(PS: The previous plot about sealing Sakura's memory has been replaced with a genjutsu manipulation.)
Deep within the Akatsuki hideout, before the Gedo Statue, Obito flexed his newly attached right arm before turning. A white silk bandage was already wrapped around his left eye.
He reached for the orange mask resting on a nearby stone pedestal.
White Zetsu spoke up. "Hey, you've got both eyes transplanted now. Shouldn't you change your mask?"
Obito silently picked up the mask and placed it on his face before answering. "Hashirama's cells can't fully negate the blindness side effect of using a Mangekyō pair. My left eye… I plan to unleash it only under special circumstances."
"What kind of 'special circumstances'?" White Zetsu asked.
"For example… when Sasuke Uchiha appears before me again," Obito said.
"Right," White Zetsu said. "That guy keeps screwing with our plans. Strong enough to beat Nagato, even. We definitely need to be wary."
Whether the current Sasuke had truly surpassed Nagato, Obito neither confirmed nor denied. He glanced at White Zetsu with his right eye. "Black Zetsu hasn't been with you lately."
White Zetsu shrugged. "That guy… slipped away again right after we sealed the Seven-Tails. Said he'd show up when you catch the Eight-Tails and are ready to seal it. Just give him a heads-up."
Obito looked away, his mind working. Black Zetsu. A manifestation of Madara's will, created using Yin-Yang Release. A method Madara left to monitor me. It may not have much combat power, but keeping it around is a ticking time bomb. Once all the Tailed Beasts are sealed, I'll dispose of it. Eliminate the future threat.
Naturally, he didn't voice these thoughts in front of White Zetsu.
He sat on the stone chair. "Any news on the Eight-Tails, Killer B?"
"Nothing from the Eight-Tails itself," White Zetsu said. "But his brother, the Raikage… there's news."
"Oh?"
"Kisame was spotted by Kumo scouts on his way to the Cloud Village. The Cloud-Thunder Gorge was destroyed, and Killer B vanished. The Raikage, of course, thinks his little brother died at our hands. He's furious. Preparing to call a Five Kage Summit. Wants to unite them all to hunt us down."
Obito lowered his gaze, a cold sneer forming. Heh… Killer B had a chance to kill Kisame. Instead, he faked his death to sneak out and have fun. And now he's about to trigger a world war. Is he just that carefree, or does he thrive on chaos?
"Fine. If the Raikage insists we killed the Eight-Tails… then we'll make it a reality. Convening the Five Kage Summit will take at least a month. Plenty of time for us to capture the real prize."
"Problem is, we're critically short-handed," White Zetsu said. "Unless you plan to go yourself."
Obito explained why he couldn't go himself. "Sasuke knows the Eight-Tails is our target. We can't rule out his interference. My eyes… must be reserved for that variable."
"Hm?"
Suddenly, White Zetsu's expression shifted.
"What is it?" Obito asked.
"Just as we're short on manpower, two missing persons return. Talk about perfect timing."
"Missing persons?"
"My clones spotted them near the Land of Fire's border. Suigetsu and Jugo. Missing since the One-Tails sealing."
Those two… could they have been re-tamed by Orochimaru, sent to spy on me?
Obito stood up.
"I'll go verify it myself."
In the forests near the Land of Fire border, Suigetsu and Jugo walked openly.
Suigetsu complained non-stop. "Damn that Orochimaru! We finally escape Akatsuki, and he sends us right back! He really doesn't value other people's lives!"
Jugo asked, "Didn't you always want to stay by that Tobi's side, waiting for a chance to avenge your brother? Returning to Akatsuki should be perfect for you."
Suigetsu cradled the back of his head, gazing at the full moon. "Ever since having that dream… a lot of things became clear. Compared to all the fighting and killing… I'd rather live a peaceful, quiet life. Even if I killed Tobi, my brother wouldn't come back. Besides… I've killed plenty working under Orochimaru. If all those people's families came for revenge, ten of my lives wouldn't be enough. Being a shinobi… life and death are fate. Can't blame anyone."
SWOOSH!
Just as Suigetsu was sharing his newfound philosophy, a dark, ominous vortex swirled into existence in the empty space ahead.
Obito landed. His voice was chillingly calm. "Well, well. Long time no see, you two."
Suigetsu's whole demeanor changed in an instant. "Oh! Tobi-sama! I've been waiting for you, looking at the stars, looking at the moon! I've finally, finally found you again!!!"
A black rod slid from the sleeve of his Akatsuki robe into his hand. Obito advanced, his steps cold and measured. "Spare me the act. You both vanished after the One-Tails sealing. Even White Zetsu's clones couldn't find a trace. Explain. Where have you been for the past half-year? What have you been doing?"
The killing intent radiating from Obito was palpable, suffocating. Suigetsu trembled like a leaf in a storm. The lines he'd prepared earlier evaporated from his mind.
"I… I, uh… how… uhh."
"Get your tongue straight," Obito said. "Or… have you nothing to say?"
GAG—HURK!
Overwhelmed by tension, Suigetsu vomited violently.
Jugo steeled himself. "We… after sealing Shukaku… Sasuke Uchiha barged in. He captured us."
"And then? He sent you back to my side. To act as inside men. To rescue that 'Nagato,' correct?"
Jugo clenched his fists. "We escaped when they weren't looking! As for the 'Nagato' you mentioned, we don't know him! Akatsuki gave us shelter when we were lost. We've never thought of betraying them again. That's the truth. Believe it or not."
"No," Obito said. "Whether to believe it or not… isn't up to me. It depends on—Genjutsu."
CRACK!
Obito's hand shot out, clamping around Suigetsu's throat and lifting him into the air.
Vomit still dripped from Suigetsu's mouth. Damn it… has he gotten even stronger? Under his gaze, I can't even liquefy!
ZAP!
Obito's right eye locked onto Suigetsu's pupils.
"I don't trust you. For my sake, and for yours… if you pass my genjutsu inspection, you can rejoin Akatsuki. If you fail… you'll return the Sharingan I gifted you. And sleep here forever."
—Genjutsu: Sharingan!
Suigetsu's pupils trembled violently. His entire body went slack, his mind completely ensnared.
Obito's voice dripped with cold interrogation. "After sealing the One-Tail, where did you go?"
Suigetsu answered in a monotone, "Captured by Sasuke Uchiha. Held prisoner by him and his group for half a year."
Obito pressed, "Why are you here now?"
Suigetsu answered in a monotone, "They went out. We seized the chance and escaped…"
The hand around Suigetsu's throat slowly relaxed.
"Hah… Hah… Hah…"
Suigetsu gasped for air, his mind flashing back to the conversation he had before leaving.
"Jugo, Suigetsu. The hardest part of returning to Akatsuki will be Obito Uchiha's 'genjutsu.' It will directly decide whether you live or die. Therefore, I will place a 'Genjutsu Insurance' on your 'Sharingan.' When subjected to genjutsu, the insurance will activate, making you speak the preset phrases I prepared."
"What if… just what if… he notices something is off?"
"In that case… pray for your own survival."
"Hey… you @#$%!!!"
CRACK!!
Obito's hand clamped around Suigetsu's throat again—without warning! The Sharingan activated once more!
"—Just kidding. To be safe, I've placed two layers of Genjutsu Insurance on you. That's the limit of what you can withstand."
Before falling under the genjutsu again, a hundred emotions surged through Suigetsu. Sasuke Uchiha… you're something else…
ZAP…!!
Under the second genjutsu, Obito asked the same questions. The answers remained identical.
After the second session ended, the mental strain was too great. Suigetsu collapsed, unconscious.
Jugo tightened his fists, his voice low. "You plan to test me the same way?"
"Unnecessary."
Obito turned away coldly. "Follow me. The moment we have a lead on the Eight-Tails, we move out."
His mind was already made up. Regardless of whether these two are hiding something… I'll use them. Have them work with Kisame to capture the Eight-Tails. Then… dispose of them immediately. Leave no loose ends.
Jugo bent down, hauling Suigetsu over his shoulder. He looked at Obito's retreating back, a sharp, nearly imperceptible glint flashing in his eyes. His hand brushed against the kunai in his weapons pouch—the one marked with the Flying Thunder God Technique seal.
Then… supporting Suigetsu, he followed Obito's footsteps without a sound.
Deep within the dark cavern, candlelight flickered.
Azure blue eyes snapped open. "Nngh… I think I overslept…!"
"Naruto… you're awake…"
Rubbing his bleary eyes, Naruto looked. The figure before him was none other than…
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Read up to (100+ ) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here: patreon.com/BingeInk
Happy reading, everyone!