Obito, traveling swiftly with Kamui, arrived at the destination ahead of everyone else.

Now perched atop the trunk of a tall tree, he looked out at the mist-shrouded lake ahead.

"At the bottom of that lake... yeah, there's definitely a big-ass chakra signature down there."

With Sage Mode active, he narrowed his eyes at the vast expanse of water and gave a faint smile.

"Hmm... first things first, let's lure out the big turtle."

With a few quick leaps, Obito landed on the water's surface. He stood calmly atop the rippling lake, then began forming hand seals.

"Lightning Style: Lightning Wave of Fishes!"

He slammed a palm down onto the lake, and golden bolts of lightning exploded outward.

The energy twisted and flickered, forming the shapes of multiple crackling lightning-fish.

Like summoned piranhas, they dove into the lake, swimming straight toward the massive chakra signature below.

"ROAR!"

The lake began to churn violently.

Moments later...

BOOM!

A massive turtle burst from beneath the surface, mist spraying around it as it bellowed, a single massive eye locking onto Obito.

Obito smiled casually, looking up at the enormous Three-Tails.

"Well, that worked. Guess the little jutsu are good for something."

Despite being a C-rank Lightning Release technique from the Mist Village's handbook, the Lightning Wave of Fishes had worked beautifully in the right hands and the right environment.

"ROAR!"

Annoyed by this tiny human's provocation, the Three-Tails raised its tail skyward, then brought it down toward Obito like a wrecking ball.

But Obito didn't budge.

"Who gave you the guts to look straight into the Sharingan?"

As his voice dropped, the eyes behind his mask began to spin slowly, hypnotically.

The massive tail froze in place.

And in the next moment... the Three-Tails own eyes turned blood-red, three tomoe swirling into view.

Gotcha.

Obito smiled faintly. What can be done with a single illusion... why waste chakra to engage in ninjutsu bombardment or open Susanoo to fight?

The Mangekyō Sharingan could control the Nine-Tails, so what was the Three-Tails in comparison? Just a moody lake pet.

Half a day later...

Nine figures approached the foggy lake.

"The mist is... gone?" one of them muttered.

Now that the fog had lifted, a massive creature floated atop the water... belly up.

"Is that... the Three-Tails?"

All eight subordinates stared in disbelief.

Yeah, it was definitely the Three-Tails... but why did it look like it had rage-quit life?

"Mizukage-sama! Someone's standing on top of it!" one ninja called out.

They squinted. And sure enough, a masked figure lay lazily atop the beast's belly, arms behind his head like he was on vacation.

It had been easy to miss him. Compared to the Three-Tails, the man was the size of a dropped coin.

"It doesn't matter."

At this time, the Fourth Mizukage spoke.

"That's the helper I hired."

With that, he stepped forward, walked onto the water, and led the way toward the Three Tails.

"This...?"

The eight ninjas exchanged glances then silently followed behind.

"Yo. Took you long enough."

As they approached, a voice came from the belly of the Three Tails, instantly raising the guards of the eight ninjas...who were following the Fourth Mizukage.

They saw the man sitting up and speak:

"I already took care of this big turtle. You're welcome."

A single person... solved the Tailed Beast?

Incredible.

After hearing Obito's words, the eight Mist Ninja's eyes widened slightly, staring in shock.

"...I did what I could to arrive as quickly as possible," the Fourth Mizukage replied with an emotionless face.

"Well... as long as the payment is generous, I'll get over it."

Obito played his part well, replied, jumped down from the Three Tails, and landed in front of the Fourth Mizukage, staging a little play for the surrounding ninja.

"Don't worry," the Fourth said flatly. "You'll get everything you asked for."

Under Obito's control, the Fourth Mizukage cooperated with him to play a stage drama for the others.

"Good," Obito nodded. "Next up: sealing this big guy. Need a hand?"

"No. I've got people for that."

The Fourth Mizukage turned away, already preparing to move.

Hearing this, Obito cooperated and glanced at the eight people behind him and just that single glance made all eight Mist Ninjas stiffen up instantly.

These people were all personally trained and promoted by him after he'd taken control of the Fourth Mizukage.

Of course, in the eyes of outsiders, it was the Fourth Mizukage himself who had nurtured them.

Which made all eight of them diehard loyalists of the Mizukage, though they were really just Obito's puppets in disguise.

Obito kept up the act, his face calm and detached.

"Whatever you want. But... behind you, someone seems to have followed you all the way here..."

Obito said casually, his gaze sliding toward the woods on the shore.

"Need me to take care of them?"

"Then I'll bother you to handle it," the Fourth Mizukage replied, totally unbothered.

"Now that's the spirit. You're truly worthy of being a village Kage, so generous, so... hands-off."

Obito grinned beneath his mask, still going strong with the performance.

"Alright, I'll leave this big turtle to you. Just don't forget to pay the bill later."

And with that, Obito vanished on the spot.

"First squad, deploy the barrier!"

"Second squad, with me — prepare to seal the Tailed Beast!"

After Obito left, the Fourth Mizukage barked orders like a pro.

"Yes, Mizukage-sama!"

As for how to deal with the Three Tails? Obito had already thought it through before even arriving.

Letting it roam free? Out of the question.

Sure, he could form a summoning contract with it and just summon it at will... but that wasn't secure.

What if someone else found it first? Some hidden force swoops in, seals it, and boom — more problems down the line.

And who needs that headache?

No — the turtle needed a cage.

So, what better choice than stuffing it inside the Fourth Mizukage himself?

Two birds, one Jinchūriki.

He could maintain full control over the Three Tails, buff the Fourth Mizukage's strength, and increase Mist's deterrent power.

All of which helped him tighten his grip on the Hidden Mist Village even further.

Plus, it wasn't like the Mizukage could break free — not under Obito's thumb.

And the Three Tails? Already under genjutsu.

That walking seafood platter would sit nice and quiet in the Mizukage's belly, and if it even twitched funny, the illusion would kick in instantly.

Later down the line, when it was time to clean house, Obito would simply have the Akatsuki capture the Mizukage, extract the tailed beast, and let him die the dramatic death he was destined for.

But first... he had some pests to squash.

Obito's eyes shifted toward the woods, where a certain someone was currently running for their life.

Just a little earlier.

Terumi Shota had followed the Mizukage's squad at a safe distance, all the way to the lake.

"That's... the Three Tails?!"

Peeking from behind the trees, Shota was stunned by what he saw.

"No way... I can't let the Fourth Mizukage get his hands on that beast. I've got to report this immediately!"

He reached into his pouch, preparing to summon his messenger beast. But just as he was about to make the hand signs, his gaze was drawn back to the lake.

The masked man was staring straight at him.

"...Shit. I've been spotted!"

Shota Terumi didn't hesitate for even a second and bolted like his ass was on fire.

Run... he has to run fast!

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