Behind Nagato...
...stood several envoys from the Akatsuki Hidden Village.
The Konoha shinobi couldn't tell whether they were friends or foes.
For a moment, they hesitated.
Seeing this, Obito dropped from the tree and walked up to the Konoha squads.
A squad leader leaned toward Obito and whispered,
"Lord Falcon, that man ahead claims to be from the Akatsuki Hidden Village. What do you think...?"
Obito smiled.
"Stay calm. I'll go verify their identities."
"Please be careful," the squad leader said.
"Don't worry."
Obito walked toward Nagato, who came to meet him.
Obito coughed twice and asked with an air of solemnity,
"Are you really an envoy from the Akatsuki Hidden Village?"
Nagato fought back a smile and nodded repeatedly.
"Mm-hmm, yes, yes!"
Obito turned and walked back to the Konoha group.
Then he announced with absolute certainty,
"Don't worry, everyone. They really are from the Akatsuki Hidden Village. They've come to meet us."
Someone from Konoha exclaimed in delight,
"So they really are allies!"
For the rest of the journey...
...the two groups traveled together toward the Akatsuki Hidden Village.
Nothing happened along the way.
Once they reached the Akatsuki Hidden Village...
...Yahiko came out in person with the village's key members...
...to welcome the diplomatic mission from the Land of Fire and the princess of the Land of Rain.
Obito stood off to the side and sighed.
"Ah, the days ahead are going to be boring..."
The diplomatic mission from the Land of Fire would remain in the Land of Rain for a month-long inspection.
And throughout that time...
...Obito and the others would have to accompany them and ensure the envoys' safety.
Yahiko and the others certainly wouldn't have time for him.
Big Sis Yuki probably wouldn't either...
But that was all right!
Obito looked at his