The Land of Water.
This isolated nation stood apart from the rest of the ninja world, surrounded by vast, unrelenting seas. The ocean served as a natural barrier, shielding it from the chaos that plagued the mainland. Despite Mist Shinobi's relatively weaker military strength compared to the Five Great Nations, they had the advantage of natural defense. Like Sand Shinobi, they weren't powerhouses, but the Land of Water remained largely untouched during the last wars.
This wasn't due to diplomacy or strength, but geography. Anyone wishing to invade had to first conquer the sea—a feat few were equipped to do.
"This fog is relentless… no wonder we had such a tough time back during the Third Great Ninja War," Andrew muttered as he, Uchiha Kamasu, and Leimen stood at the entrance of Kirigakure.
"Our Sharingan was practically useless here," Kamasu added with a scowl.
"Exactly. That's the reason Uchiha was always sent to this kind of frontline. Konoha knew it would dull our advantages. They feared we'd make it back alive with our heads held high, so they buried us in the thickest fog where Fire Style was all but useless."
Andrew's voice was laced with bitterness. He hadn't yet revealed to the whole Uchiha clan their plans to abandon Konoha. Some among the clan, still deluded or loyal to the village, might resist such a decision. If the Third Hokage got wind of it too early, the consequences would be dangerous.
"We need to wait until preparations are complete. Then, when the family sees it's all for their future, resistance will fade. But… if some still cling to Konoha?" His gaze hardened. "Then we cut them off. The Uchiha bloodline can't stay chained to Konoha."
Leimen, once known as a hardliner, nodded with understanding. "We focus on the mission. Talk's cheap without action."
Andrew agreed. "First, we gather intel. Mist Shinobi's internal news rarely reaches the outside world. We go in light, stay alert, and don't dig too deep. This village has a bad vibe."
He didn't share everything. His real goal was Obito.
If he weren't still unfamiliar with the broader ninja world, he would've come alone.
After setting a rendezvous time, the three split up. Andrew circled the perimeter of the Mist barrier until he spotted a vulnerability. Slipping inside undetected, he made his way toward the Mizukage Building.
Inside, the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, sat motionless behind his desk. His blank eyes gave away the truth—he wasn't truly in control. In the shadows behind him, Black Zetsu delivered a report to Obito.
"So Uchiha's changed that much, triple Mangekyō pairs?" Obito muttered. "That's going to be a problem."
He didn't care about Konoha's politics. He only cared about Uchiha's strength. Allies or enemies, they were still a force that could interfere with his goals.
"You're Uchiha too," Black Zetsu said, trying to nudge him. "Why not recruit them? Three sets of Mangekyō—imagine how useful they'd be."
Obito's tone was cold. "If they were worth using, Madara wouldn't have gone alone. They're soft. Don't screw up the plan… someone's coming!"
His eye narrowed beneath the mask, turning toward the window just in time to see it swing open.
"It's not nice to insult your own clan, you know," Andrew said calmly, leaping into the room and locking eyes with Obito.
Yagura didn't react. Black Zetsu sank silently into the floor.
"Mangekyō Sharingan… you're Andrew, aren't you?" Obito stepped slightly forward. "What a surprise… what are you doing here?"
He hadn't expected Uchiha to find him here. Kirigakure was remote and protected. No one should've had the intel or guts to breach it.
Andrew's gaze swept from Yagura to the shadow behind him.
"So this is why the Mizukage's been acting weird. He's your puppet. Fascinating. What kind of genjutsu can fully control a perfect Jinchūriki?"
He played dumb, though inwardly he already knew. Revealing too much too soon would risk exposure. Even in the ninja world, there were experts who could trace patterns and secrets through the smallest slip.
Obito stepped out of the shadows slightly.
"You seem curious. Ambitious, even. Join me. You've awakened Mangekyō—you've read the Uchiha stone stele, haven't you?"
Black Zetsu had briefed him—Uchiha now operated as a freelance organization. Dissidents in Kirigakure might easily hire them to aid in a coup.
With Mangekyō strength and no village restrictions, they could upend any nation.
"So you manipulated the Mizukage because of what's written on that stone? Spare me. That kind of nonsense doesn't interest me." Andrew's voice turned sharp. "What does interest me is the Nine Tails attack. You did that, didn't you? You made the Uchiha take the fall for you. Real classy."
He'd played innocent long enough. Whether or not he uncovered Obito's control technique, just dragging him into the light was worthwhile.
Like with Danzo—you couldn't live your life guarding against ghosts. You had to flush them into the open.
Obito had remained hidden because he wasn't ready. Neither was the Akatsuki. But now, Andrew planned to force the world's eyes on him. Let Mist and Konoha chase him down. At the very least, they'd leave Uchiha alone.
Caught off guard, Obito's eye flared. Before he could react, Andrew charged forward.
"The manipulated Mizukage is weak!"
Mangekyō eyes spun. Yang energy surged down Andrew's arm as he launched a brutal punch that sent Yagura flying out of the building. The sonic boom alone made Obito's scalp tingle.
"That speed… that power… is this Mangekyō's true potential?!"
For once, Obito didn't hesitate. He activated Yagura's Tailed Beast cloak. Collateral damage didn't matter. He only needed to kill Andrew.
Andrew ignored Obito. Kamui was too slippery. Obito could phase through any attack and vanish at will. Unless he wanted a real fight, he couldn't be pinned down.
Instead, Andrew focused on Yagura. Maybe he could glean the secret of the control technique by observing the puppet directly.
Yagura emerged from the rubble, coated in red chakra. His eyes glowed with the Three Tails' influence. The battlefield trembled as his transformation began.
"Still not enough… I need to force out the full transformation!"
Andrew blurred forward. Three Tails roared and countered, lashing its massive tails toward him. The clash shook nearby buildings.
"Foolish," Obito sneered. "He's actually trying to fight a Tailed Beast physically? He's strong, sure, but he's still human. He doesn't have that kind of durability."
But then, Obito froze.
The limb that struck the tail wasn't flesh—it was skeletal. A translucent frame shimmered around Andrew's body. Susanoo.
"Impossible… He activated Susanoo already?!"
Not everyone could master it. It took a level of mastery beyond most Uchiha. Even activating it with one eye was rare. Andrew had done it with grace.
The skeletal form solidified. The chakra cloak encased it. This was the second form of Susanoo—Andrew's current limit.
He wasn't going to risk full-body Susanoo. The cost in chakra and eye strain was brutal, even with enhancements.
The sudden burst of power caught the attention of Mist Shinobi nearby. Dozens of them arrived, only to be frozen in place by what they saw.
A half-transformed Jinchūriki facing off against a fully armored Susanoo—right in the heart of their village.
The air itself trembled. The ground shattered beneath them. The tides of war had reached Kirigakure.
And Obito?
He vanished into the shadows, rattled.
Andrew didn't chase. He'd already done what he came for.
Now, the world would know that Uchiha was no one's scapegoat.
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