Just as most of Konoha's defensive forces converged on the Uchiha Compound.
A figure suddenly appeared beside the masked Obito atop Kage Rock. It was Uchiha Itachi.
He was not wearing the red-cloud cloak; Itachi still wore the Uchiha's traditional attire.
Obito looked toward the distant Uchiha Compound, where he could vaguely make out a sizable crater.
Yet a patch of land at the very center of the explosion had remained completely unscathed, making Obito click his tongue in amazement.
"What is it, Itachi? Are you angry that I didn't keep our agreement and wait until Sasuke finished this school term?" Obito teased.
Itachi ignored Obito—or rather, the man calling himself Uchiha Madara.
"Where are the clan members now?" Itachi asked coldly.
"The White Zetsu reported that they're all inside Naka Shrine, but the details are unknown. That Chuanhe has set up an extremely powerful barrier there, keeping all the White Zetsu outside," Obito said calmly, still watching the Uchiha Compound.
Itachi did not stop to consider why even something like White Zetsu could be shut out by a barrier.
His heart sank as he immediately asked, "Sasuke, Father, and Mother are all at Naka Shrine too?"
A strange smile appeared beneath Obito's mask. White Zetsu had reported that Sasuke was inside the Chuanhe Residence.
"Yes, that's right. They're all at Naka Shrine."
Itachi closed his eyes, suppressing his emotions.
Then he abruptly opened them and said, "Let's go. Let's end all of this."
[Body Flicker Technique]
Itachi vanished from Kage Rock in a flash.
Obito, left behind, lowered his head slightly and shook it, chuckling. "Heh heh, kids these days really are... Then it's time for me to depart as well. Uchiha Hui, have you truly awakened those eyes? I'm very much looking forward to finding out."
[Kamui]
Obito's