Another Plan of Obito and Black Zetsu
The battle between Kakashi Hatake and Obito Uchiha raged on.
After phasing through Kakashi's Raikiri with Kamui, a flicker of unease flashed in Obito's eye. He had expected to dispose of Kakashi quickly, but the battle had dragged on far longer than anticipated.
Kakashi was stronger than he had imagined.
The combination of the Flying Thunder God Technique, which he had adapted from the Fourth Hokage's teachings, and his own Raikiri made him incredibly fast. His Sharingan allowed him to predict Obito's movements, making it difficult for Obito to land a decisive blow.
Adding to Obito's troubles, Might Guy stood nearby, eagerly watching for an opening. If Guy activated the Eight Gates, even Obito might not escape unscathed. Obito found himself regretting not following Black Zetsu's advice to reclaim his lost Sharingan from Kakashi. That oversight was now proving costly.
Stepping back to widen the distance, Obito momentarily deactivated his intangibility. As soon as he solidified, he thrust his hand forward, sending sharp wooden spikes hurtling toward Kakashi with his Wood Release.
Kakashi effortlessly sliced through the attack, his expression unwavering. He hurled a specially marked kunai, imbued with Lightning Release, and in the next instant, he reappeared beside Obito, engaging in close combat.
Against Obito's peculiar space-time jutsu, conventional ninjutsu and genjutsu were useless. The only option was to fight at close range.
But close combat had always been Obito's weakness, even after years of honing his abilities.
After another use of the Flying Thunder God Technique, Kakashi felt his chakra reserves plummeting. He exhaled sharply, sweat beading on his forehead. Maintaining both the Flying Thunder God and the Sharingan was an enormous strain.
Noticing this, Obito scoffed. "That eye is a burden to you. Even after killing Rin with your own hands, you haven't changed much."
Kakashi's eyes hardened. "Rin's death wasn't my choice. She was manipulated by Kirigakure."
Obito's expression remained cold. "Of course, I know that. That's why I slaughtered every Mist ninja involved. But it doesn't change the truth. This world is cruel, and you trash will never understand it."
"I won't let you destroy the world," Kakashi declared.
His resolve firm, Kakashi focused his chakra into his Mangekyō Sharingan. He locked onto Obito's presence and activated Kamui—ripping through space itself. A vortex formed around Obito's body, distorting his form.
In the next instant, Kakashi found himself within the Kamui dimension, standing across from Obito.
"So, the other eye also has an offensive Kamui ability..." Obito muttered, his expression darkening. Still, he reached for his weapon.
If Kakashi truly experienced despair, perhaps he would finally see reason and join him.
Obito wasn't certain, but he had already decided—if necessary, he would take back his lost eye. If both Kamui eyes were reunited, not even Kakashi would have a chance to escape.
However, Obito wasn't just facing Kakashi. There was also Might Guy, waiting outside.
With his intangibility neutralized in the Kamui space, Obito was caught off guard as Guy's powerful Konoha Whirlwind struck him the moment he phased back into reality. Pain surged through his body, and before he could recover, Kakashi's Raikiri pierced his chest.
Still holding the attack in place, Kakashi looked at him with determination. "Surrender. I can convince Lord Jiraiya to spare your life. We can atone together."
Obito's eyes turned ice-cold. "Atonement?"
Without hesitation, he activated his Wood Release, sending wooden spikes through Kakashi's palm. Using Kamui, he phased away from the dimension, reappearing underground with the aid of Black Zetsu. Before Kakashi could pursue him, thick wooden roots erupted from beneath the earth, blocking his path.
Kakashi glanced around but saw no sign of Obito. His face darkened. He had almost forgotten—Obito wasn't alone. White Zetsu's clones were always lurking.
Back in the real world, Guy approached him. "Kakashi, did you capture Obito?"
Kakashi glanced at his wounded palm, shaking his head. "I gravely injured him, but he'll recover. Obito is stronger than I expected… I suspect he let me land that blow on purpose."
Guy frowned. "Why would he do that?"
Kakashi hesitated, then sighed. "Because if we captured him alive, he might still have a chance to live. If not, he could at least die quickly. But there are people out there who want him to suffer… As his friend, the least I can do is ensure he has a clean death."
Guy didn't press further. Instead, he turned toward Konoha, still in turmoil from the recent battle. "Kakashi, we drove away the masked man. That should be enough, right?"
Kakashi remained silent for a moment before nodding.
Guy wasn't interested in the political chaos within Konoha. He didn't want to be a pawn in anyone's game. His only priority was protecting his comrades and their home.
---
A Cave, Kilometers Away from Konoha
Obito sat inside a dimly lit cave, tending to his injuries. Though Kakashi's Raikiri had impaled him, the damage was negligible. That part of his body was made from Hashirama's cells, and with White Zetsu's help, it could be replaced.
What truly bothered him was losing to Kakashi and Guy.
Grabbing a nearby White Zetsu clone, Obito absorbed its tissue to regenerate his wound. He gazed toward the cave's entrance, contemplating his next move.
He had infiltrated Konoha to observe Mukade's Hidden Village forces and gauge Nagato's state of mind. But encountering Kakashi and Guy had forced his plans to change. Worse, Kakashi had partially disrupted his attempt to sever a key sealing jutsu with Chidori.
The sound of shifting earth signaled Black Zetsu's arrival. Emerging from the ground, Zetsu's blank expression gave way to a critical glare.
"Obito, this mission was a failure," Zetsu stated flatly. "I told you to retrieve your Sharingan from Kakashi. You ignored me, and now you've suffered the consequences."
Obito's only response was a cold glare.
Black Zetsu continued. "Fine. I won't bring it up again. But from now on, stay away from Kakashi. Next time, you might not escape so easily."
Pausing for a moment, Zetsu's tone grew more serious. "Nagato is becoming unpredictable. If we want to control him, it's time to consider that plan."
Obito's face darkened. He knew what Zetsu meant—reviving Uchiha Madara.
Until now, both he and Zetsu had been content to let Madara remain sealed in history. But things had changed. The world had a Jinchūriki who could control Kurama, and Nagato's allegiance was wavering.
Obito exhaled slowly, his mind racing. After a long pause, he muttered,
"I'll think about it."
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