High above the sky, a meteor large enough to blanket the entire battlefield appeared before everyone's eyes.
Kaito let out a low chuckle. This move was all too familiar to him. He tilted his head back, staring at the falling meteor, and a violet gleam flickered within his Rinnegan.
Boom!
A deafening explosion erupted as the massive meteor shattered, fragments scattering like fireworks as they rained toward the earth.
Madara narrowed his eyes slightly, his thoughts churning.
"What was that just now? Was it his Rinnegan's ability?"
Seeing that the first meteor had been neutralized so effortlessly, Madara abandoned the idea of pulling down a second one.
He fixed his gaze on Kaito in the distance, eyes widening slightly as a surge of violent repulsive force erupted outward.
"Almighty Push!"
The power released by Madara was far stronger than Nagato's. The shockwave devoured everything in front of him and roared toward Kaito.
Kaito's long hair whipped wildly in the wind. A moment later, he too unleashed Almighty Push. The two forces collided head-on, like beasts locked in a savage duel.
This was a clash of ocular power. Madara's Almighty Push lasted only a few seconds before collapsing under Kaito's strength.
Madara instantly turned his head toward Nagato and barked,
"Quick, use Almighty Push!"
Nagato dared not hesitate. He released the technique in unison with Madara, barely managing to neutralize Kaito's attack.
But Kaito's assault was too overwhelming. Both of them still suffered the backlash of ocular power.
As an Edo Tensei, Madara appeared unfazed. Nagato, however, spat out a mouthful of blood. Pressing his hand against his eyes, he gasped,
"What's with those Rinnegan? How can the difference be this vast!?"
Madara remained silent, but his mind was racing. He recalled the twelve tomoe spinning within Kaito's eyes—clearly not an ordinary pair of Rinnegan.
He had no time to dwell on how Kaito obtained them. The most important thing now was to activate the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
At that thought, he glanced at Black Zetsu. Instantly understanding, Black Zetsu began creeping toward Nagato.
Nagato, wracked with pain from the backlash, failed to notice. By his side, Konan held him with a worried expression, equally unaware of Black Zetsu's approach.
In the next moment, Black Zetsu melted into a pool of darkness and attached himself to Nagato's body.
Nagato's expression twisted. He realized his body was no longer under his control...
Konan quickly reached out, trying to tear Black Zetsu away. But their bodies had fused too tightly—her efforts were futile.
Seeing the grotesque expression on Nagato's face, Konan's heart clenched. She shouted furiously at the black mass consuming him,
"What are you trying to do!?"
Half of Nagato's body was already seized. Black Zetsu grinned and sneered,
"What am I doing? I'm simply returning these eyes to their rightful owner!"
"These eyes belong to Nagato! You... urgh!"
Before she could finish, Madara appeared silently behind her. His hand clamped around her throat, lifting her off the ground.
Konan clawed desperately at his grip. Madara's face remained cold as he spoke flatly,
"Little girl, you're mistaken. Those eyes were never Nagato's to begin with. They've always belonged to me."
"No way! That's impossible! Nagato awakened them when he was just a child!"
"Hmph. There's no point arguing. In the end, you were nothing more than my pawns."
The word "pawns" stabbed into Obito's heart like a blade. He knew full well Madara included him in that as well.
Watching Konan struggle in Madara's grasp, Obito felt a pang of sympathy. Suddenly, he called out,
"Enough, Madara! There's no need to kill her. After all, they did collect the Tailed Beasts for us. Let them at least experience the Infinite Tsukuyomi!"
"Oh?"
Madara raised an eyebrow and gave Obito a sidelong glance.
"Obito, I didn't think you still had compassion. It seems you've been through quite a lot during this time."
Obito let out a self-mocking laugh. Then, in one swift motion, he tore the mask from his face, revealing his true appearance.
He met Madara's eyes head-on, voice deep and steady.
"I just want to be myself again."
...
Within the Allied Shinobi Forces, Kakashi stood frozen in shock, staring at Obito in the distance. His voice trembled.
"That's... Obito? How can this be!?"
In a flash, Minato appeared beside him, resting a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Kakashi, it's just as you see. That's Obito. He didn't die."
Kakashi turned, dazed, and asked,
"Sensei... what on earth is going on?"
Minato fell silent for a moment, then briefly recounted what had happened to Obito. To Kakashi, it was like listening to nonsense. Even after Minato finished, he stood rooted to the spot, like a statue.
Minato sighed softly, about to continue, when Kakashi suddenly bolted.
"Kakashi, wait—!"
But Kakashi had already unleashed the fastest speed of his life, dashing straight toward Obito.
...
Back on Obito's side, Madara narrowed his eyes.
"What do you mean by 'being yourself again'?"
Obito forced down the killing intent in his chest and replied coldly,
"Don't overthink it. I just want to take part in this war as Uchiha Obito. As for everything else, nothing changes."
Madara gave him a long, thoughtful look. Then he cast an illusion on Konan, leaving her dazed, and released her from his grip.
"Heh. So that's how it is. But I should warn you—someone's coming for you."
Obito nodded firmly.
"You don't need to remind me. It's time I settled things with him."
With that, his figure blurred, and in the blink of an eye, he appeared before Kakashi.
Kakashi skidded to a halt, breath catching in his throat as he stared at his long-lost friend, voice trembling.
"Obito... it really is you?"
Obito's face twisted with conflicting emotions. He truly didn't know how to face Kakashi. After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"Kakashi... do you dare follow me to a place where we can settle this? Just like... back then!"
Kakashi froze. And in that moment of hesitation, Obito grabbed his collar and dragged him into the Kamui dimension.
Madara watched Obito vanish. Turning toward the Black Zetsu-controlled Nagato, he asked,
"What's going on with Obito? Did he discover something?"
Even Black Zetsu looked bewildered.
"No... he's been following the plan the whole time!"
"Forget it. First, make Nagato use Rinne Rebirth on me. That Uchiha Kaito isn't easy to deal with. This body alone won't be enough."
"Understood!"
Under Black Zetsu's control, Nagato's hands formed seals. Clenching his teeth, he shouted,
"Rinne Rebirth!"