Chapter 259 – Obito Advances
"The new body is ready… but to see an Edo Tensei crushed down to just a head? Unbelievable."
Inside the Akatsuki's base, Orochimaru adjusted his latest vessel and cast a curious glance toward Black Zetsu.
Madara had been reduced to nothing but a severed head, and naturally, it was Orochimaru who was tasked with reconstructing his form.
But more than that, Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with fascination.
"So this is the power of Yin–Yang Release? Even Edo Tensei can't withstand it?"
"Indeed. Terrifying beyond measure," Black Zetsu murmured, his tone heavy. "Good thing it was only Edo Tensei. If it were a living body, the outcome might have been far worse."
"To think Konoha could produce such a monster…" Orochimaru's tongue slid across his lips as he smiled.
"Tell me, doesn't this count as him grasping the Power of All Creation? If it continues like this, your side's position will become… quite difficult."
"The true 'All Creation'—Lord Madara had already attained it. He simply hasn't been revived in full yet," Black Zetsu replied curtly, clearly uninterested in bantering with Orochimaru.
"And don't forget—in their eyes, you're one of us too. Edo Tensei came from you. If things collapse, we all go down together."
"Is that so?" Orochimaru only chuckled, unconcerned. Confidence radiated from him.
"But enough of that. How's your tailed beast hunt going? Iwagakure was a bust, Kirigakure hasn't moved, and once word spreads from Konoha… things will only get harder."
"Iwagakure wasn't a total failure," Black Zetsu said smoothly. "We still collected chakra. A successful failure, if you will."
He straightened, adopting his usual air of grim pragmatism.
"Don't worry about Suna. As for Kiri, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen are close allies—we can make use of them. And Kumogakure… Dodai will cooperate with us."
At present, the Cloud still hadn't chosen a new Raikage. Killer B had flat-out refused the role. Darui, though promising, hadn't been accepted. The village remained in the hands of Dodai, a stand-in Raikage—a Raikage Four-and-a-Half, as some mockingly called him. Their hatred for Konoha had only deepened.
"How pitiful," Black Zetsu thought. Even with their grudges, he hadn't expected Konoha to grind them down this badly. Still, for Akatsuki, the worse off their targets were, the better. Desperation made them easy to manipulate.
"So all we need to do is wait," he said aloud.
"Is that so?" Orochimaru tilted his head, a sly grin forming.
"By the way… Rokubi's whereabouts are unknown. Not exactly easy prey. And Sanbi is still sealed inside the Fourth Mizukage."
"Don't worry. We'll handle it. We've prepared for everything." Black Zetsu's voice was firm, leaving no room for doubt.
Orochimaru didn't argue. For him, the outcome didn't matter—he was here only to probe deeper truths. And the changes in Kimimaro… those demanded investigation.
Uchiha Madara, after all, was the perfect specimen for comparison.
"Speaking of which," Black Zetsu asked suddenly, "how's Kimimaro doing? And perhaps it's time your subordinates pulled their weight too?"
"I don't mind. A ninja without value is worthless," Orochimaru replied smoothly. Then, more seriously, he added, "As for Kimimaro… I'd like more data on Madara. After all…"
"They're remarkably similar."
---
Meanwhile, in Konoha—peaceful as ever despite Akatsuki's looming schemes—Gen was having a harder time than expected.
Because Naruto had shown up at his house. With presents.
Clearly, his parents had taught him a thing or two about winning people over. And now Gen couldn't exactly throw him out.
"I've been busy," Gen said with a yawn, lounging on the bed. "But you—sitting around doing nothing. Don't you feel ashamed?"
"Hey! I've been trying to train but can't find anyone!" Naruto snapped, face red with frustration. "Pervy Sage won't help, Kakashi-sensei's the same, and now you too? You said you'd train me!"
"Then why not spar with Sasuke?" Gen tilted his head, thinking back. Hm. He had promised Naruto something like that. Now he had to decide—should he train them using his True Thousand Hands… or unleash the Ten-Tails he'd just obtained?
Both were equally massive. Both would do just fine crushing the boys into shape.
"Sasuke's off doing some medical checkups," Naruto grumbled. "He promised we'd train together, but he hasn't shown. Don't tell me he's scared of me?"
"You're getting cocky, kid."
Gen arched a brow—but in truth, he admitted Naruto's current strength was no joke. In fact… Naruto might already be edging ahead of Sasuke.
Naruto's path had always been clear:
First, the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.
Then, true cooperation with Kurama—the full Kyuubi Mode.
And finally, when Sage Mode and the Nine-Tails' power resonated together—Sage Art: Nine-Tails Mode.
Later would come Six Paths Sage Mode… and even the terrifying Baryon Mode.
If Gen had to map it out, Nine-Tails Chakra Mode alone was roughly on par with Mangekyō Sharingan or Eternal Mangekyō stages.
"And on top of that… he's got Sage Mode," Gen mused.
A power that scaled with its wielder—the stronger the user, the greater the boost.
Making a direct comparison between Naruto and Sasuke was difficult—their paths were diverging too quickly.
"Sasuke's probably at the hospital right now," Gen mused. "Getting ready to transplant Itachi's eyes."
After everything that happened in Iwagakure, Sasuke had been shaken to his core. There was no way he'd remain indifferent.
"Who knows," Gen added with a faint grin. "Maybe Sasuke will give you a surprise when he's back."
"Tch. I'll be waiting," Naruto muttered, digging at his ear before perking up curiously.
"By the way, when's that training you promised us starting? Are we waiting for Sasuke to come back first?"
"Relax," Gen replied, flashing a sly smile. "I've already got your training planned out. I promise you won't be disappointed."
A chill went down Naruto's spine at that grin.
"Even if I don't have the time, someone else can handle you two just fine," Gen added, stretching lazily.
"…Why do I get the feeling you're plotting something bad?" Naruto muttered, swallowing nervously.
Knock, knock, knock—
The sudden rapping on the door cut through the tension.
"Huh? Who's that?" Naruto tilted his head, curious.
Gen stood and opened the door.
"Gen-senpai!"
Ino stepped in with a basket of food, smiling warmly. But when her eyes landed on Naruto, her expression dimmed slightly.
"…Oh. You're here too?"
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Naruto pouted.
"I heard he came back, so I came over," Ino explained casually before her smile returned to Gen. "You've worked hard, senpai. You finish one mission and immediately dive into another. I thought I'd make you something—you need to take care of yourself too."
"…Thanks." Gen accepted the basket with an easy nod and carried it toward the table.
Meanwhile, Ino carefully changed her shoes at the entryway, far more polite than Naruto had ever been.
The fragrance wafted from the basket, making Naruto's nose twitch.
"Smells amazing…" His eyes darted between Gen and Ino, and then a mischievous grin spread across his face. He nudged Gen with his elbow.
"Oi, oi… something's fishy here. Don't tell me—"
"Doesn't this just prove my irresistible charm?" Gen raised a brow, smirking. "Besides, Pervy Sage is already planning to write my autobiography. I'll be even more popular soon."
"Che." Naruto's lips twisted, clearly annoyed. But Gen wasn't done teasing.
"And you, brat—when are you going to step up?"
"Step up to what?"
"The Uzumaki clan rests on you. Sasuke's carrying the weight of reviving the Uchiha. Both of you need to take responsibility."
"…"
"Especially you, Naruto. Sasuke already has Sakura chasing him. And you? What about you?"
"…"
"You'd better get moving. And honestly, I wonder when Sasuke and Sakura will finally end up together."
"Shut up already!" Naruto's face burned red as he exploded, completely losing his composure.
Truthfully, Naruto was starting to realize that his feelings for Sakura weren't what he once thought they were. With his parents back in his life, his perspective was shifting. But having Gen tease him like this only made him want to throw a punch.
Sometimes, Gen was just too infuriating.
"What are you two even talking about?" Ino asked, finally stepping in, her curiosity piqued by their strange bickering.
"Nothing at all." Gen draped an arm around Naruto's shoulder, smiling as he explained, "He was just saying that at the next gathering, he's going to make sure everyone has a great time!"
"…"
Naruto shot him a deadpan glare, despair in his eyes.
How in the world is this guy becoming Hokage? Konoha's future is doomed…
---
While they were wrapped up in laughter and teasing, Obito had already slipped silently into the Hidden Leaf.
He gazed down at the vibrant village below, his eyes flickering with a mix of nostalgia and resentment.
But soon, his expression hardened.
"Rin… you told me to walk this path. So I won't let you down."
Beside him, Isshiki could only remain silent.
"…."