"So what are you going to do, Obito?" Black Zetsu looked at Uchiha Sasukae. "Sasuke is about to wake up." "Next, I will convince Sasuke to c
"So what are you going to do, Obito?" Black Zetsu looked at Uchiha Sasukae. "Sasuke is about to wake up."
"Next, I will convince Sasuke to capture the Eight-Tails for us. As for the Six-Tails, you should quickly find his whereabouts and let Pain capture it personally. After sealing the Six-Tails and Eight-Tails, let Pain continue." Obito said in a deep voice.
"But didn't you say that Fujiwara Kirito would capture the Eight-Tails?" White Zetsu asked in confusion.
Obito replied, "That guy won't go. Even if he does, he might let it run away like he did with Orochimaru the last few times. He doesn't pursue goals—he just blindly chases twisted fun. Right now, he's fixated on Sasuke. He seems to enjoy watching Sasuke get beaten but doesn't want him to die."
"Sasuke won't hold back against the Eight-Tails. Fujiwara Kirito will assist him—there will be no issues."
"I understand. Then I'll leave it to you," Zetsu said, slowly blending into the ground.
At the moment Zetsu's body vanished, Sasuke finally woke up.
Obito disappeared into the shadows and then re-emerged slowly, wearing a deep and unreadable expression. The "You're awake" act officially began.
Elsewhere, Fujiwara Kirito had already used Flying Thunder God to return to Tsunade's house.
After several months of absence, Kirito's sudden appearance shocked Karin's mother, who accidentally tossed the vase in her hand.
At the last second, Kirito caught it, saving it from shattering.
"Sir Kirito?"
Kirito nodded and handed the vase to Karin.
He then followed Yuhi Kurenai's chakra perception, went upstairs, and knocked on the door.
"Come in." Her gentle voice echoed from within.
Kirito pushed the door open and saw Kurenai, with a slightly bulging belly and a gold ring on her finger, tending to flowers.
Seeing him, Kurenai was stunned for a moment. Then she set down the watering can and rushed over.
Kirito stepped in and embraced her gently. "Why are you being careless? What if something happens to the baby?"
"I'm a jonin, and it's only three months along. It's fine." A blush rose on Kurenai's face. She wouldn't admit it, but she was overjoyed to see him.
"Still not good enough." Kirito helped her sit down on the bed. His tone was chiding, but the concern was genuine.
"Yeah." Kurenai nodded softly.
In that moment, warmth filled her heart.
Pregnancy always brings a sense of vulnerability. With Akatsuki's members dying one by one, even Hinata was worried for Kirito—let alone Kurenai.
Now that he had returned, her happiness surpassed anyone else's.
Just as they were enjoying the moment, hurried footsteps echoed, and Tsunade burst in.
She cast a sharp look at Kurenai, who was nestled in Kirito's arms. Kurenai met her gaze, unflinching.
In public, Kurenai respected Tsunade as Hokage. But in private, she saw her as a rival.
The same went for Tsunade. She wouldn't rely on her title here.
She planned to deal with Kirito—the root of the issue—with an iron fist.
But this wasn't the time.
More than Kirito's flings, she was now worried about Jiraiya's fate.
"You're finally back! Tell me—is Jiraiya alive?" Tsunade rushed to Kirito, chest heaving, creating a stunning silhouette.
"I thought you'd hit me or say I arrived at the wrong time," Kirito chuckled, extending his hand toward her.
"Answer me!" Tsunade, eyes misty, grabbed his collar.
Memories of Jiraiya rushed through her. She owed him too much.
Despite his foolishness, Jiraiya always shouldered danger.
If he had been Hokage, she would have been the one to infiltrate the Hidden Rain.
Kirito didn't respond. He looked at Tsunade coldly, his smile vanishing.
For once, the one always being cheated on felt cheated himself.
Tension filled the room. Even Kurenai had never seen him like this.
She knew he was angry.
Tsunade, too, sensed his wrath. Normally, she'd get away with worse. But this time, she had asked about another man—one who loved her.
It was too much.
Realizing this, Tsunade, usually proud and composed, let go of his collar and looked almost pitiful.
Kurenai was stunned. Was this really the fifth Hokage? One of the Sannin?
She looked more like a wronged wife than a legendary kunoichi.
"Do you know you're wrong?" Kirito asked sternly, though his anger had cooled.
"Mmm." Tsunade nodded quietly, like a kitten licking its wounds.
"What was your mistake?" Kirito turned and winked at Kurenai, flashing a mischievous grin.
Kurenai almost burst out laughing. He was clearly playing with Tsunade.
"I shouldn't have doubted you... or questioned Jiraiya," Tsunade muttered.
She was on the verge of tears. What if Kirito left her for Kurenai and never came back?
"It seems you still don't realize your real mistake. Think it over." Kirito supported the pregnant Kurenai and turned as if to leave.
"Wait!" Love made her reckless. Tsunade called out and added, "I shouldn't have doubted you."
That confirmed Jiraiya was still alive. And now that he wasn't a martyr, Tsunade remembered why she once called him a pervert.
"Will you do it again?" Kirito asked with a stern look.
"I won't." Tsunade sniffled.
"Good girl." Kirito opened one arm, and Tsunade leapt into it, crying freely. She was terrified he'd leave.
"You jerk. I thought you didn't want me anymore."
"Depends on your behavior," he teased.
Kurenai saw it all and couldn't help but admire him. He had one of the Sannin wrapped around his finger.
After the drama settled...
For the safety of Tsunade, Kurenai, and Chinatsu's wife and daughter...
Kirito disclosed Akatsuki's secrets to Tsunade for the first time.
He only mentioned the Six Paths of Pain.
She had to be ready.
And finally, he agreed to help Konoha—just once.
He'd use Mirror Flower Water Moon to manipulate Pain into firing a Super Shinra Tensei outside Konoha, then throw Sakura into harm's way so Naruto would go berserk.
That plan seemed solid.
That night, Kirito slept in Tsunade's room.
He then spent the next day solely with Kurenai.
Only the evening after did he return to Akatsuki's eastern base.
It's worth noting—after the previous fiasco, Tsunade never dared to mention Jiraiya again, afraid of provoking Kirito.
Under the setting sun...
Sasukae stood on the shore, wearing a short-sleeved gray shirt with a zipper and the Kusanagi sword at his waist.
The sea wind blew his long hair and robe.
Recalling Obito's final words, Sasukae cried tears of regret and rage.
Jūgo, Suigetsu, and Obito stood behind him, awaiting his choice:
Return to Konoha as Itachi wished? Or seek revenge?
"It's over, huh?" a calm voice broke the silence.
Everyone turned. With a puff of smoke, Fujiwara Kirito appeared beside Obito.
Sasukae's expression darkened. The Mangekyō spun in his eyes.
In a flash, he unsheathed his sword and charged.
Kirito remained still, unfazed.
Just as Sasukae's blade was about to fall, Obito blocked it with hardening ninjutsu—just like he had done to Suigetsu before.
"Calm down, Sasuke. If you attack Kirito, you'll die," Obito warned, blood flooding his eye.
Sasukae ignored him and roared, "Why? You knew about Uchiha and Itachi all along! Why didn't you tell me? If you had—"
His voice faded, tears streaming down his face.
"Nothing would've changed," Kirito said coldly. "Telling you doesn't undo Itachi killing your parents and clan. Even if he didn't die from illness, he was still the one who slaughtered your people."
"Yes, Sarutobi and Danzo gave the order. But Itachi executed it."
"Funny thing? They offered me the same deal: Kill you and everyone else, and Izumi would be spared."
"But I chose a different path: I wiped out Sarutobi and Shimura's clans, ruined their reputation, killed Sarutobi, and captured Danzo."
"And what did your brother do? He murdered his family like a fool."
"He could've spared the innocent. But he didn't."
"Is your life worth more than the old and young of the Uchiha?"
"Even I slaughtered innocents—but not my own clan."
"Itachi was brainwashed by Sarutobi Hiruzen, plain and simple."
"He thought he was protecting Konoha, but all he did was uphold Sarutobi and Danzo's power."
Kirito's words crushed everything Sasukae believed.
Jūgo and Suigetsu were stunned.
They hadn't expected Kirito, a powerhouse and Sasukae's brother, to have defected over this.
Sasukae closed one eye and unleashed Amaterasu at Kirito.
Obito quickly phased out to avoid it.
Sasukae ignored him. Blood ran from his left eye.
"Don't insult Itachi!" he shouted.
Kirito had foreseen it. He blew a gust of wind that flung the black flames back—right into Sasukae.
He fell into the ocean, Amaterasu swallowing the waves in black fire.
"Sasuke!" Jūgo and Suigetsu yelled, but the flames blocked them.
Obito, stunned, said, "Kirito, Sasuke is one of us. That was too cruel!"
Kirito shrugged. "He's tried to kill me countless times. But don't worry. He's called me 'Dad' before—I won't kill him. His right eye can extinguish Amaterasu."
And indeed, the flames dimmed.
Sasukae emerged from the sea, bloodied but alive.
"Roar!" He shouted, chakra exploding, about to summon Susanoo.
But Obito stopped him.
"Don't waste your eyes. You're no match for Kirito yet."
"This guy..." Sasukae clenched his fists.
Even if he summoned Susanoo, defeat was inevitable.
He sighed, deactivated his Sharingan, and stormed past Kirito.
Jūgo and Suigetsu gave Kirito a wary look—and followed their leader in silence.
(End of this chapter)