Obito watched the two figures emerge from the shadows of the rocks.
Konan's orange eyes were filled with undisguised killing intent as she looked at him.
Jiraiya's gaze was comparatively calm—or rather, restrained.
Obito turned to Konan and said mockingly, "Oh? Konan, you even managed to recruit Jiraiya, one of the illustrious Sannin, into our Akatsuki? No wonder you disappeared for so long. Impressive!"
Konan said, "Stop joking. The moment your deception and manipulation of Nagato came to light, I severed all ties with you! And then you killed him!!"
Obito said, "Oh? You keep saying you've severed ties with me, so why are you still wearing that Akatsuki cloak?"
Konan said, "Akatsuki was founded by Yahiko of Amegakure. It has nothing to do with you! The red clouds embroidered on this cloak symbolize the blood and fire Amegakure endured. You merely usurped its name to do whatever you pleased!"
Obito's gaze darkened. "So, in short, you sought out your former teacher, Jiraiya of the Sannin, to challenge me?"
He patted the Benihisago and the Amber Purifying Pot beside him.
"But you saw what happened just now, didn't you? I've already captured Kumogakure's legendary Kinkaku brothers. Their Nine-Tails Chakra, together with the eight tailed beasts inside the Demonic Statue, fulfills the conditions for reviving the Ten-Tails... In other words, whatever you do, you're too late."
Jiraiya, who had remained silent throughout, looked at "Shikaku" behind Obito. Seeing his persistent indifference, he thought, Just as I suspected... Obito is controlling Shikaku with Sharingan genjutsu.
Jiraiya looked at Obito. "Obito Uchiha, this is our first meeting... Kakashi told me a little about you. I was truly shocked to learn you were the one controlling Akatsuki from behind the scenes. However, right now, I don't care why you're collecting tailed beasts, what this