At the Akatsuki hideout, the swirling distortion of Obito's space-time vortex slowly manifested.
Kakuzu, Deidara, and Sasori emerged one after another. Obito glanced at the three and said coldly, "Wait here for a while. I have something to deal with."
With that, Obito disappeared into his Kamui dimension.
Deidara sighed, tossing his explosive clay lazily between his fingers. "Tch, no wonder Tobi's been so depressed. That Naruto brat's insanely strong. I never thought he'd be able to control the Rinnegan."
Kakuzu's eyes narrowed. "I remember when I fought him just before I died. Thought I had him for sure... but that damn Wind Style: Rasenshuriken—nearly ripped me apart."
"That kid's a real monster," he muttered bitterly.
Sasori, arms crossed, added with a tinge of regret, "It's a shame. I never got the chance to fight him myself."
Deidara snorted. "Give it up. Can't you see Itachi's gone? What are you even talking about fighting for now?"
Just then, a faint hissing sound echoed through the air.
Deidara frowned. "What the hell is that sound?"
From the shadows stepped a pale figure—Yakushi Kabuto.
"Uchiha Itachi—what's going on?" Kabuto asked, his voice tense, his brows furrowed as he glanced toward the group. "I can still feel the connection to his reanimated body, but when I issue commands, he doesn't respond. It's like he's been... sealed."
Deidara shrugged. "Naruto caught him. He used those black receivers from the Rinnegan to pin Itachi down—he's completely immobilized."
Kabuto's expression twisted in disbelief. "He captured Uchiha Itachi? Are you serious?! Where's Obito? And the rest?!"
He was furious. Uchiha Itachi was a rare trump card—far more valuable than the three idiots standing in front of him now—and yet, he'd been captured by Naruto?!
Originally, Kabuto had planned to use Itachi as a countermeasure against the newly awakened Uchiha Sasuke, but now… that plan was ruined. His only chance was gone.
His thoughts turned to Sasuke—the boy who had just awakened the next stage of his powers. A shiver ran down his spine.
Not because he feared Sasuke's raw strength… but because he feared his personality.
Kabuto had observed Sasuke closely when they worked together under Orochimaru. He knew better than anyone—Sasuke reveled in flaunting his power the moment he obtained it.
Every time he grew stronger, Sasuke would act out.
So the moment Sasuke awakened, Kabuto had immediately sent White Zetsu to inform Obito. If Obito didn't return soon, Sasuke could spiral out of control.
Deidara chimed in, "Tobi said we should wait for a while. He had something important to deal with."
"Important?" Kabuto scowled. "What could be more urgent than Sasuke?"
As he was brooding, another space-time vortex opened—Obito returned.
"Where the hell have you been?" Kabuto demanded.
Obito removed his mask. Sweat glistened on his brow, and Deidara raised an eyebrow. "Tobi, what happened to you? You're drenched in sweat."
Kabuto watched him carefully. Obito clenched his teeth and replied, "Last time I went to Konoha, that damn Naruto managed to send a Shadow Clone into my Kamui dimension. That clone marked every inch of my space with Flying Thunder God Seals!"
Deidara burst out laughing. "Pfft! That's like a dog pissing on every tree to mark its territory!"
Obito clicked his tongue. "I just spent the last several hours resetting the entire Kamui space. Wiped it clean. But it drained almost all my chakra!"
Kabuto exhaled. "No wonder you look so worn out. But if you're this weak…"
His tone hinted at something deeper. Obito noticed immediately and narrowed his eyes. "What are you trying to say?"
Deidara frowned. "Oi, don't tell me you two are about to start fighting each other."
Kakuzu grunted. "To be honest, I wouldn't mind if you killed each other off. Just don't drag the rest of us into it."
But Kabuto wasn't backing down. His voice was sharp. "What I mean is—you're too weak now. You can't suppress me."
A voice echoed from the darkness.
Obito's expression shifted—he remembered what White Zetsu had told him.
Deidara's body tensed. That voice—it was too familiar.
All eyes turned to the shadows.
A single scarlet eye opened—Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Who the hell is that?!" Deidara shouted, reaching into his pouch for clay.
Obito held out a hand. "He's family. Don't panic."
A second eye opened.
Kakuzu, Sasori, and Deidara froze.
Purple ripples—Rinnegan—glowed in the darkness.
Obito grinned. Perfect. The training succeeded. Sasuke really awakened the Rinnegan… though only in one eye.
The sound of geta—wooden clogs—clacking on stone echoed through the hideout.
Uchiha Sasuke emerged from the darkness.
Deidara's eyes widened. "Sasuke! It's you!"
But Sasuke didn't spare him a glance. His eyes locked onto Obito.
"Where is Naruto?"
Kabuto swallowed hard. Damn it… just like I feared. He's already acting out.
Obito forced a smile. "Sasuke, you're not ready to fight yet. You need time to get familiar with the Rinnegan's abilities. Rest first—once I recover, we can spar."
In truth, Obito was stalling. Once his chakra recovered, he planned to use the White Zetsu cells implanted in Sasuke's body to immobilize him and then take the Rinnegan for himself.
That had always been the plan.
Kabuto knew exactly what Obito was up to. That's why he'd sent for him the moment Sasuke awakened.
Deidara scoffed, realizing Sasuke was ignoring him. "Oi! What's with the attitude?! Can't you see me, bastard?!"
Sasuke turned to him, eyes cold. "What do you want, corpse?"
Deidara's face turned red. "You little—! I'll blow you to bits!"
He raised a clay figure, ready to detonate.
Sasuke's eye flickered.
Deidara froze.
His seals halted mid-gesture. His limbs were paralyzed.
I… I can't move, he realized, trembling. His ocular power—it's even stronger than Itachi's…
Obito watched quietly, thoughts churning. One glance and he shut Deidara down completely. Is this the power of the Rinnegan? Heh. If I play this right, my plan to control the Tailed Beasts might still succeed.
Naruto had wondered why Obito had been acting so bold lately—this was why.
With Sasuke's newly awakened Rinnegan, Obito could fill the void left by Nagato's defeat. Even though Sasuke only had one eye, it was enough. He could still summon the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and control the Seven Tailed Beasts.
"I'll ask one more time," Sasuke said, his tone sharp. "Where is Naruto?"
Obito frowned. Damn. He's getting pushy. This could get dangerous.
He couldn't afford a repeat of what happened with Itachi—letting Naruto capture a vital piece right under his nose.
Especially not now, when Sasuke had only just awakened the Rinnegan. There were still abilities Obito hadn't even seen yet. Facing Naruto directly in this condition would be suicide.
No… I have to find a way to bring this arrogant bastard under control.
And with that thought, Obito made his decision.
He would proceed with his plan—to deceive Sasuke, drain him, and take everything.
---
Check out other novels
Naruto: l Aspire To Become Hokage Man
🚨🆕Haikyuu: To The Top 🆕🚨
To Get This Week Bonus Chapter - 100 Power Stones
Dear Readers
For 120 Advance Chapters Join My Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/NF25
-------
Please Support My Patreon 🥺