"Obito, so your name's Obito. Thanks to you this time. If we'd stormed Konoha by force, facing that guy would've been a huge hassle, hmm!"
Deidara grinned happily, eyeing Naruto's expression.
"We'll have the Kyuubi soon. This plan went unexpectedly smoothly." Kisame smirked.
"Why, Big Brother Obito? Tell me!" Naruto demanded again.
"Why? Because I'm not your Big Brother Obito at all. I'm Obito from this world, not some fake from another world!"
As he spat out the last words, Ninja World Obito's face twisted with anger.
"Obito from this world! How's that possible! Didn't you die long ago?"
Naruto was shocked.
"The Uchiha Obito Kakashi knew is indeed dead. I'm now just a vengeful spirit seeking revenge." Ninja World Obito said coldly.
His face distorted, revealing his true, terrifying form, like a demon risen from hell.
His earlier appearance was slightly altered through the White Zetsu body attached to him, resembling Imperial Obito, who didn't heavily train muscle martial arts.
"Damn it!" Naruto cursed, his heart simmering with anger.
He scolded himself for being careless. But… the root of this situation was still a lack of information and his overconfidence.
After sensing the martial arts aura and confirming his opponent was 'Big Brother Obito,' he hadn't suspected a thing. This wasn't the ninja way at all!
Now he was in danger!
Naruto took a deep breath, forcing himself into Wind Breathing Style. Though exhausted, he had to defeat these people!
"Banshō Ten'in!"
Pain raised his hand.
A powerful attraction erupted.
Naruto's expression shifted, involuntarily flying toward Pain.
He raised his right leg, kicking hard, sending Pain, who blocked, flying.
Ninja World Obito's expression changed:
"Attack together! The Kyuubi isn't as easy to handle as the other Bijuu!"
With that, he leapt forward.
A massive battle was about to erupt.
Despite Naruto's full effort alone, he was no match for the Akatsuki group.
In moments, he was beaten down, and then… the Kyuubi' power exploded.
In Kamui's space, a terrifying battle unfolded.
Much later, Naruto's four limbs were pierced by black rods, pinned to a stone pillar.
Akatsuki members sighed in relief one by one.
Deidara wiped his sweat.
"Really tough to deal with. Is this the Kyuubi Jinchuriki? His power is on a whole different level from other Bijuu, hmm."
"Indeed troublesome. No wonder the Kyuubi is the strongest Bijuu."
Kisame slowly reverted from his fish-man form.
"Tobi, you're not bad either. Turns out you wield Wood Style."
Deidara glanced at his former partner.
"Really? Then… can Deidara-senpai tell me what constipation feels like?" Tobi, in his spiral mask, said cheerfully.
"Huh? What's wrong with you? Your brain's getting worse? Why ask such a dumb question?"
Deidara found his junior odder than usual.
"Just curious, so I asked! Didn't Deidara-senpai praise me? Answer this as a reward!" Tobi said.
"You're such an idiot!"
Deidara turned away.
"Next is just the Sanbi." Kisame said.
"Right, just the Sanbi. Gathering all Bijuu is truly a magnificent artistic achievement."
Deidara grinned widely, full of anticipation.
"But… where's the last Sanbi? Zetsu's info was usually solid. What's up lately?"
"Sorry, but I'll soon find out about the Sanbi."
"Three days. I want news on the Sanbi."
"Three days? Should be enough…"
Zetsu's eyes glinted.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Ninja World, Konoha.
The next morning.
With the Capital Martial Arts Tournament over, most people resumed training.
But a group was shocked to find Naruto missing!
This was bizarre; Naruto always trained with them before.
They checked Naruto's house—nothing. Then searched all of Konoha—still nothing.
This made the ninja group panic.
"Where's Naruto? Why's he gone? He was fine last night."
"I… last night, I saw him leave with someone, looked kinda like Obito." a ninja said.
"Left with Obito from the other world?"
Shikaku didn't comment, looking at Imperial Lee:
"Lee, did the Empire need Naruto for something?"
"Huh? I got no notice about this."
Imperial Lee scratched his head, confused.
"Then it seems we can only find Obito to clarify, but he's vanished too…" Shikaku frowned.
"Something… feels off." Shikamaru frowned too.
"Could it be Akatsuki moving? Isn't their goal always the Bijuu?" someone speculated.
"I don't think you need to worry too much. With Naruto's strength, Akatsuki can't beat him easily." Ino said.
"Not necessarily. Akatsuki has many experts with weird abilities. If you're not careful and get tricked, even the strongest can fall." Shikamaru shook his head.
The group recalled Hidan's strange immortal body and Kakuzu's multiple hearts and stitching abilities.
Their worry grew.
"We have to find Naruto!"
Shikaku ordered, and the ninja began searching for Obito, shouting through streets and alleys.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
On an old street, Obito, in a disguised mask, walked calmly, his mind lost in childhood memories with Rin here.
"Only this street still keeps its old form. The Capital's bustling, but the old buildings are gone…"
He was immersed in his thoughts.
Until a shout rang out:
"Obito! Obito! Where are you? Where'd you take Naruto? Come out!"
"?"
The shout startled Imperial Obito, who appeared beside the shouting ninja.
"What do you mean? I took Naruto?"
"You're Obito?" the stopped ninja asked, confused.
"Yes."
Imperial Obito removed his human-skin mask.
"Good, we finally found you! Naruto's gone, and someone saw you take him, so everyone's looking for you."
"I've been here these past few days. How could I have taken Naruto?"
Imperial Obito frowned.
"That's… what I know."
"Total nonsense!"
Imperial Obito was a bit angry.
He told the ninja beside him to inform everyone to prepare for a confrontation.
When all the ninja gathered, Imperial Obito explained.
"You say you didn't take Naruto… but others saw it. Who's lying?" Shikaku said, looking at the ninja who spoke earlier.
"I swear, I really saw Naruto taken by Obito. Obito's appearance—when Tsunade-sama announced Empire matters before, many of us got his picture. I couldn't have mistaken it."
The ninja swore earnestly.
"I'm not interested in lying; it's a waste of my time." Imperial Obito said helplessly, his expression annoyed.
"I understand Obito; he wouldn't lie about this." Imperial Lee stepped forward.
"Since the other world's Lee says so, I believe Obito too! Because… the Obito I know wouldn't do that. He's full of youthful spirit, burning passion, and kindness." Ninja World Guy said, recalling childhood memories with Obito.
"Youthful spirit, burning passion, kindness? Kindness, maybe not obvious. But youthful and burning? This guy doesn't seem related to that at all." some ninja said helplessly.
"I don't believe Big Brother Obito would do this either." Sakura added.
Other ninja began to believe him.
This angered the ninja who claimed Obito took Naruto:
"Hey, hey, hey! What's that supposed to mean? You think I'm lying?"
"Could someone else have disguised themselves as Obito to trick Naruto?" someone suggested.
"No way… after training martial arts, we're sensitive to auras. With careful sensing, it's hard to be fooled. Plus, Naruto's martial arts are decent; a Transformation Technique would be seen through instantly…" Sakura shook her head.
Other martial arts-trained ninja nodded in agreement.
"You're doubting me! Fine, check my memories with ninjutsu to see if I'm lying!"
The ninja who accused Obito was furious.
"We didn't mean it like that…"
"Hurry! Stop talking!"
"Alright then…"
They called Yamanaka Inoichi to check his memories.
"How is it?"
The group surrounded Inoichi, who'd just finished.
"It's true. The man looked exactly like Obito-sama." Inoichi nodded seriously.
"How can that be!"
Imperial Obito, unconvinced, activated his Mangekyou Sharingan, startling the Konoha ninja.
They recalled the Empire experts' battles they'd watched, their hearts racing.
"Is Obito turning against us?"
"I don't trust you. I'll check his memories myself."
Imperial Obito said, pushing through the Konoha crowd, his Mangekyou locking onto the ninja's eyes.
Moments later, he fell silent.
"It's true. He did see 'me' take Naruto… but it clearly wasn't me. Someone impersonated me! I swear on His Majesty the Emperor's name!"
He swept his gaze over everyone.
"I believe you, Obito. As an Empire citizen, no one would jest with His Majesty's name!" Imperial Lee was the first to support him.
Many others nodded.
Shikaku rubbed his forehead, headache brewing.
"I also believe Obito-kun, but the situation's complicated. A disguise Naruto couldn't see through… this is a conspiracy targeting him. We must inform Tsunade-sama."
Shikaku didn't express distrust in the Empire, but some Konoha ninja harbored such thoughts. Fearing the Empire's power, they didn't dare speak recklessly.
They watched as Shikaku contacted Tsunade.