Chapter:35

Near the border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain, several teams of ninjas from the Anbu and Root were scattered, searching and investigating. They were sent by the Third Hokage and Danzo Shimura to investigate the destruction of an elite Root team.

"If this continues, Akatsuki's base might be exposed ahead of time!" thought Uchiha Obito, who was masquerading as Madara, as he observed the investigation team from Konoha. Frowning slightly, he recalled how Nagato's earlier actions had been reckless. But now that things had escalated, the only option was to divert Konoha's attention before Akatsuki's hideout was compromised.

Obito's eyes narrowed as he looked at the nearby Konoha ninjas with a deadly resolve.

**Whoosh!**

In an instant, he appeared next to one of the ninjas, piercing the man's body with a sharp wooden branch.

"Wood Release: Cutting Technique."

The branch Obito used grew inside the ninja's body, branching out and emerging from multiple points, killing him instantly before he could even scream.

"Who's there?"

The remaining three members of the Konoha team were startled by the noise. They turned to see their comrade dead, impaled by multiple branches.

"Munehisa!"

The sight of their fallen teammate filled the three ninjas with rage. Two of them hurled shurikens at Obito while simultaneously sending out a signal flare. Meanwhile, the third ninja began weaving hand signs to launch a jutsu.

**Puff! Puff!**

Effortlessly dodging the thrown shurikens, Obito swiftly closed in on them. Using the same technique, he pierced both ninjas with his wooden branches, killing them instantly. These two were skilled enough to have reached the level of special jōnin, but in the face of Obito, who possessed power surpassing even Kage-level shinobi, they were no match.

"Wind Style: Vacuum Wave!"

The last surviving ninja, enraged by the deaths of his comrades, unleashed a barrage of spinning wind blades toward Obito. "Die!" he shouted in desperation, hoping to slice his enemy into pieces.

But the next moment, his eyes widened in horror. The wind blades passed right through Obito as if he wasn't even there, like a phantom.

**Puff!**

In the blink of an eye, Obito struck the last ninja with his branches, creating bloody holes across his body. The ninja collapsed, unable to comprehend how his attack had failed to touch the enemy.

Suddenly, a blur of motion sped towards the scene, leaving afterimages in its wake. It was Uchiha Shisui—famed for his mastery of the Body Flicker Technique. Shisui had rushed over at full speed after seeing the distress signal. Upon arrival, he saw Obito killing the last Konoha ninja.

"The First Hokage's Wood Release?" Shisui muttered in disbelief, recognizing the technique Obito had used. "Who are you? How do you possess the Wood Release? And why did you kill them?" Shisui demanded, his eyes scanning the lifeless bodies of the fallen Konoha shinobi, as murderous intent radiated from him.

"What incredible speed!" Obito thought, surprised by how quickly Shisui had arrived. He had deliberately allowed the signal flare to go off to attract more Konoha forces, but he hadn't expected reinforcements to come this quickly. A sneer curled beneath his mask.

"What's the point of knowing?" Obito said mockingly. "You're about to die anyway."

"In that case, I'll just have to capture you," Shisui responded coldly. Drawing his katana, he used the Body Flicker Technique to close the distance between them in an instant, slashing at Obito's abdomen.

But Shisui was shocked as his blade passed through Obito's body, as though he was cutting through air. Obito's form seemed intangible, a mere ghost.

"Wood Release: Cutting Technique!"

A wooden branch shot from Obito's hand, aimed straight for Shisui's heart. But Shisui, ever alert, pushed the limits of his speed, dodging at the last possible moment. The branch grazed his waist, leaving a bleeding wound.

Both men turned to face each other, assessing the situation. Shisui examined his injury, and then addressed Obito. "Who are you? And what kind of jutsu was that?"

Obito was equally impressed. "Your speed is extraordinary. There are few who can match it, aside from the Fourth Raikage," he remarked. "I didn't expect someone like you to be in Konoha."

A fierce glint entered Obito's eyes as his intent to kill grew stronger. "I think it's best if I kill you here."

"That's my line," Shisui retorted, matching his opponent's murderous intent.

"Kotoamatsukami!"

The Mangekyō Sharingan in Shisui's eyes spun, activating his powerful genjutsu. Obito was momentarily taken aback.

"This guy is from the Uchiha clan too… And he has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan!" Obito quickly averted his gaze, trying to avoid the eye contact that would trap him in the illusion. But it was too late. He could already feel Kotoamatsukami's influence creeping into his mind.

Sensing danger, Obito immediately used his Kamui ability to phase out of the physical world, slipping into another dimension.

"So, my Kotoamatsukami won't work on him either?" Shisui frowned. At first, his genjutsu had worked, but it was soon rendered ineffective. "What kind of ability does he have that can resist Kotoamatsukami?"

Obito, now safely in the other dimension, felt a chill run down his spine. He had narrowly avoided being controlled by Shisui's powerful genjutsu. "I'll remember you, Uchiha," he muttered darkly before disappearing into a swirling vortex.

Although Obito didn't believe Shisui was stronger than him, he knew better than to engage in a full fight without first understanding his opponent's abilities. Besides, there was a possibility that Shisui might be useful to Akatsuki. Recruiting a Mangekyō Sharingan user could greatly enhance their organization's strength.

(End of Chapter).

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