Chapter 244: The Disturber

"Wind, lightning, water, and fire—four hearts from renowned Jonin," Yuto placed the sealing scroll in front of Kakuzu. when the scroll unfurled, four corpses were released one after another.

"The water-affinity shinobi is a woman. Can you use her?"

"No problem. Earth Grudge Fear doesn't discriminate based on gender." Kakuzu caressed the bodies like they were precious treasures, his eyes glowing green, causing Konan to shudder in disgust.

Yuto while sitting lazily on a wide chair, asked casually, "How's the progress on the giant seaport development?"

"Everything is going smoothly. Those four wealthy merchant groups are very cooperative. They even offered to cover the initial maintenance and operational costs of the seaport."

"Hmm? Did you use any tricks?"

"No. They probably see it as a form of protection payment. There are many wealthy people in the shinobi world, but there's only one Moon God."

"No wonder their businesses are so successful," Yuto remarked. He stood up and continued, "I'll leave the matters here to you and Arai. That kid seems sharp enough; teaching him wouldn't hurt... Konan, we're leaving."

"Yes, Yuto-sama."

A man and a woman left the city of Garden, not even bothering to take a boat. They simply walked on the surface of the sea, chakra flowing beneath their feet.

"Yuto-sama, is something on your mind?" Konan asked.

"Yeah," he responded.

"Then it must be about the Phantom Organization and Konoha, right?"

"Exactly. So, Obito named his organization 'Phantom,' huh?" Yuto reached out his hand, clenching it toward the sun hanging high in the blue sky. "I think this event might be the opportunity I've been waiting for to fulfill my dream."

"Are you planning to take this chance to capture both the Nine-Tails and Three-Tails?"

A sly grin crept across Yuto's face, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.

Obito would lead the Phantom Organization to attack Konoha. His goal was surely to reclaim the two Mangekyō Sharingan. During the ensuing chaos, Konoha would be in complete disarray, creating the perfect opportunity to seize the tailed beasts.

"Yuto-sama, I should return to Amegakure now and gather our best fighters to assemble an army."

"There's no need," the handsome young man waved dismissively. "There's not enough time. Besides, this operation is too dangerous. I'll go alone. If things go south, I can always fly away."

"But Yuto-sama, I can fly too. At least let me accompany you..."

"Konan, let me be blunt. You'd only be a burden. To put it simply, I'd rather take a Ninken with me than you, if only to conserve food."

The purple-haired woman was stunned by his words, her lips pouting involuntarily, looking visibly hurt.

"Eh? Don't make that face," Yuto sighed. "My words may not be kind, but they are true. It's just too dangerous."

"Is it really that dangerous? The Fourth Hokage is gone. Could Orochimaru really be stronger than Minato?"

"But he has the Impure World Reincarnation," Yuto's tone grew more serious as he mentioned the technique. "My fuinjutsu skills are top-notch, but even I can't seal the First Hokage, Second Hokage, and Minato all at once. As for killing Orochimaru, he is like a cockroach. Before I could kill him, I'd already be trapped by the Wood Release."

"But Yuto-sama, if that's the case, isn't Obito Uchiha's attack on Konoha doomed to fail?"

"That's what puzzles me." Yuto licked his lips, pondering. "My instincts tell me he's planning to give Konoha—and the world—a huge surprise. I'm also curious how he managed to convince the Phantom Organization's members to take on such a suicidal mission..."

---

"I'll say it again; this is not a suicide mission."

A man draped in a crimson cloak stood on a stalactite at the center of the cave. Surrounding him were shinobi, all uniformly dressed. They wore crimson cloaks and black masks that obscured their faces, with powerful chakra radiating from each of them. Clearly, none of them were ordinary.

"I'm not forcing anyone to die. Konoha is the most troublesome village in the world. Though they outwardly shun forbidden techniques, the Fifth Hokage, Orochimaru, is a true master of forbidden jutsu. And yet, they dared to pin the blame for human experiments on Yuto Hyuga."

"Attacking Konoha is dangerous. Even if we charge in with all our might, we may not even reach the Hokage Tower."

"However, I will not compel any of you to throw away your lives." The man in the crimson cloak paused, his voice calm. "You only need to do your best to wreak havoc in Konoha. Once you receive my signal, you can retreat immediately."

"Leader, you're being too cautious!" A member of the Phantom Organization sneered suddenly. His tone was maniacal, and strapped to his back was a massive multi-bladed scythe, a dangerous presence radiating from him. "Let me go wild! I'll offer everything to Jashin-sama. The blood of Konoha's shinobi will be the finest offering! Hehehe..."

"Hidan, I won't restrict your freedom," the man replied without any emotion. "As long as you complete the mission I've assigned, the rest is up to you."

A brief silence filled the cave as the members of the Phantom Organization contemplated the leader's words, none voicing any objections.

"Good. Then let's disperse... By the way, Sasori, I don't see Ao anywhere."

"He's probably dead," Sasori of the Red Sand replied indifferently. "He disappeared while pursuing Thunder Tiger Horigawa. I went back to look for him, but there was nothing left, not even a trace."

"Looks like the organization has lost the Byakugan... what a pity." The man sighed, watching as his subordinates began to leave one by one.

The dark cave grew even quieter.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Footsteps echoed from behind the man. He didn't turn around but instead began removing his crimson cloak, his voice shifting as he spoke, "Playing the part of the brooding leader is exhausting. Jiraiya, how do you think my performance was?"

"You were the spitting image of Obito. Disgusting," Jiraiya, a tall, muscular man with white hair, stepped out from the shadows. He no longer relied on a wheelchair but walked on his own two feet.

"Tsk tsk. You should really look in a mirror. The killing intent in your eyes is practically spilling over when you talk to me. At least try to control your expression when speaking to an ally."

"Watch what you say, Zetsu. We've never been allies," Jiraiya responded coldly. "It's been a long time since I've seen Obito. Where is he?"

"You want to see him to kill him, right? Spare me. Do you really think I don't know your intentions? No wonder you inherited the Will of Fire. Shameless. You've already betrayed Konoha, yet you still act all high and mighty..."

Zetsu's words were abruptly cut off.

Jiraiya's kunai was already pressed against his throat.

"Hey... careful with that. It's sharp," Zetsu smirked mockingly. "If you want to kill Obito, head to Konoha."

(End of Chapter)