Obito stood frozen, his thoughts tangled. How could he even begin to explain all this?
There was no way he could've predicted Mufasa—now Kazekage of the Sand Village—would be generous enough to grant his debtors such mercy.
No room for argument.
Obito was genuinely frustrated.
What could he even say?
He had always prided himself on being the true mastermind: manipulating Nagato, pulling the strings behind the Akatsuki, twisting Konoha's fate, and even nudging hidden villages like Amegakure. All their conflicts, all their destruction—he had planned it all. The entire ninja world was a chessboard to him.
And now… this?
The so-called mastermind had just realized he was being played himself.
It felt like being yanked off a divine throne and slammed straight into the mud.
He felt humiliated, angry. His stomach churned.
Nagato narrowed his eyes at him. "So... anything else you want to add?"
Obito shook his head with a bitter smile. "After everything I've done... you still doubt me?"
Nagato's voice turned steely. "If you want to prove your loyalty, then go kill Kazekage Mufasa. Do it now."
From the corner of his eye, Obito noticed shadows lurking in the cave.
He could make out five of the Six Paths of Pain, standing motionless like sentinels. Behind them... more figures.
The Six Paths Ninja Army.
It was a force Nagato had built after seeing the overwhelming might of the Sand Ninja under Mufasa's command. Elite Ame-nin were selected, altered with both biological engineering and ninja tech to replicate abilities akin to the Rinnegan's Six Paths.
This army was Nagato's trump card to challenge the dominance of the Sand.
And it was ready to strike.
Obito let out a slow breath. Nagato was prepared.
One wrong word, and he'd be dogpiled by Pain and this experimental army.
The army he helped create might now be the weapon to end him.
Even the rest of the Akatsuki had noticed the shift.
Hidan, always the loudmouth, suddenly fell quiet.
"Senpai… this might be the real deal," he muttered.
Kakuzu's sharp green eyes narrowed. Something had changed.
Kisame turned toward Itachi. "So, what now, Itachi?"
Itachi's gaze didn't waver. "We wait."
Could this be the day Akatsuki crumbles?
BLack Zetsu and White Zetsu, lingering in the background, exchanged nervous glances. If a fight broke out, would they be dragged down with Obito?
Zetsu—specifically Black Zetsu—felt an unfamiliar panic. Obito had only been active a little over a decade, yet he'd accomplished so much. Zetsu had been scheming for over a thousand years.
Was it all going to unravel… now?
A whisper entered Zetsu's mind.
"Stay calm. Lie low in the shadows and wait."
Obito already had a plan forming.
He gave a mock-resigned sigh. "Fine. If that's what it takes to earn your trust… I'll do it. I'll fight Kazekage myself."
No illusions here. He had no hope of winning.
But that wasn't the point.
He'd feign death, vanish into the darkness, and have Zetsu keep watching Akatsuki from the inside.
Hearing this, Nagato gave the nod.
Hidan, Kakuzu, Kisame, and Itachi all turned to Nagato.
Pain spoke. "Kazekage is in the village. Go now."
Obito nodded. "Understood."
"La la la la~"
Mufasa was soaking in a steaming hot spring, relaxed as ever.
Across from him—Jiraiya, the Toad Sage.
Both men sat in the bubbling water, only towels covering their modesty. Wooden trays floated beside them, stacked with sake and tiny cups.
As they drank, they chatted casually.
"You're looking sharp today, Jiraiya," Mufasa grinned.
"Ha! Must be the good sake and the pretty ladies," Jiraiya chuckled.
"Shouldn't you be in your office and managing that long paperwork of yours?" Jiraiya asked.
Mufasa waved lazily. "Eh, I leave that to the interns. I'm Kazekage now—we Sand Ninjas don't bother with boring tasks anymore."
"We just sign off on supply shipments and logistics. Most of the time, you could have a ninken do my job."
Jiraiya burst out laughing. "You're one laid-back Kage."
"And you? What brings you to Rain Village again?"
Jiraiya let out a sigh. "The world's changing fast."
"Oh?"
"I used to travel on foot for months. Now people are zipping around in vehicles, trains, even high-speed blimps. What used to take two weeks now takes two days."
"Sounds convenient," Mufasa said.
Jiraiya shook his head. "Too fast. No time to appreciate the world. I walked back here before I even realized it."
"You're trying to save your old students again, aren't you?"
"Yeah... I want them to understand."
"Let things flow naturally," Mufasa replied.
The moonlight cast a silver glow. Pine trees rustled in the wind. The air smelled of jasmine and sakura.
Peaceful. Tranquil.
Suddenly, giggling echoed from the other side of the fence—where the women's bath was.
Jiraiya's eyes lit up like a kid in a candy store. "Heh heh... Kazekage, you wanna go sightseeing?"
The two quickly wrapped themselves in their towels and climbed the rock wall.
But just before they peeked—
BOOM!
A shadow dropped from above, landing on a tree branch within the hot spring area.
Shrieks erupted from the women's side.
"PERVERT!"
Footsteps, screams, chaos.
Mufasa and Jiraiya paused mid-climb, confused and annoyed.
"Damn it. We didn't even get to peek yet!" Jiraiya hissed.
They looked up at the intruder.
There he was: Obito.
Wearing the Akatsuki's black cloak with red clouds, only one eye visible beneath his mask.
Jiraiya frowned. "Akatsuki..."
Mufasa blinked. "Why the hell is he here?"
He pulled his towel tighter, then leapt to the roof with powerful chakra-enhanced legs, standing tall above Obito.
"Come to die again?" he called out casually.
From afar, on the roof of the Rain Village tower, Pain and several others observed.
Near the hot spring, ANBU and the Six Paths Ninja Army were already stationed in hiding.
Jiraiya landed beside Mufasa. "Friend of yours?"
"Hardly. He's just a sore loser," Mufasa replied.
Obito's hands clenched.
He had been insulted—publicly.
"Kazekage," he growled, "your arrogance ends today."
He weaved hand seals.
Fire Style: Grand Fireball Jutsu!
A massive fireball shot toward them like a meteor.
Mufasa didn't even move.
Jiraiya stepped forward.
Fire Style: Flame Bomb Jutsu!
His flames crashed into Obito's attack mid-air. The sky lit up with sparks and heat.
The hot spring guests screamed and fled.
Mufasa turned toward the distant tower.
This had to be orchestrated.
Obito wouldn't risk everything unless someone—Nagato, perhaps—had sent him.
Could this mean... Nagato was about to betray their agreement?
Obito and Jiraiya clashed in a furious display of ninjutsu.
The air above the hot springs lit up with bursts of chakra-infused jutsu as the two darted back and forth, their bodies weaving through the explosions like dancers. Each technique collided midair, detonating like fireworks over the steaming springs.
Mufasa suddenly raised his voice.
"Hey! Help me!"
"Someone's fighting here!"
"Call the guard! The village guard!"
Jiraiya and Obito paused for a moment, chakra flaring mid-seal. The shout caught them both off guard—and both men nearly burst into laughter.
Their chakra control faltered just enough to force a break. They instinctively retreated.
Jiraiya landed next to Mufasa, looking at him incredulously.
"Seriously? You think the security squad's going to come save you?"
Everyone knew the Hidden Rain Guard never actually protected anyone unless it benefited them.
But Mufasa wasn't joking.
"I'm a guest of Amegakure, contributing my hard-earned ryo to their economy through these fancy hot springs. I have the right to protection."
Jiraiya rolled his eyes.
"The guard that can save you hasn't been born yet."
Mufasa scanned the streets. Curious spectators filled every corner, but the supposed protectors of the peace? Nowhere to be seen.
Just as expected. Useless.
He glanced up toward the Rain Tower. Through the mist and rising steam, he could faintly see figures—Nagato, cloaked as Pain, and Konan at his side.
So they were watching.
They were letting this happen.
Why?
Was this about the Three-Tails' chakra? Were they trying to test him—or get rid of him?
But that didn't make sense. They couldn't be this petty, could they?
Before he could finish the thought, Obito launched another attack.
Jiraiya started forward, but Mufasa raised a hand.
"No need. I'll handle him."
He shot into the air, body shimmering with chakra.
Seeing him approach, Obito whipped a kunai from his sleeve and rushed forward, blade aimed straight for Mufasa's chest.
Mufasa chuckled, the wind roaring around them.
"A kunai? You really think that's going to work?"
The two clashed above the steaming waters.
Obito didn't change his course. He drove the kunai with unwavering precision.
Mufasa's hand closed around Obito's wrist.
"Tsk. Still trying to stab me?"
With a flick of his wrist and a twist of chakra-enhanced muscle, he reversed Obito's grip—forcing the kunai back into its wielder's abdomen.
The blade sank deep.
Blood spattered into the air.
Obito's eyes widened.
He collapsed.
Mufasa blinked.
"Wait... what? That actually worked? Are you not using Kamui? Is this not the real Obito? What kind of off-brand kunai is this?"
Jiraiya watched, dumbfounded.
That masked man had been keeping pace with him seconds ago.
Now he was lying in a pool of his own blood?
Had he really gotten that weak? Or was Mufasa hiding that much strength?
From atop the Rain Tower, Pain and Konan exchanged glances and turned back into the building without a word.
Then—
"HALT! Who's killing people around here?!"
Finally, the Hidden Rain Guards showed up. A full squad burst into the spa, steam trailing off their armor as they surrounded the corpse.
Mufasa landed in front of them.
"Where do you think you're going with him?"
The squad leader bowed respectfully.
"Apologies, Lord Kazekage. We're late. We're here to collect the body for investigation."
Mufasa narrowed his eyes.
"Investigation? Do I look stupid to you? That's not how this works."
The squad leader bowed deeper.
"Please understand, this is urgent."
"Don't bullshit me me. It's my kill, my business. I'm not letting you take the body."
Mufasa was just about to force the issue—
When the wind changed.
Paper fluttered in the sky.
Konan descended on paper wings, gliding to a graceful stop.
"Lord Kazekage. Please accept our deepest apologies for the chaos."
Mufasa raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. Super peaceful visit so far."
"We'll investigate this matter and deliver you a full report."
"Then leave the body with me."
Konan's tone tightened slightly.
"The corpse is vital to our internal security. I promise we'll find the truth."
Before Mufasa could press further—
Two new figures appeared at the gates.
A man and a woman.
The man had white hair covering one eye, dark skin, and tattoos of '雷' and '水' on his shoulders. A massive ninja blade rested on his back.
The woman had striking blond hair braided down her back, her sharp features framed by tight combat wear that did nothing to hide her curves.
Cloud ninja.
Mufasa and Konan turned toward them.
The man spoke first.
"Greetings, Kazekage-sama. I'm Darui, of the Hidden Cloud."
The woman nodded.
"I'm Yugito Nii, two-tails Jinchuriki."
That caught Mufasa's attention.
Darui would go on to become the Fifth Raikage. Yugito was no joke either.
"Bit overkill, isn't it? You couldn't just send a letter?"
Darui shrugged lazily, already done with the conversation. Yugito stepped forward instead.
"Raikage-sama requests your presence in the Land of Lightning. He'd like to open talks."
Mufasa frowned.
"I don't recall having business with Kumogakure."
"We are one of the Five Great Villages. It's time we strengthen ties, and Raikage-sama would prefer it face to face."
She bowed deeply.
"We had been on our way to the Land of Wind, but meeting you here is a rare opportunity."
Konan subtly signaled her team, taking advantage of the distraction to remove Obito's body.
Mufasa let it happen.
Something was off, but he couldn't place it yet.
Jiraiya elbowed him playfully.
"Hey, you think she'll join us in the hot spring?"
Yugito's eye twitched.
Mufasa intervened.
"Whoa there. Don't get yourself killed."
He turned to the Cloud duo.
"Fine. I'll go. But only if you come enjoy the springs first."
Yugito blinked.
"...Are you serious?"
Darui sighed.
"...I knew this was going to happen."
Mufasa laughed.
"I'm kidding. But I'm down for a trip to Kumogakure. Let's see what the Land of Lightning is really about."
Inside the Gedō Mazō's Cave...
The Akatsuki gathered around Obito's corpse.
He was dead.
Gone.
With this many powerful figures watching, there was no way it could've been faked.
Nagato stared down in disbelief.
Was he wrong about Uchiha Madara?
If Obito was just a pawn... then who was the real traitor?
His eyes swept across the room.
Everyone looked the same—but something had changed.
The tension was thicker than ever. Paranoia brewed.
Black Zetsu finally spoke.
"I'll take care of Tobi's burial."
Pain gave a faint nod.
"Fine. Handle it."
One by one, the Akatsuki members disappeared into the shadows.
Black Zetsu picked up Obito's corpse and vanished into the dark.
_______________________________
Word count: 2163
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