Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 96: The Shinobi Who Survived a Battle Against the First Hokage

After merely exchanging a few dozen moves, Dan was utterly defeated.

The manifestation of his soul into a physical form was more of a handicap than an advantage for him.

His greatest trump card was using the Spirit Transformation Jutsu to possess the bodies of others. But once his soul became materialized, that ability was rendered unusable.

Moreover, in this state, his soul was as vulnerable as a Tailed Beast, capable of being physically harmed.

In such a condition, facing Hatake Sakumo in Edo Tensei form, Dan had almost no chance to retaliate. His entire being seemed as fragile as porcelain, riddled with cracks.

"Dan-senpai, calm down. Your current form isn't suited for combat," Hyuga Fuji said as he stepped forward. He placed a hand on Dan's shoulder, and black sealing markings gradually spread across his body.

"Why?!"

Ignoring the seal marks, Dan looked at Fuji with a heavy voice. "You're already at the pinnacle of Konoha. Why are you conducting these experiments? You're a Konoha shinobi too, so why…"

"Shouldn't the question be: why are you doing this?"

Hyuga Fuji glanced around, his lips curling into a smile. "Out of all the shinobi I've revived, you're the only one who has chosen to resist in this way."

"…"

Dan's expression shifted slightly. His eyes darted about, and he noticed that they were now surrounded by dozens of shinobi.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

Hatake Sakumo.

Pakura of the Scorch Style.

The Second Hokage.

The Second Tsuchikage.

...

Some were Edo Tensei shinobi, others had been fully resurrected, and some had been brought back using White Zetsu clones—natural-born master spies.

Regardless of nationality or identity, they simply stood there, their gazes calm as they looked at him.

Why were they so accepting?

Was it Haneda Fuji's strength?

When Dan looked at Tobirama, he thought to himself that at least the Second Hokage wouldn't willingly comply.

No, they must have been controlled.

Only his unique state of existence could free him from control. The others were surely under Fuji's command. That had to be it. Otherwise, why would the Second Hokage stand idly by as Fuji acted with impunity…

And the others, including Sakumo—perhaps they had their reasons for staying silent.

But any hope he had was shattered by Sakumo himself.

"I am a dead man," Hatake Sakumo said softly. "Having the chance to return to the living world and amend past regrets is already more than enough for me."

"I died as a shinobi of Konoha. Now, all I want is to live as a father and do something for Kakashi."

"Besides, isn't Konoha thriving under Fuji's guidance? If your concern is for the future, would his disappearance really make things better?"

He spoke sincerely.

Hearing the calm conviction in Sakumo's tone, Dan's face froze. He turned to look at the Second Hokage, the one he believed would most likely stand with him.

"And you, Second Hokage?"

Tobirama gazed at him in silence.

Don't you understand yet?

Haneda Fuji imposed almost no restrictions on them. He hadn't controlled the Edo Tensei shinobi, nor had he placed limits on the fully resurrected ones.

Why?

Because, in Fuji's eyes, even if they all betrayed him, it would make no difference!

And, moreover, such a betrayal was virtually impossible.

Many of the revived shinobi had already genuinely pledged their loyalty to him.

Feeling several malicious gazes cast his way because of Dan's question, Tobirama closed his eyes. "Dan, he has always hoped for someone to oppose him. That person would bear the burden of becoming Konoha's villain. Don't let him get what he wants."

This was yet another layer of Fuji's manipulation—truly insidious tactics.

"…"

Dan fell silent.

Why would opposing Fuji make someone Konoha's villain?

"Dan, is it?" The Second Tsuchikage, Mu, whose entire body was wrapped in bandages, spoke indifferently. "Konoha's current strength is tied to two people. Don't tell me you can't see that."

Dan, of course, understood this point.

The two were the Fourth Hokage and Haneda Fuji.

But even if Fuji disappeared, wasn't the Fourth Hokage still there to lead…

Was that it?

Now he understood.

The seals on Dan's body slowly connected, and his expression grew dazed.

He finally understood.

Opposing Fuji or supporting Fuji—both led to the same future.

The black seals suddenly tightened. Dan's body shattered into countless blue fragments, gradually dissipating under the watchful eyes of everyone present.

Haneda Fuji didn't react to the reminders given by the two Kage. Retracting his hand, he said, "It might take some time before we see Dan-senpai again. His body is still unstable. To engage in such intense combat—he really doesn't know how to take care of himself."

"Can a soul fractured to such an extent still be revived? He's practically like a Tailed Beast," Tobirama remarked, crossing his arms as he glanced at Fuji.

This brat… he's completely blurred the line between life and death.

Sakumo sighed, sheathing his blade.

Resist? Everything they now had was given to them by Fuji. To use the life and power he granted them to rebel against him?

What a joke.

Besides, from what he'd seen during this time, Sakumo felt that leaving the world in Fuji's hands was better than letting it fall into the clutches of mediocrity and inaction.

Exchanging a glance with the Second Hokage, Sakumo stepped back to stand behind Haneda Fuji.

Konoha's future no longer concerned him. He had already given it his all. His only regret lay with his son, Kakashi.

Nearby, Mu stared at the spot where Dan had vanished for a moment before shifting his gaze to Fuji.

"Hey, you still have one of my split bodies, don't you? How about fully reviving me? I don't care about Konoha's fate. As long as you fulfill our agreement, I'll help you with a few things."

Haneda Fuji shook his head with a smile. "Sorry, Mu-senpai. The techniques you've mastered are far too interesting. I'd prefer you remain in Edo Tensei form so I can study them further."

Mu's face turned grim.

Lightened Boulder Jutsu.

Dust Release.

Compared to Tobirama, whose abilities Fuji had nearly exhausted, Mu's potential for research was far greater.

"…"

Mu scowled at him for a while before turning his gaze to Tobirama. "How does it feel to see your forbidden techniques bring about all this?"

"You're in no position to talk," Tobirama replied with a complex expression, his tone cold before disappearing from the scene.

He had no desire to witness what would come next.

As Fuji's gaze swept across the group, he chuckled softly. "It's not everyone, but meeting in this setting gives you all a chance to get to know your comrades. How does it feel? Reliable, aren't they?"

Reliable?

Hozuki Mangetsu, standing among the group, felt utterly bitter.

Compared to some of the others present, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist now seemed almost insignificant.

Sixteen shinobi.

Every one of them was a renowned figure in the ninja world.

His earlier suspicions were confirmed.

The baseline for members of Fuji's Hidden Division was elite Jōnin.

Reliable?

They were indeed reliable. Few shinobi could match the strength of those present.

"For me, as long as there's battle, I'm satisfied," Kaguya Yuko, the clan head of the Kaguya clan, said with a savage grin. "I'd love to have another match with you, but looking at this gathering, it seems I can enjoy combat at any time. So, what's our next mission?"

"Clearing out small nations and the underground black market," Fuji replied.

"Oh?" Yuko licked his lips. "Any strong opponents?"

"There are a few," Fuji said, his lips curling into a smile.

"For example, shinobi who once fought the First Hokage—and survived."

(End of Chapter)

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