"Master Genji! Is there anyone else up there?"
The high-ranking officials of Mist Shinobi arrived in haste. Leading them was Elder Genji, a contemporary of Ōnoki and a powerful figure in his own right. Though not holding the title of Mizukage, he had authority over most of the village's internal affairs and was widely respected as one of the true powers behind Kirigakure.
Flanking him were two individuals: his personal guard and a young prodigy—Terumi Mei, a rookie Mist ninja with immense potential and the rare gift of possessing two bloodline limits. Though still early in her career, Terumi Mei had already caught the attention of Kirigakure's elites, destined to become the village's Fifth Mizukage.
As they arrived on the battlefield, Terumi Mei's sharp gaze immediately locked onto Obito, who lingered in the shadows of the Mizukage building. Her eyes widened in recognition.
"Susanoo? That's Uchiha… is Konoha trying to provoke a war against Mist Shinobi?"
Elder Genji's expression turned solemn as he studied the towering Susanoo that wrapped around Andrew's body. He had seen this power before—in a time when the name Uchiha Madara still echoed across the battlefield.
"No… I don't think that's Konoha's intention," Terumi Mei replied quickly. "Although they were the victors of the Third Great War, Konoha didn't benefit much. They even gave up territory afterward. They don't have the strength for another war—especially not alone."
She paused, narrowing her eyes as she analyzed the situation. "Besides, intel suggests that Uchiha and Konoha aren't on good terms anymore. Look closely—there's no sign of any other Leaf shinobi."
If Konoha were launching a war, it wouldn't start with one Uchiha targeting the Mizukage.
"Something is wrong with Mizukage-sama," said Ao, the experienced sensor-type ninja, as he arrived beside them. His eye, attuned to detecting chakra imbalances, had spotted a disturbing link between Yagura and the masked man.
Genji's face darkened. He had his suspicions. The shift in Yagura's behavior hadn't gone unnoticed. He remembered when the Fourth Mizukage had initially taken power—noble, self-controlled, and progressive.
But something had changed. Overnight, Yagura began to act like a tyrant. It had been the same with the Third Mizukage before him, who abruptly instituted the infamous "Blood Mist" policy.
"It's clear now," Genji muttered. "This masked man… he's the one responsible for corrupting our Mizukage."
Obito, watching from above, sensed the shift in the atmosphere and gritted his teeth in frustration. Everything he'd spent years orchestrating within Mist Shinobi was unraveling—because of one person.
"Damn that Andrew…! If he hadn't interfered, I could've continued using this village like a toy."
Knowing his cover was blown, Obito abandoned any pretense. He dropped from the building, activating Kamui and launching a massive Fire Style jutsu in retaliation.
"Looks like the 25-year-old brat really can't use Susanoo, huh?" Andrew smirked, mocking him. "What's the matter? Resorting to basic ninjutsu now?"
But even as he prepared to counter, Andrew's expression turned serious. He quickly weaved hand signs and unleashed a Great Fireball to collide with the incoming attack.
The fire passed through Obito's intangible form—but Andrew's follow-up punch almost caught him mid-phase.
"Damn… I almost forgot he can pass through attacks—even Susanoo!" Andrew thought grimly. "No wonder this guy started the Fourth Ninja War in the original timeline. He's not to be underestimated."
Before he could engage further, a burst of blue chakra surged between them.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Bomb!"
A spiraling torrent of water exploded from Terumi Mei's hands, aimed directly at Obito. She had leapt into action, joining the fray without hesitation.
Andrew blinked. So this was the future Fifth Mizukage. Her fishnet stockings and youthful beauty stood out even in the chaos of battle. She lacked the mature allure she'd possess during the Fourth Great War—but her strength and presence were already formidable.
Their eyes met. Terumi Mei gave him a slight nod. Though it was their first encounter, a strange sense of understanding passed between them.
Andrew turned his attention back to Yagura and the rampaging Three Tails. He wasn't worried about Terumi Mei handling Obito—she wouldn't be alone, and Obito was now outnumbered.
At the center of the village, the colossal form of the Three Tails towered over the streets, its mouth glowing with concentrated chakra.
"It's charging a Tailed Beast Bomb! Not on my watch!"
Andrew summoned more chakra without hesitation. Susanoo's armor shifted—Wutengu's plating formed over the skeletal frame, and a massive chakra sword materialized in its hand.
(Note: This Susanoo form is armored, but not full-body—an advanced, stabilized state suitable for current Mangekyō users.)
The blade wasn't the standard katana Uchiha usually favored—it was a massive, wind-splitting broadsword. Just swinging it sent powerful gusts rippling through the air.
With a thunderous roar, Andrew brought the sword crashing down onto the Three Tails' skull. The forming Tailed Beast Bomb was instantly destabilized and detonated prematurely, erupting in a wild shockwave that rocked the village.
"Lightning Style: Modified Thunder Prison Technique!"
Before the dust settled, Andrew's hands flew through a new set of seals. Eight glowing thunder halberds fell from the heavens, encircling and pinning the Three Tails in place.
Then came the final move. Andrew stepped forward, locked eyes with the beast, and unleashed his Mangekyō.
"You may be immune to genjutsu as a Jinchūriki," he muttered, "but not as a raw Tailed Beast—and Yagura's mind is already compromised."
To his surprise, he detected a trace of pupil power in Three Tails' own eyes—an indicator that Obito had established separate control channels over Yagura and the beast.
That was good.
Because Obito's strength could not match Andrew's one-on-one in raw ocular power. One Mangekyō vs. Andrew's pair? Obito was outmatched here.
Obito realized this too late. His grip on Three Tails slipped just as Terumi Mei's forces surrounded and restrained him.
"Let's hope this works… I paid dearly for this ability."
Andrew weaved a special seal—the Untie Tail Seal—an advanced jutsu bought at great cost through the system. He had prepared it precisely for this type of situation.
Just like Obito had once used it to rip the Nine Tails from Kushina, Andrew now began to extract the Three Tails from Yagura's body.
"No! That's the Untie Tail Seal!" Obito's mask trembled as he panicked. "He's not trying to kill it—he's going to take it!"
If Andrew captured the Three Tails, it would become his Summoning Beast. Not only would Obito lose his influence over Mist Shinobi, but one of the critical pieces of the Eye of the Moon Plan would vanish.
Yagura collapsed, severed from his Tailed Beast. Three Tails howled—and then, with a glow of chakra, was sealed under Andrew's command, forming a Summoning contract.
Obito had no choice but to retreat. He couldn't win here.
The battle that had shaken Mist Shinobi to its core was finally over. But when the villagers saw Andrew standing where the fearsome Three Tails once raged, the joy of survival was quickly replaced with dread.
This young Uchiha had stood toe-to-toe with their own Mizukage—and won. It wasn't fear of betrayal. It was sheer awe.
"This man is stronger than our Jinchūriki…"
Andrew, sensing their unease, approached the nearby group where Terumi Mei now stood. "Now's not the time for greetings. You should focus on your village's recovery."
He walked over to Terumi Mei, flashing a grin.
"Mind if I rest here for a bit? That fight burned more chakra than I expected."
Though Elder Genji remained the authority, he didn't speak. Instead, he smiled knowingly and nodded at Terumi Mei.
"Terumi Mei," he said aloud, "you'll be responsible for receiving our Uchiha guest."
The implication wasn't lost on her—or Andrew. Genji had noticed the way Andrew kept watching her during the fight, and how well they worked together despite having just met.
He's clearly smitten, the old man thought. Might as well use it to Kirigakure's advantage.
Enemies came and went in the ninja world—but alliances were sometimes born through less conventional means.
"You're Uchiha Andrew?" Terumi Mei asked, studying him closely.
"You've heard of me? Guess Mist Shinobi isn't as cut off as they say."
She nodded. "You're more famous than you realize. Even our intelligence has records on you."
Andrew chuckled. "Well, if I've made it to your desk, I must be doing something right."
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