The masked man, Uchiha Obito, had confidence in him.
That no matter how strong the opponent, he would be able to run away. Then train, and challenge the same opponent once more when he's gotten stronger.
By that logic, he would always be the last one standing.
That was the power of Kamui, his Mangekyo Sharingan ability that was granted to him on the fateful day, when Nohara Rin died.
Therefore, what was happening right now was the first.
The blood spilled out of his mouth, dripping down through the mask that hid his face.
The noise of lightning crackling reached Obito's ears.
Through the corners of his eyes, Obito saw that there was a layer of lightning around Akashi's body. On top of that, there were signs of Eight Gates.
'Raikage's... Lighting Release: Chakra Mode? Along with the Eight Gates?'
It could be said that at this moment, not even the man known to be the fastest, Namikaze Minato, would be able to catch Akashi's speed.
Then, the lightning coursed down from Akashi's body to his sword, Ryuma. Travelling along the blade, it then spread throughout Obito's body, burning his organs and paralyzing him to a crisp.
Obito's body uncontrollably shook as the blood that exited him evaporated from a sheer temperature.
In this state, Akashi reached his free hand out, toward the jar—which held Nagato's Rinnegans—that was in Obito's hand.
However, Obito kicked Akashi away with his foot and let the blade be pulled out of his bleeding chest, surprising Akashi.
Obito panted as he fell to one knee, but not even a proper breathing was allowed as one of his lungs was punctured.
'If it wasn't for the cells of Senju Hashirama that now constitute the majority of my body... I would've died here and now.'
Obito felt goosebumps. The last time he felt that the death was near was when he sacrificed himself for Kakashi and Rin to escape from Kiri.
This time around, these cells that Madara used to reconstruct his body saved him. The properties of wood that these cells possessed also served as a great insulator of electricity.
Meanwhile, standing across Obito, Akashi breathed out. Suddenly, his hot rage was tempered, and regaining his calm, he exhibited a cold rage.
'Be it Madara or not, that man has a remarkable regeneration. Just before, the rate of regeneration briefly surpassed the rate by which the lightning burned him from the inside. I don't know what he did to escape the paralysis, but no matter.'
Akashi, quickly checking the state of Yahiko, who was looking at him, wide-eyed, and Nagato, who had fallen as he held his empty eye sockets to stop the bleeding to the best of his ability, returned his gaze to the masked man.
"...Yahiko."
Yahiko flinched as Akashi spoke his name. It felt strange to him, but at the same time, it gave him a sense of relief.
'What's that cloak that you wear, Akashi?'
The black cloak that had numerous red clouds... it was as if Akashi placed their memories on the garment.
"Where is Konan?"
Yahiko's eyes were withdrawn from said cloak. Downcast, he answered,
"...She is trapped."
Yahiko showed Akashi the red orb in his hands.
"In this item. That masked man was the one to do it."
Akashi's grip on Ryuma shook with rage. Gritting his teeth, he tried to maintain his calm, knowing that he couldn't act rashly and accidentally let the masked man go.
Obito, tensed as he held his chest that was now closing, watched the scene, looking for an opportunity to escape.
'...Now!'
Once again, a vortex appeared, trying to pull him in.
However, once again, the attempt failed.
Instead of disappearing, Obito screamed in agony. His right arm was severed from his shoulder, fallen, and convulsing without a tie to its owner.
"...Let me make a guess."
Standing behind Obito, Akashi growled.
"You trapped Konan in that orb before using it as a negotiation tool to take the eyes. Am I correct?"
It wasn't a question meant to hear an answer. There was certainty in Akashi's tone.
"Then, how about we make a deal as well?"
His eye, sharper than ever, peered into Obito, dangerously.
"Pluck those sharingans out and crush them with your own hand. Hand over Nagato's eyes. Do those two, and I may consider giving you a quick death."
"As... if...!!!"
Instantly turning, Obito's Sharingans spun.
'If I can put him under a genjutsu...!'
However, there was no sight of Akashi there.
Tap.
A footstep of Akashi was heard from his back, yet again.
Blood splattered. Just from the pure amount of blood drawn, the house was now painted red.
"..."
Akashi was aiming for Obito's neck. The words spoken were simply meant to complicate Obito's mind.
Obito, who had his hand guarding his neck as if he foresaw this attack, had said hand sliced instead of his neck, managing to prevent himself from an immediate death.
"Your face..."
Obito's eyes widened. Touching his open face with a bleeding arm that lacked a hand, he found that the mask was removed from his face.
"You aren't Uchiha Madara."
"...Who I am... huff... huff... is none of your... huff... concern..."
"Not that I'm curious."
Then, using the last bit of energy that he had, Obito kicked his leg up to cause two kunais to fly out of his pouch. Biting them with his teeth, he threw those kunais—just as Akashi was at his back, about to sever his neck this time around without a failure.
'...Heh,'
The time seemed to slow down as Akashi saw this. Obito, although close to death and immersed in the swamp of pain, smiled, having sensed his victory.
The kunais were heading toward Nagato and the orb that Yahiko held.
Akashi's head turned white as he saw that.
In the end, he wasn't able to keep himself completely calm, having failed to predict a future like this.
'That's right, Akashi.'
Obito thought as Akashi, without ending his life, quickly dashed to parry those two kunais away.
Kamui was already in effect. The vortex was pulling Obito's body in.
'Your greatest weaknesses... are those whom you love.'
By the time Akashi turned, Obito was gone, leaving just the severed arm and hand on top of the puddle of blood.
Akashi grimaced. Lightning Release: Chakra Mode and Eight Gates were released. From the sudden depletion of strength, he wobbled slightly, although he quickly regained his composure.
...
Turning, Akashi quickly reached Nagato. Kneeling down, he met Nagato's eye level.
"Nagato. Your eyes..."
"Akashi, is that you?"
Nagato smiled weakly.
"You've come at the perfect time."
"..."
"It's fine, Akashi."
Nagato shook his head.
"Believe it or not, I always knew... that those eyes weren't mine in the first place. I don't mind at all."
Akashi never would have expected to see Nagato in this state.
Numerous thoughts ran through his head.
Should he have kept these three by his side the whole time? Would it have been safer, even if he were to be the criminal chased by the entire world?
What could've been done to prevent this?
"...You've grown, Nagato."
In the end, that was all that Akashi could say.
"I couldn't do anything."
Just then, Yahiko spoke.
His voice contained that of a self-loathing. Holding the red orb preciously with both hands, his body trembled as he let out the tears of frustration.
"I thought I had become strong, but no, I was wrong. I couldn't help Konan and Nagato as they became like this... aren't I the worst?"
"Yahiko, it isn't your fault—"
"Quit with the self-loathing, Yahiko."
Nagato was about to relieve Yahiko, but was interrupted.
Frowning, Akashi stood up and confronted his orange-haired brother.
"Can't you see that the fights outside aren't over yet? Look at it yourself if you have the time to blame yourself."
Yahiko gazed at Akashi with glossy eyes.
"If you failed, succeed this time around. I will be taking a short leave, so make sure that Konan and Nagato remain safe. Make sure that not even a speck of dust touches them... well, the sphere that contains her for Konan's case."
The quakes, noises of explosions, war cries, and other aspects of war still went on outside.
"...What will you be doing?"
Akashi sighed as he looked at the outside through the window.
"I can't believe that I'm doing this as the highest bounty holder of this village, but... I'm going to end this invasion."
Tapping the wall, Akashi engraved the seal of Flying Thunder God on it.
"I will be back in a moment."
Akashi disappeared.
Yahiko, left with the orb and Nagato, placed the orb in Nagato's hands.
"I'm sorry for being pitiful, Nagato."
Yahiko wiped the tears off his face. Then, as he lowered his arms, his eyes regained their spirit, looking determined once more.
"This time around, I won't stand still and watch."
"...I will be relying on you, then."
The determination looked fragile and unstable, but Nagato, knowing the deep guilt in Yahiko, decided to speak words of support.
The image of Akashi, which was present in front of him just a second ago, lingered in his mind.
The cloak with red clouds.