Chapter 322: The Three Who Will Soon Cross Paths
Kakashi looked at Haneda with a puzzled expression. He didn't recall Haneda having any connection with the Fourth Mizukage.
Yet here Haneda was, speaking so familiarly and even praising him lavishly.
Could it be that during Haneda's three years away, he had met the Fourth Mizukage and even built some rapport with him?
Or perhaps the Fourth Mizukage's support of Haneda's book in the Hidden Mist gave Haneda a favorable impression of him?
Kakashi held his doubts, but since Haneda didn't bring it up, he had no intention of asking.
For the secrets Haneda chose not to share, Kakashi had no desire to probe.
Anything Haneda wanted to disclose, he would say directly—there was no need to ask.
After leaving Midnight Books, the two wandered the town while investigating the location of the black market.
Being a town near the Hidden Mist, it was almost certain there was a black market operating somewhere.
After an hour of searching, they finally learned the black market's location from the owner of a tavern.
The black market was hidden in a public restroom, far from the commercial street.
Due to the Land of Water's constant mist, the path from the commercial street to the black market was shrouded in darkness, with almost no light.
Along the way, they encountered a group of muggers. Haneda easily dealt with them using a genjutsu, planting in their minds the seed of becoming upstanding individuals in the future.
It had to be said—Kotoamatsukami was truly useful.
Once a certain belief was implanted, without special countermeasures, those under the genjutsu would regard it as natural.
No wonder Shisui had almost gone blind within just a few months of Haneda assigning him to eradicate crime last year.
Kotoamatsukami's ability to reshape flawed ideologies was simply too effective.
When they arrived at the black market, a bald man at the front desk gave them a once-over. Sensing no chakra fluctuations from either of them, he casually asked:
"Are you two new here? Who referred you?"
Haneda released a small amount of chakra. The deep, boundless aura of it immediately made the bald man snap to attention, his demeanor shifting to one of deference.
"Sir, what service do you require?"
Haneda opened a sealed scroll, and with a "bang," a suitcase landed on the counter.
Bundles of silver notes, stacked like bricks, gave off a tempting aroma of ink.
"I need information on the Byakugan user, Ao. Specifically, his location—where does he live?"
"Additionally, I want the latest updates on the Hidden Mist."
After demonstrating both his power and wealth, the black market quickly handed over the requested intel.
Haneda skimmed through the scroll containing the information and, confirming there were no issues, left with Kakashi.
The room they booked at the inn was a double with two beds.
As Haneda read through the intelligence scroll, Kakashi read along beside him.
The "Byakugan Killer," Ao, was currently residing in the Hidden Mist at 72 Whitespring Street, close to the Mizukage's residence and under apparent surveillance.
Ao had recently been in frequent contact with the ANBU ninja Mei Terumi.
According to the intelligence, Mei Terumi was leading a faction within the Hidden Mist plotting to overthrow the Bloody Mist policy through a coup.
However, the black market's intel suggested that Mei Terumi preferred to demonstrate strength to the Fourth Mizukage in hopes of ascending peacefully.
Haneda recalled from the original storyline that Mei Terumi had suspected the Fourth Mizukage of reaching out to Ao and using the Byakugan to break the genjutsu cast on the Mizukage.
This had ultimately led to Mei Terumi becoming the Fifth Mizukage and dismantling the Bloody Mist policy.
However, certain details were left unclear.
For instance, what Obito's intentions and actions were at the time, and how exactly the Fourth Mizukage had died.
Haneda didn't believe for a second that Obito had taken no action and simply let the Three-Tails Jinchuriki go. Nor did he believe the Fourth Mizukage had died of natural causes.
Under Obito's control, the Fourth Mizukage had committed far too many atrocities to simply pass away peacefully.
Haneda speculated that the Fourth Mizukage had most likely died in a confrontation between Obito and Mei Terumi.
After reading the intel, Haneda handed the scroll to Kakashi and moved to the window, gazing out at the sky.
Suddenly, the mist above the town cleared, and a beam of moonlight shone down, prompting cheers from the direction of the commercial street.
Haneda looked up at the moon and then down, lost in thoughts of Obito.
"It seems we'll be crossing paths again, Obito…
"In the Hidden Mist, with Ao, Mei Terumi, Yagura… and Kakashi here as well. What a perfect stage."
At that moment, Kakashi approached, noticing that Haneda's right hand was gripping Dawn tightly.
He smiled and asked, "What's on your mind, Haneda?"
Haneda relaxed his grip on the sword's hilt and replied nonchalantly, "This mission isn't just about obtaining the Byakugan. I'll also get to meet an exceptional kunoichi."
"You mean Mei Terumi?"
"Yeah," Haneda nodded. "I remember during the Chunin Exams, she tried to court both of us, but we turned her down."
Kakashi smirked. "A kunoichi with two Kekkei Genkai—Boil Release and Lava Release. She's incredibly strong. Be careful not to get beaten up."
…
In the heart of the Hidden Mist, in the underground chamber beneath the Mizukage's office, the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, stood respectfully with a cane. He reported to Obito, who sat above on a stone chair.
"Lord Madara, Ao came to me again this morning. He activated the Byakugan and attempted to probe your genjutsu once more but failed."
Obito chuckled coldly.
"Continue pretending you haven't noticed. Take no action—let them test all they want."
"Yes, Lord Madara." The Fourth Mizukage bowed and exited the chamber.
From beneath the ground, White Zetsu emerged, addressing Obito:
"Lord Madara, won't this cause trouble? If the Hidden Mist rallies against you, it'll be hard to extract the Three-Tails."
Obito replied indifferently, "They have no suitable host left. Whether I take it or not makes no difference."
White Zetsu chuckled slyly. "Or maybe, Lord Madara, you just want the Hidden Mist to feel the same soul-crushing pain you once did?"
"Silence." Obito activated his Sharingan, glaring at White Zetsu, who immediately retreated underground in fear.
A moment later, Black Zetsu surfaced, having taken over White Zetsu's body.
"Haneda Uchiha and Kakashi Hatake are heading to the Hidden Mist," Black Zetsu reported. "They visited the black market tonight and inquired about Ao and the Mist."
"Ao? For the Byakugan, I assume?"
Obito was aware that Haneda had been searching the Hyuga clan for something recently. It was almost certainly related to the Byakugan.
"When will they reach the Hidden Mist?" Obito asked.
"They're very close. They'll likely arrive by morning. What's your plan?"
Black Zetsu was eager for Obito to confront Haneda, hoping to uncover what had transpired on the moon.
That day, the chakra of his "mother" had briefly appeared on the moon, as if about to break free, but then vanished once more.
Black Zetsu had since learned of Otsutsuki Toneri's existence and knew Haneda had taken him in.
Whatever had happened on the moon was undoubtedly connected to Haneda!
As Obito pondered, Black Zetsu added, "Haneda Uchiha has already obtained the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan and the Sage's body.
"If you don't act now, he'll awaken the Rinnegan, introducing unnecessary complications to the Eye of the Moon Plan!"
Obito responded calmly, "I have my arrangements."
Hearing this familiar refrain, Black Zetsu silently retreated underground.
Obito remained the same as ever, almost entirely indifferent toward Haneda.
Fortunately, Black Zetsu had anticipated this and had other plans for resurrecting his mother.
As Black Zetsu left, Obito adjusted his mask and sighed deeply.
After six years, the inevitable confrontation was at hand.
This time, he wouldn't be able to incapacitate Kakashi as easily as before.
…
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