I've rested for two days, so that should be enough. I'll slowly get back to updating, and I'll do my best to make up for the missed chapters over the next few days.
Likewise, everyone scattered across the land, please take good care of yourselves.
"Josuke, do you know what I respect most about the younger generation?"
Obito finished Phasing and returned to the Kamui Dimension.
"I admit, you're quite strong, but!"
Beneath the mask, Obito's Mangekyo Sharingan glowed a dazzling red.
"You're still a little short of being able to contend with a god for control of the sun and moon."
Obito shook his head and formed Hand Seals.
"Fire Release: Violent Wind Dance!"
Flames erupted from Obito's mouth, spinning faster and growing larger as they rushed toward Josuke!
Waves of scorching air surged forth, as if all the air around them had been sucked away.
"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"
Josuke formed Hand Seals and used Water Release to counter Obito. By now, he'd realized that Water Release was the Ninjutsu he used most often.
Could it be that he really was the Second Generation's reincarnation?
Although Josuke was pretty good at Fire Release and other Ninjutsu as well, he felt a stronger bond with Water Release.
Whether it was the Water Dragon Bullet or the Great Waterfall Technique he'd just used.
Somehow, Josuke sensed something that gave him a hidden boost.
It was a strange thought. Josuke shook his head. Right now, fighting Obito was what mattered.
Violent Wind Dance and the Great Waterfall clashed fiercely, and the resulting steam filled the entire Kamui Dimension.
Obito smiled.
"Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees!"
Obito used Advent of a World of Flowering Trees once more, but this time it wasn't as powerful as before.
Why was that?
Was Obito out of Chakra?
What a joke. Half his body was made of plant matter—how could he run out?
Unlike Josuke, who had only had part of his body transplanted, Obito had plenty of Hashirama Cells. Josuke had his share, too.
Still, Josuke's cells were modified.
Obito's Advent of a World of Flowering Trees surged toward Josuke, who leaped to dodge the attack.
In the distance, Obito smiled mockingly beneath his mask and waved at the half of himself.
He'd hidden himself again.
The branches of Advent of a World of Flowering Trees intertwined, sending branches of all sizes hurtling toward Josuke.
Josuke wanted to bring out Susanoo and show off, but not yet. For now, he still had to play the weakling.
Did Obito think having a Mangekyo made him invincible? Did he think having Hashirama Cells made him invincible?
What was the point of being so weak he couldn't even beat Killer B?
If Josuke's eyes couldn't attain Eternal Light, then he hoped that when he went blind...
It would be on the battlefield, fighting Six Paths Madara.
Advent of a World of Flowering Trees soon ended. Standing atop the highest point, Josuke surveyed the Kamui Dimension.
Where was Obito?
He'd escaped again. No wonder they called him Tobi the Runaway.
Space twisted behind Josuke once more, and Obito's figure appeared again, a sickle swinging toward him.
"Clang!"
Josuke blocked with the Kusanagi Sword and countered in the blink of an eye.
Obito could only use Kamui to pull that sneaky Old Six routine.
"Quick reflexes. I'm getting more and more interested in you."
As he spoke, another sickle swung at Josuke.
Josuke turned, tossed his sword with a backhand, then caught it in a forward grip and blocked Obito's attack.
(If you want to know roughly what the scene looks like, feel free to ask here. Thanks.)
"Is that all Madara Uchiha can do—sneak attacks and petty tricks?"
Josuke's gaze was sharp as he stared intently at Obito.
Obito let out a loud laugh.
"There are only winners and losers on the battlefield. Who cares about sneak attacks once they're out there?"
Obito put away both sickles and backed away from Josuke a little.
"Remember! Ninjutsu is meant to kill. If you don't kill me, I'll kill you today!"
It was obvious Obito didn't want to keep fighting. This spar hadn't been about fighting Josuke to the death.
He was trying to recruit him.
Although Josuke had blocked every attack, Obito hadn't used all of his trump cards.
Likewise, Josuke hadn't gone all out.
Obito should be able to use Susanoo, too, but Josuke knew from experience that using it too much would make you go blind.
Even Hashirama Cells couldn't prevent that. Josuke was certain of one thing.
If he used it too many times, Kamui would make his eyes go blind, too.
But it definitely consumed less ocular power than Amaterasu or Susanoo.
And with the help of Hashirama Cells,
It could reduce the loss of ocular power to a minimum.
Josuke had also received a Hashirama Cells transplant, so he knew just how good they were.
Josuke took a deep breath and put away the Kusanagi Sword.
"Go on, what do you want me to do?"
Obito had shown him some respect, so Josuke would return the favor.
Besides, the Shinobi World wasn't all about fighting and killing. It was about human relationships and social savvy!
Seeing how readily Josuke went along with things,
Obito decided to spare them both some further arguing.
"Have you heard of the Akatsuki?"
Josuke nodded. Not only had he heard of them, two deaths within the Akatsuki Organization were connected to him.
"Yeah, I know about them."
"So what do you want me to do?"
Obito patted him on the shoulder.
"I want you to join the Akatsuki Organization and act as my mole."
Josuke struggled to keep from laughing out loud.
You joined the Akatsuki under the name Tobi. Did you think I didn't know?
And now you want me to be your mole? You're one twisted guy, Obito.
Josuke shook his head, pretending not to know, and said,
"I refuse."
Obito looked surprised.
"Why? Give me a reason."
"Why? I admit I'm a Rogue Ninja, but I have a leader now, and Orochimaru treats me pretty well.
"I have no reason to betray him. Besides, why should I trust a stranger who came out of nowhere?
"Just because you said you're Madara Uchiha?
"If that's how it works, then if I said I was Tobirama Senju, you'd have to believe me, right?"
Obito fell silent for a moment at Josuke's words, then burst into laughter.
His laughter boomed through the Kamui Dimension.
"What are you laughing at?" Josuke asked irritably.
Obito shook his head and patted Josuke on the shoulder.
"Have you heard of the Rinnegan?"
Who didn't know about the Rinnegan? Josuke thought, but he pretended not to and asked,
"What's the Rinnegan?"
Obito took on the air of an elder lecturing a junior.
"Let me put it this way. The Sage of Six Paths had the Rinnegan. It's a symbol of the gods.
"I have the Rinnegan, just like the Sage of Six Paths. But for certain reasons,
"The leader of the Akatsuki stole my Rinnegan.
"So... I need your help to act as a mole within the Akatsuki Organization.
"Do you understand now?"
Yours? You're only the second person to have them. Those eyes belonged to Madara. Did you think I hadn't read the original story?
But Josuke could only pretend he knew nothing. With a shocked expression, he said,
"What? That's impossible!"
Obito stopped talking to Josuke and aimed his Mangekyo at him.
The space around Josuke twisted as Obito used Kamui to send him out of the Kamui Dimension.
"Think it over. We'll meet again soon, and I hope to hear your answer then..."
Before you continue