The sky above Rain Village had grown darker, thick clouds churning as lightning streaked across them. In the flashing light, two towering figures could be seen clashing in the sky.
The battle between Nagato and Orochimaru raged on—but Obito had already lost interest.
Both sides had started to hold back after their initial clash. Their fight, once dangerously close to the village, was now moving farther away to avoid collateral damage. Obito knew exactly why.
Nagato's usual combat style wasn't suited for large-scale battles. But the appearance of Susanoo had turned the tide, allowing him to fight Orochimaru on even ground. While Orochimaru still held a slight advantage, Nagato now stood tall—if not in victory, then certainly in spirit.
It was good news for Rain Village and the Akatsuki. For Obito, however, it was a problem.
Controlling Nagato had always been difficult. Now, with Susanoo awakened and the Rinnegan fully integrated, that task seemed almost impossible. Obito wasn't even sure if the measures Uchiha Madara had secretly placed in Nagato would still work.
"I can't wait any longer," Obito muttered. "This is the best chance I'll get…"
Seven of the nine Tailed Beasts were already captured. Of the remaining two, the Four-Tails had vanished without a trace. That left only the Nine-Tails—still a long shot, especially if Nagato grew stronger or clashed with Orochimaru again.
This was likely the weakest Nagato would be for a long time.
With that thought, Obito's Sharingan flared red, and he vanished into a swirling vortex.
---
More than ten kilometers from Yuyin, Obito reappeared in a shadowy cave. From the ground, a tall, plant-like form emerged—two large nepenthes leaves peeled open to reveal a black-and-white figure.
Black Zetsu.
He had watched everything—Nagato's use of Susanoo, the shifting balance of power—and was now deep in thought.
Unlike Obito, Black Zetsu didn't care who completed the Eye of the Moon Plan. What mattered was that it happened. In fact, Nagato's body might now be even better suited for reviving "that person."
But the dilemma was clear.
Should he tell Nagato the truth about the Eye of the Moon and risk rejection? Or help Obito steal the Rinnegan?
Neither option was safe.
Black Zetsu didn't even know if Madara's mental backdoors implanted in Nagato still worked. He had suspected they might not, but hadn't found a good reason—or opportunity—to intervene.
Stealing the Rinnegan now, even if successful, would leave no one strong enough to deal with Orochimaru. Fighting among themselves now, with the world watching, would be idiotic.
But revealing the full plan to Nagato? Risky. Nagato wasn't like Obito—more thoughtful, harder to deceive.
Maybe I can repackage the Eye of the Moon as some powerful forbidden jutsu, he thought.
In the cave, silence stretched.
Obito finally broke it, eyes gleaming red. "We can't wait. After this battle, we move. If we don't take the Rinnegan now, we'll never get another chance."
He was right in one sense—Nagato would only grow stronger.
And unlike Black Zetsu, Obito didn't overthink it. If he failed, he'd retreat, regroup with the Gedo Statue, and wait for a new opportunity to seize the Nine-Tails. He was used to lurking in the shadows.
Black Zetsu still didn't speak. Annoyed, Obito snapped, "What are you hesitating for? Don't forget—Nagato would never agree to revive Madara. Only I would do that."
Obito was ready to burn bridges. He'd always viewed Black Zetsu as Madara's watchdog—and now, he wanted to break free of that control.
Black Zetsu remained calm. Maybe it's time to consider telling Nagato… he mused. There's a decent chance he'll accept it, especially if I frame it the right way.
Finally, he looked up and said, "Very well. I'll support your plan."
Obito's eyes narrowed. "Then tell me—what did Madara leave behind in Nagato?"
That question lingered in the air. Obito was suspicious now. If Madara had hidden something in his body too… he needed to know.
Black Zetsu smirked internally. Obito won't find anything, no matter how hard he looks.
---
Back outside Rain Village, the storm was passing. The wind died down, clouds broke apart, and sunlight spilled through for the first time in years.
The battle had lasted nearly half an hour. It had begun with Orochimaru taking the initiative—and now, it ended the same way.
With a casual flick, he dismissed his massive water snake into the lake and stood on the surface, grinning up at the cracked form of Susanoo still lingering in the sky.
He wasn't stopping because he was tired—far from it. In fact, Orochimaru wanted to fight longer. His blood was singing with energy, his mind brimming with insights from the battle and from the White Snake's natural energy.
But continuing the fight might push Nagato into summoning the Gedo Statue—and that would escalate things beyond control.
He had achieved his goal. He'd tested new powers, observed Susanoo firsthand, and come out unscathed.
Nagato, meanwhile, released Susanoo and slowly descended from the sky. He tried to hide how winded he was, but it showed in his clenched jaw and unsteady posture.
He knew Orochimaru had timed everything perfectly, pressing him during a moment of weakness and staying just below the threshold of triggering a full-on war.
It was frustrating—but also enlightening. Nagato had learned more from this fight than from a dozen ordinary battles.
Their strengths were evenly matched. What made the difference was Orochimaru's cunning—his timing, his control, his precision. Nagato knew now that future battles wouldn't just be about power—they'd be psychological, strategic, and filled with hidden traps.
Despite his exhaustion, Nagato felt more alive than ever.
The lake rippled gently beneath the breeze. Orochimaru and Nagato stood across from one another, saying nothing. Each was lost in thought, processing what they'd gained.
Then Jiraiya arrived, walking across the water—and both combatants turned to him with the same annoyed expression.
He froze. "Uh… are you two going to keep fighting?"
Nagato stayed silent. Orochimaru chuckled. "Not today. We're done."
He turned away, then glanced back. "Remember our deal. No more reckless moves—or…"
He looked to the sky.
"…I'll kill the girl watching us from above. And I'll make sure it's permanent."
Nagato's eyes darkened, but before he could respond, the sun vanished behind a massive cloud made of thousands of paper sheets—Konan's doing, a silent warning.
Orochimaru smirked. "Ah, your partner's getting impatient."
He turned to Jiraiya. "Let's go."
Jiraiya looked at Nagato and Konan one last time, then followed.
As the two left, Nagato finally let out a deep breath, barely able to stand—but his eyes were glowing.
Konan rushed to support him. "Are you okay?"
"I've never felt better," he said. "I feel... free."
Fully integrating the Rinnegan had transformed everything. The eye no longer weighed him down—it was his to command now.
But with clarity came questions.
What exactly is the connection between the Sharingan, the Rinnegan, and Susanoo? And what is Obito hiding?
He turned to Konan. "Where's Obito? I need to speak with him."
Before she could answer, a voice echoed through the air.
"That's great. I was hoping to speak with you, too."
Obito emerged from a swirling vortex, stepping calmly onto the lake. "Let's talk… about the origin of the Uchiha and Uzumaki clans."
Nagato narrowed his eyes. Something about Obito felt different now—more confident, more aggressive.
But after fighting Orochimaru, Nagato no longer felt threatened.
"Oh?" he said. "What does my clan have to do with yours?"
Konan looked on curiously, also wondering about the mystery of Susanoo.
"It's simple," Obito said, eyes glowing. "The Uchiha and Uzumaki clans share a common ancestor—both descend from the Sage of the Six Paths."
"The Sage…?" Nagato murmured.
Konan cut in, skeptical. "Isn't that just a legend?"
Obito scoffed. "You doubt it, while standing next to a man with the Rinnegan? The eyes of the Sage himself?"
Konan glared. Ugh. He's so smug when he knows something we don't.
Nagato, however, was intrigued.
"There's more to this, isn't there?"
Obito nodded. "Much more. But… I can't say it here."
Nagato frowned. "What are you playing at?"
"I'm not playing," Obito replied calmly. "But there are ears everywhere. Some truths shouldn't be spoken where others might hear."
Nagato followed his gaze—toward the direction Orochimaru had gone.
He finally understood.
Orochimaru might still be listening.
And the real secrets were only just beginning to surface.
_____________________
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