Chapter 103: Exposing the Truth

Chapter 103: Exposing the Truth

The moment Baishi disappeared, Uchiha Obito, wearing his orange mask, appeared at the scene, followed closely by Minato Namikaze.

The two scanned the now-deserted street, their eyes flickering with thought.

Jiraiya, wary of Obito, flashed to Minato's side and asked, "Who is he?"

Minato shook his head slightly, remaining silent.

He couldn't determine the masked man's identity but speculated that, given the Mangekyō Sharingan, the intruder might be the legendary Uchiha Madara. However, according to Konoha's records, Madara didn't possess any space-time ninjutsu.

"Jiraiya-sensei, what happened here? Was that the 'Wood Human Technique' I saw earlier?" Minato inquired.

"Hmm," Jiraiya responded with a serious nod.

Minato fell into deep thought and then asked again, "Was it that boy you encountered before?"

Jiraiya recalled the figure revealed during the final moments of the earlier battle and replied, "Although he was wearing a mask, I'm fairly certain it was him."

As they spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally arrived on the scene. Together, they encircled Uchiha Obito, closing off his escape routes.

However, Obito seemed uninterested in them. His gaze drifted into the distance, as though awaiting something or someone.

---

Elsewhere, Baishi appeared near Konoha's border after a series of spatial jumps. He assessed the remaining chakra within his body—about half left—and decided against further movement. Instead, he quietly waited.

Sure enough, moments later, a figure materialized in front of him.

It was none other than Uchiha Obito.

The masked Uchiha's voice was cold as he asked, "Who are you? Why did you steal the Nine-Tails?"

His gaze briefly swept over Baishi's abdomen, clearly noticing the presence of the beast.

Baishi glanced at a nearby tree and spoke casually, "Oh, hasn't he told you?"

Obito's eyes flickered with confusion as he turned toward the tree.

Unable to remain hidden any longer, Zetsu emerged from the shadows. The pigweed-shaped being parted its green exterior, revealing its black-and-white face.

Zetsu said nothing, merely fixing its gaze on Baishi. An unsettling tension filled the air.

Baishi smirked internally. So, it's you, Black Zetsu.

Years ago, during the early stages of the Third Ninja War, Baishi had been training in the Land of Wind when he encountered a Kiri squad attacking Suna forces. A conflict broke out, and Baishi resorted to guerrilla tactics before fleeing.

At that time, he had felt a sinister presence watching him. Although he didn't confirm its source, Black Zetsu had been a prime suspect.

And now, seeing Zetsu here confirmed Baishi's long-standing theory.

Suppressing his inner thoughts, Baishi decided not to antagonize Black Zetsu just yet. Instead, he planted seeds of doubt in Obito's mind.

Obito, feeling uneasy, demanded again, "Tell me—who are you?"

Baishi chuckled, about to reply when three more figures suddenly appeared.

The clash of kunai echoed sharply.

Minato Namikaze blocked Obito's attack and quickly created some distance. Meanwhile, Jiraiya and Hiruzen leapt back to form a triangular formation around their enemy.

With the arrival of Minato, Jiraiya, and Hiruzen, Obito's demeanor darkened.

Under his mask, Obito was fuming. Minato's presence meant the Hokage had left a Flying Thunder God mark on him at some point—a lapse that could have cost Obito dearly had Minato attacked immediately upon arrival.

On the other hand, Minato himself was surprised to find additional individuals on the battlefield. Their sudden appearance threw off his strategy to ambush and corner Obito.

For a brief moment, silence filled the clearing.

Baishi broke the tension with a sudden chuckle, drawing everyone's attention.

"What's so funny?" Obito asked coldly.

Baishi waved his hand dismissively, his tone light but laced with mockery. "Oh, nothing much, Obito. I was just wondering how Minato-sensei would react if he saw the face under your mask."

"What? Obito?" Minato's eyes widened in disbelief as he turned toward the masked figure. "You're… Obito?"

Obito froze. A storm of emotions churned within him—anger, confusion, and frustration. How did this stranger know his identity?

The revelation left Minato and Obito stunned. Baishi seized the opportunity to act.

In a flash, he closed the distance between himself and Obito. His palm struck Obito's abdomen, releasing a seal that severed the bond between the Uchiha and the Nine-Tails.

Obito snapped out of his daze, reaching out to drag Baishi into his Kamui dimension.

But Baishi, well aware of Obito's abilities, dodged the attempt effortlessly.

Having accomplished his goal, Baishi wasted no time. Activating the Flying Thunder God technique, he vanished from the battlefield.

---

Back at the scene, Minato, Jiraiya, and Hiruzen stared at the spot where Baishi had stood moments earlier.

Obito's frustration was palpable. With the Nine-Tails severed from his control, his plans had been utterly derailed.

Minato silently contemplated the situation. His mind raced with questions—was this truly Obito, his former student? If so, what had driven him to this point?

Meanwhile, Baishi reappeared far from the battlefield.

Settling into a concealed location, he reviewed the events. The successful separation of Obito and the Nine-Tails had eliminated a major threat to his plans.

The chaos in Konoha would undoubtedly persist, but for Baishi, the most important goal had been achieved. The Nine-Tails was his.

All his meticulous preparations—studying Obito, the Nine-Tails, and the weaknesses of their bond—had paid off.

Now, it was time to plan his next move.

(End of Chapter)

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