Konoha's Tag-System Ninja

Chapter 183: Chapter 183: The God of Shinobi!

Konoha Village.

After dinner, Shūichi returned to his study to continue refining the Bijuu Mark.

He intended not only to incorporate the enhancements from Yang Release but also to integrate the Strength of a Hundred Technique.

The night passed uneventfully.

The next morning, Shūichi sent a clone to assist Kushina Uzumaki in her training, while he himself teleported to the Hokage Rock, surveying all of Konoha from above.

Then he activated the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, followed by entering Sage Mode.

Instantly, Shūichi's perception expanded to cover the entirety of Konoha.

Natural Sensory Perception + Malice Detection!

"As expected, there are White Zetsus here... and they're full of malice toward me. So, they've noticed I'm keeping tabs on the Akatsuki!"

Shūichi smiled, then his gaze sharpened. "Spore Technique!"

"So, they intend to prevent me from interfering with the Akatsuki?"

Just then, a voice appeared beside him. It was Sarutobi Shinnosuke, staring at Shūichi in astonishment. "This power, Shūichi—is it the Nine-Tails?"

Shūichi nodded. "Captain, there are enemies infiltrating Konoha!"

"What?"

Sarutobi Shinnosuke's expression beneath his mask changed drastically. "Where? I haven't sensed anything!"

"Could it be... like last time?"

Shūichi nodded. "They're using an extremely covert technique that can mimic chakra."

"In fact, even I can't detect it in my normal state once it's embedded within another person."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke said grimly, "Understood. Shūichi, you take command!"

Shūichi accepted without hesitation. "Captain, take the Anbu and alert Clan Leader Fugaku to bring the police force and prepare sealing tags."

"Coordinate with Konoha Hospital, the Interrogation Division, and the Intelligence Division..."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke nodded, sending two shadow clones to relay the orders.

Moments later, the clones dispelled, returning their memories to him. Sarutobi Shinnosuke reported, "Shūichi, preparations are complete!"

Bam, Bam, Bam...

A series of shadow clones appeared, darting off in all directions.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke quickly used the Body Flicker Technique to follow one of the clones.

Meanwhile, Shūichi teleported directly to Konoha Hospital, arriving beside Shizune.

"Shūichi?"

Shizune was surprised.

"Come with me."

Shūichi took Shizune's hand and teleported multiple times, finally bringing Yakushi Nono, Asuka, and Shizune to a training ground outside the hospital, where an Anbu squad led by Chihiro was already waiting.

Placing a chakra-enhanced hand on the trio, Shūichi infused them with Sage Chakra.

Instantly, several White Zetsus emerged from the three, each of them hosting four.

"What are these things?"

Asuka, Shizune, and Chihiro felt a chill run down their spines.

Meanwhile, the White Zetsus were staring at Shūichi in utter shock. "How... how did you know?"

"I know far more than you do."

With a light chuckle, Shūichi summoned Fire Nether Chains to bind each White Zetsu.

Asuka swiftly activated her Adamantine Sealing Chains, securing the four White Zetsus from within her body and forcibly extracting them.

Chihiro and the other Anbu members moved in, sealing each White Zetsu with sealing tags.

Simultaneously, Shūichi's shadow clones appeared throughout Konoha, capturing White Zetsus disguised as Konoha shinobi or ordinary civilians. As with Asuka, they extracted hidden White Zetsus from within and bound them with seals.

When all the White Zetsus were gathered, there were as many as sixteen of them.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado arrived soon after.

"Are they from the same origin as the one who killed Rin Nohara?" Koharu asked.

Only a few people knew that Rin Nohara was still alive.

"Yes."

Shūichi nodded and explained briefly, "They are replicas made from the First Hokage's cells."

"They have extremely powerful intelligence capabilities. For now, it appears they can mimic others' chakra, hide within people, and are incredibly hard to detect; ordinary chakra perception can't sense them."

"To detect them, one must either possess the First Hokage's cells, use Nine-Tails Chakra Mode with malice detection, or activate Sage Mode."

"And to force them out from within a host, you need Sage Chakra."

Everyone was stunned.

Homura Mitokado observed Shūichi in Nine-Tails Chakra Mode. "So, Shūichi, you now have malice detection, like Lady Mito?"

Shūichi nodded, then turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Third Hokage, these creatures would be ideal for experiments on the First Hokage's cells and for research in medical ninjutsu."

Hiruzen nodded in agreement. "I'll leave all of this to you and Tsunade."

"Are there any more enemies like these still lurking in Konoha?"

Shūichi chuckled. "No more of these, but there are quite a few spies harboring malice towards me."

Hiruzen blinked, then said, "Mark out the spies for Anbu to handle, Shūichi."

Exposing spies without immediate capture often yields better results.

Shūichi nodded, leaving a shadow clone behind. He then led Shizune and the others to transport the White Zetsus to the lab facility.

---

Meanwhile.

On the Hokage Rock, White Zetsu Tobi emerged from the ground. "This is bad, really bad!"

"They've captured all of us at once. That Shūichi really is a menace—he's already figured out how to counter us!"

"This is a serious problem!"

"Looks like it won't be so easy to spy on Konoha from now on!"

...

Inside the lab, Shūichi, still in Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and Sage Mode, suddenly turned his gaze towards the Hokage Rock before disappearing, reappearing instantly at the rock.

Whoosh, whoosh!

Fire Nether Chains shot forth, aiming straight at the White Zetsu known as Tobi, half-buried in the ground.

"So, I was found after all..."

White Zetsu Tobi activated his Mangekyō Sharingan, distorting space to pull himself into a separate dimension.

"Kamui!"

Shūichi frowned.

Even though this White Zetsu wore a black cloak and mask, he could tell it wasn't Obito Uchiha.

"So, it seems Rin's staged death didn't fool Madara after all. In other words, Obito's other eye has been transplanted onto this White Zetsu."

Shūichi scowled. "Did Madara really entrust the Eye of the Moon Plan to beings like Black Zetsu and White Zetsu, whom he considered flawed?"

"Then again, Black Zetsu is actually more dependable than Obito..."

"So, is Obito now fully under Black and White Zetsu's control?"

"Dividing the eyes—was that to better manipulate Obito?"

With countless theories swirling in his mind, Shūichi grew increasingly wary, even considering the possibility of acquiring the Kamui eye.

"But it would be incredibly challenging. White Zetsus may lack combat awareness and are slow to react compared to me, but with Black Zetsu's cunning, he'll surely be on guard... and then there's Izanagi!"

Shūichi felt a bit frustrated.

There's no way to directly counter this technique, although he was confident he could deal with it now.

However, adding in the transfer seal and Izanagi, alongside Kamui, would make seizing the eye nearly impossible.

"I can't exactly place Caged Bird Seals on every Uchiha with three-tomoe Sharingan, can I?"

"Over the years, plenty of Uchiha with three-tomoe eyes have died... I wonder if Madara's been stockpiling those eyes."

Shūichi recalled that after the Uchiha Clan Massacre in the original story, the three-tomoe Sharingan eyes were split between Danzo and Obito.

Given the quantity, there seemed to be a surplus of them.

The collection of three-tomoe Sharingan eyes Obito held likely included those Madara had kept from his own time.

After all, Madara transplanted his Rinnegan to Nagato, so he would need spare eyes.

"I wonder if Madara's finally unhooked himself from the machine..."

Shūichi felt that the future was becoming increasingly unpredictable.

Meanwhile, it was clear that conspiracies had already engulfed the Akatsuki in the Land of Rain, and tragedy was on the horizon.

"But then..."

"Maybe it's time for me to start making my moves on the board?"

Shūichi cast his gaze in the direction of the Land of Rain.

There was little point in preventing Yahiko's death.

In fact, Yahiko's death and Nagato's descent into darkness were part of what Shūichi needed.

"The Akatsuki collecting the Tailed Beasts gives me a chance to strike."

"And the Ten-Tails... I need the Ten-Tails to appear for a clean resolution."

Though he had no desire to become the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki, Shūichi needed to study it.

And since he wanted to avoid becoming a target, using the Akatsuki's efforts to his advantage seemed the ideal path.

There was also the looming threat of Black Zetsu and Kaguya Otsutsuki...

Reflecting on all this, Shūichi chuckled to himself. "Indeed, with more power, my thoughts have shifted."

"Looks like I'll be playing the part of the mastermind from now on."

"So, there's no need to meddle in unnecessary affairs."

"Focus on strengthening myself; only then can I face any threat without fear and protect my vulnerabilities."

Retracting his gaze, Shūichi deactivated the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and Sage Mode, heading straight home.

The lab was in good hands with his clones and Tsunade handling things.

Now, he needed to focus on updating the Bijuu Mark and then apply it to Yakushi Nono and the others for added security.

---

Graveyard of Mountains.

White Zetsu Tobi returned here, dramatically reporting to Madara Uchiha and Black Zetsu, "Regrettably, the plan failed!"

"That Shūichi has grown even stronger; he's actually mastered the Nine-Tails' power."

Madara's eyes opened as he listened. "Mastered the Nine-Tails... similar to Mito Uzumaki back then?"

"It seems he's found all the sleeper agents you left behind."

White Zetsu Tobi nodded. "As expected of Lord Madara; you seem well-informed about Shūichi Hoshita's capabilities."

Madara replied, "That's the Nine-Tails' unique ability—to sense malice."

"One can conceal their outward malice, but the heart's intentions cannot be deceived."

White Zetsu Tobi understood. "I see! No wonder even the Spore Technique failed!"

"So, what now?"

Black Zetsu interjected, "No need to overreact."

"After this, Shūichi will likely hesitate to leave Konoha."

"As for the Akatsuki members, you've already planted spores on them; they're just pawns. No need to worry. If we merge and approach Konoha, Shūichi won't dare act."

At that moment, another White Zetsu emerged from the wall, shouting, "Good news! Shūichi Hoshita's crow has vanished!"

"And Hanzo has already made his move!"

Madara said, "Go then!"

"Bring Nagato to me when the time is right."

Black Zetsu immediately directed Obito to activate Kamui, causing him to disappear.

White Zetsu Tobi sank into the ground, moving by earth-travel technique.

...

In Konoha Village, within his study, Shūichi felt a rush of energy as he received the memories from his crow clone: "It's finally started!"

Konan had just been ordered captured by Hanzō.

Shūichi stepped outside into the courtyard, raised his hand, and spread a technique across the area, summoning his flock of crows back from the Land of Rain.

Then, he created a shadow clone, who vanished instantly with the Flying Thunder God technique.

One shadow clone would be enough to handle Danzo.

---

Land of Rain.

As Shūichi's shadow clone arrived, having transformed into a hawk, he witnessed Yahiko's death at the hands of Nagato's kunai.

"So, this is just like when it was Rin and Obito back then..."

Scanning the area, Shūichi quickly spotted a cloaked figure watching from nearby.

Almost simultaneously, the cloaked figure looked up, noticing the hawk circling high above.

"Shūichi's summoned creature?"

"If we intervene now, we might delay him just long enough for Tobi to finish, and then we could merge, maybe even trap him in an alternate dimension," White Zetsu suggested.

"Shūichi isn't so easily handled," Black Zetsu replied, less optimistic. "But it doesn't look like he intends to interfere, so maybe he isn't here for the Rinnegan."

White Zetsu paused. "You think he's after Danzo instead?"

"Interesting!"

"From what we gathered, there's definitely a deep grudge between Shūichi and Danzo. Could he actually be here to take advantage and eliminate Danzo?"

At that moment, the Gedo Statue appeared.

Both their attentions shifted immediately to Nagato.

Above them, Shūichi also focused on the Gedo Statue, watching as chakra dragons emerged and effortlessly consumed the souls of Root ninjas and Rain shinobi alike.

That efficiency made his own fire nether chains locks look like a beginner's tool.

"Danzo, your attempt to escape is rather pathetic..."

Mocking Danzo under his breath, Shūichi flew off.

Meanwhile, below, after driving off Hanzō and Danzo, the now-lame Nagato dismissed the Gedo Statue and, along with Konan, retreated with Yahiko's body.

However, on their way back to base, they discovered that the rest of the Akatsuki members had also been killed.

Once they returned to their base, they fell silent as they faced Yahiko's body.

Just when things seemed to be improving, they had suddenly plummeted into despair.

"It seems peace and mutual understanding are impossible; peaceful methods are nothing more than a beautiful dream," Nagato muttered, looking up with a hardened expression.

A grief-stricken Konan whispered, "Nagato, you..."

With a stony face, Nagato declared, "I will fulfill Yahiko's vision!"

"When others make us suffer, the only way to avoid conflict is to make the perpetrators shed the same tears, to understand our pain. Only then can peace be achieved!"

"I'll use these eyes to make those who start wars feel the same pain!"

"I will become the God of Shinobi!"

Watching the change in Nagato, Konan trembled. This wasn't what she wanted to see, but with Yahiko gone, all the beauty of their past had been destroyed.

With tears falling, Konan nodded. "I support you!"

"But... what do we do now?"

"Your legs..."

Nagato was about to respond when he looked to the side.

A distortion in space and time appeared, and the cloaked figure emerged.

"It's you!"

Konan was startled, quickly moving to Nagato's side, fully on guard.

Black Zetsu ignored her, addressing Nagato. "It seems you've finally seen this world for what it truly is."

"However, while you possess the Rinnegan, achieving your goals alone would still be difficult."

"You need our support!"

"We can heal your legs; we can help you unlock the full potential of these Six Paths eyes."

"We can help you create a world without war!"

"And that, too, is our mission!"

Konan immediately shouted, "Nagato, don't trust them! We can manage this ourselves—"

"Konan!"

Nagato interrupted her.

He was well aware that this figure, unwilling to reveal their true face, was not to be trusted, but he could also make full use of them.

From this day forward, he would abandon all he once cherished, using any means necessary to reach his goal.

Once he mastered the full power of the Rinnegan, becoming the God of Shinobi, even Madara Uchiha would become a pawn for fulfilling Yahiko's dream.

Facing the cloaked figure, Nagato said, "You claim to be Madara Uchiha's emissary; in that case, show me the real Madara Uchiha!"

Black Zetsu replied immediately, "As you wish."

"Then, please don't resist."

With that, he stepped forward, using Kamui to pull Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko's body into the Kamui dimension.

---

At the same time,

Danzo, who was trying to escape back to Konoha, was intercepted by Shūichi, who descended from the sky.

(End of Chapter)

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