At this moment, Namikaze Kirito leapt down from the Buddha statue. Behind him, the massive construct slowly crumbled, its collapse kicking up a dense cloud of dust and smoke.
A gigantic crater stretched out before him. At the bottom lay the shattered remains of the Gedo Statue.
The shell on its back had completely caved in, and its arms were twisted into unnatural angles.
A deep fissure split the center of its enormous head. The damage looked grotesque and out of place.
Moments later, the statue dissolved into a puff of white smoke and vanished without a trace.
Nearby, Deva Path had been left crippled, his eyes vacant and unfocused
The members of Akatsuki, who had been blasted into the air, managed to land safely. At Konan's command to withdraw and hide, they scattered in all directions and retreated.
Hidden within the shadows, the masked man Obito Uchiha, along with Kisame Hoshigaki and Asuma Sarutobi, watched the battlefield in stunned silence.
"Mr. Madara," Kisame said with a faint grin, "Namikaze Kirito's strength probably isn't far from yours or Hashirama's."
Hearing this, Obito slowly recovered from his shock and replied in a low voice. "No. You've never seen me at my peak. In my current condition, I can't defeat him—but once my injuries heal, Namikaze Kirito won't be my match. Our duel will wait until then."
Asuma's expression darkened. "Uchiha Madara, I chose to cooperate with you to defeat Namikaze Kirito. If you can't act in the end… then our alliance is over."
At the mention of Kirito, hatred surged in Asuma's eyes. The man before him had taken everything—his father, his crush. Those two grievances burned together into a single obsession. He deserved to die.
Asuma had placed his hopes in the terrifying legend of Uchiha Madara and the Akatsuki's overwhelming strength. With an organization where every member possessed Kage-level power, victory had seemed certain.
Yet even Pain, Akatsuki's leader, had failed despite giving everything he had. It wasn't that Pain was weak—Namikaze Kirito was simply overwhelming. Even the colossal Gedo Statue hadn't been able to stop him.
"Asuma," Obito said calmly, unmoved by the threat, "what other options do you have? You're already a rogue ninja of Konoha. Do you really think you can return and apologize, and that Namikaze Minato and Namikaze Kirito will forgive you?"
"And don't forget—you stole the Sealed Scroll."
If today's events became public, Konoha would once again be pushed into turmoil. Other villages would hesitate to provoke such a terrifying enemy. As a missing-nin of Konoha, Asuma would find no refuge anywhere. Only Obito could offer him protection.
Asuma fell silent. He knew Obito was right. Their partnership might look equal on the surface, but in truth, he had no real choice.
Seeing the look on Asuma's face, Obito knew he had achieved his aim. His tone softened slightly.
"I'll help you research that jutsu and provide whatever you need. Whether you can stand against Konoha and Namikaze Kirito… that depends on you."
"We're going to create a new world together."
--
Deep within a distant cave lay Nagato.
His head hung low, his body aged beyond recognition. He looked like a man already standing at death's door.
Beside him stood Konan, her expression tight with worry. She had rushed back as soon as Akatsuki scattered.
"I'm sorry, Konan," Nagato murmured, lifting his gaze to her. He knew his end was near. "It seems… I won't be able to fulfill the promise we made to Yahiko."
A bitter smile crossed his face.
Looking back on his life, he felt only regret. He had claimed to be a god, yet he had failed to protect his friends and failed to bring peace to the world. In the end, this ruin was of his own making.
"Nagato…"
Tears shimmered in Konan's eyes. It wasn't romantic love that bound them, but a deep, unbreakable friendship—the same bond they had shared with Yahiko.
She had been powerless when Yahiko died. Was she about to watch Nagato slip away as well?
"Don't cry, Konan," Nagato said softly. "After I'm gone, you have to leave. Stay far away from Uchiha Madara. He's far too dangerous."
He wanted to finish his final words while he still had the strength. As long as he lived, he could shield her. Once he was gone… no one would stand between her and the man calling himself Madara.
Just as Konan was about to respond, footsteps echoed through the cave.
A figure emerged from the darkness—Obito Uchiha.
"Nagato," he said lightly, "I really misjudged you. You've ended up in quite a sorry state."
Ignoring the killing intent in Konan's glare, Obito approached them at an measured pace.
"Madara," Nagato said coldly, murderous intent creeping into his voice. "Why are you here?"
Obito chuckled. "Look at you—your life force and chakra are nearly gone. Do you really think you can fight me?"
"As for why I'm here… I've come to reclaim my eyes."
"What?!"
Nagato's pupils shrank in shock.
"Don't look so surprised," Obito continued. "Did you really believe you were chosen by some god? No—you were chosen by me. Those eyes were never yours. I gave them to you."
"Paper Spear!"
The cave trembled as Konan launched a sudden attack. Chunks of stone fell from the ceiling as her strike passed harmlessly through Obito's intangible body and slammed into the rock wall behind him.
"Konan," Obito said coolly, "after all these years, you still can't escape the reach of this eye. Don't force me to kill you. I'd rather not do that yet."
"Konan, stop," Nagato urged quickly, afraid she would be hurt.
He turned back to Obito, fury burning in his gaze. "Madara… what are you talking about?!"
"The Rinnegan is mine. I only lent it to you. You and Akatsuki were nothing more than my pawns. Now that you're no longer useful, it's time I took my eyes back."
"Yahiko's death was orchestrated by me. Even your families were under my control. Every step you've taken was guided by my hand. Don't you understand?"
"And the plan you believed in? That was a lie as well."
Then Obito revealed the true Eye of the Moon Plan — the Infinite Tsukuyomi that would engulf the entire world.
For reasons he didn't bother to question, he found a grim satisfaction in the expressions on Nagato and Konan's faces—especially after the humiliation he had suffered at the hands of Namikaze Kirito.
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