At the Akatsuki Base, Nagato sat on a stone chair, with the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path behind him.
Clang!
The base's doors were shoved open. Somewhat dazzling sunlight spilled into the dim interior, stretching three figures' shadows long across the floor.
Nagato calmly looked at the three approaching him: Obito, Zetsu, and Kabuto Yakushi.
"You disposed of my people ahead of time. Looks like you noticed long ago, Nagato."
Obito had originally intended to bring more people. After all, Nagato had possessed the Rinnegan since childhood and was intimately familiar with its power. Bringing more people would have been safer.
But when Obito tried to contact the people he had planted within the Akatsuki, he discovered they were already dead. Nagato had secretly executed every last one of them.
Nagato gave a contemptuous chuckle.
"Heh. You arrogant fool. Did you think you'd hidden your little schemes so well?"
"Hidden? I've never intended to hide anything I do. Ordinary people simply lack the ability to notice."
"Do you even believe what you're saying? Never intended to hide anything? How ridiculous. A man who spends all day hiding behind a mask claims he's never intended to conceal anything."
Nagato looked at Obito, who wore the Yellow Spiral Mask, and sneered.
"A coward behind a mask."
"Heh. Still running your mouth? Say a little more while you still can."
Obito reached up and removed his mask, revealing his true face.
"Once you reach the Pure Land, you might not get another chance to speak."
Nagato stood and swept his sleeve aside.
"You just want my Rinnegan, don't you? Come take it if you can. Though I wonder whether you have what it takes!"
"What it takes? Heh."
Obito laughed.
"Kabuto, show him."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses and answered with a smile.