As the three figures fled into the distance, Biwa Juzo shouted, "Chase them! Don't let them get away!"
Several members of the group instinctively prepared to give chase.
"Don't," Pain ordered calmly. "Let them go. We've completed our mission. There's no need to create more trouble."
At his command, everyone halted.
Orochimaru watched Shisui's retreating figure with unwilling eyes. "Next time... I'll tear those eyes from your skull myself."
"Doesn't Uchiha Obito also have the Mangekyō Sharingan?" Scorpion reminded.
Orochimaru's eyes lit up. He turned to glance at the massive Planetary Devastation floating in the sky, licking his lips eagerly. "Heh... Thank you, Scorpion-kun, for the reminder."
He could hardly wait to dissect Obito's eyes and study them thoroughly.
"Chief, what should we do now?" Kakuzu asked.
"Take Obito back. The mission is complete," Pain replied.
Then Pain raised his hands, and the Planetary Devastation slowly began to move.
Seeing this, the others swallowed nervously. He truly deserved to be the leader—so powerful that he could control such a massive jutsu with ease.
---
Elsewhere...
The three of them didn't know how far they had run. When they finally realized that the Akatsuki members weren't pursuing them, they collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily.
"Kakashi-senpai... are we really not going to save Obito-senpai?" Shisui asked anxiously.
Obito had saved his life once. Now that his benefactor had been captured, he couldn't just stand by and do nothing.
Luo Sha also turned to Kakashi, waiting for his opinion.
Kakashi sighed. "It's not that I don't want to save him. You saw Akatsuki's power—we're no match for them. If we go back now, we're just throwing our lives away."
At his words, the two of them fell silent.
Shisui clenched his fists. "Damn it! If only I had enough eye power to use the perfect form of Susanoo... Maybe then I could save him!"
Kakashi patted his shoulder. "Don't blame yourself. We've done all we could. The most important thing now is to find a safe place, recover our strength and chakra, and then plan a rescue."
Luo Sha nodded. "Kakashi is right. We can't panic. We need to stay calm and think things through."
Shisui took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright... Let's find somewhere to rest first."
The three stood and moved forward in silence, their hearts heavy with worry for Obito.
Eventually, they found a cave and decided to rest. Kakashi set a few basic traps at the entrance just in case of an attack.
Shisui sat on a rock, burying his face in his hands. "What should we do now? Obito-senpai is still in Akatsuki's hands... We have to rescue him."
Kakashi walked over. "Don't worry. As long as we're alive, there's hope. But first, we need to grow stronger. Only then can we even think about challenging Akatsuki."
"Akatsuki is too strong," Luo Sha muttered, his expression darkening. "No organization in the ninja world can stand against them…"
Suddenly, his eyes lit up. "But countries might."
"What?" Shisui asked.
"If the major nations unite—if the Five Great Shinobi Countries join forces against Akatsuki—they could defeat them and save Obito."
Kakashi's eyes widened. "You're right. If all five villages cooperate, Akatsuki doesn't stand a chance."
Shisui jumped to his feet. "Then what are we waiting for? We need to act fast!"
Luo Sha hesitated, frowning. "I may be the Kazekage, but convincing the other Kage—especially those from the Lightning, Earth, and Water countries—won't be easy."
Kakashi nodded. "The Akatsuki haven't directly harmed the other villages yet. It'll be hard to persuade them to get involved."
"There's no other choice," Luo Sha said resolutely. "I'll return and call for a Five Kage Summit."
"Fourth Kazekage, we're counting on you," Kakashi said solemnly.
Luo Sha nodded and turned to leave.
"Shisui, let's return to Konoha and report this to the Hokage," Kakashi said.
Shisui nodded and followed him, determined. At the summit, he was prepared to use Kotoamatsukami—the Distinguished Heavenly Gods—to change the mind of one of the Kage and gain their support.
---
Meanwhile: Black Zetsu's Office (Underground)
"Boss! Lord Pain and the others are back!" a White Zetsu burst into the room.
Black Zetsu jumped to his feet, eyes gleaming. "Haha! That means they've captured Obito!"
Without waiting, he rushed outside.
He couldn't wait to see Obito suffer.
---
Outside the company building, the giant Planetary Devastation hovered in the sky. Black Zetsu paused, his expression briefly clouded by sorrow.
That technique reminded him of his mother—Kaguya—who had been sealed away on the moon by the Sage of Six Paths using the very same jutsu.
But he quickly pushed those thoughts aside.
He approached the Akatsuki members. "Is Obito sealed inside that?"
Pain nodded. "Yes. Uchiha Obito is sealed within my Planetary Devastation."
Hearing this, Black Zetsu broke into triumphant laughter. "Hahahaha! Obito, you beast—you finally got what you deserved!"
Since parting ways with Obito, that bastard had tried to take over his company. He'd stolen funds, destroyed property, and forced Black Zetsu to live in a dingy underground office. Zetsu hadn't even dared to rebuild, knowing Obito might strike again.
But now? Now the beast had finally been punished!
"Haha! I'm in such a good mood today—I'll give each of you 20 million as a reward!" Black Zetsu announced proudly.
"F**k, Boss Zetsu, you're amazing!" Kakuzu shouted excitedly.
"You're so generous! If anything like this happens again, be sure to call us!" Biwa Juzo added with a grin.
Just then, an unwelcome voice echoed from the shadows.
"Tsk tsk... Looks like you've gotten rich, Black Zetsu…"
Black Zetsu froze. He trembled.
"That voice…"
His eyes widened in horror. "Uchiha Obito!"
He couldn't be mistaken. He would never forget the voice of that beast—for as long as he lived.
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