The Desperate Truth!

Madara stood at the entrance to Kamui Space, watching it all unfold.

His right hand was still held in the posture of having flung out the Black Receiver, his fingers slightly spread. His gaze shifted from Sakura to Obito, then from Obito back to Sakura, before returning to Obito.

He did not move immediately.

He glanced at his left eye—the Mangekyō Sharingan that had belonged to Kakashi. He used it to assess the structure of this space: the boundaries, thickness, and stability of Kamui Space. He had already entered, but he needed to make sure he could leave with what he wanted.

The assessment was complete. His gaze finally settled on the Rinnegan in Obito's left eye socket.

That eye belonged to him.

Madara walked toward Obito. His pace was neither fast nor slow, every step steady as the soles of his boots struck the ground of Kamui Space with dull, rhythmic thuds. Black Zetsu's voice emerged from within Obito's body, carrying a trace of barely suppressed excitement.

"Madara-sama."

Madara did not answer. He walked up to Obito and crouched down.

He crouched beside Obito, bringing his face level with Obito's. His right eye—the Rinnegan—and Obito's left eye—the other Rinnegan—met at the same level. In that instant, the pupils of both Rinnegan contracted at once, like two mirrors reflecting one another.

Obito's face was turned toward Madara, but neither of his eyes—the shattered Mangekyō Sharingan nor the Rinnegan—could see clearly anymore. His vision was blurred, fractured, layered with overlapping shadows. Yet he could feel Madara's breath, Madara's body heat, and his own reflection in Madara's pupils.

"You did very well." Madara's voice was even, as though he were judging the taste of a dish. "Better than I expected."

Obito's lips moved. His voice was so hoarse it was nearly inaudible,