Somewhere Else...
Smack
Tobi, dressed as a hermaphrodite, emerged from the ground encased in a pitcher plant, a half-smile on his face, his head poking out and making strange sounds like bubbles rising to the surface.
"The fight's already started over there," Tobi replied in a flippant tone, habitually hiding half his body on the ground. "It's one-on-one duels! Itachi versus Sasuke, a battle of brothers... and then Kisame versus Sakura Haruno. I wonder whose Ninjutsu is stronger?"
At this point, Tobi paused for a moment, as if Obito guessing what would happen next.
Obito's cold gaze swept over impatiently; he had no interest in making such pointless jokes with Tobi.
Although Obito recently been operating under the name "Tobi" within Akatsuki, intentionally imitating the goofy style of this White Zetsu individual, Tobi, this does not mean that Obito enjoys Tobi's antics in his presence.
Obito's feelings were complex when facing someone who knew his true identity inside and out.
After the battle at Kannabi Bridge, Madara Uchiha and Tobi saved him. If Obito were still the same young boy he once Obito, he should have been filled with gratitude towards Tobi. However, after Rin's death, Obito, whose heart was completely consumed by darkness and despair, no longer cared about such things.
Things became complicated again after Madara's death.
Before his death, Madara entrusted Tobi and the other White Zetsu to Obito as his subordinates. However, this young Uchiha, whose thinking had fallen into a deep abyss, quickly realized that Tobi's identity held a deeper meaning beyond simply being an assistant for convenience.
Surveillance.
The person responsible for monitoring him and ensuring the plan is executed correctly.
It was obvious that the old Uchiha didn't fully trust him... In fact, there's no such thing as trust between two schemers; Obito certainly had his own agenda.
The reason why the two were able to maintain their cooperation even after Madara's death was not only because Obito himself wanted to complete the Eye of the Moon Plan, but also because White Zetsu's actions, ostensibly to help but actually to monitor and urge them on, were extremely important factors.
Therefore, Obito had no affection for these half-plant, half-human beings who had been brainwashed by Madara's will, especially when they were asserting their presence in front of him. This made him realize more clearly that although the White Zetsu were extremely useful subordinates, they were tools of Madara Uchiha, not his Obito.
A cold glare from Obito sent a chill down Tobi's spine, and he immediately dropped his playful grin and became serious. The sheer number of White Zetsu meant that in Obito's eyes they were nothing more than consumables—cheap clones that cost less than 100,000 yen to make. If they angered Obito, they could be killed without a second thought.
Sigh, that naive, headstrong boy from the beginning was much easier to get along with...
It's much easier to control than Obito is now.
While inwardly grumbling, Afei said seriously, "Tobi's battle isn't over yet, but it'll be soon. Itachi has the upper hand right now, but he shouldn't have dragged it out for so long. Besides, Itachi doesn't seem to have any intention of killing Sasuke...?"
He looked up and glanced at Obito.
"Not killing Sasuke was a promise between Itachi and me," Obito explained slowly.
Just as Madara chose Obito and Kisame as two important pawns in his plan, Obito also found his own pawn in order to revive the Ten-Tails: Uchiha Itachi. To guard against any possible contingency plans left by Madara, Obito kept a close eye on Haku White Zetsu allowed him to contact Itachi in secret. Therefore, Tobi was unaware of the deal that Obito and Itachi had made in private, which is why Obito casually offered an explanation.
"I see," Tobi replied.
He was inwardly mocking Obito's attempt to seduce young boys, only to end up like a dog trying to draw a tiger.
Putting aside the vast difference in size and drastically different fighting styles between Itachi and Kisame, these two actually share many similarities. Both are meticulous and calculating, both betrayed their villages to join Akatsuki after killing their own comrades, and both harbored a certain unwavering belief. The only difference lies in the fact that after Madara framed Kisame, forcing him to defect, he easily gained a loyal subordinate who would be devoted to Akatsuki and his own plans; while Obito, following Madara's example, Obito up trouble in Konoha, driving the entire Uchiha clan to their deaths, ultimately gaining a ticking time bomb filled with suspicion towards Akatsuki.
Despite being a member of Akatsuki for so many years, Itachi's will was never changed Obito. This cold-blooded butcher, who was ruthless in killing his own clan, was lenient with his younger brother. Obito's skill in training people was worlds apart from Madara's.
Hmph, since that's the case, why not...
"Don't interfere in Sasuke and Itachi's affairs," Obito added coldly, suppressing a thought that suddenly popped into Tobi's mind. Obito was somewhat annoyed that Itachi hadn't completely turned to the dark side as planned, and that the person he had painstakingly recruited was disobedient and might become a huge obstacle to his plan.
Sasuke's successful growth gave Obito a new idea.
Compared to the deep-thinking and resolute Itachi, Sasuke, who always talks about his clan and seems somewhat Sasuke, appears to be a better target. His simple-minded personality makes him easily manipulated, and as Itachi's younger brother, he possesses immense potential and the possibility of acquiring Itachi's eye power to evolve into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan —making him a perfect pawn.
With a little proper training, Sasuke could become his vicious dog...
Even if he were to turn against Madara Uchiha in the future, Sasuke's power could come in handy.
Obito naturally wouldn't let Tobi hear these thoughts. Obito simply emphasized not to lay a hand on Sasuke and then glossed over the matter.
The situation on Itachi and Sasuke's side was progressing as he had expected, but things seemed to be going less smoothly on the other side.
"Then... what about Kisame?"
"Kisame is in a tough fight," Tobi said, frowning. "His Water Release are completely suppressed, and Samehada's abilities haven't helped him defeat Sakura Haruno."
Obito's expression, hidden beneath his mask, darkened.
"A tough battle... How much of a chance does Kisame have?"
"If we can drag this into a protracted battle, we still have a chance of winning; otherwise..."
Upon hearing this, Obito's expression immediately turned ugly.
Kisame's abilities are extremely effective against Tailed Beast, and he is a loyal subordinate who knows about the Eye of the Moon Plan, making him undeniably important to Akatsuki and Obito. Although he is also one of Madara Uchiha's men, unlike the White Zetsu who only recognize Madara, Kisame's loyalty is to the Eye of the Moon Plan, which can realize his dream. In addition, he does not know Obito's identity, making him very easy for Obito to use.
The other members of Akatsuki were all preoccupied with their own agendas and lacked any real loyalty. Even Pain, the leader, was essentially a stranger. So when Sakura Haruno defeated, crippled, or even killed other Akatsuki members, Obito didn't care. Of all the members, only Kisame was willing to sacrifice himself for Akatsuki—therefore, Obito was even more reluctant for him to make a sacrifice, at least not to die easily at Sakura's hands before he lost his usefulness.
"If anything happens, rescue him."
Obito stood up from his chair and coldly gave the order.
Tobi's heart skipped a beat. If he wanted to intervene in the battle between those two ferocious beasts, he didn't know how many White Zetsu would have to die. Even through the mask, Tobi could feel the coldness in the eyes of the man in front of him.
"Understood."
Tobi sank into the ground.