Three years later, Obito Uchiha's power would become extremely formidable. But at this point in time—three years prior—it was difficult to accurately assess just how strong he was. The fact that he would eventually become the second known Jinchuriki of the Ten-Tails after Kaguya Ōtsutsuki meant his natural talent was unquestionably extraordinary.
Yet right now, facing off against Jiraiya—one of the legendary Sannin—Obito found himself clearly outmatched. If not for the fact that Jiraiya couldn't use overly destructive techniques while still within Konoha village, Obito—who only had basic Fire Release and Earth Release ninjutsu plus his Mangekyou Sharingan—would already be overwhelmed.
As for Zetsu, he was practically useless in direct combat. Other than Tobi—an impressive shadow clone—Zetsu himself didn't have much combat strength. Although he knew a decent number of Wood Release techniques, very few of them were actual offensive jutsu. At this moment, all he could do was stand back and watch from the sidelines. Against someone on Jiraiya's level, there was no way a half-hearted fighter like Zetsu could keep up.
"What the hell are you even doing here? Why aren't you helping me?!" Obito grumbled in frustration as he barely dodged Jiraiya's attacks, turning toward Zetsu with irritation over his apparent idleness.
Even without using any flashy jutsu, Jiraiya and Gamahiro's dual-blade slashes had Obito scrambling to dodge. While his Mangekyou Sharingan drained far less stamina compared to Kakashi Hatake's did, it still wasn't something he could use endlessly. If not for Hashirama Senju's transplanted cells supporting him, constantly using Kamui's intangibility to evade Jiraiya's strikes would've long since left him blind from excessive use of his Dojutsu power.
"What am I supposed to do? Tobi's got another mission—he isn't even here. With my current strength, what difference can I possibly make?"
Zetsu wasn't totally useless—he could still pull off some decent Wood Release jutsu—but facing an expert like Jiraiya, his skills simply weren't impactful enough.
Though Obito suspected Zetsu might have a point, he insisted, "At least restrict their movements somehow. Let me catch my breath."
Even with a body enhanced by Hashirama's cells, neither his stamina nor his chakra reserves were infinite.
"Fine." Since they had the same goals, Zetsu and Obito got along better than most Akatsuki members did.
When Zetsu actually needed to step in, all he could really do was use Wood Release. As Gamahiro launched another attack against Obito, massive roots suddenly burst forth from beneath him, wrapping around tightly and momentarily immobilizing the summoned beast. Forced to halt its assault, the toad was stopped in its tracks, and Jiraiya standing atop Gamahiro's head stared in shock at Zetsu, who had just used a powerful Wood Release technique.
"How is that even possible?!" Jiraiya gasped. "This special jutsu belongs to the First Hokage—the Legendary Hashirama Senju—and now some weird-looking stranger is throwing it around like it's nothing?!"
"Wood Release techniques, in theory, are a form of Kekkei Genkai created by combining Water Release and Earth Release nature transformations. However, outside of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, no confirmed Wood Release users have ever been publicly known. While other chakra natures like Ice Release, Lava Release, Boil Release, and Scorch Release have occasionally appeared, and even Kekkei Tota-level fusion techniques can achieve stable inheritance, Wood Release truly remains an unparalleled exception.
During Jiraiya's return to Konoha village, he had uncovered several forbidden truths about the village. For example, one of Orochimaru's surviving experimental subjects who received transplants of the First's cells successfully manifested Wood Release abilities. Although Jiraiya had never personally seen this person, this fact alone sufficiently proved how extremely difficult it was to obtain Wood Release powers. At present, the only two known successful cases were both directly connected to the First Hokage. Therefore, encountering an enemy now who suddenly displayed Wood Release techniques completely shocked Jiraiya.
"Is this person another genius like the First Hokage who spontaneously mastered Wood Release? Or is there some connection with the First?"
The moment he considered that second possibility tied to the First Hokage, Jiraiya couldn't help but feel his scalp prickle. Years ago, discovering Satori with the Rinnegan had already astonished him greatly; now even Hashirama's Wood Release appeared, and not just once. Jiraiya could feel the weight of enormous hidden truths buried beneath this world.
"Those ancient legends and myths might be closer to reality than we ever imagined..."
Jiraiya and Gamahiro halted their movements—not because Zetsu's Wood Release was so formidable, but because they remained stunned by the shocking revelation of Wood Release having appeared moments ago. During this brief hesitation, Obito Uchiha finally caught his breath and retreated to stand beside Zetsu.
"You used the Sharingan just now, didn't you?" After accepting the reality of Wood Release, Jiraiya recalled something else he'd noticed during his intense battle against Obito—the fleeting glimpse of something astonishing when the enemy employed Intangibility to evade attacks. "It seems you two have deep connections with Konoha. First the Sharingan, now the Wood Release—none of you will be leaving here today..." At first, he just wanted to push the enemies back so he could aid Kakashi or fall back to Konoha Hospital for protection. He had seen the signal flare Mizuki sent earlier and naturally felt anxious inside. However, the shocking new information he just uncovered couldn't be ignored either—these two absolutely represented important figures within Akatsuki. But if possible, he needed to take them alive.
Actually, Jiraiya already understood well how incredibly difficult it was to capture someone possessing spatial ninjutsu. Without appropriate restrictive methods, there would simply be no way to stop these two individuals. If space-based jutsu hadn't been so powerful, Minato Namikaze—the Fourth Hokage—wouldn't have gained such fame years ago. The only possibility Jiraiya had of stopping these two lay in severely injuring them before they escaped, rendering them unable to channel chakra, then sealing away the chakra within their bodies.
"Since that's the case, enhancing our combat strength is now the top priority. More massive summoned beasts won't work, large-scale Fire Release or Oil Release techniques aren't suitable either... Then we have no choice but to use Sage Mode..."
Jiraiya wasn't about to let go of the chance to capture Obito Uchiha and Zetsu. He quickly summoned Elder Shima and Elder Fukasaku, then began preparing for activating Sage Mode.
"Hey, Jiraiya, why the urgency pulling us out now?" The two elders were already very familiar with Jiraiya.
"I'm sorry, but this time I really need your help dealing with some formidable enemies..."
"Formidable enemies? You mean that person over there? Indeed, his appearance and outfit don't look trustworthy at all. If that's the case, let's begin..."
Although Jiraiya's Sage Mode was powerful, his mediocre natural energy perception restricted his mobility while fighting. His attacks suffered because juggling sensing natural energy and refining Sage Chakra at the same time was just too draining. At times like these, he needed two experienced Great Toad Sages to assist with offensive capabilities.
"Hey hey, shouldn't we start retreating?" Zetsu said uneasily. "The opponent seems to be getting serious now..."
"Have we received any messages from Tobi?"
"Not yet."
"Then hold on a bit longer."
"Hold on?" Zetsu hesitated. "At this rate, we definitely can't withstand much longer. Why don't we consider—"
"No," Obito Uchiha decisively interrupted before Zetsu finished speaking. "We cannot escalate this battle any further. Itachi still needs explanation. If things get truly out of hand, we won't even be able to gather enough people to perform the [Nine-Tailed Dragon Sealing Technique]."
Although Mount Myoboku's Great Toad Sages were often mentioned only in Jiraiya's own boasts, many still recognized the terrifying power of Sage Mode. Currently, Obito Uchiha and Zetsu had only displayed basic Ninjutsu, Mangekyo Sharingan, and regular Wood Release techniques. That was barely enough for an escape, but definitely insufficient to resist Jiraiya in Sage Mode.
"Why did you ever agree to such harsh conditions in the first place? Besides, the Third Hokage of Konoha has already died, and the Hokage position remains vacant. There's not even a leader left to enforce that agreement. Is there really any need to keep following it?"
Itachi Uchiha's reasons for joining Akatsuki were complex and messy—so much so that explaining them all would take too long. However, one thing was certain: Itachi's joining wasn't unconditional. Choosing the village's interests over his clan, Itachi sacrificed even his own parents, leaving behind only his younger brother, Sasuke Uchiha.
When Itachi Uchiha joined Akatsuki, there was an unspoken verbal agreement with the recruiting Obito Uchiha—that they wouldn't destroy Konoha. Based on Itachi's judgment, he clearly understood that under the circumstances—with Konoha struggling during a transitional period and the Sannin having left one after another—Konoha might still hold the title of the strongest village in the ninja world, but in reality, there was no way it could stand against Akatsuki. Think about it—so many experts, spies spread throughout the entire ninja world, and outer organizations. And above them all stood their leader, who possessed the legendary Sage's Eyes—the Rinnegan.
If they went all-out on Konoha, there'd be no way the village could stand a chance.
Even idealistic extremists like them still respected their word. Of course, a major reason for that was Itachi Uchiha's overwhelming power and usefulness—finding someone this strong wasn't easy. This kind of power doesn't come along every day.
Facing Zetsu's question, Obito Uchiha replied, "He deserves our adherence to the agreement. Don't you think so?"
"Fine then," Zetsu responded. "You're right." Even Zetsu, who'd been around longer than most, had to admit Itachi was one of a kind. Without ever receiving Hashirama Senju's cells or undergoing any physical enhancements, Itachi had already reached a level nearly matching what Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju possessed at his age—those two were essentially the reincarnations of Indra and Ashura!
"But if we really are going to stick to the agreement, why take actions behind his back? This won't exactly make him happy. And what about Pain?"
"Pain? You think he doesn't already know? If he hasn't contacted us yet, it means he's silently agreed. We've never exactly been his favorites, and he certainly doesn't fully trust us. Especially now with Konan hanging around—she's got half a brain, at least. As for Itachi..." Obito hesitated here. Zetsu calling this situation 'upsetting' was a huge understatement. Their actions were practically indistinguishable from betrayal. Using an ally as bait without even warning him—there wouldn't be enough words left in the world to talk themselves out of this one.
"What should we do?" Zetsu asked worriedly. "Will Itachi Uchiha quit Akatsuki over this? What about Kisame Hoshigaki? We need explanations for both of them—they're among our strongest fighters."
Finding replacements at their level wouldn't be simple. It had taken years just to build enough trust among the Akatsuki's elite—and even finding high-level fighters willing to join in the first place wasn't easy.
"Don't worry about Kisame Hoshigaki. The key is Itachi." Obito understood how the duo worked well. Due to their similar backgrounds, Kisame deeply respected Itachi. Convince Itachi, and everything would calm down.
"Just leave it to me," said Obito confidently. "I was the one who originally recruited him. I'm also the one who suggested carrying out this operation. I'll handle the consequences."
Zetsu gave a nod. "Fine by me," he said. "Just don't screw this up."
Before the Nine-Tails capture mission began, after years of waiting and careful preparations, Obito Uchiha had already decided to revive the Ten-Tails in one decisive move and complete his ultimate dream. However, serious problems arose almost immediately—the [Artistic Duo], once thought unstoppable, had been defeated. At least Sasori made it back intact, but Deidara had been captured outright. Then came news from White Zetsu about possible Rinnegan activity—an alarming development that unsettled Obito greatly. He completely ignored the brewing tensions within Mist Village in the Land of Water. Regardless of the damage it caused to relations with Itachi Uchiha, capturing the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki became his top priority. Indeed, the cost Obito paid for this pursuit was enormous.
As for the secondary objective of rescuing the captured Deidara...
"We'll assess whether there's an opportunity to retrieve him. If we can secure the strongest of the Nine-Tails, then all sacrifices are justified."
"Then, how do you plan to stop him?" Zetsu asked again as he saw Jiraiya preparing to enter Sage Mode.
"There are methods to block attacks, but none suitable for use right now," Obito admitted. He understood clearly that in his current state—Sage Mode Jiraiya had extremely formidable power—few people in the ninja world could match up. Without exposing too much intel or provoking a direct clash with Itachi Uchiha, dealing with Sage Mode Jiraiya quietly becomes extremely tricky. "Using Susanoo would be a good option, but I can't use it."
[Susanoo], a secret technique requiring a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan, was currently beyond Obito Uchiha's reach despite his considerable strength. This was because his left Sharingan was still embedded in Kakashi Hatake's eye.
Zetsu sighed, saying, "If only Itachi were here; he'd likely have a solution."
"Are you talking about me?" Suddenly, a voice came from behind them both. Just like always, the calm-faced Itachi Uchiha approached.
"Itachi, why did you arrive so quickly?" Zetsu asked, surprised.
Instead of answering Zetsu, Itachi turned straight to Obito. "Explain yourself later," he said.
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