Identity revealed

"Boom"

The fire dragon collided with the Water Column, stirring up bursts of thick water vapor.

"Swish~ Swish~ Swish~"

Three figures shot backward from the Dense Mist one after another. Except for one figure who was in a rather disheveled state, all of them landed steadily on the branches of a large tree.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and his two companions watched warily from the direction from which the Ninjutsu had come. To their left and right, two Akatsuki members dressed in Black-bottomed Red Cloud Robe walked slowly towards them.

The one on the left, wearing an orange Spiral Mask, is the Uchiha Space-Time Ninjutsu.

The one on the right has more distinctive features: a burly and robust physique, a mouth full of sharp teeth, and the Samehada Greatsword on his back. It is none other than Suigetsu Hozuki, a Mist Village Rogue Ninja from Suikazan Fuguki.

A while later, two more figures appeared from a greater distance; they were Kakuzu and Hiruko, whom they had been tracking.

Before Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other two could react further, another figure appeared behind them—it was Zetsu, who had been monitoring them all along.

"Ha, the Akatsuki are trying to ambush us."

Even surrounded, Hiruzen Sarutobi showed no fear, looking down at the four people opposite him with an attitude full of condescension.

The Masked Man, Obito, stepped forward, looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was still so aloof, his eyes now filled with smugness.

"Haha, a coordinated attack! It's not impossible. Originally, we only wanted to capture the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, but Konoha had to interfere. Even if we die, we can't blame anyone else."

Following the Masked Man's words, the other four members of Akatsuki slowly approached Hiruzen Sarutobi and his two companions.

"Heh, I never expected that the Akatsuki would be in charge of someone as cowardly as you. You bunch of Rogue Ninja are really getting worse as you get older."

Hiruzen Sarutobi reached out and pointed at each of the people in front of him, focusing on Hiruko. Upon seeing Hiruko, he couldn't help but take a step back.

His accumulated power still instilled a subconscious fear in him.

"Hmph, hiding your true colors? When I, Madara Uchiha, roamed the Ninja World, you were just a greenhorn. I wore a mask simply because I didn't want to see you unworthy descendants."

Obito stubbornly maintained his persona, not wanting to lose face in front of his former boss's boss.

Little did he know that his actions played right into Hiruzen Sarutobi's hands.

The Konoha High Command had many guesses about the Masked Man, but they first ruled out Madara Uchiha.

Taiichi had personally fought Madara, and the state of his life force nearing its end was undeniable. Although the Masked Man before him pretended to be mature, the vibrant life force emanating from him was unmistakable to a medical expert like Taiichi.

After ruling out Madara Uchiha, the only remaining suspects from the Uchiha are --

"Madara! Madara Uchiha doesn't wear a mask. You're Obito Uchiha, right? The Obito who was captured during the Third Shinobi World War."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was also testing him. He was the only Uchiha ninja to go missing during the Third Shinobi World War, and his appearance matched the description. As for his strength, the Mangekyō Sharingan could explain everything.

Obito was somewhat flustered at this moment, but he still tried to remain calm. However, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kakuzu, Hiruko, and...

All three of them, including Suikazan Fuguki, turned their bodies to varying degrees, clearly showing their curiosity about Hiruzen Sarutobi's explanation.

"Ha, just wild speculation. No matter what you say today, you can't escape being killed."

Obito didn't want to say anything more to Hiruzen Sarutobi. He should have attacked immediately upon meeting him instead of wasting time talking.

"Didn't you Konoha call on the entire Ninja World to surround and kill us? After today, let's see who dares to listen to you."

Before he could finish speaking, Obito had already launched his attack.

He lunged forward in Body Flicker, thrusting his kunai Kunai at Hiruzen Sarutobi's face.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was prepared. Instead of retreating, he advanced, gathering a whirlwind in his palm. He then Kunai Gale Palm strike at the Gale Palm, and the exploding Wind Blades forced Obito to use his Intangible Intangibility to dodge.

On the other side, Suikazan Fuguki, carrying Samehada, slashed at Tsunade; his massive physique looked incredibly imposing.

As Tsunade dodged to the side, she slammed her fist into the back of Samehada. The immense Chakra Enhanced Strength sent the Fuguki staggering back three steps, its mouth, filled with sharp teeth, gaping wide, and its hands flailing wildly, clearly in great pain.

Obito and Suikazan Fuguki were responsible for close combat, while the other three roamed around at a distance.

Kakuzu relied on his remaining water-attribute heart to occasionally unleash a water cannon to restrain the enemy, but he had no intention of engaging in close combat.

Hiruko stood at a distance, constantly harassing the enemy with his Storm Release techniques. Compared to Kakuzu's Water Style, Hiruko's Storm Release was a greater threat.

Jue then used the Ten Escape Techniques to burrow into the soil, constantly extending his roots to sneak attack the three people's lower bodies; the five of them coordinated quite well.

Even so, at the beginning of the battle, the five members of Akatsuki were actually overwhelmed by Hiruzen Sarutobi and his two companions.

Hiruzen Sarutobi truly lived up to his reputation as Professor of Ninjutsu, effortlessly employing all Five Basic Nature Transformations. Each strike precisely hit Obito's attack route, pinning Obito down so much that he couldn't even lift his head.

Tsunade's Chakra Enhanced Strength kept the Fuguki at bay, and every clash left his arms numb.

Although Suien was the weakest, she dutifully drew some of the fire for the other two.

The failed hunt turned into an embarrassing situation, and Obito's eyes gradually turned cold.

Knowing that he wouldn't have the upper hand in a direct confrontation, he simply stopped trying to fight head-on.

As Hiruzen Sarutobi another Ninjutsu at his face, he maintained his Kunai- wielding stance without dodging, his entire body Intangibility as the Ninjutsu passed right through him.

As the two crossed paths, the Intangibility ended, Kunai grazed Hiruzen Sarutobi's neck.

Fortunately, Hiruzen Sarutobi was already familiar with Obito's Space-Time Ninjutsu and had been on guard, but even so, the Kunai still managed to cut a deep gash in his shoulder.

"Third Hokage, you'd better watch out."

Obito's triumphant voice rang out, as if he had already won the battle.

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at his shoulder, a hint of seriousness flashing in his eyes.

No matter how detailed the intelligence reports are, nothing beats firsthand experience. This is Space-Time Ninjutsu, and it's truly incredibly difficult to deal with.

From that moment on, the situation on the battlefield was reversed.

Obito's Mangekyo Dōjutsu not only allows him to Intangibility, but also enables him to hide in another dimension and then quietly reappear from another place, making it impossible for anyone to predict where he will suddenly appear to launch a sneak attack.

In this fast-paced melee, and with constant vigilance against sneak attacks from the shadows, Hiruzen Sarutobi and his two companions were instantly left feeling helpless.

Suien was already the weakest, and the journey so far, coupled with the previous battles, had already exhausted a great deal of his strength.

He had just dodged Hiruko's beam of Light Fang when he didn't notice Obito suddenly appearing beside him, and was kicked away by him.

Just then, the Suikazan Fuguki arrived, its Samehada sweeping across with immense force.

The Suien was caught completely off guard and was struck squarely in the chest. He flew through the air like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily into several large trees before collapsing to the ground without uttering a sound.

The Suien falling to the ground completely threw the battle out of balance. It was already difficult to fight three against five, and now there were only two left.

Hiruzen Sarutobi back the entangled Suikazan Fuguki with a kick. Turning around and seeing this scene, he instantly realized that the battle was irreversible and that if they continued fighting, both of them would perish here.

While remaining wary of the Masked Man who was also trying to launch a sneak attack, he gave Tsunade a clear look.

Tsunade reacted immediately, reaching into her Ninja Tool pouch with her left hand and pulling out the special Flying Thunder God Kunai that Taiichi had given her before he left.

With the situation in their favor, Hiruko of relief. Watching Tsunade's actions, he couldn't help but tease, "Hey, what's the use of switching to a Kunai like it can kill us all."

Hiruko didn't recognize the Kunai, but Obito did and knew its purpose.

"Damn it, stop talking nonsense and stop her!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already Intangibility again and charged towards Tsunade.

But no matter how fast they were, none could match Tsunade's movements. With a flick of her fingertip, she condensed Chakra and poured it into the Flying Thunder God Kunai. The next instant, a figure suddenly appeared.

"Bang!"

The sound of Kunai clashing rang out, as Taiichi grasped the Flying Thunder God Kunai and blocked Obito's thrust.

Missing his first attack, Obito didn't even turn his head and quickly distanced himself from Taiichi.

It was only then that everyone understood the latest situation on the field.

The visitor was— Taichi Matsushita!

All the Akatsuki members instinctively took a step back; they were genuinely frightened.

Every Akatsuki member present had fought Taiichi before; they were either beaten into submission or chased into submission, and none of them fared well.

Now, facing Taiichi again, he naturally felt inferior.

Taiichi looked around and finally fixed his gaze on the Akatsuki members.

"Oh, what day is it today? Is your Akatsuki holding a tea party?"

Xiao and the others blushed, angered by Taiichi's words.

"Taichi Matsushita, don't be too happy yet. There are five of us here. Do you think we can't beat you?"

Taiichi turned his gaze to the person who spoke, a playful smile playing on his lips.

"Hey, isn't this Suikazan Fuguki? Back then, you Seven Swordsmen also outnumbered me, but too bad you escaped. This time, you'd better fight me to the bitter end!"

At this moment Suikazan Fuguki wished he could slap himself. Serves you right for being so talkative! No one else was saying anything, but you were the only one who talked too much.

After Taiichi finished talking about Suikazan Fuguki, he finally turned his gaze to Obito.

This almost tangible gaze made Obito feel quite uncomfortable, as if his entire body was being seen.

Even more terrifying, pale blue flames erupted from Taiichi's eyes—a Soul Sight, a secret art that allows one to see through souls.

"You are— Uchiha — Obito! It really is you."

If Hiruzen Sarutobi's accusation only raised suspicions, then Taiichi's words directly confirmed the answer.

This time, none of the Akatsuki members made any attempt to hide their true intentions, turning directly to look at Obito.

Obito knew that he couldn't hide his identity anymore, so he simply stopped trying to conceal it.

He raised his hand and removed the mask covering his face, revealing a pale and distorted face on one side.

"Taichi Matsushita, it's been a long time."

"It really is you, Obito. I was just trying to trick you, but it actually worked. You really haven't changed at all."

Taiichi spoke in a joking tone, but said things that were infuriating.

Obito's face stiffened at first, then turned even paler.

Obito a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and looked at Taiichi again.

Aren't you curious why I betrayed Konoha?

At this moment, Obito revealed his identity, and his long-suppressed desire to express himself surged forth.

But Taiichi did not do as he wished.

"What's there to be curious about? All I know is that you not only betrayed Konoha, but you also tried to kill Kushina Minato. That alone is enough for me to cut you into pieces seventeen or eighteen times over."

Obito, constantly verbally belittled by Taiichi, finally lost his patience.

"Enough, there's no point in saying more. Once my ideal is fulfilled and I've created a peaceful world, I will surely resurrect you and let you savor the words I spoke today."

As soon as he finished speaking, Obito formed hand seals and charged towards Taiichi.

Wood Style: Wood Style: Cutting Spikes

Dozens of Wooden Thorns rose from beneath Taiichi's feet, piercing towards Taiichi.

Taiichi made a grasping motion with his right hand, and Chakra Light Blade instantly materialized. With a swift slash, he severed all the approaching thorns.

At that moment, Obito suddenly appeared before him, his Kunai thrusting straight at Taiichi's gate.

Taiichi backhand upward Kunai, but missed.

The Kunai through Taiichi's parry and continued to thrust at Taiichi. Just as it was about to hit him, Taiichi's figure instantly appeared behind Obito, and his left fist struck Obito's back.

"The punch, imbued with Chakra Enhanced Strength, sent Obito flying like a cannonball, spitting out a large amount of blood while he was still in the air."

That wasn't all. Seeing that Obito had landed but was still breathing, Taiichi was about to chase after him, but a large number of vines stretched out from under his feet.

They came out and began to entangle him.

Taiichi and muttered, "Annoying."

With One-Handed Seal, he punched the ground beneath his feet, and a ring of Blazing White Ring of Fire formed, instantly burning away the vines and turning the ground beneath his feet into lava.

Because of this delay, Obito finally received reinforcements.

Kakuzu was seen entangled with Tsunade, Hiruko the Third Kazekage, Suikazan Fuguki came to Obito's side and helped him up.

Zetsu suddenly appeared beside Obito, holding the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki in his hand.

Obito shook his head, wiped the blood from his mouth with one hand, glared at Taichi Taiichi last time, and then Teuchi Suikazan Fuguki and Zetsu with both hands.

The next moment, the four people vanished in a twisting motion.

Then—he ran away!

That's really decisive!

But for Kakuzu and Hiruko, this was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue.

The people who came to their aid ran away first, taking their spoils with them.

What does this mean? It means they were both abandoned.

Kakuzu and Hiruko to break free from their opponents and quickly closed in on each other. They exchanged a glance and saw deep despair in each other's eyes.

Hiruko still wanted to give it one last try, watching Taiichi slowly approach, "Is it too late for me to surrender now?"

Taiichi smiled and said, "Do you have any information you can tell me?"

Hiruko a bitter smile, pointed to his head, and shook his head silently.

"Then you can only go and die!"