In the secret chamber, the lingering heat of the explosion had yet to fully dissipate. Wisps of smoke still rose from the blackened walls, and the air reeked of scorched material and residual gunpowder smoke.
Obito lay sprawled on the floor, breathing heavily. Half his body had been blasted into a bloody mess, and his torn robes exposed the scarred skin beneath.
His right arm and right leg had almost gone numb. Every breath tugged at the wound in his chest, sending a piercing stab of pain through him.
He slowly propped himself up, digging his fingers into the cracks in the charred floor and forcing himself off the ground.
His movements were slow and labored. Every inch he moved drew a stifled groan, as though even breathing brought bone-deep pain.
Supporting himself with his only remaining arm, his right, he staggered to his feet. His steps were unsteady, leaving dark red footprints on the floor as he dragged a trail of blood behind him and made his way toward Nagato.
Nagato lay quietly on the operating table, the right half of his body still covered by Black Zetsu, utterly motionless.
Obito stopped beside Nagato and lowered his head to look down at the body under Black Zetsu's control.
His gaze was calm and cold.
Just then, the black substance on the left half of Nagato's face began to writhe, and Black Zetsu's face emerged from Nagato's cheek.
His voice was hoarse and hurried, tinged with barely contained excitement and urgency:
"Obito, Nagato is under control. Use the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique now and resurrect Uchiha Madara!"
Obito ignored him. He slowly reached out and rested his palm on Nagato's shoulder.
Then space began to distort. A vortex appeared over Nagato, expanding in widening circles like a whirlpool in