Being associated with Akatsuki was no small matter. After all, the entire ninja world was currently hunting Akatsuki. If 'A' and his group were impersonating Akatsuki members, the implications were grave.
Realizing this, Obito's expression darkened.
Zetsu continued, "This group seems to have appeared out of nowhere, and from today's events, they're quite numerous."
Obito added, "And their grudge with the 'Upper Rank' monsters runs deep!"
Nagato's operation to encircle the 'Upper Ranks' was merely a response to their repeated provocations.
Even now, Nagato hadn't uncovered why the 'Upper Ranks' persistently targeted Akatsuki, even resorting to disguising themselves as Akatsuki members to attack shinobi from the five great ninja villages.
This inexplicable hostility defied explanation.
But factoring in 'A' and his group, a conclusion emerged: the 'Upper Ranks' true enmity was likely directed at 'A's group.
Since 'A' and his group operated under Akatsuki's name, Akatsuki had been dragged into their conflict with the 'Upper Ranks.'
In that moment, Obito and Zetsu exchanged a glance, realization dawning!
If this were true, Akatsuki had been thoroughly manipulated by 'A's group. From premature clashes with the five great villages to the bloody battles with the 'Upper Ranks,' they had been played at every turn.
"Damn it!"
Obito's anger flared.
He was always the one scheming in the shadows, sowing discord and manipulating others. Yet this time, he'd fallen into someone else's trap, nearly losing his life in the fray.
Zetsu, however, said, "There must be an issue within our ranks!"
Obito's eyes flickered, and he nodded.
'A's group could only have impersonated Akatsuki for so long by having intimate knowledge of the organization.
Their repeated借力打力 tactics had sown discord between Obito and Nagato, delaying the confirmation of their identities and plunging the organization into mutual suspicion.
Moreover, they had preemptively sparked conflicts between Akatsuki and the five great villages, leaking the secret of Akatsuki's plan to collect the Tailed Beasts, putting the organization in a severely disadvantaged position.
Such sophisticated maneuvers couldn't have been orchestrated by someone unfamiliar with Akatsuki's inner workings.
After mentally ruling out possibilities, Obito was left puzzled.
Only a handful knew of the rift between him and Nagato and the plan to collect the nine Tailed Beasts: himself, Zetsu, Nagato, and Konan.
Later recruits like Itachi knew little of Akatsuki's core secrets. Even if they had ulterior motives, they couldn't have pulled this off.
"Who is this 'A'?"
After racking his brain, Obito remained shrouded in confusion.
Zetsu pointed to the Six Paths of Pain on the ground. "What do we do with these? Return them to Nagato?"
Obito nodded. "Regarding 'A' and his group, it seems we need to have a serious talk with Nagato!"
"That's the only way!"
Zetsu agreed.
Given the strength 'A's group displayed, neither Obito's faction nor Nagato's could handle them alone.
Realizing they were likely imposters, Obito and Nagato needed to reconcile quickly to ensure the 'Moon's Eye Plan' proceeded smoothly.
Returning the Six Paths of Pain was an opportunity to dispel suspicion.
On the moon.
As Toneri Otsutsuki's consciousness returned from the giant Tenseigan, his expression shifted from bewilderment to ferocity.
"Akatsuki…"
He growled the word, as if trying to crush it between his teeth.
Undoubtedly.
Having accessed the giant Tenseigan's vision, he had witnessed everything on the battlefield.
Though unclear why the factions were fighting, he saw an Akatsuki member seal the Great Elder's corpse.
Old grudges and new hatreds combined, making Akatsuki his top enemy.
Yet, he was also puzzled.
When he tried to probe the ninja world further to pinpoint the awakened Tenseigan, the sensation vanished.
Repeated scans with the giant Tenseigan yielded nothing.
"Did they hide the Tenseigan? Damn it!"
Toneri lost his composure.
As a moon Otsutsuki, he knew the Tenseigan's power better than anyone in the ninja world. This was why the Great Elder, despite his frail body, insisted on descending to investigate the possible Tenseigan awakening.
The Tenseigan posed too great a threat to their clan.
After a long while, Toneri calmed, his eyes turning deep.
"Hmph, trying to steal our Otsutsuki clan's power—how foolish!"
With a soft scoff, he left the temple.
For a century, the Otsutsuki Branch had sought to awaken the Tenseigan, but their clansmen's lack of talent led to repeated failures.
Toneri, the last scion of the Branch, was widely regarded as the most likely to awaken it.
Confident, he believed he would one day awaken the Tenseigan and crush all who dared covet Otsutsuki power!
In the Land of Grass.
After retreating from the battlefield, Uchiha Shinji led his subordinates on a swift journey, pausing in a forest to rest.
"Everyone, take a break!"
He waved, signaling a rest, then glanced at Karin and Ido.
Catching his cue, Karin activated her 'Kagura Mind's Eye' to sense nearby chakra, while Ido flew into the air, using her spiritual form to scout the surroundings.
Shinji bypassed Haku and Sasuke, heading straight to Kimimaro and Neji. "You two, come with me!"
Kimimaro and Neji followed without a word.
Sasuke, curious, tried to follow, but Haku stopped him.
Leading Kimimaro and Neji aside, Shinji immediately questioned Kimimaro about the details of his Tenseigan state.
Kimimaro knew nothing of Shinji's 'Tenseigan Plan' and was unaware he had briefly wielded the Tenseigan, coveted even by the moon's Otsutsuki. Facing Shinji's questions, he answered fully.
With Neji's additions, Shinji soon pieced together the complete picture of Kimimaro's Tenseigan awakening.