Mei Terumī's plan to lift the Fourth Mizukage's genjutsu served the interests of the Hidden Mist Village but it did not serve his.
A weak Hidden Mist was a good Hidden Mist. A bloodstained, divided, cruel Hidden Mist was a manageable Hidden Mist. And a disloyal one? Even better.
Such a fractured village would make it all the easier for him and for Konoha to step in later as the saviors.
If the genjutsu on the Fourth Mizukage were dispelled, however, Obito would likely relocate, and finding him again would become nearly impossible. The ninja world wasn't too big, yet it wasn't small either. Tracking someone like Obito, or creatures like Black Zetsu and White Zetsu, across such vast lands would be like chasing shadows.
And waiting for them to make the first move? That wasn't Uchiha Gen's style.
This trip to the Hidden Mist would serve two purposes; to verify whether Black Zetsu was hiding there, and, if so, to eliminate both him and Obito at once. If Black Zetsu wasn't present, then acting rashly would be counterproductive. If Obito fell prematurely, Black Zetsu would simply burrow deeper into the world's cracks, becoming all but impossible to find again.
After all, no one but Gen even knew of Black Zetsu's existence.
Not the Six Paths Sage, Otsutsuki Hagoromo, nor his brother Hamura. Even they were unaware that Kaguya had left behind a shadow of herself — a will, a parasite — before being sealed away.
It wasn't until Kaguya's later release that Hamura learned of Black Zetsu's existence and descended to aid Naruto and Sasuke in their battle.
That creature, Black Zetsu, could not be allowed to roam free. Even if Kaguya ever needed to be unsealed, he would not be the one to lead her return.
With that thought, Gen rose, made a few quick arrangements, and quietly departed Konoha, setting out for the Hidden Mist.
Time was of the essence and hesitation only bred complications.
Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, Uchiha Gen crossed oceans and continents in the blink of an eye, emerging atop a towering mountain that overlooked the mist-shrouded village. From that high vantage, the Hidden Mist looked less like a settlement and more like a heavily fortified fortress blanketed in fog.
He formed a quick series of hand seals. Instantly, natural energy surged toward him from every direction, flowing into his body and enveloping him in a faint, white aura that shimmered like mist before fading from sight.
If any ninja with soul perception had been nearby, they would have found nothing, not his chakra, not even the trace of a living soul.
This was one of Gen's new techniques, a refinement discovered after entering the "Refine Essence into Qi" realm. By coating his entire being in natural energy, he could merge completely with nature, erasing his chakra signature and rendering chakra-based sensory ninjutsu useless.
Once he'd concealed himself completely, Gen activated Flying Thunder God again, slipping through the village's sensory barrier without raising the faintest alarm.
Moments later, he appeared silently on the canopy of a tree in a misty forest near the northwestern edge of the village.
He extended his soul perception, sweeping first the surrounding area, then the Mizukage Building itself.
"White Zetsu's presence detected," he murmured to himself. "But no sign of Obito… or Black Zetsu. Looks like that bastard still hasn't noticed Mei Terumī's movements."
He smiled faintly. "That's right, Genji's influence runs deep in the Mist. If something's being concealed intentionally, even White Zetsu's intelligence network won't catch it quickly."
Withdrawing his perception, Gen formed another set of seals. A puff of smoke rose, revealing the plain features of an unremarkable villager. He leapt down from the branch and vanished into the fog.
He didn't go directly to find Suikazan Fuguki, whom he sensed was currently within the Anbu base, surrounded by several elite operatives. Not the best time for a meeting.
So, with some time to spare, Gen decided to visit the Mist's commercial district and indulge in some seafood. But on the way, something — or rather, someone — caught his attention.
"Wow, it's Lady Mei Terumī!"
"She's incredible… only twenty-one and already one of the top jōnin!"
"Lady Mei's so beautiful…"
Gen turned his head, eyes narrowing slightly. A woman was walking down the street with three subordinates, two men and one woman, all in standard Mist uniforms.
The men were both fit, one rugged, one handsome; the woman was fair and alert. But the one who drew every gaze was their leader.
Mei Terumī wore a blue combat outfit and the Hidden Mist vest, her fair legs wrapped in black mesh. Silver-gray high boots reached her knees, and dark blue nail polish gleamed on her toes. Her reddish-brown curls cascaded past her shoulders, framing one emerald eye — the other hidden beneath her bangs. Her pink lips curved slightly, her posture poised yet confident.
Gen chuckled to himself. "Tch. The Mist is still persecuting Bloodline Limit users, yet Mei Terumī strolls around like nothing's wrong… Genji's influence really does run deep. The man lives up to his name, power equal to the Mizukage's."
He memorized the soul signatures of Mei and her three followers before moving on.
An hour later, after satisfying his hunger, Gen sensed that Suikazan Fuguki was finally alone. Without hesitation, he activated the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Inside the Anbu base, in the captain's office, Fuguki sat behind his desk buried in paperwork.
A ripple of distorted space and Uchiha Gen materialized silently behind him.
"Fuguki."
The man nearly jumped out of his chair, cold sweat breaking out across his back as he spun around. "L-Lord Gen!" He forced a smile, quickly standing to offer his seat. "Please, have a seat!"
Gen took the chair without ceremony, hands forming seals. A transparent barrier expanded, wrapping the entire room in silence — both soundproof and impervious to outside perception.
"Is your information accurate?" he asked quietly.
Fuguki straightened, his massive frame stiff with tension. "It's accurate. As you instructed, I avoided Genji and Ao, and focused only on Mei Terumī's faction. The intelligence in the letter checks out."
Genji, being almost equal in power to the Mizukage, was dangerous to watch. One misstep could expose him.
Ao, with his Byakugan and sensory skills, was no less troublesome. Mei's team, however, was much safer to observe.
Gen nodded slightly, expression unreadable. "As Anbu captain, you'll report to the Mizukage that Genji and his group have realized he's being controlled by genjutsu."
Fuguki froze, eyes wide. "L-Lord Gen… the Fourth Mizukage? Controlled by genjutsu? But—he's a perfect Jinchūriki! He has the Three-Tails inside him, how could anyone possibly—"
Gen smiled faintly. "If both the Mizukage and the Tailed Beast are subdued together or if the Mizukage is caught before he can synchronize with his bijū, both can fall under control. It's rare… but not impossible."
Fuguki swallowed. "Besides you, Lord Gen, is there anyone else who could pull that off?"
"A few," Gen replied calmly. "Not as strong as me, but capable together."
He leaned back, folding one leg over the other. "They're from the Akatsuki Organization. More precisely, its shadow manipulators."
"The Akatsuki…?" Fuguki muttered, his expression darkening.
"There are two factions," Gen continued. "The public one, led by the man with the Rinnegan… and the hidden one, commanded by the ninja controlling the Mizukage, the one who calls himself Uchiha Madara."
Fuguki's scalp prickled. Uchiha Madara?! Every tale of that man was legend, every whisper soaked in blood.
"That man," Gen said, voice calm but cold, "was the one who attacked Konoha, released the Nine-Tails, and caused the Fourth Hokage's death."
He paused. "But based on my investigations, he isn't the real Madara, merely his descendant or disciple. A child of the village… with dangerous gifts."
"His Mangekyō Sharingan grants him spatial manipulation, and he's even awakened traces of Wood Release. A troublesome opponent… but if we ever fought head-on, he wouldn't last."
Fuguki forced a shaky smile. "With you as my backing, Lord Gen, I fear nothing!"
Gen's eyes softened slightly, amused. "If my predictions are correct, once you expose that the Mizukage is under genjutsu, two paths await you. Death, or recruitment by Akatsuki."
He paused, letting that sink in. "They already have eyes on you. When the time comes, play along. Let them think you're tempted by power, by wealth. You climbed from nothing — pretending won't be difficult."
Fuguki's jaw tightened. "If that's the case, I understand."
Like I have a choice, he thought grimly.
Gen studied him for a moment, then said, "Fine. While you act, I'll be nearby, hidden. If anything unexpected happens, make noise — I'll intervene immediately. You've done good work these years, and your strength isn't bad. You won't die easily."
Relief flickered across Fuguki's face. "Thank you, Lord Gen. With you watching over me, I can serve without fear."
He hesitated. "Lord Gen… what's the Akatsuki's true goal?"
"That," Gen said, rising, "is something you'll learn once you're inside."
He took out a scroll, tossing it to Fuguki. "Your mission is to track a being named Black Zetsu. Not just you, Kisame and Jūzō will share this task."
"Black Zetsu often travels with his counterpart, White Zetsu. They're special entities, capable fighters, yes, but their real talent lies in stealth and infiltration. Almost no one can detect them."
He nodded toward the scroll. "Inside is a sensory ninjutsu I developed, the Black Curtain Detection Technique. Learn it fast, then share it with Kisame and Jūzō."
Fuguki caught the scroll reverently. "Yes, Lord Gen."
"The technique can detect White Zetsu," Gen continued, "but not Black Zetsu alone. If they separate, your only defense is caution."
He smirked faintly. Don't be fooled by stories of him piercing through Six Paths Madara's heart. That was treachery, not strength. Without his tricks, he's nothing but a shadow.
His tone hardened. "If you ever sense Black Zetsu's presence, don't contact me unless you're absolutely certain he won't escape before I arrive. I won't waste a trip."
Fuguki bowed deeply. "Understood, Lord Gen."
"Good." Gen dispelled the barrier with a wave of his hand and stood.
"Are you returning to Konoha?" Fuguki asked.
"Not yet," Gen replied. "Even Flying Thunder God takes time, and this mission can't afford delays."
Fuguki's expression turned sly. "Then allow me to arrange accommodations for you here in the Mist. Among my trusted subordinates is a rather lovely kunoichi… perhaps she'd be honored to serve you, Lord Gen?"
Gen stared at him blankly for a moment.
"…What exactly do you take me for?"