Obito's Ambush

Dream Space.

Haku's body was covered in rune seals, immobilising him.

Natsuki hadn't anticipated that Haku would reach complete loyalty so quickly. When he opened the faction template and saw that Haku was ready for the dream simulation, Natsuki was surprised. However, since Haku trusted him, Natsuki took the opportunity to practice ninjutsu in the dream space.

In the dream space, a person's strength mirrors their real-world abilities. Thus, as a novice, Haku was easily restrained by Natsuki, who then began training.

First, he focused on Water Release. Mastering this would mean Natsuki no longer needed to carry large amounts of drinking water on his journeys. Though several team members already knew about Water Release, Natsuki wanted to learn it for future convenience.

Understanding that one can only focus on so much, Natsuki sought to enhance his combat repertoire rather than change his fighting style. Reviewing the Uchiha's comprehensive ninjutsu collection, he found it somewhat embarrassing that the Uchiha clan, known for fire-based techniques, needed more water techniques.

Scratching his head, Natsuki considered having Kisame teach him. He imagined dramatically clapping his hands and shouting, "Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!" The image gave him chills; the style clash was too strange. Deciding it wasn't urgent, he put the idea aside.

A ninja's proficiency usually centres on a few techniques because mastering ninjutsu is no simple feat. Besides hand seals, chakra control requires precise pathways. A single attribute's high affinity can yield powerful jutsu. However, multiple attributes with insufficient affinity dilute effectiveness.

Achieving high affinity in multiple attributes demands exceptional talent, abundant energy, and numerous ninjutsu learning techniques. For ordinary shinobi, acquiring such skills is costly and requires substantial merit. Among known multi-attribute masters, only the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood out.

Natsuki didn't use Lightning Release because his affinity for it was low. Learning Chidori was less effective than using a knife, given his talent for combat intuition and taijutsu.

After swiftly defeating Haku in the dream space, Natsuki exited. He was meditating on the deck, planning the next steps. Having gathered his team, he had no intention of lingering in the Land of Water, which didn't welcome him. He wasn't interested in watching Mei Terumi consolidate her power as the Fifth Mizukage.

With no rewards indicating significant changes, it was clear Mei would still become the Fifth Mizukage, and the Fourth Mizukage would meet the same fate as before, taking his own life. Natsuki's priority was delivering Kimimaro to Orochimaru as soon as possible. He knew the sooner Kimimaro's illness was addressed, the better the chances of curing it. As Kimimaro's body matured, the disease would become increasingly problematic.

After taking Kimimaro under his wing, Natsuki forbade him from using Shikotsumyaku, even as a dagger. He explained to Kimimaro that overuse of the kekkei genkai could cause illness. Kimimaro, though unsure, followed orders since the team, including the powerful Natsuki, didn't need his combat skills.

Travelling to the Land of Water was easy using Sasuke's space-time teleportation. Returning, however, was problematic due to Obito's disruptions, causing major ships to avoid the area. Natsuki planned to sail to the Land of Hot Water and then reach Otogakure. With no long-distance ships available, only those heading to the Whirlpool Country, a major port between the Land of Fire and Water, were an option.

Anticipating an ambush by Obito, Natsuki booked an entire ship, clearing the deck of all but essential crew, ready for the confrontation. As expected, Obito waited near the port, determined to end Natsuki once and for all. For Obito, Natsuki posed the greatest threat to his plans and the Uchiha clan's resurgence.

Space rippled, and a figure materialised on the deck.

"You seem to know I survived," Obito said, arms crossed.

"Hmph, a cockroach like you is hard to kill," Natsuki replied, yawning. "I knew you'd come after me."

Obito retorted, irritated by Natsuki's carefree attitude, "And why aren't you pretending to be Madara anymore?"

Natsuki smirked, "You never fooled me. Only non-Uchiha could be tricked by you."

Obito narrowed his eyes, "You knew all along?"

"Of course. Our clan's records clearly state that Madara's Sharingan abilities were never space-time ninjutsu," Natsuki explained.

"That's it?" Obito asked, surprised.

"Isn't that enough? Sharingan's abilities don't change. Anyone with space-time abilities can't be Madara," Natsuki said, exasperated.

Obito fell silent. Within the Akatsuki, he had fooled Nagato and Konan with his space-time abilities and powerful eyes, making them believe he was Madara. But Natsuki had seen through him.

"Why not work with me? We both seek the Uchiha's rise," Obito proposed.

Natsuki, sceptical, responded, "You caused the Nine-Tails' attack on Konoha, and now you want to work together?"

Unfazed, Obito said, "The Water Country plan was almost complete. Minor disruptions don't matter."

Natsuki, curious, decided to hear Obito out, eager to see how he planned to convince him.