Sealing the Ten-Tails is not a guaranteed success; no one understands this better than the current Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, Shinji. Even though Obito was facing a juvenile Ten-Tails, it only lowered the difficulty slightly—it didn't remove the risk entirely.
Consequently, Shinji, who had been orchestrating this for a long time, was no less nervous than Obito as he watched him attempt the breakthrough.
On the Deserted Island.
"Aaahhh!"
With his hands forming seals, Obito roared toward the heavens!
As he roared, the pupil power in his eyes surged violently, suppressing every trace of resistance from the small Ten-Tails. Soon, under the effect of the sealing jutsu, the beast's massive form was distorted and pulled, bit by bit, into Obito's body.
The process of absorbing the Ten-Tails was excruciating. Even Obito, who had endured every conceivable hardship in life, couldn't help but scream in agony. But he did not give up; there wasn't a single shred of hesitation in his eyes!
In the distance, White Zetsu's expression gradually shifted from tense to relaxed. His furrowed brow smoothed out. At this stage, as long as Obito's willpower didn't falter, sealing the juvenile Ten-Tails and becoming a "Ten-Tails Jinchuriki" was a foregone conclusion.
And willpower was the one thing Obito had in abundance!
Watching this scene through White Zetsu's vision, Shinji also breathed a sigh of relief. If Obito had failed, he would have had to search for another Otsutsuki sacrifice; while not impossible, there simply wasn't enough time left.
Gradually, the small Ten-Tails was completely absorbed into Obito's body. A brand-new Ten-Tails Jinchuriki was born.
Immediately, a white shell appeared over Obito's skin. These hard casings, like the discarded exoskeleton of an insect, scattered into the wind at the slightest breeze, revealing Obito in his Jinchuriki form.
His appearance had changed drastically. Not only had his skin turned an unnaturally pale white, but two horns—one long and one short, characteristic of the Otsutsuki clan—had grown from his forehead.
Undoubtedly, with the successful seal, Obito's bloodline had been activated, and like Shinji, he had become Otsutsuki-fied. However, compared to Shinji, Obito's transformation was much more pronounced, appearing to be more heavily influenced by the Ten-Tails.
Clearly, while both were Jinchuriki, Shinji possessed stronger pupil power and more accumulated chakra before the seal. This ensured that although he used the Ten-Tails to break through to the Six Paths Level, he remained the dominant master.
Obito's situation was markedly different. Whether in terms of accumulation or preparation, he was too rushed. Thus, even though the juvenile beast he sealed wasn't as formidable as the one Shinji held, its influence seeped deep into his chakra, causing visible physical mutations—flaws that could be seen at a glance.
But whether this Ten-Tails Jinchuriki was perfect or flawed, he had done it!
Landing slowly in front of White Zetsu, Obito felt the changes in his body and declared: "I succeeded!"
"Congratulations... to you!"
White Zetsu bowed his head respectfully. Although he was the mole Shinji had planted, facing a Ten-Tails Jinchuriki—an Otsutsuki—he showed a genuine sense of reverence!
Obito smirked. "The feeling of possessing power is truly wonderful."
White Zetsu asked flatteringly, "What is your next move?"
"My Ten-Tails is inferior to that guy's, so I am likely still not his match!" Obito paused, then rose into the air, gazing in the direction of the Hidden Leaf. "If I can absorb the Nine-Tails within Naruto, my strength should reach the next level!"
"The Nine-Tails?" White Zetsu was startled. "I heard the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is under the protection of 'A'."
"Hmph!"
With a cold snort, Obito clenched his fist. Instantly, nine ink-black Truth-Seeking Balls materialized out of thin air, floating behind him. He reached forward, and a tin staff appeared in his hand.
"I feared him before, but now, even if I cannot defeat him, protecting myself is no longer an issue! Besides, I can suppress a mere Nine-Tails Jinchuriki with the flip of a hand. I look forward to the look on his face when he arrives to find me finished!"
White Zetsu cried out, "You're going now!?"
"Do I still need to wait?"
With a light laugh, Obito vanished.
"This!?" White Zetsu was dumbfounded. Now that Obito had become a Jinchuriki, his mission was technically complete, and he didn't want to cause unnecessary trouble. But Obito's confidence had skyrocketed after his string of successes. He couldn't be persuaded; White Zetsu could only watch him go!
Konoha Village.
Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai were chatting in an izakaya. Since Shinji had swept up the criminals and bandits of the world, mission requests had plummeted. Most Konoha shinobi were idle, and even Elite Jonin like Kakashi were effectively on leave.
Tossing back a drink, Asuma said, "The Intelligence Bureau confirmed it. Akatsuki did it. Apparently, all the prisoners were sent to one of their secret outposts."
Kurenai asked curiously, "What do they want with so many prisoners?"
Asuma shrugged. "Who knows? But knowing 'A', there must be some grand scheme."
Kakashi drank in silence, not joining the conversation. Asuma glanced at him. "Kakashi, what do you think?"
Kakashi replied, "Regardless of his scheme, he did something good for once."
Kurenai said helplessly, "It's good, but it's put us out of work. I heard the Daimyo decided to cut funding for the village."
Asuma laughed. "Looks like we'll have to go into business soon!"
Rumble...
Before the laughter faded, a thunderous roar echoed from the distance.
"Enemy attack!?" The three Jonin froze, then bolted out of the izakaya.
The streets were already filled with shinobi and villagers, all looking up at the sky. Following their gaze into the sunlight, the three Jonin saw a figure hovering in the air.
Dressed in a red-cloud cloak, wearing a swirl mask, with nine ink-black orbs floating behind him!
"It's him!?" Asuma was shocked.
He had heard that the "Dark Akatsuki" members were all captured. He never expected the mysterious masked man to be free. Moreover, judging by his aura and the Truth-Seeking Balls, his strength had undergone an earth-shattering transformation.