…
Before Obito Uchiha could even speak—
Shenyue Yuan casually summarized how he escaped Konoha.
…
When he mentioned destroying Root—
And severely injuring Danzo Shimura—
…
Itachi Uchiha's eyes flickered.
…
"Yuan…"
…
That was something—
He had always wanted to do.
…
But couldn't.
Wouldn't.
…
And now—
Someone else had done it.
…
It struck deep.
…
"Sit, Itachi."
Yuan gestured casually.
…
"Okay."
…
Without hesitation—
Itachi walked to the corner.
Picked up a stool.
And sat down.
…
That—
Was the moment Obito snapped.
…
"ENOUGH!!"
…
The room froze.
…
Yuan tilted his head slightly.
Then turned toward him.
…
"Oh—right."
…
"And you are?"
…
Silence.
…
Obito's eye twitched beneath the mask.
…
He crossed his arms.
Cold.
Arrogant.
…
"Didn't Pain introduce me?"
…
"Sorry."
"I just joined today."
…
No anger.
No tension.
Just—
Indifference.
…
Obito didn't lash out immediately.
Instead—
He glanced at Itachi.
…
"You know him?"
…
Itachi nodded.
…
"We were classmates."
"His ability… rivaled mine."
…
Obito frowned.
…
That—
He believed.
…
But equal to Itachi—
Did NOT mean equal to Pain.
…
"Just a reputation."
Yuan waved it off lazily.
…
Obito's expression darkened.
…
This brat…
Is proud of that?
…
Then—
He spoke.
Cold.
Sharp.
…
"Even if you passed Pain's test—"
"You haven't passed mine."
…
"The final decision…"
"Is mine."
…
Yuan smiled.
…
"But I don't even know who you are."
…
That smile—
Light.
Mocking.
Deliberate.
…
Obito's Sharingan ignited.
Red.
Spinning.
…
The air grew heavy.
…
Behind him—
Zetsu stepped back silently.
Watching.
Waiting.
…
"Then I'll show you."
…
Space twisted.
…
Kamui—
Activated.
…
But—
Before anything could happen—
…
Itachi moved.
…
He stepped forward.
Positioning himself between them.
…
"…?"
…
Obito's gaze sharpened.
…
"Itachi."
…
"What are you doing?"
…
Itachi shook his head slightly.
…
"He's already a member."
"Another test is unnecessary."
…
Silence.
…
Then—
Obito laughed.
Cold.
Dangerous.
…
"You haven't even joined yet—"
"And you're already opposing me?"
…
"You want to die that badly?"
…
"If you're in a hurry—"
"I can send you to your clan."
…
The killing intent—
Was real.
…
Itachi didn't move.
…
But inside—
Even he knew.
…
He couldn't stop this man.
…
Meanwhile—
Yuan leaned back comfortably.
Watching.
…
Exactly as planned.
…
Good.
…
Let them clash first.
…
Uchiha—
Against Uchiha.
…
Black Zetsu narrowed his eyes.
…
He saw it clearly.
…
This wasn't chaos.
…
It was control.
…
White Zetsu shouted:
"Don't fall for his trick!"
…
Obito didn't care.
…
"Doesn't matter."
…
The space twisted.
…
He vanished.
…
Itachi's instincts screamed.
…
"Yuan—RUN!"
…
But—
…
Yuan didn't move.
…
Not even slightly.
…
Still sitting.
Still relaxed.
…
Then—
Space distorted again.
…
Obito reappeared.
…
Right in front of him.
Half a meter.
…
Face to face.
…
Itachi lunged—
Trying to grab him—
…
His hand passed through.
…
Phasing.
…
But in the next instant—
Obito turned solid.
…
GRAB—
…
His hand shot out—
Clutching Itachi's throat.
Lifting him into the air.
…
"…!"
…
Itachi's eyes flared crimson.
…
Mangekyō—
Activated.
…
But—
…
Obito's arm phased again.
…
Itachi dropped.
…
Obito's voice—
Cold as death.
…
"He's using you."
"You're just his shield."
…
Then—
He attacked.
…
"Wood Style: Cutting Sprigs!"
…
BOOM—
…
Spikes erupted from the ground—
Piercing straight through Itachi's body.
…
But—
…
Smoke dispersed.
…
A clone.
…
The real Itachi appeared in the corner—
Hand already on his sword.
Eyes locked.
…
The air—
Crackled.
…
The room—
…
Was about to explode.