Before the Tower in the Country of Rain.
"Stop." Konan descended from the sky, blocking the approaching figures of Sasori of the Red Sands and Kakuzu.
"We need to see Nagato," Sasori said calmly.
Hearing this, Konan hesitated.
How did he know Nagato's name?
"Is Obito Uchiha here too?" Kakuzu asked casually.
Konan was even more confused.
Who was Obito Uchiha?
Seeing the astonished expression on her face, Kakuzu's eyes revealed a hint of pity. "Stupid woman! Step aside."
As the group faced off, Pain's Deva Path approached from another direction.
Kakuzu's mocking expression deepened as he spoke. "What an impressive leader image you've got there, Nagato. Are you really that afraid of being seen in the light?"
Inside the Tower, Nagato felt extreme surprise.
After a moment's thought, Nagato decided to let them inside.
Since they already knew his identity, there was no point in hiding anymore.
Avoiding their gaze would only make them think he was insecure.
The Deva Path nodded toward Konan. She quickly understood but hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.
After a moment, she remained silent.
Together, the group entered the Tower.
A man with red hair sat upon a strange mechanical wheelchair—thin and frail, his ribs clearly visible beneath his emaciated body, his face worn with exhaustion.
Black rods pierced his back.
"So this is the real 'Pain'..."
Kakuzu stared at Nagato's Rinnegan, sighing with obvious disappointment.
Though Sasori stayed quiet, his thoughts mirrored Kakuzu's.
Noticing Kakuzu's change in expression and glancing at the Deva Path standing nearby, a shadow passed through Nagato's heart. He sighed inwardly: Yahiko, it was truly you who was born to lead…
"What kind of figure I am won't affect our plans. If you think my power insufficient for leadership, feel free to test it yourself..."
What was meant to be a proud declaration came out weak between his coughs.
Sasori and Kakuzu both fixed their eyes on the Deva Path with suspicion.
Kakuzu's eyes flickered subtly.
Sasori spoke slowly, almost hauntingly. "There's still one person missing. Where is Obito Uchiha?"
"Who exactly is Obito Uchiha? And how did you learn Nagato's true identity?" Unable to hold back any longer, Konan interjected.
"This organization is laughable," Sasori remarked indifferently.
When Obito returned to his secret hideout and found Zetsu absent, he didn't immediately worry—assuming Zetsu had vital intelligence to verify personally and would return soon.
Still puzzled, Obito decided to visit Nagato first to discuss strategies against Konoha.
He inserted the Mangekyou Sharingan taken from Kakashi into his left socket. With both eyes combined, the activation speed of Kamui became significantly faster.
Inside the Tower, space slightly twisted, barely noticeable.
Nagato and the Deva Path simultaneously turned their eyes toward that direction.
The moment he sensed Sasori and Kakuzu, a sense of unease crept over Obito.
As he appeared, Deva Path Pain immediately raised his hand, already prepared.
[Shinra Tensei.]
The mask shattered with a crash and fell to the ground.
Before them stood a face—half normal, half covered in intricate markings.
Obito's expression darkened. "Nagato, what does this mean?"
"Uchiha Obito, pretending to be someone else, playing mysterious tricks."
Hearing Nagato's words, Kakuzu scoffed inwardly.
With his identity exposed, Obito coldly stared at the group before him, both eyes fully transforming into Mangekyou form. "So what?"
"Nagato is the true leader of Akatsuki," Konan declared.
Nagato made no attempt to stop Konan from speaking. He wanted to test Obito's strength and attitude.
If his power proved insufficient, this man would no longer be worthy of cooperation.
A faint, mocking smile spread across Obito's face.
He now understood—if not hiding behind the guise of Uchiha Madara, he'd have to rely solely on his own strength to command Akatsuki.
"What difference does it make who I am to you? None. Especially…"
Instantly, Obito shifted his gaze toward Sasori of the Red Sands.
His left Mangekyou began spinning.
Space distorted violently.
The Hiruko puppet twisted and snapped, forcing Sasori's true body to reveal itself before them all.
He was filled with rage.
You dare ruin my masterpiece!
At that moment, an odd force seemed to settle upon his Human Puppet as well, chakra manipulating its body. Sasori could clearly sense that one misstep would send it falling apart.
Glaring in Obito's direction, fury boiled inside Sasori.
Tsking with a trace of amusement, Obito withdrew his power and turned his gaze toward Kakuzu.
Meeting his eyes, Kakuzu instinctively took several steps back.
Similar to what Sasori experienced, an irresistible force emerged. Along with his sleeve, one of Kakuzu's arms twisted and broke. His mood darkened greatly.
"You don't need to know who I really am."
These words were directed specifically at Nagato and Konan.
Without a word, Kakuzu and Sasori left the tower, clearly shaken by what had just happened.
"You two look pretty pathetic," a voice filled with malice called out as they walked on.
A yin-yang face—half black, half white—came into view. Zetsu emerged from the ground.
Noticing his Akatsuki cloak, Kakuzu sneered, "Still hanging around here? Looks like you miss your old title."
Even without thinking hard, Kakuzu could tell Zetsu had ulterior motives. Otherwise, why expose both Nagato's and Obito's secrets so suddenly?
Sasori was in no mood for pleasantries and spoke bluntly, "You've been lurking around like a trickster—what do you want? And you say you serve a god? Does a 'god' really stoop to such dirty tricks?"
"No, it's Nagato and Obito who are the real fools."
Meanwhile, Obito felt dazed after hearing everything Zetsu had just revealed about Nagato and the others.
What about Kaguya Otsutsuki? Wasn't Zetsu supposed to be representing Madara Uchiha's will?
His head spinning, he didn't fully believe what Nagato had said. Without a change in expression, he activated Kamui and returned to his secret hideout.
"He seems so calm. Could he have known from the start?" Konan murmured coldly as she watched Obito vanish from sight.
"…" Nagato remained silent.
While waiting for Zetsu's return, Obito started ruminating.
If Black Zetsu wasn't Madara Uchiha's will incarnate,
Then there'd be no point in reviving Madara at all.
Even if Madara's ultimate goal was also the Ten-Tails, ultimately it would still come down to who had the greater strength!
Besides, Zetsu definitely didn't possess much power himself, otherwise he wouldn't have needed to play humble roles or hide his identity.
Wouldn't it be perfect if I were the one to initiate the [Infinite Tsukuyomi]…
Night fell, but Zetsu still hadn't shown up. Finally, Obito realized the seriousness of the situation, and his mood became increasingly troubled.
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