Before blades clash, loyalties begin to fracture.
Before Obito could speak Kamizuki Gen casually began recounting how he had escaped Konoha.
When he mentioned destroying Root and severely injuring Danzō a strange light ignited in Itachi's eyes.
"…Gen."
There was emotion in his voice.
Because Gen had done what he himself wanted to do but couldn't.
Wouldn't.
That alone struck straight at Itachi's heart. Still Gen's abrupt departure from Konoha and immediate entry into Akatsuki…
raised questions.
But for now, Itachi didn't dwell on them.
Instead his impression of Gen rose sharply.
"Itachi, have a seat," Gen said, spreading his hands.
"Alright."
Without hesitation, Itachi walked to the corner and brought over a small stool.
Watching this Obito could no longer remain silent.
"Enough!!"
His voice cut through the room.
Gen turned toward him at last, as if only just noticing his presence.
"Oh—right. And you are?"
There was a hint of amusement in his tone.
He enjoyed provoking Obito.
After all this was his Akatsuki.
Anyone harboring ulterior motives toward it…
would be dealt with.
Compared to Itachi ,Obito was no less of a monster.
If Gen wanted true control over Akatsuki in the future dealing with Obito and Black Zetsu was inevitable.
Obito raised his chin arrogantly, arms crossed, mimicking Madara's domineering aura.
"Brat. Didn't Pain introduce you to me?"
He had been observing for a while now.
And he had come to a conclusion this guy was all bark and no bite.
Just a good-looking shell hiding an ordinary core.
What puzzled him, however was Itachi's attitude toward him.
Obito shot Itachi a cold glance.
If this continued the Itachi he had just recruited might end up following Gen instead.
Gen smiled lightly. "Sorry. I just joined today."
Obito didn't react. Instead, he turned to Itachi.
"You know him well?"
Itachi nodded.
"Yes. We were classmates at the Academy. In every aspect… he was no worse than me."
Back then Itachi had looked down on everyone in the Academy except Kamizuki Gen.
He had once said: "If not for Gen, the Academy would be unbearably dull."
There was a reason.
During the weekly sparring sessions the instructors always paired them together.
No matter how much Itachi improved no matter how hard he fought he could never defeat Gen.
And Gen could never defeat him.
A perfect stalemate.
But that was enough.
Enough for Itachi to truly acknowledge him.
After all Gen was just a civilian-born ninja.
While he carried the pride of the Uchiha bloodline.
Obito frowned.
If Itachi said so then this Gen did have some strength.
But even so someone on Itachi's level could never match the Deva Path.
That was Obito's firm belief.
Gen chuckled. "That was the past. Just empty reputation."
Obito's expression darkened.
Oh?
Now he's getting cocky?
What Gen meant, however, was simple That was then. This is now.
Right now he was no weaker than the Deva Path.
Obito's voice turned cold.
"Even if you passed Pain's test—you haven't passed mine. Whether you can join Akatsuki… is ultimately my decision."
Gen shook his head with a smile.
"But I don't even know who you are."
In his perception Obito's imitation of Madara was painfully crude.
"You will," Obito said coldly.
The next moment beneath the mask, his Mangekyō Sharingan spun.
A faint crimson glow flickered.
He would test this man himself.
Zetsu silently stepped back.
Both White and Black Zetsu waited eagerly for the show to begin.
Itachi, too, sensed the killing intent radiating from "Madara."
For reasons he didn't fully understand he stepped forward, positioning himself beside Gen.
Standing against Obito.
Perhaps because Gen had just insulted him so bluntly.
In this world there weren't many left who could do that.
And for some twisted, subconscious reason Itachi didn't want anything to happen to him.
He had seen "Madara's" strength on the night of the massacre.
If Obito attacked Gen might not survive.
The killing intent in the air was nearly tangible.
Obito glanced at Itachi, now standing in his way.
"What are you doing?"
Itachi shook his head.
"He's already an official member of Akatsuki. What's the point of testing him again?"
Obito let out a cold laugh.
"Itachi… you haven't even joined yet, and you're already opposing me?"
"…Are you looking to die?"
"If you're in such a hurry, I don't mind sending you to join the clan you slaughtered."
He hadn't expected this.
Even now Itachi still had that rebellious streak.
"…."
Gen remained calm, completely at ease.
This was exactly what he wanted.
You want to test me? Fine.
Get past Fugaku's precious son first.
Without realizing it Itachi had already been led by Gen's words and actions.
Watching from the side, Black Zetsu saw through it immediately.
Before Obito could even test Gen he had already been dragged into conflict with Itachi.
This Gen was far more calculating than he appeared.
Black Zetsu signaled to White Zetsu.
White Zetsu quickly shouted:
"Don't fall for his provocation!"
Obito's voice remained cold.
"It doesn't matter."
The next instant in front of Itachi his body twisted into a spiraling distortion.
Kamui activated.
He vanished.
"…!"
Itachi's scalp tingled.
As expected his presence alone couldn't deter this so-called ancestor of the Uchiha.
But what he couldn't understand was why this man was so fixated on Gen.
"Gen—run!" Itachi warned.
But—
Gen remained exactly where he was.
Leaning back against the leather sofa.
Arms spread.
Completely relaxed.
Not a hint of panic.
Space warped.
Obito reappeared directly in front of him less than half a meter away.
Itachi lunged forward, trying to grab Obito's arm but his hand passed straight through.
As his hand phased through Obito glanced at him.
Then solidified.
In that instant he seized Itachi by the throat and lifted him into the air.
"…!"
Itachi gritted his teeth, grabbing Obito's wrist.
His eyes burned red Mangekyō Sharingan activated.
But the next moment Obito's hand turned intangible again.
Itachi dropped.
"Wake up," Obito said coldly. "He's using you. Turning you into a shield."
As his words fell—
his right hand swung forward.
"Wood Release: Cutting Sprigs Jutsu!"
Bang Spikes of wood erupted from Itachi's body only for him to dissolve into smoke the next instant.
Shadow clone.
The real Itachi appeared in the corner of the room.
His gaze locked onto Obito as his right hand moved to the hilt of his blade.
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read chapters ahead on Patreon → patreon.com/c/CelestialInkstudios