After arriving at the Hokage Office, Ryūjin Uchiha observed as a total of five Anbu operatives and three members of the Konoha Military Police Force gathered, their expressions serious. Once the group was complete, Hokage Minato Namikaze began briefing them on the mission.
"A few days ago, a peace organization calling itself Akatsuki came to Konoha, claiming they could mediate the conflict between us and Hidden Mist," Minato began. "At first, we dismissed them. But today, Hidden Mist has agreed to accept Akatsuki's mediation and is willing to negotiate a cease-fire with us."
The room fell silent. Even Ryūjin, who rarely reacted outwardly, raised an eyebrow. Akatsuki was just a civilian group from Amegakure, lacking any real prestige. No one in Konoha had taken them seriously.
Yet Hidden Mist's acceptance changed everything. For a year, the village had tried repeatedly to signal their desire for peace, but all efforts were ignored. Now an opportunity had appeared, and Minato intended to seize it.
"Since Hidden Mist has accepted Akatsuki's mediation, Konoha has no reason to refuse. I've decided to accept Akatsuki's offer. We leave for Hidden Rain Village immediately to discuss the cease-fire," Minato ordered. "Move out."
At his command, the eight of them, Ryūjin included, mobilized without hesitation. They became the Hokage's personal escort, moving swiftly toward Amegakure. While Minato himself required little protection, the delegation's presence served as a display of strength and authority—the dignity of a Kage demanded it.
They traveled through mountain forests, aiming for a neutral hill on the border of Hidden Rain, an ideal location for negotiations.
Ryūjin followed with his nonchalance, though his mind wandered. Could be a good chance for a check-in, he thought, considering the possibilities for the day.
One Anbu, speaking for many, finally asked, "Hokage-sama, we've long sought peace with Hidden Mist, yet they always ignored us. Now they suddenly accept Akatsuki's mediation—is this a trap?"
Minato's calm voice dispelled their tension. "Our intel confirms Akatsuki genuinely seeks peace. Their goal has consistently been to end wars through dialogue rather than force. The talks are set in Hidden Rain, not Mist territory, so there's reason for optimism. Additionally, Hidden Mist's Seven Ninja Swordsmen lost five members a year ago; their strength is severely diminished. Even if it is a trap, we have nothing to fear."
Reassured by Minato's confidence, the group pressed on. Who could threaten the yellow flash himself?
Woomph!
Without warning, a swirling vortex tore open the air ahead. From within it, a masked figure stepped forward, one eye visible beneath the mask. Minato's party immediately froze, every ninja on high alert.
"Obito?" Only Ryūjin recognized him instantly. Confusion crossed his expression. What is he doing here?
Minato's eyes narrowed as he demanded, "Who are you, and why are you blocking our path?"
Unease spread through the group. Peace talks had just begun, yet they were already being intercepted. Could this really be a coincidence?
Obito's voice carried a hollow, mechanical tone. "Relax. I won't kill you. Your lives still serve a purpose."
The escorts bristled at the audacity. Threatening the Hokage in front of an elite squad was an outrage.
"Protect the Hokage!" the captain barked, and the formation tightened around Minato.
Obito paid no attention, advancing step by step as though the Anbu operatives did not exist.
"Insolent!" the captain shouted, hurling a kunai with precision.
The steel whistled through the air, encircling Obito, but he did not flinch. The kunai struck him, passing harmlessly through his body before clattering to the ground. He moved like a phantom, untouchable.
"Are we trapped in a genjutsu?" Panic rose, sweat beading on foreheads. None had witnessed anything like this before.
Whoosh!
A new vortex opened beneath Obito, and he vanished entirely.
"Where did he go? What jutsu was that?"
"Not ninjutsu, dōjutsu! Look at his eye—that's a Sharingan!"
Voices rose in alarm as the group frantically searched for him.
Obito reappeared behind an Anbu, his hand lightly resting on the man's shoulder.
"Look out!"
The warning came too late. The Anbu tried a Body Flicker Technique, but it failed. He was drawn into a spatial spiral and disappeared without a trace.