"I have no interest in the outcome of this war. My objective isn't to destroy Konoha," Tobi said with a smile. "Those White Zetsu were just bait meant to distract you. My real target… is you."
As he spoke, he shook his hand. His glove was stained with blood — that of an Anbu ninja he'd slain moments ago.
"Do you really think those pitiful Anbu ninja could stop me? Don't be naive. The real strong ones are outside, fighting against my teammates."
"Naruto-sama isn't here."
"Never once did I say I was here for him, did I?" Tobi continued as he stepped closer toward Tamako, his tone growing colder. "I'm here for you, girl."
Tamako froze in place, watching Tobi's advance with fear. "Y-You… what do you want?"
"That sword." Tobi said, advancing on her. Tamako quickly backed away until she hit a corner, trapped with nowhere else to run. "Tell me how it can sever my Kamui!"
The Millennium Blade?
"That sword belongs to Naruto-sama alone—you have no right to even lay eyes on it!" Tamako shouted bravely. "If you dare even think about laying hands on it, I'll never forgive you! That sword is protected by powerful seals — even with your Sharingan, you won't be able to break them. Give up now!"
Over the years, she had studied sealing techniques and learned much from Naruto about the Millennium Blade, but even she couldn't fully grasp its true power.
"I don't want to hear all this nonsense."
Tobi said coldly, his Sharingan burning ominously through the hole in his mask.
"Sealing techniques are a forgotten art. Compared to the ancient ones, modern techniques are mere child's play. Even though you're from the Uzumaki clan, you're still leagues beneath them. I suggest you cooperate and tell me everything you know… or else—"
How can someone who refuses to believe your words expect you to speak the truth? Even if she truly knew the sword's secret, she'd never tell him.
Tamako opened her mouth as if to bite her tongue, but suddenly, Tobi struck out, grabbing her chin so she couldn't move.
"Trying to kill yourself?" Tobi mocked. "You think that will stop me? Don't be ridiculous. Whether you speak or not, I can still get what I want directly from your mind."
Tamako stopped resisting. She collapsed helplessly to her knees. Blood seeped from the corner of her lips.
"I wasn't trying to kill myself," she shook her head slightly, her hair falling over her face. "I just bit my lip."
As she spoke, she subtly formed several hand seals and pressed her palm to the floor.
[Summoning Jutsu!]
A figure burst into the room in a plume of smoke. Tobi recoiled in surprise.
"This... how is this possible?"
He never expected that Tamako still had the energy to use the Summoning Jutsu, and even summoned such a powerful summon.
"Damn it, Tamako, didn't I tell you not to summon me indoors?"
The voice of the arriving figure was laced with irritation. Tobi stiffened instantly. He could never have imagined that the one Tamako had summoned turned out to be... Naruto Uzumaki!
"I'm sorry, Naruto-sama. I..." Tamako said weakly, nearly passing out. Using the Summoning Jutsu had drained her completely. "The village... the village has been attacked. I..."
Naruto rushed over to Tamako's side and began inspecting her injuries. He hadn't expected her to exhaust her chakra just to summon him. Did she even realize doing this might kill her?
Tamako looked at Naruto and gave a faint smile, then gave him a warning look toward Tobi behind him.
Looking between the Tobi in front of him and Tamako lying on the ground, fury flashed across Naruto's eyes.
"It's you again, the imposter Madara Uchiha! I was originally planning to report back to Lady Tsunade later, but now it seems like I should deal with you first!"
"How did she summon you?" Tobi said while stepping backward cautiously, keeping a safe distance from Naruto. He couldn't understand what Tamako had done. "From what I know, the only technique capable of summoning living people is the [Outer Path: Rinne Reincarnation]. But that forbidden jutsu should only be known by Nagato and that woman Konan."
"Oh, she just really enjoys researching esoteric sealing techniques," Naruto replied as he created a [Shadow Clone] to pick up Tamako and carry her to safety.
"A few months ago, she somehow got her hands on a Summoning Scroll and wouldn't stop bugging me to teach her the Summoning Jutsu. At the time, I didn't think much of it and agreed. Never thought she'd actually pull it off successfully without getting hurt in return. She's got real talent!"
Tamako wasn't a ninja. She had no formal training or natural talent for being a ninja. The reason she became so skilled in sealing arts was purely because of her extraordinary passion and natural gift for them. Even so, she definitely couldn't handle the massive energy drain caused by performing a Summoning Technique, especially considering she summoned someone as powerful as me.
"I was hoping to get more information out of her, but since you're here, this will save me some trouble." Tobi glared coldly at Naruto. "Anyway, you're not my opponent either."
"You were the one who fled last time," Naruto said, assuming a fighting stance. "I don't know who exactly you are or why you're impersonating Madara Uchiha. I also don't know your goals. But today, I absolutely won't let you hurt my teammate again!"
"You're too naive. You don't even understand the true extent of my power!"
Tobi sneered, not lying—he was truly confident he could defeat Naruto. Even if Naruto wielded that sword, he'd still win. "You actually think you can stop me? That's a joke!"
"Then let's see!" Naruto shouted, drawing the Millennium Blade from his back and charging at Tobi. [Immortal Technique: Spiral Sphere!]
The spiraling Rasengan in Naruto's palm radiated blinding light, its immense power warping the space around it.
Tobi was prepared—he unfolded his war fan and blocked Naruto's strike.
"Why didn't you use your Space-Time Jutsu to evade my attack?"
"You know why," Tobi said, phasing his body through Naruto's. "Though I can't touch your corporeal form, I can phase through you to strike the Tamako behind."
Naruto missed, but reacted swiftly. He spun around immediately and resumed guarding the Tamako.
"Your sword is indeed powerful, but your sealing technique falls far short. You don't even understand the true power of that blade!"
"What I know is plenty!" Naruto shot back, activating his Sharingan—now evolved into the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Seeing this, Tobi immediately launched an attack. From another dimension, he summoned countless wooden spears, launching them directly at Naruto.
"Wood Release?!"
Naruto barely managed to dodge, but the wall behind him was pierced by the wooden spears.
Not daring to linger, Naruto shot upward, crashing through the ceiling and escaping outdoors.
Tobi gave chase relentlessly, manipulating the wood to utterly destroy the entire building.
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