Chapter 76: Ripples of a Single Stone
The Bounty Exchange, a hub for mercenaries and information brokers, was always the first to know. As the news of Uchiha Naoki's astronomical bounty spread, so did the details of his free movement in and out of Konoha and the severe damage he inflicted upon the village.
Immediately, an even more frenzied shockwave rippled through the underworld.
"That's Konoha, the leader of the Five Great Shinobi Villages! The Third Hokage himself took the field and not only failed to capture him but let him leave at his leisure? That's just too strong!"
"That's nothing! I heard he not only smashed through Konoha's main gate and wall but also killed dozens of ninja and injured nearly a hundred! Konoha is becoming a laughingstock!"
"Not just that! I heard he shattered Akimichi Chōza's entire right arm with a single punch!"
"Tch! That's minor! Did you hear? Hatake Kakashi, the Copy Ninja, had his Sharingan plucked right out! Even the Third Hokage's arm was injured. I'm telling you, Uchiha Naoki might be the strongest shinobi alive right now!"
Amidst the awe and gossip, a young man sitting in a corner listened with great interest. He flipped through the bounty book in his hand, his gaze finally settling on the last page. The entry was, unmistakably, Uchiha Naoki's.
Under the scarlet, menacing 'S-Rank' mark, the bounty figure of 500 million ryō was particularly eye-catching.
"Tempting," the young man stood up and laughed softly to himself. "Tempting enough to make a man consider turning himself in for the money."
His words were naturally overheard. The patrons immediately looked at him in horror, their faces uncertain. "Uchiha Naoki?!"
Hearing this, the young man—Uchiha Naoki—turned to look at them, a leisurely smile on his face. "What's the matter? Interested in taking my head to claim the reward?"
His words immediately drained the color from their faces. They waved their hands frantically, forcing nervous laughs. "N-No, of course not! You must be joking. How would we dare have such thoughts?"
Five hundred million ryō was incredibly tempting, but it was definitely not a prize for small-time thugs like them.
"Are you sure?" the young man, Uchiha Naoki, smiled as he scanned the room, his gaze seeming to see right through them. "I don't think you are."
This was the final push. The men couldn't stay a second longer. They scrambled out of the exchange as if their lives depended on it, which they felt it very well might.
Border of the Land of Fire, at a Messenger Hawk Relay Station
The Fourth Raikage and the Fifth Mizukage, Terumī Mei, who were both in the Land of Fire preparing for the upcoming Five Kage Summit, received the news simultaneously.
The Fourth Raikage frowned, a flicker of shock in his eyes. He knew the Third Hokage's strength was considerable, likely even superior to his own in some respects. That such a figure failed to stop Uchiha Naoki and was even injured… Was Uchiha Naoki really that powerful?
The Fifth Mizukage, Terumī Mei, felt a mix of expectation and surprise. "This guy… has he already reached such a level?" She clenched her fists, a heavy feeling settling in her heart.
After the battle where Uchiha Naoki led the invasion of Kirigakure, she had tallied the losses. They had lost more than just the Fourth Mizukage and the Kubikiribōchō. The S-rank rogue ninja Kisame Kisame and the Kaguya clan's prodigy, Kimimaro, had also vanished. She was certain Uchiha Naoki was behind it.
Moreover, she had a strong premonition that the future of the ninja world would bed by Uchiha Naoki.
In an Underground Refuge
"What did you say?!" Uchiha Obito stared at Zetsu, his face transformed, his voice low and terrifying. "Hatake Kakashi's Sharingan was taken by Uchiha Naoki?"
He gritted his teeth, fury boiling within him. "Are you joking? Kakashi! You couldn't protect Rin back then, and now you can't even protect a single Sharingan?" The words were practically spat through his teeth. "Are you truly that useless?!"
Zetsu understood his rage perfectly. This development was a critical blow to Uchiha Obito's plans.
"The situation is turning against you, Obito," Zetsu stated flatly. "That guy already knows how to counter your Kamui. And now he has your other eye. From now on, when you use your intangibility, he'll be able to attack your real body directly within the Kamui dimension. It's an almost indefensible weakness."
Uchiha Obito's face was grim as he nodded. That was precisely why he had lost his composure.
"Damn it! Am I really supposed to live the rest of my days like a rat, just as he said?" He clenched his fists until his knuckles were white. "No! I, Uchiha Obito, will not accept this!"
He was going to realize the Eye of the Moon Plan. He was going to create a world where Rin existed. How could he be forced into a corner like this?
The Land of Sound, an Underground Laboratory
"How is this possible?! How can that guy be so monstrous now?!" Yakushi Kabuto stared at the bounty flyer in his hand and the intelligence just gathered from his spy network, utterly stunned.
Then, a profound sense of powerlessness washed over him. "He's this strong? Can I really avenge Lord Orochimaru? With my Sage Mode still in its infancy, the Five Kage are formidable enemies for me, let alone that bastard!"
He gritted his teeth and slammed his fist against the stone wall, consumed by frustration. "Damn it! Is there really no chance at all?"
Despair began to creep into his heart.
Amegakure
"He certainly knows how to make an entrance," Nagato's eyes were cold. "It seems it's time to start spreading our own news."
There was only one day left before the deadline set by the Five Kage. Time was short. It was impossible to completely erase all traces of the Akatsuki's presence in Amegakure.
In that case, they would use Uchiha Naoki to divert attention, buying themselves enough time to cover their tracks before the joint investigation team arrived.
The Next Day
The ninja world had barely recovered from the shock of Uchiha Naoki's sky-high bounty when another piece of news concerning him set the waters boiling once more.
"No way! Uchiha Naoki kidnapped the Two-Tails' Jinchuriki?"
"And the Fourth Mizukage was captured on his orders? So the Three-Tails is most likely with him too?"
"By the Sage... He possesses two Tailed Beasts by himself, plus his own terrifying power. Is he another 'Uchiha Madara'?"
The older ninja who heard this were horrified. The name Uchiha Madara evoked frightening memories of the past. A sense of panic began to spread, a feeling that a great catastrophe was looming. Several of the smaller nations experienced renewed unrest because of this.
When Terumī Mei heard this news, it only confirmed her suspicions. She had long believed there was a mastermind behind the precise and orderly attack on Kirigakure. She just hadn't expected it to be this Uchiha Naoki.
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