Reincarnated as Naruto with Sukuna's Powers

Chapter 28: Brewing

A/N: Triple release, cause I'm about to disappoint you. Notice is at the third chapter released today.

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OBITO POV

The air in the Mizukage's council chamber was suffused with tension. Obito, disguised as the Fourth Mizukage, sat at the head of the decorated table, his piercing gaze sweeping over the so-called experts gathered before him. The room, with its high ceilings and imposing stone walls adorned with ancient water country painting.

Pathetic, Obito thought, his lip curling slightly. These fools cling to their positions like drowning men to driftwood, fully aware of their own impotence.

The self-proclaimed advisors shifted uncomfortably in their chairs, the soft rustle of their formal robes the only sound breaking the oppressive quiet. Obito allowed himself a moment of sardonic amusement, watching them squirm under his gaze.

Finally, an elder known as Zakeru cleared his throat, one of the two elders who were permitted to speak. His voice, reedy with age and tinged with poorly disguised hatred, broke the silence. "We have news, Lord Mizukage." Zakeru's eyes, small and mean, darted around the room before settling on Obito. "Orochimaru has been killed by someone unknown."

Obito raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. Through his Zetsu network, he was already privy to this information, but the speed at which it had reached the council was... interesting.

"Your circles seem to have grown bigger, Zakeru," Obito drawled, his voice laced with dangerous curiosity.

Zakeru's reaction was immediate and predictable. His wrinkled hands shot up, trembling as he shook them in frantic denial. Beads of sweat materialized on his forehead, glistening in the dim light of the chamber.

"M-my lord," he stammered, his earlier confidence evaporating like mist in the sun, "my circle is the same as before, small and dedicated to providing any information you desire. My connections aren't extensive enough for me to receive news from Konoha directly. The spies overheard merchants in the port talking about it."

Obito leaned back in his chair, outwardly impassive but inwardly contemptuous. Weaklings, these elders. But exactly as I want them to be. His council had no use for overly smart shinobi looking to do something for the greater good. They could have limited abilities, but they must absolutely not interfere with his plans.

"We don't dare, my lord," interjected Tekinma, the second elder. Unlike Zakeru's reedy tones, Tekinma's voice was deep and gravelly, as if each word was being dragged over rough stones. "Orochimaru's death came as a surprise, but the greater surprise is the location of his demise."

Obito motioned for him to continue, his fingers drumming an impatient rhythm on the armrest of his chair.

Tekinma straightened, his broad shoulders squaring as if bracing for impact. "He died in the Kaguya Clan's new hiding place."

A heavy silence fell over the room. Obito's mind raced, piecing together the implications. Merchants seem unusually well-informed in this case. They're being used, but to what end?

"Where are these... merchants?" Obito asked, his voice deceptively soft.

Tekinma glanced at Zakeru, who nodded almost imperceptibly. "They have long left the village, my lord," Zakeru replied, his reedy voice now tinged with apprehension.

In an instant, the atmosphere in the room changed. Killing intent flared from Obito, a perceivable wave of malevolence that seemed to suck the very air from the chamber. Zakeru slumped in his chair, his head bowed so low it nearly touched the table. He didn't dare ask for forgiveness; he was simply too terrified to even keep his head up.