Suigetsu, Jugo, and a path never imagined...

After witnessing Sasuke's Second Match, Obito and Zetsu went their separate ways.

Zetsu went to report Kakuzu and Hidan's deaths to Nagato, along with... the fact that Orochimaru had plundered the money they had amassed.

Obito, meanwhile, returned to the underground lair where Madara had once lived. He was about to set a new plan in motion.

With Akatsuki having lost Kakuzu and Hidan, he had found new candidates to replace them.

Whoosh!

He released two bedraggled figures from his Space-Time dimension!

They were none other than Jugo and Suigetsu, who had gone missing during the attack on the Northern Hideout!

Obito said, "A few days in confinement should have taught you to behave, wouldn't you say?"

Jugo looked dejected, while Suigetsu was seething inside.

He had been enjoying a peaceful life at the Northern Hideout when some explosion maniac suddenly showed up and blew the place to pieces without a word. Under threats from Karin, he had been forced to flee with Jugo, a potential killing machine, only to be captured by the Masked Man accompanying the explosion maniac. He had spent days locked in a dark room and nearly starved to death!

But... knowing how powerful the Masked Man before him was, and that he could suck them back into that dark room at any moment, Suigetsu didn't dare get too insolent, furious though he was.

"Who the hell are you people? I don't remember doing anything to offend you."

Obito said, "We're Akatsuki."

"Akatsuki? That terrorist organization Orochimaru... used to work for!?"

Suigetsu's heart lurched. I heard Akatsuki is full of monsters on Lord Orochimaru's level... or even stronger. And now those monsters have come after me!!

Rubbing his hands together, Suigetsu immediately put on a fawning smile. "Oh, so you're the esteemed members of Akatsuki! I'm just a small fry. Look, you should settle your grievances with whoever caused them. If you want to kill someone, could you go find Lord Orochimaru instead? I can show you the way!"

Obito said darkly, "That Lord Orochimaru of yours killed three of my comrades not long ago."

At that dreadful news, Suigetsu's heart sank!

Damn you, Orochimaru!! What the hell have you done now?! Go ahead and stir up trouble out there, but at least clean up your own mess!

His mind raced as he tried to find a way out alive.

But just then, Obito leaned against the stone platform beside him and raised two fingers. "So, I'll give you two choices. First, you become my subordinates..."

Suigetsu answered without hesitation, "I choose the first one!!!"

Obito slowly lowered his fingers, amusement entering his gaze beneath the mask. "I heard Orochimaru's subordinates were all utterly devoted to him. How come you're so quick to betray him?"

Suigetsu hurried to explain. "Don't lump me in with those brainwashed idiots! Orochimaru captured me after I escaped from the Bloody Mist Village. He wanted my abilities, and I figured spending a few comfortable days under him was better than being hunted down by the Bloody Mist Village! We were just using each other. Loyalty and betrayal don't even come into it!"

"Well... at least you're honest." Obito changed the subject. "Hozuki Suigetsu, you're Hozuki Mangetsu's younger brother, aren't you?"

Suigetsu started. "You... knew my brother!?"

Obito's gaze grew distant as he recalled the years he had ruled Kirigakure, and the young man who had dared challenge Yagura, refusing to submit even at the cost of his life.

"You could say that..."

Suigetsu immediately tried to cozy up to him. "Oh... so you're an old acquaintance of my brother's! Then this was all a terrible misunderstanding—we're practically family!"

"Heh." Obito gave a cold chuckle and offered no further explanation.

Suigetsu asked tentatively, "So... becoming your subordinate means joining Akatsuki?"

Obito said, "You might not be strong enough to qualify for Akatsuki yet."

Suigetsu said, "Uh... well."

Obito said, "But we can count you as reserves for now."

"I... refuse."

Before Suigetsu could respond, Jugo, who had remained silent all this time, flatly rejected the offer.

Obito frowned. "Why?"

Jugo said, "I never truly pledged myself to Orochimaru, but my closest friend, Kimimaro, admires him from the bottom of his heart. If I became Orochimaru's enemy, it would be the same as betraying Kimimaro!"

Suigetsu was speechless. Hey, does this inflexible idiot have no idea how to read the situation?

After a brief pause, Obito said, "Jugo, you're one of Orochimaru's Cursed Seal test subjects, aren't you?"

Jugo nodded. "Yes, but I volunteered to become his test subject. I hoped that by studying my Cursed Seal, he could find a way to suppress my urge to kill!"

Obito asked, "And has he?"

Jugo shook his head. "Not... at this stage."

Obito said, "So you've spent all this time tormented by an uncontrollable urge to kill. Then let me ask you this: can you kill people?"

Jugo said, "Killing isn't difficult for me. I am a ninja, after all. I just don't want to hurt innocent people when I lose control."

Obito said, "Heh, that makes things simple. If I can suppress your urge to kill, would you be willing to become my subordinate?"

Jugo furrowed his brow. "You can do something even Orochimaru couldn't?"

Beneath Obito's mask, his eyes gleamed. "Don't underestimate the power of our Uchiha Clan's Sharingan!"

Suigetsu was stunned. This guy... is a Uchiha?? Weren't they all killed except for Itachi and that kid named Sasuke? Is this guy Uchiha Itachi? But he said he knew my brother, so he obviously can't be Itachi!

Jugo said, "If you really have a way to suppress my urge to kill, I can consider your offer. But I have one more condition... I won't become Orochimaru's enemy. If you want to kill him, I won't take part!"

"Heh... I wouldn't need you for that anyway. Follow me."

Whoosh! Obito took Suigetsu and Jugo into his Space-Time dimension.

But this wasn't the place where he had first imprisoned them.

Instead, it was a separate room he had created within the Space-Time dimension, with dozens of cabinets lining one wall.

On the night of the Uchiha Clan Massacre, Obito had helped Itachi kill their clansmen, acquiring a large number of Sharingan in the process!

Obito walked up to the cabinet labeled "Izumi," opened it, and took out a porcelain jar containing a pair of eyes.

Jugo asked, "Are those... Sharingan?"

Obito said, "That's right. As eyes awakened by the Uchiha, the Sharingan can provide their host with powerful Yin Release Chakra. Yin Release is a manifestation of spiritual energy, making it perfect for suppressing the murderous urges caused by your Cursed Seal chakra..."

Jugo asked, "You... want to transplant those eyes into me?"

Suigetsu said, "Hey, I don't want those disgusting eyes!!"

Ignoring Suigetsu, Obito continued, "Only a complete pair of Sharingan can unleash their true power. Neither of you has a Senju constitution, so transplanting both eyes into one of you wouldn't be suitable. Giving each of you one is the best approach..."

Suigetsu said, "So I... don't get a choice?"

Obito said, "If Jugo's own Sharingan can't effectively suppress his urge to kill, you'll serve as a second safeguard. That will cover all our bases. Any more questions? I really dislike people who get a good deal and still complain..."

Suigetsu said, "Fine. Since I don't have a choice, I'll take the Right Eye!"

Jugo said, "..."

Obito's gaze deepened. "Then let's begin the eye transplants..."