Hanzo had departed, and Obito's breathing grew slightly ragged. Facing Hanzo at the peak of his power hadn't been as effortless as he had imagined.
To avoid the influence of the Sharingan's genjutsu, Hanzo had kept his distance throughout the entire battle. That made it incredibly difficult for Obito to accurately use the long-range Kamui of his left eye in its current state. He had been forced to rely on Susanoo and its Kamui Shuriken—an ability with enormous chakra consumption.
Without the added chakra reserves from Senju Hashirama's cells, he would've collapsed long ago from exhaustion.
Still, this battle had solidified one thing in Obito's mind: the potential of his Mangekyō Sharingan was immense.
With just the second stage of Susanoo, he had gained the upper hand against Hanzo—once hailed as the pinnacle of the shinobi world. And if Hanzo hadn't gone all out, neither had Obito.
"Who could help me unlock the third stage of the Crow-Tengu Susanoo now?"
With a sigh, he released Susanoo. Rain, once blocked by its ethereal form, came pouring down again, soaking the earth.
Behind him, Nagato stared in awe. "It's unbelievable… You actually injured Hanzo."
Obito didn't turn around. He didn't want Nagato to see his fatigue. Maintaining an air of mystery was critical. Only then could the next phase of his plan proceed smoothly.
"If you can fully master the true power of the Rinnegan, you'll be able to do the same," Obito said calmly. "You may even surpass me."
"The true power of the Rinnegan?" Nagato's eyes widened, voice tinged with disbelief.
Obito tilted his head to the sky, letting the rain wash over him. His voice grew solemn.
"Yes. The Rinnegan doesn't just allow you to summon Gedo Mazo. It grants the abilities of the Six Paths—the power to repel surrounding attacks, absorb ninjutsu, and more. You've already used some of these powers instinctively. But with proper control, you could enter the realm of the Sage of Six Paths himself."
Nagato lifted a hand and touched his eyes, awe overtaking his expression. "You understand my eyes better than I do… If only I'd met you earlier… Maybe Yahiko and the others from Akatsuki wouldn't have died…"
Konan, standing beside him, lowered her blue-gray eyes, grief written all over her pale face.
Obito remained silent. It didn't matter whether he had arrived earlier or later—Yahiko still had to die. Without that tragedy, Nagato would never have tasted true pain.
The Rinnegan, like the Mangekyō Sharingan, awakened through extreme emotional trauma. Without Yahiko's death, Nagato would never have grasped the potential of that power.
Still, Obito was secretly glad he arrived after Yahiko's death. Right now, Nagato was vulnerable, desperate, and hungry for power—making him far easier to manipulate.
"My dream," Nagato said softly, "was to protect Yahiko and Konan. Later, as a member of Akatsuki, I sincerely wanted to fulfill Yahiko's wish—to bring peace to this war-torn Amegakure… even to the entire shinobi world. Yahiko, Konan, and all our comrades believed in me. But when Yahiko died right before my eyes, I started doubting… if I really had that strength."
Obito turned slightly, his voice like thunder cloaked in stillness. "It's not too late. Yahiko can be brought back. Peace can come to the shinobi world—but only through the power of your Rinnegan."
"What… did you just say?" Nagato's eyes went wide with disbelief, staring at Obito as if he were dreaming.
Obito turned to face him fully. "The Rinnegan holds the heretical power to transcend life and death."
"Is that… true?" Nagato's voice cracked with emotion.
"It is," Obito confirmed, "but the price… is your own life."
Konan's expression darkened at those words.
But Nagato's face lit up. "Then… can I use that power now?"
It was clear he was willing to give up everything to bring Yahiko back.
Admirable spirit, Obito thought. I respect your conviction, Nagato—but whether it's Kishimoto's script… or my own, you were always meant to end in tragedy.
Obito looked at Nagato with quiet intensity. "You could. But think about this: if Yahiko were resurrected, and you were dead… would he accept your sacrifice in peace? Everyone in Akatsuki placed their hope in you, the bearer of the Rinnegan—the reincarnation of the Sage himself. If you disappear now, who will carry Yahiko's dream forward? The time to resurrect him is not now. That decision should wait until you've fulfilled his ideals first."
Nagato's dazed expression slowly cleared. "You're right… You're absolutely right. Then… tell me—how do I bring peace to the ninja world?"
Obito didn't hesitate. Now that the groundwork had been laid, he began to weave his web.
"First," he said, "you must master all Six Paths techniques. That will make you near invincible. Then, you must reorganize the Akatsuki. Gather powerful rogue ninja from every land—ignore origin or reputation. Value only strength. Transform Akatsuki into a transnational mercenary group, build your influence and wealth, and when the time is right… start collecting the Tailed Beasts."
"The Tailed Beasts…" Nagato murmured. "Those legendary chakra monsters. There are nine of them. I've heard Konoha holds the strongest—Kurama, the Nine-Tails."
Obito nodded. "Correct. Long ago, the Sage of Six Paths divided the power of the Ten-Tails into nine parts—these tailed beasts. He hoped that someone in the future would unify their power and bring peace to the world. You are the reincarnation of that Sage, and the Rinnegan is the proof. You were born for this."
Nagato's breath quickened. "I want to know more. Please—tell me everything."
A faint smile crept beneath Obito's mask. "Come with me. I'll tell you everything about this world…"
A vortex of Kamui spiraled open, swallowing Nagato and Konan into its center.
A few days later.
Outside the Hidden Rain Village, atop a high tower, Nagato stood inside a chakra transmission rig. His body was pierced by black chakra rods extending from his back.
Creak— The iron doors groaned open.
Konan entered, dressed in her black-and-red Akatsuki cloak, a black piercing under her lower lip. Beside her stood a tall man with harsh features, short brown hair, and the same black rods embedded in his face. He was the Deva Path of Pain—Yahiko's reanimated body.
"I never imagined I'd fight alongside Yahiko again," Nagato said, his voice full of emotion. "Obito… this is all thanks to you."
Obito stood quietly in the corner, donning a black cloak. "This isn't charity," he replied. "The Pain Paths will compensate for your lack of mobility and ensure your real body stays safe. My role here is finished."
"Then allow me to honor you as the true leader behind Akatsuki," Nagato called out as Obito turned to leave.
Obito paused for a moment and simply answered, "Mm."
As his figure faded into the distance, Nagato turned to the man beside him—his friend reborn as Pain. "But to the world… you will always be the face of Akatsuki, Yahiko."
"What do we do next?" Konan asked softly.
The Deva Path of Pain answered without hesitation. "We follow Obito's instructions. First, recruit rogue ninja from every land. Background doesn't matter—only strength. Then we turn Akatsuki into a transnational mercenary force. Once we've gathered the funds and power… we begin collecting the Tailed Beasts."
Rumble… rumble…
Thunder rolled through the thick clouds. The sky itself seemed to cry.
Obito stood in the rain, casting one last glance toward Amegakure. His voice was a low whisper, lost in the storm.
"This little country that weeps year-round… is the perfect soil for darkness to take root. From today onward… Pain is born."