Black Zetsu arrived swiftly.
Just as Akihara Kagura finished fabricating history, Black Zetsu finally reached the spot. Its body slowly emerged from the ground, and it seemed somewhat annoyed.
However...
Black Zetsu could only curse inwardly and did not dare to speak aloud.
"You've arrived?"
Upon seeing Black Zetsu, Akihara Kagura took the initiative to speak: "We need to find someone from the Hyuga clan to decipher the content on this..."
"What is this?"
Black Zetsu glanced at the small object in Akihara Kagura's hand and asked sinisterly: "You don't want to tell me this is a historical artifact of the Hyuga clan, do you?"
"You're right."
Akihara Kagura nodded and smiled lightly: "According to my guess, only the Byakugan can reveal the hidden truth within it, as it contains a vacuum inside..."
"Wait a minute..."
Black Zetsu frowned and questioned sternly: "Akihara Kagura, didn't you tell me this contains information about the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki or something?"
"There should be some."
Akihara Kagura raised his eyebrows and continued: "Based on what I know, the Uchiha clan's stele and the Senju clan's bark both record information about the Ten-Tails. The Hyuga clan's historical relics should also contain such information, right?"
"Moreover..."
"Inside, there must be quite interesting secrets."
"Based on what I know, this is something a Byakugan ninja from the Warring States period swore to protect to the death. Before dying, he must have hidden the information inside the vacuum. To read it, the Byakugan's vision ability is necessary..."
Akihara Kagura held the toothpick-sized wooden stick and said softly: "Such a small thing, extremely fragile in material, any slight external force would destroy the information inside. Preserving it until now is not easy..."
"How did you get it?"
Black Zetsu was very curious about the origin of the toothpick-sized wooden stick.
"The bark and this came together."
Akihara Kagura did not deceive Black Zetsu and said with a light smile: "I went through great trouble to read the information on the bark, always thinking of a way to get a Byakugan to read the content on this. But I have eyes more suitable for myself..."
"Eyes?"
Black Zetsu's voice suddenly became sharp, as if it had thought of the most famous eyes in the ninja world: "Mangekyō Sharingan? I remember you are from the Senju clan..."
"First, read the information on this."
Akihara Kagura landed on Black Zetsu and invited with a smile: "I know how to revive the Ten-Tails and how to destroy this world, but creating a new world, I still have no clue. I need someone to help guide me..."
"..."
Black Zetsu was still somewhat worried.
Black Zetsu was still worried that the Hyuga clan's historical records would be detrimental to it, knowing well that its deeds were not commendable.
Of course.
No matter how bad its own intentions were, they were more benevolent than Akihara Kagura's goals. At least the people of the ninja world were less likely to face total annihilation.
Land of Fire.
In a forest.
A group of Konoha ninjas were still besieging Uchiha Obito.
Hatake Kakashi's eyes held a Mangekyō Sharingan, ready to activate at any moment!
Hatake Kakashi had already discovered that his Mangekyō Sharingan and Uchiha Obito's Mangekyō Sharingan shared a common space. He intended to send the attack into Obito's Kamui space, thus being able to attack Obito's body!
"Give it up, Obito!"
Hatake Kakashi looked at his old friend and urged him in a solemn tone, "Now, you can't even escape. I've seen through your weakness, Obito!"
"Ka...kashi!" Uchiha Obito raised his hand and pointed at Hatake Kakashi, sneering, "You think you've seen through my weakness, but what can you do now?"
"Rasengan!" Uzumaki Naruto leaped forward, holding a Rasengan!
Obito's body instantly turned intangible! However, Kakashi's eyes tightened, and the power of his Kamui Mangekyo Sharingan activated, absorbing Naruto's Rasengan into the Kamui dimension! In the next moment, Obito, hiding in the Kamui dimension, was inexplicably hit by the Rasengan, immediately feeling his chakra disrupted. He clenched his teeth in anger!
This wasn't the first time such a thing had happened.
Nevertheless, Obito instinctively relied on Kamui over the years, even disdainful of dodging attacks!
"Fire Release: Blast Wave Wild Dance!" Obito suddenly raised his fingers, glaring at Hatake Kakashi fiercely, "Then I'll deal with you first!"
The Kamui Mangekyo Sharingan activated suddenly!
A spiral hurricane emerged from the Kamui dimension, enhancing the Fire Release jutsu released by Obito. The spiraling Fire Release jutsu flew towards Kakashi!
"Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall!" A figure landed beside Hatake Kakashi!
Rows of sturdy wooden planks appeared around them, forming a hemispherical barrier that blocked Obito's Fire Release!
"As expected of Captain Yamato..." Kiba Inuzuka from Team 8 praised in awe, "Wood Release Kekkei Genkai is indeed reliable, just like the Hokage's aides in the village..."
"Uh..." Yamato, or rather Tenzo, seemed a bit unaccustomed to his name being used outside of ANBU.
After leaving the ANBU, Yamato could no longer use the codename Tenzo. He shook his head slightly, somewhat embarrassed, and said modestly, "It's just a basic Wood Release technique. I'm far behind Lord Kagura..."
"That's true..." Hatake Kakashi, well-acquainted with both Kagura and Yamato, showed little respect, having spent so much time together, "If that guy were here, we could attack Obito without holding back..."
"..."
Hearing Kakashi mention Kagura, Obito's eyes narrowed slightly, and he suddenly thought of an interesting idea.
The Konoha Nine-Tails Jinchuriki Uzumaki Naruto was right here...
He might as well capture this brat and expose Kagura's true identity to Hatake Kakashi, letting him see the harsh reality of the world! Letting Kakashi know...
Just how false this world truly is! Once this thought arose, Obito found it hard to suppress. He had long grown tired of Kagura always having them cooperate with him in Konoha, and their cooperation was merely to evade Konoha's pursuit and capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!
Now...
The Akatsuki had already sealed seven tailed beasts within the Gedo Statue, leaving only the Eight-Tails from the Cloud and the Nine-Tails from Konoha...
To avoid any mishaps, he might as well capture Uzumaki Naruto, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, right here, preventing Kagura from coercing them into cooperation in the future!
This way...
He could also cause some trouble for Kagura, whom he had always disliked!
Obito had long been displeased with Kagura. Although that guy had solved many problems for the Akatsuki and him, the source of the troubles was often that guy himself! Like being hunted by the four Hokage...
With this thought, Obito made up his mind immediately. His eyes flashed, and he lunged towards Uzumaki Naruto, reaching out to grab him!
"Leaf Whirlwind!"
Might Guy forced Uchiha Obito into his intangibility state with a single kick!
"Leaf Hurricane!"
Might Guy delivered another spinning kick!
"Damn it…"
As Uchiha Obito watched Might Guy charging at him, an unpleasant memory surfaced. Back in Konoha, he always seemed to be defeated by Might Guy!
Now...
This Taijutsu-only guy dares to obstruct me!
Uchiha Obito leaped onto a high tree, glaring furiously at the well-protected Uzumaki Naruto below. A flicker of anger crossed his face, because that eye was in Hatake Kakashi's possession...
It was troublesome and tricky to capture Uzumaki Naruto!
However!
It wasn't without opportunity!
Uchiha Obito quickly entered the space-time vortex, disappearing from the scene, leaving all the Konoha ninjas startled!
"Be careful!"
Hatake Kakashi urgently warned!
"Byakugan: Activate!"
Neji Hyuga of Team 3 immediately activated his Byakugan, searching for traces of Uchiha Obito!
"Byakugan: Activate!"
Hinata Hyuga of Team 8 also activated her Byakugan. Her Byakugan, with no blind spots, was more precise than Neji's! However...
They could not find any trace of Uchiha Obito.
Once he entered his space, Uchiha Obito seemed to disappear completely.
"Has he left?"
Haruno Sakura raised her hand, sensing the chakra reactions nearby.
"His presence is gone."
Kiba Inuzuka sniffed the air, and his little dog Akamaru nodded.
"Can't find him…"
Shino Aburame extended his hand, a small insect landing on his finger.
All the sensory ninjas on the scene checked, but none could locate Uchiha Obito, appearing as if he had completely left.
However...
In the next moment!
A space-time vortex suddenly appeared on a tree!
Countless weapons shot towards everyone, forcing them to hurriedly evade!
As the ninjas were tensely dodging, the space-time vortex vanished, and reappeared behind Uzumaki Naruto. Uchiha Obito emerged, gripping Naruto's shoulder, about to pull him into the Kamui dimension!
"Obito!"
Hatake Kakashi was shocked!
A shuriken flew directly towards Uchiha Obito, forcing him to stop absorbing Naruto into Kamui!
Obito had to abandon absorbing Naruto, entering Kamui's intangibility to avoid the shuriken, then immediately re-materialized, his hand still gripping Naruto's shoulder!
"Don't move, Kakashi."
Uchiha Obito spoke coldly, stopping Hatake Kakashi's actions with a smirk on his face, intending to use this chance to recount a story, distracting Kakashi and buying time to capture Naruto!
"Kakashi, do you remember our first meeting?"
"When we were kids? I remember I..."
Hatake Kakashi recalled their first encounter.
At that time...
They were supposed to be signing up for the Ninja Academy...
No, that's not right...
Obito was late when he registered...
"No!"
Uchiha Obito interrupted Hatake Kakashi, frowning disdainfully and said coldly, "I mean the time you truly discovered my identity!"
"The day you tried to assassinate Naruto..."
Hatake Kakashi had not forgotten that day.
Because Uchiha Obito attempted to assassinate Uzumaki Naruto, Akihara Kagura happened to uncover his identity, revealing that this old friend was still alive...
In order to bring back Uchiha Obito...
That period caused considerable trouble for other ninja villages.
"No."
Uchiha Obito shook his head and suddenly said with a sneer, "Do I need to continue telling you? The person who wanted to assassinate Uzumaki Naruto that day was not me at all..."
"Hmm?"
Hatake Kakashi frowned.
"The one who wanted to assassinate Naruto was Akihara Kagura..."
Uchiha Obito chuckled lightly, bringing up the matter again. He seemed to know that Hatake Kakashi did not believe him, so he softly explained, "Because before he attempted to assassinate Uzumaki Naruto, I used Wood Release to kill Aburame Tatsuma from the Konoha Root, with the purpose of framing him..."
"I remember that incident..."
Yamato's brow furrowed tightly, and his eyes immediately turned sharp.
That incident...
Yamato could remember it for a lifetime!
Because at that time, someone used Wood Release to kill Aburame Tatsuma, and Akihara Kagura was very angry, directly putting the blame on Yamato, who had just become Akihara Kagura's superior that day...
Honestly...
Yamato was very anxious that day.
"That kid is very clever."
Uchiha Obito's mouth revealed a sinister smile, seemingly having mixed feelings about that day, "That kid knew he couldn't clear himself of the suspicion of killing Aburame Tatsuma. He knew Konoha would definitely suspect him as the murderer of Aburame Tatsuma and that someone was secretly framing him. So, he planned to assassinate Uzumaki Naruto that night, intending to frame me by killing Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and thus protect himself by blowing up the situation..."
"What nonsense are you talking about!"
Uzumaki Naruto charged directly at Uchiha Obito!
How could such a thing be possible?
Uzumaki Naruto couldn't believe that Akihara Kagura would want to assassinate him!
"Don't move!"
Uchiha Obito wouldn't recklessly pull Uzumaki Naruto into the Kamui dimension because he knew if he did, other Konoha ninjas would immediately swarm in!
Now...
What he needed was to create a suitable opportunity!
Hatake Kakashi's brow twitched; he was somewhat inclined to believe it.
Because Akihara Kagura was very young at that time and deeply influenced by Shimura Danzo, it was highly likely for him to do something so extreme.
However...
At this moment, Hatake Kakashi could not admit that he believed it.
Hatake Kakashi slowly shook his head, softly denying his thoughts, "Obito, there's no need to say any more. I won't believe it..."
"No."
Uchiha Obito didn't seem to care whether they believed it or not, continuing with a sinister smile, "What I want to say is, that very night, that kid Akihara Kagura defected to me..."
"You're joking, right?"
Hatake Kakashi's face wrinkled up.
Other Konoha ninjas' faces also wrinkled up.
Such a thing...
Sounds like a complete fairy tale!
Akihara Kagura was Konoha's strongest ninja, always protecting the village's safety, even serving as the Hokage's assistant and the future Hokage. How could he possibly defect to Uchiha Obito, a rogue ninja with no reputation?
All eyes in the room gradually turned disdainful as they looked at Uchiha Obito. It wasn't that their thoughts were impolite, but Obito's words were simply too outrageous.
"Pfft..."
Yamanaka Ino from Team 10 laughed openly.
"Um, perhaps this is a bit impolite..."
Nara Shikamaru from Team 10 scratched his head. Despite his high IQ, he couldn't fathom why Obito would say such a thing. He could only point out that there was absolutely no way Akihara Kagura would defect to Obito. "How about you consider your own status? What is Lord Kagura's status?"
"Exactly..."
A group of Konoha ninja nodded in agreement.
An S-rank rogue ninja from Konoha, a Konoha Hokage's assistant.
"Ignorant!"
Obito looked at the group of Konoha ninja mocking him and immediately flew into a rage. Now, no one believed him even when he was telling the truth!
"Then, do you think..."
Obito calmed his emotions, squinted his eyes, and stared intently at Hatake Kakashi. "Why do you think I've always been able to evade your tracking? From the day you started investigating me, I have continuously received information from him..."
"Even what I did in Rock Village..."
"It was all part of a plan between that kid and me, intended to lure you to Rock Village to investigate my whereabouts because you had traced it to two members of the Akatsuki."
"Moreover..."
"You all think that kid is very powerful..."
"But to me, he is merely a pawn. Our plan possesses a strength far greater than his!"
"Kakashi."
Obito's gaze fell on Hatake Kakashi, and he suddenly asked, "That night, after we met, you went to Rin's grave to pay your respects, didn't you?"
"That's right."
Hatake Kakashi remembered that night very clearly.
"While you were talking to Rin..."
A mocking smile appeared on Obito's face, as if he was ridiculing his old friend. "I was in the forest with Akihara Kagura, discussing the plan for him to infiltrate Konoha. From that day on, he became my spy in Konoha..."
"Otherwise..."
"Guess why I've been able to evade the pursuit of four Hokages?"
"Guess why the Akatsuki has not been exposed by Konoha for all these years, not even their base? Even Hanzo of the Salamander in Rain Village knows the base, but Akihara Kagura can't find the whereabouts of the Akatsuki?"
"..."
Sweat suddenly appeared on Hatake Kakashi's forehead.
This matter...
Should he go back and test Akihara Kagura?
"Hmph..."
A triumphant smile appeared on Obito's face!
Obito suddenly exerted force on Uzumaki Naruto's hand, trying to take advantage of Kakashi and the others' distraction to pull Naruto, the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, into his Kamui space!
Killing two birds with one stone!
If he could capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Akihara Kagura's role as a pawn would be negligible. He could force him to defect to draw Konoha's attention!
"Naruto!"
Haruno Sakura was the first to sense something amiss!
Team 3's leader, Might Guy, also launched an attack immediately!
However...
In the next moment!
Uzumaki Naruto in Obito's hand vanished from the spot!
A figure dressed in Root uniform, with a hint of crimson in his eyes, appeared instantly beside Naruto, moving him to a safe location in a split second, rescuing him from the spatial vortex of Kamui!
After saving Naruto, the first thing this Root ninja did was not to celebrate but to reprimand him with a bit of frustration.
"You idiot, how could you almost get caught by such a loser…"
~~~
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— Ending + Extra Chapters!
Read upto Chapter 348: End! + Extra Chapters of Sasuke's Rebirth where the world Akihara Kagura is not around. Thank you!