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Meanwhile, at the Akatsuki headquarters.
Seated on the palm of the Gedo Statue in the cavernous chamber, now empty, Obito no longer wore any pretense. The pupils beneath his mask burned with a crimson intensity.
"Itachi, that guy..."
A month prior, Obito had decided to locate Kagaya and teach him the method to break the Nine-Tails' seal.
Obito was unwilling to have any other Akatsuki members directly involved in the Konoha affair, as that risked exposing the organization's true strength. Therefore, to further weaken Konoha, Obito needed to use another's hands.
He didn't trust Itachi. As for Kisame, it was unlikely he could learn to break the Nine-Tails' seal in a short time. Thus, Obito decided to find Kagaya, instruct him on breaking the seal, and unleash a long-awaited second "Nine-Tails Attack" upon Konoha.
He aimed to severely cripple the village, setting it back years in its recovery.
However, not knowing Kagaya's exact location, Obito could only first use Kamui to transfer to the Land of Waves and then search for him.
But before he could find Kagaya, Itachi found Obito first.
Obito hid nothing, directly stating his intention to find Kagaya and his purpose.
What Obito never expected was that Itachi outright refused, withholding Kagaya's location and actively blocking Obito's path.
This amounted to direct defiance against Obito, the de facto leader of Akatsuki!
Consequently, Obito and Itachi clashed. Both sustained minor injuries before disengaging and retreating.
In the face of Itachi's rebellion this time, Obito said nothing. He did not expel Itachi from Akatsuki, nor did he have Pain reprimand him.
This act of defiance from Itachi allowed Obito to see him clearly: this man's heart still leaned towards Konoha; he was unwilling to subject the village to a second Nine-Tails catastrophe.
If Obito were to expel Itachi from Akatsuki now, there was a chance—however slim—that Konoha might take him back. Obito had no desire to bolster Konoha's strength.
As for Itachi, Obito had a plan. Since he wanted to remain in Akatsuki, let him stay. From now on, all of Akatsuki's secrets would be guarded from Itachi with extra vigilance. Itachi would learn nothing more about the organization's deeper workings.
As long as Itachi remained in Akatsuki, Obito would continue to use him as nothing more than a tool.
Concerning Kagaya's side...
Obito was not yet ready for an open confrontation with Itachi, so he decided against seeking out Kagaya again.
With his Kamui ability, sneaking into Konoha himself to unleash the Nine-Tails when the time was ripe would not be difficult!
This could also be considered a "gift" for Itachi. Obito was curious to see how Itachi would handle the Nine-Tails then!
In a stretch of desert.
Orochimaru stood with Kabuto and Kimimaro. Before them lay the fallen form of the Fourth Kazekage, still clad in his Kazekage robes.
Orochimaru looked at Kimimaro. "You've worked hard this time, Kimimaro."
Kimimaro was breathing heavily, gasping for air. "Serving Lord Orochimaru is my honor."
In the battle against the Fourth Kazekage, the main force was not Orochimaru, but Kimimaro. Just as Kagaya had predicted upon meeting him, Kimimaro possessed genuine Kage-level strength. The Shikotsumyaku (Dead Bone Pulse) kekkei genkai was undeniably terrifyingly powerful.
Orochimaru had initially even considered pursuing the Shikotsumyaku over the Sharingan, which spoke volumes about this bloodline limit's potency.
If not for Kimimaro's severe illness, Orochimaru and Kabuto might not have been needed at all; Kimimaro alone could likely have defeated the Fourth Kazekage.
In the original story, by the end, Kimimaro's illness had progressed to the point where he was bedridden, kept alive only by being tightly secured to various medical devices.
Even in that state, on the verge of death at any moment, Kimimaro rose to intercept Naruto and the others, engaging Gaara in a fierce battle.
Yet, despite being that gravely ill—sick to the point of imminent death—and with Gaara utilizing his tailed beast's power, Kimimaro still nearly killed him.
Most importantly, the current Kimimaro was only 15 years old. At merely 15, he was already this strong. Without his illness, his future potential would have been unimaginable.
Of course, reality could not be altered. Speculation was useless. Kimimaro was indeed terrifyingly powerful, and the Shikotsumyaku was a fearsome ability. But ultimately, not long from now, Kimimaro would still succumb to his hereditary illness.
Orochimaru bent down and grasped the Kazekage robe on the Fourth's body. "Now then, we prepare to enter Konoha. Kabuto, you go ahead first. Infiltrate the ranks of the Konoha examinees as planned."
Kabuto nodded. "Yes, sir!"
Not long after, Orochimaru donned the Kazekage robe. The "Fourth Kazekage" had reappeared.
Kimimaro returned to the Otogakure base to recuperate. Kabuto departed first for Konoha. Orochimaru, now impersonating the Kazekage, leisurely followed the previously planned route towards the village.
Half a month later.
Kagaya received a letter. It was from Orochimaru. On it was written a single character: "Four".
To anyone else, it would seem a nonsensical letter, as if a random number had been scribbled and sent. But upon seeing it, Kagaya couldn't help but smile.
A letter from Orochimaru was almost certainly related to their plan. Especially such an enigmatic message—it must concern a critical aspect of the scheme for Orochimaru to write something others couldn't comprehend.
In Kagaya and Orochimaru's plan, what major event was associated with the number "Four"? There was only one: the assassination of the Fourth Kazekage.
It seemed Orochimaru had succeeded.
Then, he could no longer remain in the Land of Waves. He needed to head for Konoha.
A few days later.
Konohagakure.
The Hokage's Office was filled with numerous Konoha ninja. The Third Hokage sat at the head.
Taking a puff from his pipe, the Third spoke. "I've gathered you all for one purpose. Seeing who is assembled, you should already understand."
Kakashi responded calmly. "So it's that time already."
Asuma added, "The other nations have been notified, right? After all, we've been seeing their people around the village lately."
Notifying the other nations was essentially a formality, a heads-up.
Kurenai continued, "So, when is it?"
The Third answered,
"In one week."
Kakashi expressed slight surprise.
"That's quite soon..."
The Third exhaled a plume of smoke and declared,
"Then, I hereby formally announce: seven days from today, on July 1st, the Chūnin Selection Exams will officially commence!"
With the Third's proclamation, Konoha too officially entered the phase of the Chūnin Exams.
In Konoha, Kakashi, Asuma, and others were considering their students.
Among a group of examinees, a bespectacled student subtly adjusted his glasses. His name was Kabuto.
On the route from Sunagakure to Konoha, the "Fourth Kazekage" advanced steadily towards the village.
At the Akatsuki headquarters, Obito's Sharingan gleamed faintly. He was waiting for the opportune moment.
In the Land of Waves, Kagaya, accompanied by Karin and the others, began his journey towards Konohagakure.
*****
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