"Haruki! What nonsense are you spouting? How could the Third Raikage be a big idiot? You little brat!"
A gentle voice rang out, causing Ninja World Obito's heart to stop beating for a moment.
'That voice sounds a bit like Rin's, but softer and more mature.'
'Could it be… Rin? Rin from the other world? She… she didn't die?'
'Rin from the other world is alive?'
'That's great! She didn't die!'
An overwhelming surge of joy filled Ninja World Obito's heart.
Though he knew Rin from the other world wasn't the same as his Rin, he couldn't control himself, staring at the space-time communication device's image, his face full of hope.
'Damn it! That kid spoke! Damn it, why did this happen! Fifth Hokage, don't turn around! Don't!'
Zetsu trembled in fear.
"Oh?"
Unaware of Zetsu's thoughts, Ninja World Tsunade instinctively turned, holding the space-time device, and looked.
The device, at that moment, showed the Hatake family.
Seeing someone ninety percent identical to the Kakashi beside her, Rin in soft clothing with a warm, happy smile, and a white-haired boy next to her, Ninja World Obito's heart, once elated, plummeted. His pupils contracted sharply.
"That's Kakashi from the other world? Rin… why is she sitting next to him? Why are they so close? And that white-haired kid! Who is he? Why does Rin speak to him so indulgently? What's going on?"
His voice trembled, his eyes instantly bloodshot as he glared at Zetsu.
Zetsu, facing Obito, felt his black face nearly turn pale.
'Trouble! Trouble! Trouble! Damn Fifth Hokage, why didn't she just watch the arena? Why turn around!'
The one thing he dreaded most had happened!
"Rin and Kakashi from that world have a son named Hatake Haruki. Obito, calm down and listen to me…"
Zetsu spoke bitterly.
"No! No! No! Impossible! It can't be! How could she be with Kakashi!"
"And even have a white-haired kid! Impossible! Impossible! I refuse to believe this is real! Lies! It's all lies! Hahaha! Hahaha! It's all lies!"
Obito didn't let Zetsu continue, descending into madness.
Blood tears streamed from both eyes.
Seeing this, Zetsu knew how grave the situation was. He melted into a pool of black shadow, clinging to Obito, and with a swirling vortex, Obito vanished without a trace.
Many Konoha ninja were startled by the anguished, heart-wrenching roar, some turning curiously but seeing nothing.
At Konoha's outskirts, Obito ran through the forest, his desperate wails echoing.
"Lies! It's all lies! Rin would never love Kakashi! She'd never have his child! It's all lies!"
"Calm down, Obito! That's another world; that Rin isn't the one you know!"
Zetsu, attached to Obito, said anxiously.
"It's lies! Lies! What other world? Don't try to fool me! It's lies! Hahaha! Hahaha…"
Obito's blood tears kept falling, crying and laughing hysterically.
Black Zetsu, watching, grew deeply worried. His thousand-year plan couldn't crumble over something so trivial, could it?
What to do? What to do?
Zetsu racked his thousand-year-old brain, used to scheming to save his mother, and suddenly had an epiphany.
"Right, it's lies! The real Rin died long ago. That one's just a fake. Calm down, Obito! Your Rin would never love Kakashi! She was killed by Kakashi! She should hate him, so how could she love him?"
Hearing this, Obito stopped running, his face twisting in anger.
"Right! My Rin was killed by Kakashi long ago. How could she love him? Damn Kakashi!"
"Exactly, it's just a fake." Zetsu continued.
Obito gradually calmed, his eyes glinting with hatred.
"That fake… I'll kill her! How dare she pretend to be my Rin! I'll kill her!"
"Right! Destroy her, but you saw the many strong experts around that fake, didn't you?"
"…That Orochimaru experiment and the Third Raikage are indeed very strong. Akatsuki, as it is now, can't handle them. Even with Nagato's Rinnegan, his body's condition might not hold up."
Obito whispered, his brows furrowing deeply.
"So we must harness the Bijuu's power! Speed up the plan. Once it's complete, that fake Rin, the Empire, all of it will be crushed! Nothing can withstand the true power of a god!" Black Zetsu said temptingly.
"Right, with the true power of a god! So, what's your plan?" Obito asked.
"The Empire people need time to reach the ninja world. We can use this window to capture all the Bijuu."
"What about the Three-Tails? Any news?"
"No news yet. I heard your counterpart, that fake you carrying the Three-Tails, is missing." Black Zetsu said.
"My fake? That trash, I'll kill him too… how dare he lose to the other world's Kakashi… even losing Rin…"
Obito whispered, his face cruel.
They discussed a bit longer, then vanished without a trace.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Soon after, atop a giant stone palm, several figures stood.
Pain's cold voice rang out: "You all understand my intent, right?"
"Of course. I've long awaited capturing Bijuu, but without Itachi-san, I'm alone? Facing a Bijuu solo is, frankly, tough." Kisame grinned.
"A new member will join you. Don't worry."
Pain said, then glanced at Itachi, his purple Rinnegan flashing a warning:
"Itachi, come to Amegakure soon. There's another task for you."
"I understand."
Itachi replied coldly, slowly closing his eyes.
◆◆◆
That day, Akatsuki mobilized, swiftly attacking multiple Jinchuriki.
One by one, Bijuu were captured.
◆◆◆
The next day, at night, in Konoha, ninja dispersed from the space-time device's location.
Naruto lazily stretched.
"Truly amazing. The Empire's two-day martial arts tournament, the duels between masters were incredible. I really want to stand on that stage one day and fight experts like that."
"You, the class clown? Don't dream." Kiba mocked.
"Kiba, forgot how you lost to me?" Naruto glared angrily.
"Hmph! You just had an edge from learning martial arts first. Wait till I master it; I might not lose to a kid like you." Kiba said, unconvinced.
"Don't dream. Didn't you see how strong Naruto was in that world?" Ino rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, that Naruto's power was terrifying. That Wood Style, one attack could probably destroy Konoha." Shino added.
"Hehehe… hear that, Kiba? Everyone thinks I'm stronger."
Naruto, hearing his friends, grinned happily.
"That's the other world's Naruto. What's it got to do with you?" Kiba retorted.
"Why not? We're the same person with different experiences. As long as I train hard, I'll be the second Big Brother Naruto!" Naruto argued.
"Tch. You'll never reach that level."
"You jerk!"
Naruto and Kiba bickered as they left.
Soon, the Genin split up, some resting, others training.
Determined to become the second Imperial Naruto, Naruto took a deep breath. Despite exhaustion from watching the tournament while maintaining Wind Breathing Style for so long, he kept running through Konoha.
"Spirit! Effort! I must become an expert as strong as Big Brother Naruto! Spirit! Spirit!"
Naruto shouted as he ran.
Suddenly, a figure appeared nearby, calling out:
"Naruto!"
"Huh?"
Naruto turned, shocked to see Obito.
"Big Brother Obito, where've you been? No one could find you, not even at Big Sister Rin's grave."
"!"
Obito's face darkened.
'Damn fake, daring to spy on my Rin! As expected! You're asking for death! I'll definitely kill you!'
He raged inwardly but suppressed his anger, smiling:
"I… had other business. But now, I might need your help."
"Help? No problem! Helping Big Brother Obito makes me happy!"
Naruto said excitedly, following Obito out of the village.
At Konoha's outskirts, a training ninja frowned, watching their departure.
*WHOOSH!* *WHOOSH!* *WHOOSH!*
Naruto and Obito ran through the forest for a while before stopping. Obito approached, patting Naruto's shoulder as a vortex swirled.
Seeing this, Naruto didn't dodge, grinning instead:
"Big Brother Obito, what help do you need? Can I know now?"
"You've already helped me, Uzumaki Naruto…" Obito's voice fell as they vanished from the ninja world.
In a mysterious space filled with stone pillars, Naruto and Obito appeared.
Seeing several black-robed figures with red clouds, one being Deidara, whom Naruto had long wanted to beat for kidnapping Gaara, Naruto was shocked.
"How can this be? You're Akatsuki?"
He turned to Obito in disbelief.
"Big Brother Obito, what's going on? Why are you with Akatsuki? Why'd you bring me here?"