Black Zetsu's reminder brought Obito Uchiha to his senses.
Indeed, the Uchiha brothers' battle could be set aside for now. They had to secure the Rinnegan to ensure their subsequent plans could proceed.
Without the Rinnegan, their future plans could not move forward.
"All right, I'll deal with Konan and bring back the Rinnegan."
"Keep watch here. If the battle reaches a critical point, notify me!"
"I'll return as soon as possible."
"All right!"
Space distorted, and Obito vanished from where he stood.
After Obito left, Black Zetsu could not help falling silent.
He really did not know what to say about Obito.
He was not even as good as their enemy, Shihōin Naraku. At least that man knew what to do and when.
"Send someone to notify Akame that she can withdraw."
"All right."
Shihōin Naraku had left alone, leaving the Allied Shinobi Forces behind as he headed for Konoha.
Knowing that Konoha was under attack by the Akatsuki, the Allied Shinobi Forces did not waste any time either. They set out shortly after Naraku left.
However, since they were traveling as a group, they certainly could not move as quickly as someone traveling alone.
They also had to guard against ambushes by the Akatsuki, so even when Naraku had returned to Konoha and joined the battle, the Allied Shinobi Forces had yet to leave the Land of Bears.
Eventually, seeing how slowly they were moving, Asuma Sarutobi had no choice but to assign one squad to keep watch while everyone else headed for Konoha at full speed.
Only then did their marching speed improve.
But by the time they reached the Land of Fire, it was already midnight.
The battle in Konoha had long since ended by then, though the Allied Shinobi Forces did not know that