Obito Makes His Move

May 20th, Konoha Year 48.

Konoha and Cloud Village officially signed a ceasefire agreement.

Its speed was beyond everyone's expectations.

From the day Ai received the village's instructions on the battlefield to the signing of the ceasefire agreement, the entire process of discussion, debate, and consultation was compressed to the extreme.

The ceasefire agreement was formally signed in just three days.

That's right, it wasn't a peace agreement, just a ceasefire agreement.

Although the effects are similar, the actual results are vastly different.

Both sides' high-ranking officials were well aware that the war was far from over, but both sides had their own internal affairs to deal with and could not afford to be distracted at this time.

Ai was the most decisive in his actions. He didn't even wait for the agreement to be officially signed before rushing back to Kumogakure the very next day to prepare for taking over as the Fourth Raikage and launching a counterattack against Iwagakure.

Is everything you said true?

Orochimaru watched the busy figures in the Camp; it was Konoha ninja dismantling the Camp. The war was over, and everyone was going home.

Do you think I would lie to you about something like this? Besides, you saw the village's orders.

Taiichi couldn't help but shudder as he watched Orochimaru's tongue sticking out from time to time.

Just how far has this guy's Soft Physique Modification progressed? These snake-like habits don't just appear once or twice.

Perhaps sensing Taiichi's gaze, Orochimaru deliberately restrained his behavior.

"Isn't it interesting? I've accomplished quite a bit during this time."

Orochimaru was unusually boastful, especially in front of Taiichi had always been supportive of his research and even provided considerable assistance.

It would be even more perfect if Taiichi could be more open-minded about human experimentation.

After a little boasting, Orochimaru steered the conversation back on track without waiting for Taiichi's reply.

"Madara Uchiha and Wood Style... it sounds unbelievable. If you hadn't come, I would have thought the person who said that was an idiot."

This is precisely why Taiichi came here; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to persuade Orochimaru to accept such a lenient ceasefire agreement.

Even if others had the same information, they would only assume there was more to the story.

"Madara Uchiha is probably really dead now. His battle with me involved using secret techniques that drained his life force."

As for Wood Style, aside from Madara Uchiha, it seems there's some artificial life form there that can also use Wood Style.

Orochimaru stuck out his tongue again and licked his face, a gesture that had clearly become an unconscious habit when he was excited.

"This is truly something to look forward to. I thought the windmill of the Ninja World was about to stop turning, but unexpectedly, a fresh breeze has arrived."

Orochimaru turned to look at Taiichi, his eyes gleaming with a look of longing.

"You have a sample of that artificial life form, right? Otherwise, you wouldn't have come to this conclusion about artificial life."

Taiichi smiled and nodded slightly, "Lord Orochimaru is as perceptive as ever. I've handed the body over to the village; I imagine Lord Orochimaru will see it when he returns."

"I can't wait any longer, Taiichi, you've really brought me good news."

The Land of Earth, Madara's secret base.

Compared to a few months ago, the area has clearly been expanded, and the once jagged rocks have now been completely cleared away.

This place was once the final hiding place of Madara Uchiha, the Asura of the Ninja World; now, it is the starting point of the new "Madara".

In the center of the empty cave, two figures crossed paths like ghosts.

Sizzle.

The sound of Kunai colliding was fleeting, and the dark figure flung several wooden spikes backward with a wave of his hand.

These wooden spikes were as fast as lightning, with incredibly tricky angles, and instantly pierced through Obito's body before he could even turn around!

However, the anticipated scene of the Wood Style: Cutting Spikes being activated did not occur.

The wooden spike pierced Obito's body as if into a phantom, embedding itself directly into the opposite rock wall, sending debris flying.

Obito's figure swayed like ripples on water, and his single exposed eye, like a triangular Great Windmill, slowly rotated, its cold gaze piercing through the barrier of space and landing on the attacker.

"It's no use."

A hoarse, deep voice rang out, clearly a deliberate imitation of Madara's way of speaking from memory.

The attacker was none other than Black Zetsu. With his strength, he was more than capable of sparring with Obito in his current Obito.

Seeing Obito unharmed, a twisted "satisfied" expression appeared on his strange, two-toned face.

"Perfect Intangibility," Lord Madara.

Black Zetsu's voice was hoarse yet obsequious, "Your control is already masterful. Even when caught off guard, you can perfectly utilize Intangibility, making you virtually invincible in battle."

Obito, or rather, the current "Madara Uchiha," solidified his form once more.

He wore the old, dark robe left by Madara, his face covered by Spiral Orange Mask, revealing only his scarlet Mangekyō Sharingan.

"Ultimately, Dōjutsu are all a matter of personal ability."

Obito's voice was completely flat; his mask concealed all his expressions.

"Reality and another dimension are separated by a mere thought. Ordinary attacks are well within my reaction time." He slightly tilted his head, his Mangekyo coldly "looking" at Black Zetsu, "Your attack methods are still too monotonous."

Black Zetsu wasn't angry; instead, he chuckled softly.

"Monotonous, yet effective. At least it proves that you, Lord Madara, have completely shed your past weaknesses and flaws. In direct combat, no one can harm you in the slightest."

He paused, his tone becoming serious, "The training over the past few months has yielded remarkable results. You have not only completely mastered the ability to Intangibility, but your control over Wood Style has also become increasingly refined. The power we have accumulated is enough to take the next step."

When power was mentioned, Obito couldn't help but touch his left eye, only to find a cold mask.

"Rock Ninja, they blinded my left eye! Otherwise, with the Mangekyo in both eyes, my strength would have been even greater!"

Obito's clenched fist trembled slightly, his resentment barely contained. To make matters worse, at this moment when he needed power the most, he had lost one of his Mangekyo. How unfair the world was.

Black Zetsu, listening to Obito's complaints, silently lowered his head. He didn't want Obito to know that he had gouged out his own left eye, which was now kept in a secret place.

Obito's resentment was only temporary. As long as Rin wasn't involved, Obito emotions usually only lasted for a while. Once he calmed down, he immediately steered the conversation back on track.

"How is Nagato doing now? Is the training of Madara's Rinnegan going smoothly?"

Black Zetsu immediately responded, his voice tinged with urgency.

"Nagato killed Hanzo of the Salamander and is now the leader of Amegakure. He hides in the Amegakure's tower all day, acting like a god, but he wants to create a peaceful world."

Black Zetsu curled his lip in disdain. "Having ambitions but no concrete plan for action? This kind of guy is just too presumptuous."

"Hehe, isn't this perfect? He has ambition, and we have action; it's a good opportunity for us to cooperate."

Obito remained silent for a moment, his expression hidden behind the mask. But his eyes grew even deeper and colder.

"Nagato —those eyes that belong to Madara—those eyes that belong to me."

His voice lowered, carrying three parts sarcasm and seven parts self-mockery.

"Possessing it certainly gives you the potential to become a god, but I also hope you can see the world clearly and understand that the 'Eye of the Moon' is the key to saving the world."

"You're right, Lord Madara."

Black Zetsu's voice was full of agreement and anticipation.

"Nagato has experienced suffering. We will guide him to understand that only the Infinite Tsukuyomi, as planned by Lord Madara, is the only salvation to end all suffering."

"Alright, it's time. After lying low for so long, it's time we went to meet this so-called 'god'."

Obito his hand, indicating that he had already decided to begin the next phase of his plan.

Black Zetsu bowed deeply, lowering himself to an extremely humble position. On his yin-yang face was a strange smile that mixed the expression of a fanatical believer and a schemer who had succeeded.

"Yes, Lord Madara."

The Land of Rain.

As a small country caught between three major powers, this place has long been a battlefield for the three powers, with countless Civilian dying and being injured.

Especially during the Second Shinobi World War, Hanzo of the Salamander became the leader of Rain Village. In order to change the weak position of the Land of Rain a small country, he took the initiative to declare war on Konoha, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure.

This First Shinobi World War utterly destroyed a generation of Rain Village and plunged the Land of Rain into the flames of war.

Since the start of Third Shinobi World War, changes have taken place here that are unknown to the outside world.

Since Nagato killed Hanzo of the Salamander and took control of the entire village, Amegakure, a village that was already constantly raining, has seen even fewer sunny days.

This is precisely the result of Nagato using the Rain Tiger at Will Technique to monitor the entire Amegakure over a long period of time.

Overwhelming strength and absolute control brought a rare moment of peace to this war-torn village.

Perhaps out of fear of his former title as Demigod of the Ninja World, the flames of the Third Shinobi World War did not reach this ravaged nation before he took the initiative to provoke them.

With Nagato's strict control, the Land of Rain is, at least for now, one of the few countries that has recovered its vitality after the Third Shinobi World War.

Inside the Central Tower.

Pain, the apparent ruler of the Land of Rain and former leader of the Akatsuki, stood by the window, gazing at the peaceful village.

Three meters behind him, Konan stood quietly. Her black robe with red clouds was perfectly wrinkle-free, and the white paper flower in her hair shimmered faintly in the dim light.

However, her purple eyes held no trace of the tranquility of looking towards the village, only a bottomless worry, fixed firmly on Pain's lifeless back.

Since that incident, Nagato's health has deteriorated day by day; great power does not come without a price.

Nagato is now emaciated and so weak that he can only move around in a wheelchair.

As for going out to demonstrate his power, only this Puppet, created from Yahiko's remains, can achieve that.

"Cough----cough----"

A suppressed cough, as if it were about to vomit its own internal organs, escaped Pain's mouth, breaking the silence of the tower with an incongruous sense of weakness.

Konan's heart tightened suddenly, and she took half a step forward, her fingertips trembling slightly.

"Nagato ----"

She knew that the one coughing was not the Puppet in front of her, but Nagato, who was hiding behind the scenes and controlling the Puppet.

This indicates an uncontrollable ability, directly reflecting the condition of the main body onto the clone.

Pain slowly turned around, his purple Rinnegan calmly "gazing" at Konan. His voice was as cold as ever, yet it also carried a subtle, almost imperceptible, soothing quality belonging to his true form.

"Don't worry, Konan. Isn't this happening less and less often? I've gradually gotten used to this kind of pain."

Pain is the price of power; we have already received the power of God.

His gaze seemed to pierce through Pain's eyes, looking out over the rain and into the wider Ninja World filled with war and hatred.

"Look at the Land of Rain now, this brief period of peace proves the correctness of power."

When we fully master that power, when the world has personally experienced the pain of Divine Judgment, true and eternal peace will finally arrive.

The Five Great Nations, the chains of hatred—all will be shattered and rebuilt before these eyes. We are the only path to peace.

Konan looked at him, her worry still there, even deeper than before.

It wasn't a doubt about power, but a fear of the impending collapse of the body that carried dreams and power.

The future is indeed bright, but can this frail body really hold out until then?

"But, Nagato, your body—"

Konan's voice trembled almost imperceptibly, her concern nearly breaking through her usual cool demeanor.

"It's alright." Pain's tone was decisive and unwavering, as if dispelling the gloom in Konan's heart. "This brief period of pain is for—"

He hadn't finished speaking.

A deep, hoarse voice suddenly boomed through the enclosed core space of the tower. "The path of God—what a moving belief, Pain —or Nagato!"

The voice seemed to come from the void, or perhaps it was whispering directly in their ears.

Pain's Rinnegan instantly erupted with an extremely sharp and cold light, his icy gaze like a tangible blade, suddenly sweeping towards the direction from which the sound came!

Konan reacted even faster. With a light flick of her wrist, countless white paper scraps shot out from her sleeves, hair, and even the shadows beneath her feet, as if they possessed a life of their own.

Instantly, an impenetrable paper wall formed around her and Pain, firmly protecting them from behind!

The space in front of them, less than five meters away, twisted and spun strangely, forming an invisible vortex.

In the next instant, a figure seemed to emerge from an ink painting, passing through the barrier of space without warning and standing on the cold floor.

He was dressed in a simple, dark robe, his figure upright yet exuding an indescribable sense of emptiness.

The most striking feature was the swirling orange mask that covered his entire face, with only a scarlet eye visible above his right eye.

The masked man appeared without any warning of Chakra fluctuations, ignoring the paper barrier that gleamed with deadly sharpness before him, his posture casual.

The single, crimson eye watched with great interest Pain's Rinnegan, which contained terrifying power.

"But if you're struggling to maintain such a small village as Rain Village, how can you possibly promote your ideals to the entire Ninja World?"

Before he could finish speaking, countless pieces of paper in the air folded and transformed into Shuriken, flying towards him.

But the masked man remained unmoved, instead opening his arms as if to welcome hardship.

The Shuriken seemed to pass through an illusory curtain, wave after wave, utterly useless.

Pain, who had been quietly observing, raised his right hand and pointed it in the direction of the masked man.

Shinra Tensei.

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