Life Is Unpredictable

After resting for two days, it was enough. Updates would slowly resume, and he would try to make up for them over the next few days.

Likewise, everyone from all corners of the world, take good care of yourselves.

"Josuke, do you know what I admire most about the younger generation?"

Obito finished phasing and returned to the Kamui dimension.

"I admit that you're very strong, but!"

Beneath his mask, Obito's Mangekyō Kamui emitted a dazzling red glow.

"To contend with a god for the sun and moon, you... still fall short."

Obito shook his head and formed hand seals with both hands.

"Fire Release: Blast Wave Wild Dance!"

Obito spewed forth rapidly spiraling flames. They continued to whirl and expand, their target Josuke!

Scorching waves of air surged continuously, as though all the surrounding air had been sucked away.

"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"

Josuke formed hand seals and used Water Release to counter Obito. So far, he had discovered that Water Release was the ninjutsu he used most often.

Could it be that he really was the reincarnation of the Second Hokage?

Although Josuke's Fire Release and other ninjutsu were quite good as well, he felt that Water Release seemed to share a deeper bond with him.

Whether it was the Water Dragon Bullet or the Great Waterfall Technique he was using now.

Somewhere in the dark, Josuke sensed that something gave him a hidden bonus.

What a strange thought. Josuke shook his head. Fighting Obito was the priority right now.

Blast Wave Wild Dance and the Great Waterfall Technique collided furiously, and the resulting steam filled the entire Kamui dimension.

Obito smiled.

"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"

Obito used Deep Forest Emergence once more, but this time, it was not as powerful as before.

Why was that?

Had Obito run out of chakra?

What a joke. Half his body was made of plants—would he really be lacking chakra?

Unlike himself, who had only had parts of his body transplanted. Though there had been quite a lot of it, he was no slouch either.

Still, he fell somewhat short compared to Obito. Fortunately, Josuke had received improved cells.

Obito's Deep Forest Emergence surged toward Josuke, who leaped away to evade the attack.

In the distance, Obito wore a mocking smile beneath his mask and waved at his other half.

He had hidden away again.

The branches of Deep Forest Emergence tangled together, shoots of varying sizes lunging continuously at Josuke.

Josuke wanted to activate Susanoo and show off too, but not now. For now, he still had to play the fool.

You think your Mangekyō makes you invincible? You think Hashirama Cells make you invincible?

What was the point if you were so weak that you couldn't even beat Killer B?

If his eyes could not attain eternal light, then Josuke hoped that when he finally went blind—

He would be on the battlefield, fighting Six Paths Madara.

Deep Forest Emergence soon came to an end. Standing atop the tallest tree, Josuke looked down over the Kamui dimension.

Where was Obito?

He had run away again. As expected of Obito the Runner.

Behind Josuke, space twisted once more. Obito's figure appeared again, a scythe slashing toward Josuke.

"Clang!"

Josuke blocked with the Kusanagi Sword and, with lightning speed, launched a defensive counterattack.

Obito could only rely on Kamui to pull cheap shots.

"Your reactions are quick. I'm becoming more and more interested in you."

With that, another scythe swung toward Josuke.

Josuke turned, threw his sword behind his back, then caught it again in a forward grip and blocked Obito's strike.

(If you want to know the rough scene, feel free to comment here. Thanks.)

"Does Uchiha Madara only know how to use such petty ambush tactics?"

Josuke's gaze was sharp as he stared Obito down.

Obito burst out laughing.

"On the battlefield, there are only winners, no losers. Once someone steps onto the battlefield, who still cares whether an attack was a sneak attack or not?"

Obito put away both scythes and pulled a slight distance away from Josuke.

"Remember! Ninjutsu is a killing technique. If you don't kill me, then today, I'll kill you!"

It was obvious that Obito no longer wanted to fight. This spar had not been meant to have a life-or-death battle with Josuke.

It was meant to recruit him.

Although Josuke had defended against everything, Obito had not used all his trump cards.

Likewise, Josuke had not gone all out.

Obito should have been able to use Susanoo as well, but Josuke, who had used Susanoo before, knew that overusing it would make one go blind.

Even with the boost from Hashirama Cells, it would be useless. Josuke was certain of one thing.

Using Kamui too many times would also make one go blind.

But it definitely consumed less ocular power than Amaterasu or Susanoo.

Combined with the enhancement from Hashirama Cells—

It reduced the consumption of ocular power to the lowest possible level.

Josuke had also received a Hashirama Cell transplant himself. He knew exactly how useful Hashirama Cells were.

Josuke took a deep breath and sheathed the Kusanagi Sword.

"Tell me. What do you want me to do?"

Obito had shown him some respect, so naturally, he would return the favor.

Besides, the ninja world was not about fighting and killing—it was about connections and social maneuvering!

Seeing Josuke so cooperative—

Obito spared himself some unnecessary words.

"Have you heard of the Akatsuki Organization?"

Josuke nodded. Not only had he heard of them, the deaths of two Akatsuki members were connected to him.

"Yes, I have."

"So? What do you want from me?"

Obito patted him on the shoulder.

"I want you to join the Akatsuki Organization and become my informant."

Josuke forced himself not to laugh.

You joined the Akatsuki under the alias Tobi. Did you think I didn't know that?

And you wanted him to be your informant? You really were vicious, Obito.

Josuke pretended not to know and shook his head.

"I refuse."

Obito was somewhat surprised.

"Why? Give me a reason."

"Why? I admit that I'm a rogue ninja, but I have a leader now, and Orochimaru has treated me well.

I have no reason to betray him. Besides, why should I believe an unknown stranger whose origins are unclear?

Just because you claim to be Uchiha Madara?

By that logic, if I said I was Tobirama Senju, would you believe me too?"

Josuke's words made Obito fall silent for a moment before he let out wild laughter.

His laughter was loud, echoing throughout the Kamui dimension.

"What are you laughing at?"

Josuke asked unhappily.

Obito shook his head and patted Josuke's shoulder.

"Have you heard of the Rinnegan?"

Who hadn't heard of the Rinnegan? Josuke complained inwardly, but he still pretended not to know.

"What is the Rinnegan?"

Obito assumed the manner of an elder lecturing a junior.

"Let me put it this way. The Sage of Six Paths' eyes were called the Rinnegan, a symbol of godhood.

And I possess the Rinnegan, just like the Sage of Six Paths. But for certain reasons—

My Rinnegan were stolen by the leader of the Akatsuki Organization.

So... I need your strength. Become an informant within the Akatsuki Organization.

Do you understand now?"

What did he mean, his? He was only a secondhand owner. The eyes belonged to Madara—did he think Josuke had never read the original story?

But he could only pretend not to understand and say with a shocked expression,

"What? That's impossible!"

Obito stopped talking to Josuke and aimed his Mangekyō at him.

The space around Josuke twisted as Obito used Kamui to send him out of the Kamui dimension.

"Think it over carefully. We'll meet again soon, and when we do, I hope to hear your answer..."