Chapter 204 – The Appearance of Uchiha Makoto
Amegakure
In a dimly lit meeting room, several figures emerged from the shadows.
"There's been quite a commotion in the Land of Water lately. The whole country's under lockdown. Rumor has it that Yagura has taken action against several of Kirigakure's major clans. No one knows what he's thinking."
"Sunagakure's been stirred up too. Intelligence says their One-Tails Jinchūriki is dead, causing Shukaku to go berserk. He's been sealed into Rasa's son now."
"Tch, the weakest Tailed Beast."
"Don't say that. Magnet Release is still incredibly powerful. If I had it, all the gold in the world would be mine."
"For the sake of world peace, they're all future enemies of ours."
…
At that moment, Nagato hadn't appeared yet, and the ones who arrived early were exchanging intel. The originally tense atmosphere began to shift under the influence of a certain individual.
Swoosh, swoosh!
Sensing something, they all stopped talking and turned toward one direction. In a flash, Nagato and Konan appeared.
A man with a sinister Sharingan spinning in his eye stepped from the darkness and asked Nagato with a hint of confusion,
"Leader, why did you call us here today?"
The man was thin as a skeleton, with a ghastly visage, draped in the Akatsuki's black cloak patterned with red clouds—none other than the long-hidden Uchiha Obito.
"Yeah, Leader, do you know how much money I lose every minute I'm here? And this partner of mine is too weak. He got killed by the target during a hunt."
Another towering figure emerged from the shadows, wearing a mask that obscured his face. His tone carried a hint of helplessness.
No one really took his complaint seriously though. His partners dying wasn't exactly a rare event—and he always had a reason, every single time. Almost as if he hoped no one would notice the pattern.
"Kakuzu, did you sell off another partner again? Leader, can we boot this guy from the group already? I feel like just standing near him is dangerous."
A mature woman's voice came from the shadows. A green-haired woman with two streaks of blond stepped out. Just by her voice and looks, one could tell that the figure under that long robe wouldn't disappoint.
This was the former hero of Sunagakure, the wielder of Scorch Release: Yakura. And the "partner" she mentioned, the one robbed by Kazane, was none other than Kakuzu.
"Hey, don't slander me! My loyalty to the organization is as clear as day and night! Why don't you be my partner then?"
Kakuzu hurried to explain. Some things, once done, couldn't be spoken aloud. He was still waiting for Nagato to assign him a new partner.
These S-class rogue ninjas—every one of them worth a fortune.
"Say, why do we always have to enter like big villains? What's with the lights off? We're heroes trying to save the world!"
Obito complained about the pitch-black meeting room. He preferred the light. With a flick of his finger, a fireball emerged, illuminating the room.
The fireball split into six, lighting six oil lamps along the walls.
This display of precise chakra control impressed everyone watching.
As expected of a Uchiha.
With the darkness dispelled, everyone's appearances were revealed. Six figures stood, each a famed force in the ninja world. It was shocking to see them gathered like this.
They were:
Akatsuki's Zero Burial: Leader Nagato
Akatsuki's White Tiger: Konan
Akatsuki's Vermillion Bird: Uchiha Obito
Akatsuki's Southern Star: Yakura
Akatsuki's Northern Star: Kakuzu
Akatsuki's Jade Maiden: Sasori of the Red Sand
Yakura's presence here was largely thanks to Kazane.
Back during the Chūnin Exams in Kirigakure, Sunagakure suffered the least losses among the Five Great Nations—except for Konoha. That drew the ire of the other villages. Thanks to Sasori and the Third Raikage, Sunagakure was now the weakest of the five.
Rasa, seeking alliances, approached Iwagakure. They struck a deal easily due to Ōnoki being heavily injured by Kazane and fearing further invasions.
But Rasa made one request: help eliminate Yakura.
Two reasons:
1. Elder Control: The elders Chiyo and Ebizō still held sway. Though they were stepping down, most village matters still went through them, rendering Rasa almost powerless.
2. Yakura's Popularity: She was seen as a hero and once the leading candidate for Kazekage under the Third. Though Rasa managed to take power due to Magnet Release and financial skills, he never outshone Yakura's popularity.
Thus, Rasa orchestrated a deadly ambush via Iwagakure. But fate intervened—Obito passed by, drawn by the sounds of battle. Seeing the enemy of his enemy, he rescued the gravely injured Yakura and took her to Akatsuki.
Upon learning she survived, Rasa, fearful of revenge, labeled her an S-rank missing-nin for murdering allies and sabotaging a peace treaty.
At first, Sunagakure's ninjas didn't believe it. They wanted to find her. But she was unconscious, and with Chiyo's help, Rasa quickly regained control. The people soon saw the benefits of Rasa's gold-seeking Magnet Release and sided with him.
When Yakura awoke, she couldn't accept it at first. But after being attacked by former comrades, she gave up. She chose to start anew with Akatsuki—and to return everything Rasa had given her.
With everyone present, Nagato spoke in his hoarse voice:
"Enough. I called you here today to introduce two new members and to announce our next plans."
"Leader! I welcome new members. I'm still short a partner—let them join me!"
Kakuzu, excited at the prospect, quickly voiced his enthusiasm.
"Heh. If you hand them to him, you'll just be recruiting again in a week. Leader, I say let him work alone."
Yakura seized the chance to mock him again. If Obito hadn't appeared when he did, she'd have been sold for bounty money by Kakuzu already.
When it came to Lord Kakuzu—a real "hero" indeed—he'd avoid those stronger than him…
But if he could beat you?
╮(╯_╰)╭
"Heh… don't blame me. I'm just a little short on cash lately."
If he had the strength, he would've long since turned the entire Akatsuki into pocket change.
In the corner, Sasori watched silently from inside a puppet. Nothing seemed to concern him.
"Come out, Uchiha Makoto, Zetsu."
At Nagato's words, a distorted black vortex formed in mid-air. Uchiha Makoto, clad in black, emerged with a strange half-black, half-white plant-like creature—Zetsu.
The dramatic entrance stunned everyone. All eyes turned to Obito.
He had often told them how he was betrayed by Uchiha Makoto, framed by Konoha, and forced into exile. They'd witnessed his strength firsthand. Now that Makoto stood before them, they all wanted to see how Obito would react to his long-time enemy.
"Long time no see, Obito."
Before Obito could move, Makoto dropped Zetsu and greeted him with a cold sneer.
Obito may not have realized just how deep Makoto's hatred and jealousy ran.
Makoto had never taken Obito seriously, even during the academy days. He considered Obito the disgrace of the Uchiha Clan.
After early graduation, Makoto believed they were worlds apart—that Obito was fated to remain at the bottom, a mere ant under his feet.
But Obito's growth shocked him.
Obito awakened his Sharingan during the war—despite arriving late—and quickly advanced to dual tomoe in both eyes, catching the attention of Fugaku, who added him to the clan's elite training list.
Makoto? He had to nearly die in an ambush and be implanted with Hashirama's cells by Madara just to awaken three tomoe.
Obito? He reached that same level by sheer willpower and desperation—tied up, drained of blood, and still awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Makoto's resentment burned.
Like two students: Makoto studied diligently, every night till 2AM, getting a 99. Obito slept in class, gamed all night, and scored a 98. Even if he edged ahead, the effort behind his one-point lead felt meaningless.
Obito's feelings were equally complex.
Yes, without Makoto's betrayal, he wouldn't have awakened his Mangekyō.
But the damage from always being compared to "the model child" Makoto had left scars. Being in the same class as him meant constant criticism, always in his shadow.
Obito's dream wasn't just becoming Hokage—it was surpassing Makoto.
When he believed Makoto died, he buried the dream with his rival's body.
But just when Kazane had reignited that flame—when Obito was finally ready to rise again—Makoto returned. Not only that, but he almost killed Obito on sight.
Yet Obito was more stunned than angry.
Kazane predicted this.
Before going undercover in Akatsuki, Kazane had warned him:
"You'll meet Uchiha Makoto again."
A year passed. Obito thought it was a joke. And now here Makoto was.
Still, Obito wasn't a saint. Letting go of a grudge wasn't his style.
He also noticed something—Makoto's closed eye. He was weakened. Someone had taken one of his Sharingan.
A perfect chance to get payback.
"Yeah. Long time indeed. Can't believe fate delivered you to me again."
Obito's expression darkened. His three-tomoe eyes spun, evolving into the Mangekyō.
The room was too small for a proper battle—and Nagato would likely intervene. So, with hatred blazing in their eyes, the two locked gazes and simultaneously pulled each other into a Genjutsu realm.
Nagato sensed something was wrong and tried to act, but it was too late.
Both men took a step back. Blood streamed from their eyes.
A draw?
Not quite.
Makoto had won.
Though wounded, Makoto had Hashirama cells within him, which constantly replenished his life force and chakra. His eye power would quickly recover.
Obito, however, lacked such regeneration. Once his Mangekyō burned out, he'd go blind.
Still, stepping back, Obito sneered confidently:
"Hmph. I'll let you go this time. You won't be so lucky next time. I'll show you the true power of these eyes."