The atmosphere felt heavy.
The four guards around Obito and Zetsu exchanged uneasy glances.
Ordinary bandits wouldn't warrant the Akatsuki going after them—but what if it was Tarui?
Plus, the Akatsuki had defeated Hanzo, with Konoha playing a key role in that victory.
In other words, the Akatsuki and Konoha had a strong alliance.
Now they suddenly appeared before them.
They probably intended to hand them over as a gift—deliver them to Konoha.
"Stay calm."
Obito noticed the shift in their expressions and spoke softly. "We're not here for trouble—we're here on business."
On business?
The four guards looked confused.
They couldn't imagine what kind of business there could possibly be to discuss.
"Please wait a moment."
The Cloud ninja in the center put away his weapon and turned to enter the wooden hut at the middle.
Shortly after, Tarui opened the door.
When he noticed their outfits and appearances, his brows slightly furrowed.
He couldn't recall the Akatsuki having members who looked anything like them.
One wore a spiraled mask; the other had a Venus flytrap sprouting from his head and hair split black and white.
Tarui considered himself knowledgeable, yet he had never encountered ninja this bizarre before.
Especially Zetsu.
Black-and-white markings—were they paint?
And that Venus flytrap—was it just a prop?
"Who are you two?"
Tarui walked up to Obito and Zetsu, clearly on guard. "I know quite a bit about the Akatsuki. You aren't members of the organization."
"It's normal you haven't seen us," Obito replied calmly. "We're new recruits."
He lifted his hand, revealing the Akatsuki ring bearing the kanji for 'Jade'.
In the original story, this 'Jade' ring had originally belonged to Sasori of the Red Sand, only later belonging to Obito.
But now, Sasori joining the Akatsuki was practically impossible.
"That doesn't prove anything," Tarui shook his head.
As an heir to the Raikage lineage, he was deeply familiar with Anbu tactics. Faking identities was easy.
"If you don't believe us, you can come with us to the Akatsuki headquarters."
Obito said indifferently.
"We came here specifically to invite you to join the Akatsuki."
"What kind of joke is this? I refuse!"
Tarui replied instantly.
After all, he represented the final surviving ninja of Kumogakure.
Even though Kumogakure had fallen to Konoha, he could never bring himself to join another organization.
Otherwise, how could he face the spirit of the fallen Raikage?
"Hehehe, disobedient brats need a beating first."
It was Zetsu—specifically, White Zetsu speaking.
Instantly, Tarui and the others assumed combat stances.
Obito shook his head.
Not because he disagreed with White Zetsu, but because he believed Tarui underestimated his strength.
"Tarui, if you want revenge, you'll have to rely on us."
He raised one finger.
"You're far too weak."
Tarui's expression darkened upon hearing that.
A complete stranger had the audacity to call him weak?
Even though Kumogakure had fallen, the legacy of the Raikage could never tolerate any disrespect.
At that moment, a sudden shock coursed through his body. The world around him began to spin violently. Moments later, he found himself unable to move.
All the Cloud Ninja behind him were frozen in place as well.
As though something had locked their bodies in place.
Genjutsu?
Darui's face paled with shock.
That finger just now...
Damn it!
But he couldn't begin to understand how there could be such a powerful genjutsu.
It managed to trap even Jonin in an instant.
Obito lowered his finger.
A semi-transparent vortex began to form on his right side.
In front of Darui's stunned gaze, he pulled out a Tanto.
"I once learned a saying — 'a frog in a well' — referring to someone who sees only a small part of the world and believes it's all there is."
Obito's tone remained calm as he walked up to Darui. "You're that frog."
Darui opened his mouth.
He was speechless.
Before meeting Haruki, he thought the Raikage was the strongest in the ninja world.
But he assumed that was just an exception.
This mysterious ninja, however, slapped him hard across the face.
"You don't have much time to think."
Obito raised the blade and placed it against Darui's neck. "You and we share a common enemy — Konoha."
Darui blinked for a moment.
He didn't even notice the cold steel pressed against his skin.
"But didn't Konoha just help your Akatsuki Organization? How can they be your enemies then?"
"They're just playing both sides. If even you didn't see it coming, Konoha certainly won't."
Obito sneered slightly. "Konoha killed our leader's parents. How could we become allies with them?"
Darui fell silent.
He didn't know whether what Obito said was true or not.
"But why me?"
"You're not great now, but your potential is strong."
Obito smiled slightly, offering comfort. "Give it some time, and maybe you won't end up like today — getting knocked out in a second. You might survive a few minutes at least."
Darui's lips twitched slightly.
Maybe you shouldn't have said that.
Still, what Obito said made sense.
Hiding out here like bandits won't help you get revenge.
Only through a stronger power.
Realizing this, Darui wasted no time. He simply said, "I agree to join your Akatsuki Organization."
"Not bad. You've got some guts after all."
Obito spun the tanto and sent it back into Kamui space, then clapped Darui on the shoulder. "Don't worry, joining us means a bright future. If our leader's plan succeeds, you might even meet the Raikage again."
"What do you mean by that?"
Darui's eyes widened slightly before he quickly asked, "Meet the Raikage again? Are you saying you can bring them back from the dead?"
His expression lit up with excitement, a stark contrast to his earlier calm.
Obito gave no answer.
Realizing something odd, Darui soon regained composure.
"You'll find out soon enough."
Obito took out an Akatsuki cloak and thought for a moment before speaking, "Which ring should I give you... Ao. You'll suit it."
Darui put on the black robe adorned with red clouds and accepted the ring engraved with the character "Ao".
He took a deep breath.
Though he felt like he'd boarded a pirate ship, Obito's strength genuinely shook him.
Surprisingly, aside from Haruki and his group, there were still numerous formidable figures in the ninja world.
Undoubtedly, these figures represented his only hope for revenge.
Otherwise, he'd never have the courage to face Haruki head-on.
Haruki, who effortlessly defeated the Fourth Raikage and B, the Eight-Tails jinchuriki, had unknowingly become his worst nightmare.
"There's this too."
Obito handed him a bottle of nail polish.
"Huh?"
Darui glanced at him in confusion, not understanding its meaning.
"Paint your nails with this."
Obito said expressionlessly.
Frankly, even he couldn't fully understand Senior Sister Konan's peculiar sense of humor.
"What? No way—that's pointless, isn't it?"
Darui widened his eyes, hesitating as he spoke.
"Pointless? This is the Akatsuki's rule," Obito said coolly. "If you want to join, you paint them."
Darui remained silent, inwardly sighing—he'd come this far; arguing over such a trivial matter wasn't worth it.
He took the nail polish and painted all ten of his fingernails.
The blue hue shimmered in the sunlight.
Glancing at Obito, Darui suddenly thought he should probably get a mask too.
Obito nodded in satisfaction.
There was no way he'd suffer alone.
As long as everyone looked the same, no one would question it.
"Will your group stay here to develop strength, or will you all join Akatsuki?"
While asking, he glanced at the crowd behind Darui.
Due to the earlier commotion, all the ninja from the wooden huts had come out.
There were quite a few—around fifty people.
Alongside several Jonin, they could form a solid faction.
Darui paused thoughtfully before shaking his head.
While full integration into Akatsuki would offer the greatest advantages and growth, it would also mean losing their independence and ability to act freely.
What if something went wrong someday? They'd all be wiped out together.
Staying here served as a contingency plan.
Obito waved indifferently.
Recent experiences had long transformed him from the naïve boy he once was into a seasoned, battle-hardened ninja.
He wasn't particularly impressed by Darui's modest force.
That question had just been idle curiosity.
"You have ten minutes to say your goodbyes."
Obito turned and left the wooden hut, heading to the foot of the mountain to wait.
"This guy seems pretty weak. You subdued him with just one Genjutsu. Are we seriously bringing along dead weight?" Zetsu sneered, showing his sharp white teeth.
"Let him fight a few battles and he'll grow stronger."
Obito gazed into the distance, speaking casually. "If he dies, it's because he wasn't strong enough—plain and simple."
"Hahahaha, I like that approach!"
The voice shifted cheerfully—it was White Zetsu.
Ignoring him, Obito changed the subject. "Our next target is Zabuza from the Land of Water. I heard he killed all the other examinees during the exam. That level of ruthlessness makes him ideal."
Zetsu nodded, then let out another unpleasant laugh.
Obito frowned, turning to look at him. "What are you laughing at now?"
Zetsu stopped laughing and replied, "Since you're heading to the Land of Water anyway, why don't you consider rescuing Raiga Kurosuki too?"
"Raiga Kurosuki—the legendary swordsman of the Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist?"
"Isn't he already dead?"
Obito was confused. Since Mikoto Uchiha personally went after him, there's no way he could have escaped.
"No, he's not dead yet," Zetsu shook his head. "It seems Mikoto Uchiha has taken on an apprentice, which delayed her. She hasn't found Raiga Kurosuki yet, but she will soon. If no one intervenes, it'll only be a few more days before he gets captured."
Obito's expression turned cold.
He finally understood why Zetsu had smiled earlier.
So this was about pitting him against Mikoto Uchiha.
"I know Mikoto Uchiha's strength well. Even the two of us together might not be her match."
Obito said flatly.
Zetsu started to argue, but then recalled what the White Zetsu had reported.
Mikoto's battle against the Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist was earth-shattering.
The White Zetsu's numerous clones spread throughout the land naturally sensed it.
Obito indeed fell somewhat short compared to Mikoto Uchiha.
He lacked Susanoo.
As for himself, he could probably handle her if he used certain methods.
But it wasn't necessary.
Seeing Obito's silence, Zetsu smirked and said, "There's another way to do this. I still have some influence over her. Getting someone to switch sides would be easy enough."
"Fine." Zetsu dropped the argument.
Moments later, Tarui appeared in front of the two of them.
"I've settled everything. Are we returning to Akatsuki now?"
"Go to the Land of Water. We belong to an elite cell of the Akatsuki Organization, operating in pairs of two. Right now, you're missing a teammate."
Obito replied calmly.
"Alright."
Tarui naturally had no objections.
Regarding who his new teammate would be, although slightly curious, since Obito hadn't mentioned it, he didn't intend to ask either.
After walking for a while, he suddenly thought of a question.
"How should I address both of you?"
"I'm called Zetsu."
"Obito."
Tarui nodded silently.
They were probably fake names.
He considered it briefly before speaking. "Then call me Lightning Fox from now on."
Saying so, he summoned a Storage Scroll, pulled out a white fox mask, and put it on.
The trio left the Land of Fire and entered the territory of the Land of Water.
Since Mikoto Uchiha hadn't hidden her trail, Zetsu quickly tracked her down.
"Zetsu, you lead him to Kirigakure."
Obito shot Zetsu a meaningful look.
He didn't want Tarui knowing his real identity.
"Sure."
Zetsu smiled as he replied.
Under current circumstances, it was better for Obito to remain mysterious. That way, when he later pretended to be Madara Uchiha, nothing would raise suspicion.
"From what I know of Zabuza's usual style, he's a proud man. Lightning Fox, if you want him as your partner, you'll have to prove you're stronger than him."
Obito looked toward Tarui and said softly.
Tarui inhaled deeply and nodded, indicating his understanding.
This was clearly a test for him.
Back when he was just a bandit, he still maintained contact with the outside world.
After all, even though Kumogakure had fallen, its spy network hadn't fully collapsed yet.
Zabuza gained fame by participating in Kiri's exams.
A cold-blooded genius.
Looking at the two depart, Obito arrived at a large courtyard.
"Who's there?"
He had barely approached when someone spotted him.
"It's me, Mikoto-nee."
Obito pushed open the door and saw Mikoto, along with a delicate-featured young girl.
"Is this your apprentice? He looks really delicate."
"He isn't my apprentice. And *he*'s a boy."
"…"
Obito blinked. Since when is *that* considered a boy?
He suddenly thought of Haruki.
He'd probably be thrilled—this kid could pass as a girl easily.
"What are you thinking about?"
Mikoto caught his expression and narrowed her eyes.
"If you're thinking something inappropriate, forget it."
"Me? How dare I?"
Obito shivered involuntarily and shook his head quickly.
He knew exactly how strong Mikoto was.
Even with the Mangekyo Sharingan, he still couldn't beat her.
"Then why are you here in the Land of Water? Don't expect me to believe it's just a social call."
Mikoto let out a soft snort and studied him.
"Is there a mission?"
"I hope you'll let me handle Raiga Kurosuki, Mikoto-nee."
Obito scratched his head and got straight to the point.
"Why?"
Mikoto's eyes turned sharp with scrutiny.
It was odd enough that Obito had suddenly shown up in front of her.
And now he was after Raiga Kurosuki specifically?
"It was ordered by Teacher Seimei."
Obito wanted to explain more, but the whole backstory was too messy to get into.
"You can ask Teacher when you get back."
At the mention of Seimei's name, Mikoto's doubts instantly vanished.
"If Teacher requested it, then fine. That guy's slippery as they come anyway."
She waved a hand dismissively. "I'm not used to being in the Land of Water. I'll take Haku back to Konoha first."
"So this one's called Haku?"
Obito looked at him repeatedly. So he really wasn't a girl?
"Mm. I intend to bring him into the Uchiha Clan."
Mikoto patted Haku's head. "It'll give Itachi someone to connect with."
Lucky brat.
Obito withdrew his gaze, bid farewell to Mikoto, and carefully asked about Raiga Kurosuki's whereabouts before vanishing entirely.
70