Uchiha Obito sat quietly, studying the information in his hands with a faint sneer curling the corner of his lips. "So, the Mangekyo Sharingan she awakened was triggered by her mother's death?" he mused thoughtfully. "Interesting."
He folded the papers carefully and looked over at Black Zetsu, who silently waited nearby.
"If that's true, then she's probably looking to make trouble for Danzo," Obito said with a bitter laugh. "Hahaha… What a reckless move."
He then turned to Zetsu. "I still don't know the full extent of her abilities."
Zetsu shook his head slowly, his voice rough and quiet. "Neither do I."
Obito exhaled deeply. "Well, then I want to see her for myself. A Mangekyo Sharingan is a rare treasure."
He glanced at the data again. "Her main body isn't in Konoha, just the Shadow Clone. You go and find her."
Zetsu's body seemed to meld with the surrounding trees, his form flowing into the earth as he connected with the vast network beneath the village, searching relentlessly for Izumi's true location.
After what felt like an eternity, Zetsu's voice emerged faint and hoarse. "Ah, I have found her."
Without hesitation, Obito's figure materialized in a hidden underground laboratory—a secret refuge where Uchiha Izumi was deeply immersed in her research.
Obito watched silently from the shadows as Izumi tinkered with strange devices and arcane tools, completely absorbed in her work.
She didn't even turn her head when she spoke, her voice calm yet edged with annoyance.
"Why are you here again?"
Obito stepped forward, eyes gleaming with interest.
"Uchiha Izumi, I have reviewed your records. You are truly remarkable. To have such strength at such a young age… and to have awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan already. Your power surpasses most ninjas I know."
Izumi continued her experiment without looking back. "Oh? Is that so? So what?"
Obito smiled faintly. "Every Mangekyo Sharingan is precious, yes. But with its awakening comes great pain and suffering. The eyes' unique powers come from the mind's anguish and growth."
He looked intently at her. "I am very interested in your Mangekyo Sharingan. After all, such eyes can manifest the legendary Susanoo. If I could obtain your eyes… my strength would become incredible."
Izumi finally turned to face him, eyes narrowing suspiciously.
"You want my eyes? Don't you already have a Mangekyo Sharingan?"
Obito nodded gravely. "Only by wielding two Mangekyo Sharingan together can Susanoo be fully unleashed, and all the Sharingan's abilities utilized perfectly. You understand that, don't you?"
Izumi scoffed, crossing her arms. "Old man, you only have one eye. You can't touch me."
Obito chuckled, admiration and caution mixing in his voice.
"That's true. Your Dance of the Shikigami technique is even more refined than the original user's. It's difficult for me to harm you."
He paused, his tone turning softer, almost reflective.
"But I have learned your story. Your mother's death awakened your Mangekyo Sharingan. It wasn't that you lacked the strength to defeat your enemies—it was the betrayal by both your clan and the village that broke your spirit. You despaired of this world."
Izumi's hands stilled mid-motion. Slowly, she turned to look at Obito.
"Yes," she said quietly. "Before, I truly wished to preserve the relationship between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha. I wanted peace."
"But I have lost all hope."
"All my efforts—for the village, for the clan—were met with betrayal and cruelty."
"I no longer have attachments. I live for myself now."
Obito's lips curled into a broad smile.
"Hahaha… As I thought, you and I are the same kind of person."
He extended his hand toward her.
"Join the Akatsuki organization I founded. We are recruiting new comrades. Together, we will overthrow this false world and build a new one."
Izumi covered her mouth to laugh, a sharp, amused sound.
"Hehehe… Are you crazy? Or am I?"
"You want to create a new world?"
Obito's eyes burned with conviction.
"What's wrong?"
Izumi smiled knowingly.
"If someone came to you out of nowhere and said they wanted to overthrow the current order and build a new world, would you believe them?"
Obito's tone turned cold. "So you're unwilling?"
Izumi shook her head, a sly grin forming.
"Who would be willing? But…" She licked her lips. "I'm very interested in this organization you mentioned. It sounds… fascinating."
Obito raised an eyebrow. "Then do you agree?"
Izumi tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I can join you… but only officially, after some time has passed."
"Why?" Obito asked, curious.
Izumi glanced away briefly. "The tension between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha is escalating. The clan has already decided to stage a coup."
"I want to witness how it plays out before I make my move."
"There's one condition—you must keep my identity secret."
Obito nodded slowly.
"Understood. There's still time before my plan is fully underway."
"From today onward, you are part of the Akatsuki."
Izumi smirked. "Then take my Shadow Clone with you to meet our future comrades."
Without hesitation, Izumi performed the Shadow Clone Jutsu, creating a perfect copy of herself. She slipped on a mask and a cloak, hiding her true identity.
Obito absorbed the clone into his dimension, vanishing along with it.
Izumi reemerged outside, where Black Zetsu awaited her.
"Hello, little Uchiha girl," Zetsu greeted hoarsely. "We are colleagues now. Hehehe…"
Izumi nodded curtly. "Mm. Hello, to both of you."
Obito appeared once more.
"Come," he said. "I will take you to meet the leader."
Together, the trio walked through the building, eventually arriving at a room where two figures waited.
One was a woman with flowing blue-black hair. The other was a man with striking orange hair and the powerful Rinnegan.
Obito introduced Izumi, "This is the new comrade I found in Konoha. Her name is Uchiha Izumi."
Both leaders regarded her carefully.
Izumi pulled back her hood and removed her mask, feigning surprise.
"So this is the leader?" she asked innocently.
"I think I've heard of those eyes somewhere before."
The man with the Rinnegan smiled calmly.
"My name is Pain," he said solemnly. "I am the new god who will change the world."
"My eyes are the Rinnegan. You are familiar with them, aren't you?"
Izumi's eyes sparkled with interest.
"Oh my… the Six Paths Sage's eyes… They really exist? Fascinating."
Turning toward Konan, Izumi's entire body suddenly transformed into sheets of paper that floated gently in the air.
"Sister," she called softly, "I learned this move from you."
Konan was startled.
"No one else has ever mastered this technique so well," she admitted.
"But with those Sharingan eyes, I see you learned it by observing me. Remarkable."
Izumi smiled brightly.
"Not at all, not at all."
She glanced around and continued lightly.
"I didn't expect there to be women here."
"I thought the Akatsuki was all big, burly men. If that were true, I'd feel a little uncomfortable as the only woman."
Konan laughed softly, nodding in agreement.
"But you are young, aren't you?" she asked.
Obito interrupted, his voice firm.
"Don't underestimate her. She is a woman with a Mangekyo Sharingan, and her strength surpasses yours."
Both Konan and Pain exchanged looks of surprise.
They had not expected her to have awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan at such a young age.
Pain turned to Obito.
"We must keep her identity secret. This is her condition for joining Akatsuki."
"She will stay in Konoha for now, only coming here after the clan's coup has unfolded."
"Understood," Pain nodded.
"This is just the beginning."
"There is no rush. Our first priority is to recruit capable members and raise funds."
Izumi's eyes gleamed.
"You need money?"
Pain nodded gravely.
"Yes. Regardless of our plans, preliminary preparations require funding."
Izumi smirked knowingly.
"I have a way to make money