In the underground base, Obito released Yamato from the Kamui dimension.
A few months ago, Yamato Arata had awoken in this world—inside the body of Obito Uchiha. Since then, he'd walked a dark and uncharted path, reshaping history with every step.
"I never thought this child would survive, let alone be preserved by that cunning old fox Danzo," Orochimaru hissed, his raspy voice tinged with interest. "Ha-kun was ruthless enough to snatch him straight from Root's territory… Impressive."
Obito didn't respond to the flattery. "That's irrelevant now. What do we do next?"
Orochimaru approached the massive Gedo Statue standing silently at the center of the chamber. "This giant statue is the perfect vessel to cultivate a clone of Hashirama's body. Insert the genetic primer here... and the catalysis should complete shortly."
"Zetsu," Obito called.
"Leave it to us!" White Zetsu answered cheerfully.
Several White Zetsu clones emerged from the earth and dragged the unconscious Yamato toward the Gedo Statue.
Hssss…! As the genetic material fused with the cultivation matrix, thick white smoke rose from the statue's flesh-like surface. The walls of the underground cavern began to sprout thick, winding roots and tree trunks.
"What incredible vitality… magnificent!" Orochimaru's eyes gleamed as he flicked out his long, snake-like tongue.
Obito's gaze burned with intensity. He could sense it—the artificial body of Hashirama Senju, now nearly complete, was practically indistinguishable from the real thing.
He turned toward Orochimaru, his voice steady. "I've fulfilled my part. I want results. You will extract the purest, most refined cells from the First Hokage's body. Nothing less."
Orochimaru smiled thinly. "Yes, yes. I can already feel it. This may be the greatest biological creation in shinobi history—no, in any history. But it will take time…"
"How long?"
"A month. I'll need to remain fully focused and stationed next to the equipment for the entire duration. The extraction process demands absolute precision. A single misstep could ruin everything. So please, Mr. Obito—no interruptions."
Obito stared at him with a faint chill in his eyes. "As long as you behave, no one will disturb you. Danzo, Konoha, or even ANBU… they won't find this place. I'll make sure of that."
Orochimaru grinned. "Then I'll leave it to you."
"We have an understanding."
Once the process began, Hashirama's artificial body was detached from the Gedo Statue and transferred into a sealed containment chamber for Orochimaru's experiment.
Obito layered another space-time barrier over the base for added protection, then stood silently in front of the Gedo Statue, deep in thought.
About three months ago, while I was training, the Gedo Statue briefly vanished… and returned a short time later.
That could only mean one thing.
The summoning connection… Nagato has awakened.
Though Obito hadn't interfered in the events unfolding in the Hidden Rain Village, some fates could not be changed.
Yahiko had founded the Akatsuki, slowly gaining support in the wake of war. But their rise drew the attention of Hanzo of the Salamander, the brutal warlord who ruled Amegakure. Under pressure from Danzo—who feared peace more than war—Hanzo saw Akatsuki as a threat.
At the height of the Third Great Ninja War, as Konoha and Iwagakure fought bitterly at the border between the Lands of Fire, Earth, and Wind, Akatsuki was dragged into the mess.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen, had hoped to negotiate peace. But Danzo sabotaged every effort. Using backdoor deals, he manipulated Hanzo into eliminating Akatsuki.
Konoha's ANBU—under Danzo's personal command—aided in the massacre.
Yahiko died in that ambush.
In a storm of grief and fury, Nagato awakened the deeper power of the Rinnegan, summoned the Gedo Statue, and wiped out countless Hidden Rain shinobi. Danzo and Hanzo were forced to retreat.
Danzo's plan failed. The war ended in truce, and the Third Ninja World War came to a close.
But Hanzo never forgot. He feared Nagato's power and hunted the remnants of Akatsuki relentlessly.
Without Obito's secret support, Nagato—drained by using the Gedo Statue—was repeatedly forced into narrow escapes. His body weakened, and the balance of power shifted.
Until I awaken the Rinnegan for myself, I still need Nagato and Akatsuki to gather the tailed beasts, Obito thought grimly. The Gedo Statue's rebirth technique seems to come at a terrible cost… If Nagato dies, everything falls apart.
The Rinnegan must eventually become mine.
Somewhere in the shadows, Zetsu whispered, "Should we go to the Hidden Rain Village, then? It's a long way—the border of three major nations. If we don't hurry, he may die…"
"No need," Obito said calmly. "Summoning is a space-time ninjutsu. If Nagato gets desperate enough to summon the Gedo Statue again, I'll feel the resonance through my Mangekyō. When that happens… I'll teleport to him instantly."
He narrowed his eyes.
Sometimes it's better to arrive at the last moment, rather than too soon.
Days later – Hidden Rain Village.
Hanzo's pursuit squad had located Akatsuki's hideout again.
By the time the survivors fled toward the inland lake surrounding Amegakure, Nagato, Konan, and the last remaining members—Hatosuke, Daibutsu, and a few others—found themselves trapped.
Perched atop his towering Sanshō Fish, Hanzo looked down with cold indifference.
"This is the end," he said.
"Konan! Take Nagato and run! We'll hold them off!" shouted Daibutsu.
Nagato's legs had long since been crippled. His thin frame leaned heavily on Konan's shoulder, his breathing ragged from the strain of synchronizing with the Gedo Statue.
"No!" Nagato shouted. "You're my comrades—Akatsuki's last hope! I can't watch you die too!"
"Don't be foolish! You carry Yahiko's dream now. We'll protect you with our lives!" Hatosuke yelled.
"None of you will leave this village alive," Hanzo declared coldly. Forming hand seals, he activated a massive chakra barrier that surrounded the lake like an invisible prison.
Dozens of Amegakure shinobi appeared, donning gas masks.
Tsssss… The Sanshō Fish opened its mouth, releasing clouds of thick, toxic gas that quickly filled the barrier.
"Water Style: Water Formation Wall!"
Jiuzuke formed hand seals, summoning a towering water shield. Then, with a change of signs, he hardened the wall into cement, blocking the gas—at least for a moment.
But the poison was too strong.
"Rrraahh!" Daibutsu spun his massive hammer, creating a gust of wind that pushed the gas back.
"It's no use. Finish them!"
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Dozens of kunai, each attached to explosive tags, rained down.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The blasts lit up the lake like a storm. Jiuzuke and Daibutsu were blown apart in front of Nagato and Konan's eyes.
"NOOOO!!!" Nagato screamed, unleashing a wave of raw chakra that scattered the remaining gas.
"Stop! You'll die if you use that technique again!" Konan pleaded, tears in her eyes.
Hanzo's eyes narrowed. "He's going to summon it again. I can't allow that."
With a flicker of speed, he vanished from the fish's back and reappeared above Nagato, scythe in hand.
The weapon flew toward Nagato like a guillotine—
But the Gedo Statue never appeared.
Just as the blade was about to fall—
"Not yet," came a cold voice.
FWOOSH!
A swirling vortex appeared midair, and from it stepped Obito.
CLANG!!
He raised a massive Uchiha war fan and blocked the scythe with a single stroke. The red glow of the Sharingan behind his mask locked eyes with Hanzo.
The man known as a demigod had just met his match.