In the sky.
Obito looked down at the dense crowds on the streets of Konoha Village, his cold gaze carrying a trace of pride that was hard to detect.
"I'm back!"
He whispered, as if speaking only to himself.
Scenes from the past flashed before his eyes like a lantern show. His life in the Ninja Academy as a child felt like it was only yesterday.
"Oh?"
Suddenly, Obito noticed Kakashi on the street, looking up at him along with the villagers.
"Kakashi..."
Seeing Kakashi's solemn expression, the past became even more vivid before Obito's eyes. He remembered going on missions together, training together, arguing together—all leading up to the Kannabi Bridge that changed the fates of all three of them!
"Shinobi shouldn't exist. As long as there are shinobi, war will never cease!" Recalling that cute face, Obito felt a pang of heartache. "The fact that I gained this supreme power proves my path is the correct one. Even the heavens are protecting me! Infinite Tsukuyomi is the true destination for the shinobi world. Only in the world of Infinite Tsukuyomi can people enjoy eternal peace and tranquility! Rin, please wait a little longer. I will soon create a world with you in it!"
Once his mind was made up, the nostalgia and pride in Obito's eyes vanished, replaced by nothing but coldness.
With a Flicker, Obito landed directly in front of Kakashi.
Though surprised, Kakashi's movements were not slow. The Chidori in his right hand thrust violently toward Obito.
Slap.
Obito simply gave a casual wave of his hand, dispersing the Chidori Kakashi had lunged with.
"This!?" Kakashi froze in shock.
At the same time, Kurenai and Asuma beside Kakashi began to weave signs simultaneously.
"Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death!"
"Fire Release: Ash Pile Burning!"
The hand-seal speed of the two Jonin was unquestionable. Almost the instant after Obito swatted away the Chidori, their attacks arrived.
Rumble...
A cloud of smoke surged on the streets of Konoha, followed by a fierce flash of fire exploding within the haze!
The surrounding villagers fled in panic, while Konoha shinobi rushed toward the battlefield from all directions.
Retreating a short distance, Asuma asked Kurenai, "Did we get him?"
Kurenai shook her head. "I'm not sure. But if my genjutsu could affect him for even a second, he shouldn't have been able to dodge your Fire Release!"
Asuma said, "Then he should have been hit!"
Kakashi was not as optimistic. He stared fixedly at the smoke nearby. "In front of him, our ninjutsu might have already lost all meaning!"
Before Asuma or Kurenai could respond, a leisurely voice drifted from the smoke: "As expected of Konoha's Copy Ninja..."
Following that, Obito's figure walked out of the smoke.
The three Jonin's expressions turned grim. Obito, who had been hit by both genjutsu and Fire Release, was not only unharmed, but even his red-cloud cloak showed no signs of damage.
Approaching the three, Obito said coldly, "Hand over Uzumaki Naruto, and I can spare Konoha! Otherwise, I will make Konoha Village history!"
Kakashi replied, "I'm afraid your plan is going to fail. Naruto is not in the village!"
Obito flickered right in front of Kakashi, reached out a hand, and grabbed him by the throat. "Tell me, where is he?"
Kakashi struggled to speak. "No... nothing to say!"
Asuma and Kurenai were horrified. Obito's speed completely surpassed their understanding, leaving them unable to react as Jonin.
Obito's face darkened. "Don't force me to kill you!"
Kakashi said, "Even if you kill me, I won't tell you!"
Obito snorted coldly. "In that case, I'll grant your wish! After all, by the time I've finished killing everyone, someone in this village will surely tell me where Naruto is!"
At that moment, Jiraiya arrived in a hurry leading a large group of ANBU, shouting, "Naruto was taken by 'A'!"
Obito tilted his head slightly, glancing at Jiraiya. "Trying to scare me with 'A'?"
Jiraiya replied, "I'm telling the truth. Naruto was indeed taken by 'A'. Even if you kill every one of us, that will still be the answer!"
Obito shook his head. "It seems that without killing someone, you fools won't honestly hand over Naruto!"
Whoosh!
Four ANBU members used Body Flicker, simultaneously slashing at Obito from different directions. At the same time, the surrounding Konoha shinobi wove signs—Fire Release, Lightning Release, Wind Release, Earth Release—various ninjutsu converged on Obito.
"A bunch of ants!"
Curling his lip in disdain, Obito tossed Kakashi aside and activated Shinra Tensei!
Rumble...
In the next instant, the very earth of Konoha seemed to split apart!
Whether it was the shinobi attacking him or the trees, houses, and entire city blocks surrounding the street, everything was instantly leveled by Obito's Shinra Tensei.
Current Obito was a Ten-Tails Jinchuriki with a Six-Tomoe Rinnegan. His pupil power was far beyond what Nagato, in his sickly state, could compare to during his invasion of Konoha.
Without needing to charge up, this single Shinra Tensei approached the power of Nagato's full-strength Almighty Push.
Consequently, the center of Konoha blossomed in destruction. A dozen city blocks centered on Obito were leveled in an instant, leaving only a massive crater.
Floating in the air, Obito looked down at the shinobi buried in the dirt and ruins, his expression cold. "No one can protect you, including 'A'! So honestly hand over Naruto. My patience is limited!"
"D-Dammit!" Jiraiya, pinned under the rubble, looked on with indignation.
He knew he was no match for Obito, but he never imagined the gap was this large. As the current strongest in the village, he didn't even have the qualification to face the man in a proper fight!
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, the two consultant elders, could no longer hide and hurried to the battlefield. Seeing the devastated streets of Konoha, the two elders looked at each other, momentarily wondering if they were trapped in a genjutsu.
Obito's gaze swept over them, issuing a final ultimatum: "I'll say it one last time. Hand over Naruto, or I will level the entire Konoha Village!"
The two elders, usually arrogant and overbearing, were now completely deflated. They explained, "Naruto was really taken by 'A'!"
Obito's killing intent surged. "You still dare to lie to me!"
Koharu hurriedly recounted the sequence of events: "We had been hiding Naruto at Mount Myoboku. But not long ago, word came from there that 'A' personally visited the Great Toad Sage and took Naruto! We are truly not lying to you!"