrying Anko Mitarashi.

"Speaking of which…"

Shigen frowned slightly and muttered, "How did they find us? I changed direction the moment I sensed them."

"It was that woman."

White Zetsu spoke cautiously.

Based on the intelligence White Zetsu had gathered while tracking Kakashi's team, he glanced at the unconscious Anko Mitarashi lying on the ground and reminded Shigen, "That woman, Anko Mitarashi, secretly left them clues!"

"When?"

Shigen's eyes flashed with surprise.

"…"

Black Zetsu sighed helplessly.

Shigen had never been one to handle these minor details, nor had he ever learned to pay attention to such things. He had unknowingly allowed Anko Mitarashi to exploit his oversight.

Without a doubt…

That woman must have left clues even while she was asleep.

"Forget it."

"It doesn't matter."

"There are only four of them, and I've already sensed them."

Shigen didn't seem too concerned about the approaching pursuers. He continued casually organizing his scrolls. "It's a pity I didn't leave a Flying Thunder God mark on my way here. But even if they catch up, dealing with them will be easy…"

"But…"

"One of them is the son of Sakumo Hatake."

"You're not someone who enjoys killing."

Black Zetsu knew Shigen's nature well and had to remind him. "If you show mercy, Konoha won't give up on tracking you. They might even uncover information about you…"

This kind of outcome…

Was practically inevitable!

If those Konoha ninjas managed to talk to Shigen for even a few minutes, they might uncover his connection to the Akatsuki. Given a little more conversation, Shigen could even end up revealing his past relationship with Sakumo Hatake. And if they pushed just a bit further… he might even spill the entire Moon's Eye Plan!

"Should I kill them?"

A trace of regret flashed across Shigen's face. He gripped his pen tightly. "To achieve my goal, I must be willing to do anything. I've already crossed that line… Killing them wouldn't make a difference."

"…"

Black Zetsu looked at him uneasily.

"Never mind."

"I've already thought of a solution."

Black Zetsu realized the importance of the situation and proposed an alternative. "As I arrived, I had a White Zetsu clone head to the Akatsuki's base to request reinforcements from Pain. He'll send a team to cover for you and handle this small trouble."

"Don't worry."

"You won't have to dirty your hands."

Black Zetsu grinned wickedly as he reassured Shigen, feeling satisfied with his quick thinking. "After all, Obito hasn't been treating you with enough respect lately. Weren't we planning to make him recognize his place?"

"This…"

"Happens to be the perfect opportunity."

As Black Zetsu spoke, its small eyes narrowed into a dangerous glint. "If we want to make someone recognize their identity, nothing is more effective than forcing them to confront their past…"

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