Itachi's arrival shocked Obito, but beneath that shock... he felt even greater frustration!
The Nine-Tails had been within his grasp! Just a few more seconds, and half of the Nine-Tails would have entered the Demonic Statue's maw! Then the Ten-Tails would have been revived in an even more perfect form!
Itachi's interference had ruined everything at the last moment!
Obito simply ignored Kabuto. Standing atop the Demonic Statue's head, he stared unblinkingly at the man guarding Naruto and Madara—the man he still feared!
"It's been a while. Half a year, hasn't it? Ever since you parted ways with Kisame and went off to fight Sasuke, you vanished... I thought you were dead."
Itachi said calmly, "I'm still alive. Sorry to disappoint you."
Obito smiled noncommittally. "The past is gone... Back then, you resorted to drugs to prolong your life, just to stay alive long enough to see your little brother. Now you stand before me, full of life, and you've even gained a new light."
Beneath his black sleeve, Obito clenched his fist, his voice growing harsher!
—"The eternal Mangekyō Sharingan? And it even incorporates Shisui's pattern. You weren't brothers or father and son. How did you do it? Tell me!!!"
The truth, only now revealed by Obito, belatedly shook Madara, who had once fought Itachi!
"So you and the wielder of Kotoamatsukami weren't brothers!!!"
"..." Itachi offered no further explanation about his eyes. He stood before Madara, barring Obito's path, his stance unwavering.
Obito knew that the most urgent matter wasn't the secret behind Itachi's eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, but the Nine-Tails!! The Nine-Tails!! Not the scraps inside Kinkaku and Ginkaku, but the complete Nine-Tails! And half of the Nine-Tails was inside Madara, right behind Itachi!!!
If he missed this opportunity, getting another chance would only become harder!
Itachi's strength