Time flies, and half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
In the bustling town near the capital of the Land of Fire, crowds of people moved back and forth through the streets. The calls of vendors echoed endlessly, but upon closer inspection, one could see that these people were far from ordinary. Even with smiles on their faces, their gazes would occasionally sweep alertly across their surroundings. It was clear that these individuals were not as simple as they appeared.
Inside a tall building, the security was even tighter, with ANBU operatives patrolling regularly. Despite the heavily guarded environment, in one of the rooms within the high-rise, Deidara's face was lit with excitement as he looked at Kitagawa Minamoto and Mei Terumi.
"How rare! We finally meet again, hmm!"
"Not that rare. I remember seeing you just a month ago," Kitagawa Minamoto chuckled casually as he sat at the table, then curiously asked, "And where's the Third Tsuchikage? Is he really okay with letting you come here?"
"Tch, I'm the full representative this time, you know!" Deidara puffed out his chest, speaking with a playful tone. "Besides, the Third Hokage didn't come, the Fourth Mizukage didn't come—this is our era now, hmm!"
"Alright, let's get down to business," Mei Terumi also smiled, but then her expression turned serious. "The Akatsuki situation—I think we need to discuss it carefully. They've gone too far."
"Exactly. Not just Konohagakure, we've suffered too, hmm." Mentioning the Akatsuki, Deidara's face turned sour. "And I've heard you've had troubles as well, and Sunagakure isn't doing much better."
"You almost joined them once, didn't you?" Kitagawa Minamoto smirked mischievously, teasing Deidara from the side. "If we hadn't arrived in time, you'd be a member of the Akatsuki now, wouldn't you?"
"Hmph, I just lost to them, that's all," Hearing his embarrassing past brought up, Deidara's face darkened. "Anyway, if I ever meet them again, I'll make sure to deal with them all!"
"If you could deal with them, you wouldn't have lost in the first place." Mei Terumi couldn't help but tease him, prompting the three "Kage" to start bickering noisily. The three were young, and three years ago, they had teamed up to take on Kumogakure in battle, forming a strong bond.
"Tch, calling yourselves 'Kage' already, when it hasn't even been confirmed yet?" Naruto watched the trio from behind, his heart full of envy. "And instead of discussing serious matters, they're treating it like casual chit-chat."
"Exactly." Beside him, Kurotsuchi nodded in agreement, while Chōjūrō offered a shy smile. "Actually, this isn't so bad. Only close relationships lead to this kind of interaction."
"It's just boring," Sasuke muttered softly, earning a nod of agreement from Shikamaru.
"Exactly. Boring and troublesome. When everyone's so familiar, things will either go very smoothly or become incredibly difficult later."
"Why think so much about it? When can we eat?" Chōji didn't care about any of this. He was just hungry, and trying to maintain his image meant he didn't dare eat anything yet. "I'm starving..."
"Can't you restrain yourself a bit?" Ino scolded him softly, speaking in a low voice. "Don't embarrass us, especially don't embarrass Minamoto."
"..." Chōji looked at Ino helplessly, while Kakashi didn't pay much attention to them. He was standing beside Rin Nohara, asking her softly.
"How are you feeling? Are you okay?"
"Hmm..." Rin nodded, then sighed lightly. "Much better, Kakashi. I'm starting to adapt."
Rin had been awake for some time now, and had gradually absorbed the information of this era. To her, this time period felt unfamiliar. Fortunately, she had Kakashi and the Fourth Hokage's family, or else she would have struggled to accept it. However, she had also learned about Obito's situation, which she found hard to accept. She couldn't understand how the passionate and idealistic Obito from back then had turned into what he was now.
"That's good." Kakashi nodded, then smiled as he spoke. "This era is relatively peaceful compared to before. Although there are still some troubles, it's better than the past."
"Hmm." Rin nodded, but after a moment of silence, she suddenly asked softly. "I heard you often encounter Obito during missions?"
"Hmm..." Kakashi nodded awkwardly. Though it seemed unlucky, it was indeed true.
"Then..." Rin took a deep breath, then hesitated before asking softly. "Will we encounter Obito this time?"
However, just as her words fell, the alarms in the building blared loudly.
"Orochimaru's Edo Tensei is in position. So..." Outside the town in the Land of Fire, Obito gazed into the distance, then turned to look at the two people beside him. "Are you ready?"
"I'm fine," Pain replied coldly, while Kimimaro simply nodded calmly.
After several days of preparation, they had finally reached the day of the 'Kage Summit,' and they had arrived as planned. Looking at the town in the distance, they knew it was their destination, and they were all aware this mission wouldn't be easy.
"In that case, let's prepare to move," Obito nodded, but after glancing at the two, he continued. "Let me emphasize once more—this mission is extremely dangerous. Kitagawa Minamoto is there, and if we're not careful, even I might not be able to save you."
"You don't need to tell me that," Kimimaro spoke up. His strength had been rapidly increasing over the past few days, and he wanted to see his limits.
Pain also let out a slight grunt, his gaze determined. "Kitagawa Minamoto? That's exactly what I've been waiting for."
He didn't take Kimimaro seriously, but he could see Obito's growth. And then there was Madara Uchiha, who gave him an oppressive feeling. These circumstances created a strange sense of crisis within him. He had previously focused solely on Kitagawa Minamoto and Ōtsutsuki Minamoto!
He needed to keep moving forward, to keep fighting, because...
"I am the Sage of Six Paths' representative in this world. I must walk the path of the Six Paths. I absolutely cannot lose!"
Pain had his pride, and he would never accept such a situation.
"Good. But let me clarify one thing first," Obito nodded, his Sharingan already transformed into the Mangekyō pattern, slowly spinning. "I can't be certain exactly where they're holding the meeting. We'll have to confirm after we enter, so..."
Before he could finish, a signal flare shot into the sky, and the space around them began to distort. In an instant, they had entered the high-rise building!
"Intruders! Be careful!"
"We're under attack! Call for reinforcements!"
The moment they appeared, the ninja around them immediately spotted them. Obito's cold voice rang out in that moment.
"We'll have to fight our way in and confirm as we go..."
"Has the operation begun?" Outside the town, Kakuzu watched the signal flare rise into the sky as he twisted his neck. "How reckless, attacking a place like this. It's even harder to deal with than a single village."
"But that's what makes it exciting, isn't it?" Hidan's face was full of excitement as he muttered, "I wonder if that kappa is in there. I've been waiting for him for seven or eight years, and he still hasn't told me who that damn last-place person is!"
"You're insane," Zabuza Momochi couldn't help but mutter, while Raiga Kurosuki complained, "Kisame didn't come? He should have died too, so he could help us with this operation."
"Enough of that," Kakuzu shook his head, glancing at Sasori, who had been gloomy and silent since returning from Sunagakure, and Itachi Uchiha, who seemed to have fallen into a state of withdrawal and barely spoke anymore. He issued his orders.
"Let's begin. Our task is simply to keep the people outside busy and prevent them from sending reinforcements. The rest depends on their own performance!"
"Really? Troublemakers before we even start?" Deidara frowned at the blaring alarms. "At least the Chūnin Exams got through a few rounds. Is this progress or regression, hmm?"
"And there are quite a few of them," Mei Terumi glanced back at Ao, and after confirming some details, she immediately warned, "There are many Edo Tensei shinobi outside, and three people attacking inside the building. These three don't seem ordinary."
"Three people? Interesting," Kitagawa Minamoto leaned back in his chair, thinking for a moment before speaking. "But this works out well. We'll deal with them first, then continue our discussion at leisure. Better than having to redo everything like the Chūnin Exams."
Minamoto wasn't particularly surprised by the Akatsuki's attack. In his memories, Obito had done similar things before. Though he didn't know the exact reason this time—perhaps it was under the influence of "Isshiki-Rin," needing to fight to release the Kāma, or maybe he had other plans—nothing Obito did was particularly surprising.
"And those guys are coming too. This couldn't be better..." Minamoto inwardly smirked, eagerly anticipating the performance of these Ōtsutsuki.
"What should we do now?" Deidara stood up, twisting his neck with an excited expression. He couldn't wait for the Akatsuki to die!
"That's right, this is the Land of Fire. We'll follow your lead," Mei Terumi also rose to her feet, a smile spreading across her face. "Though they're just undead shinobi, I haven't forgotten what happened in the Land of Water."
"Since everyone's so eager..." Kitagawa Minamoto stood up, scanning everyone present before slowly speaking. "Let's teach them a lesson they won't forget!"
In the building hosting the Three Kage Summit, Pain and Kimimaro flashed through the crowds of ninja. The shinobi stationed here were either elite forces or ANBU, but they could barely last a few moves against these two! After all, Pain was now in an almost "complete" state, and Kimimaro could feel boundless power surging within his body. The more he fought, the more he felt his strength amplifying.
"It seems your Kāma is performing well," In the mental space constructed by their chakra connection, Isshiki observed everything happening outside and remarked, "Excellent physical condition, and even a Byakugan. You're quite fortunate."
"Indeed, it's impressive," Urashiki nodded, but maintained his distance, even secretly glancing at Isshiki. "Full of lies as expected. Claiming to have endured a thousand years in the ninja world, yet never discovering such a promising vessel. Who are you trying to fool?"
Isshiki was unaware of Urashiki's thoughts. Watching Obito's casual approach to the battle, he couldn't help but curse inwardly. "What a waste, being attached to such an idiot. How can you release the Kāma and grow stronger if you don't fight seriously?!"
Isshiki was almost despairing over Obito. He regretted not choosing that Pain fellow initially. Of course, given another chance, he might still not choose Pain. After all, this guy was intent on confronting that madman Minamoto...
"By the way, how long until Momoshiki and Kinshiki arrive?" Though displeased, Isshiki couldn't help but ask. "It's been too quiet lately. Something doesn't feel right."
"I don't know either. They should be here soon," Urashiki shook his head. He was actually quite confused, and deep down, he was the one most eager for these two to arrive. "Once you're here, I'll finally be safe..."
While these two Ōtsutsuki observed the battle, Obito was also maintaining a semi-observational state. After being struck by so many "divine punishments," he had developed the habit of keeping himself in a constant Kamui state. He feared that an attack might suddenly emerge from nowhere and hit him directly.
"Not bad, these two," Obito watched Pain and Kimimaro's relentless assault, his brow furrowing. "Especially this Kimimaro—why does something feel off? And why does he seem so familiar?"
Obito felt strange, but he had no time to ponder further, as he suddenly realized his Kamui was being affected!
"Hmm?" His eyebrow raised, and as if realizing something, he immediately turned to look aside.
Chidori's distinctive sound echoed in his ears, and he instantly knew who had arrived.
"Kakashi!" Obito shouted, spinning around as the ethereal form of Susanoo materialized around him. "Still using my power? But do you really think I'm the same as before?!"
Clang!
The Chidori struck his Susanoo, but this time it couldn't penetrate even slightly into his body! Obito looked at the figure that had suddenly appeared before him, a cold smile spreading across his lips.
"I never expected you to be here too. This is perfect..."
His current attitude showed no respect for Kakashi, even though Kakashi had once beaten him severely. But now, under the encouragement of "Rin," he had made a qualitative leap forward. He was no longer his former self!
However...
As Obito's peripheral vision swept over the approaching ninja, he suddenly froze. His exposed Sharingan seemed to fill with blood, and he stared in disbelief at the distant figure gazing at him. His body began to tremble, and his mouth involuntarily whispered:
"Impossible... how can this be?!"
And at that moment, a gentle voice that seemed to transport him back to his dreams rang out:
"Is that... you, Obito?"
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