The terrifying power of Shinra Tensei erupted behind him, but Obito Uchiha remained completely unmoved, not even blinking an eye!
Because the repulsive force of Shinra Tensei passed directly through Obito's body, Nagato's elaborate sneak attack only destroyed the house.
"Don't even think about Amegakure's support anymore. All the Amegakure ninjas have headed to the Land of Lightning today to meet Uchiha Itachi and Kisame."
Black Zetsu's somber tone shattered Nagato's hopes of receiving reinforcements. The Nagato would never have considered needing reinforcements, which shows that Nagato was truly no longer capable of fighting.
"Hmph, a cowardly rat hiding its head and tail."
Obito could use Kamui Intangibility evade attacks, but Black Zetsu didn't have that ability. He could only choose to burrow underground and escape to a distance. At this point, only his head and pitcher plant were exposed, making him aptly described as a rat.
Black Zetsu, lacking any real fighting ability, could only endure Nagato's insults. However, his thoughts aligned with Obito's: who would care about the incompetent barking of a dead man?
Obito Uchiha was taciturn during the battle and did not exude any aggressive killing intent, seemingly posing no threat. However, Nagato focused all his energy on being vigilant about Obito's every move, having already experienced the power of Space-Time Ninjutsu firsthand.
The moment Obito, the long-awaited Banshō Ten'in locked onto Obito. However, to Nagato's dismay, he still failed to catch Obito; the release speed of the Space-Time Ninjutsu was much faster than he had imagined!
Ignoring Pain's Deva Path behind him, Obito pressed forward relentlessly. If he could capture Nagato and bring him into the Kamui Dimension, it would be equivalent to Rinnegan. At that time, he would have the means to fight against Naoki Senju and Konoha!
Although he didn't want to admit it, Obito had already sensed a crisis due to Naoki Senju's strength. The Akatsuki sent three S-rank missing-nin: Sasori of the Red Sands, Deidara, Hidan. Even he would find such a lineup troublesome, but all three missing-nin were killed.
The Six Paths of Pain, possessing the Rinnegan, were a formidable opponent even he dared not face alone. Add to that the powerful Konan, and such a formidable lineup had only Nagato survive...
No, if it weren't for the White Zetsu army's desperate resistance, half of Akatsuki's resources and the Rinnegan would have been lost to Naoki Senju!
Faced with such an opponent, ordinary schemes and tricks are no longer effective. Half of the Shinobi World has been destroyed, and finding more helpers is useless. Therefore, Obito only has one path left to choose from: to strengthen himself.
He will personally remove the Rinnegan left behind by Madara Uchiha and eliminate this unstable factor!
" Rinnegan... Madara Uchiha..."
Obito recalled that old, frail yet terrifying man, whose last remaining inheritance would now become his own!
However, Obito Uchiha passed through Nagato's body, failing to capture the Rinnegan that was almost within reach, because a missile with a trail of fire also passed through Obito's body, destroying the entire upper floor of the building.
Because all the ninjas from Amegakure went to support Kisame and Itachi in a major battle against the heavily damaged Kumogakure, the village was temporarily free and there were no casualties.
The constant drizzle in Amegakure did not stop after Nagato's departure. The Rain Tiger at Will Technique was merely a reconnaissance Ninjutsu that relied on rainwater. If Nagato had truly maintained this continuous drizzle that enveloped the entire Amegakure for ten years, he would have been drained long ago.
The drizzling rain dripped into the room through the hole in the ceiling, wetting Nagato's hospital bed and the hair of both of them.
" Asura Path, I didn't expect you to have hidden a puppet." Black Zetsu exclaimed in surprise. They had searched Amegakure almost from top to bottom, but they still couldn't find Nagato's spare puppet. They never expected it to be hidden right under their noses.
" Black Zetsu, will your intelligence even work once?" Obito Uchiha said impatiently. If Black Zetsu's intelligence were more accurate, the Akatsuki wouldn't have suffered such heavy losses and gained nothing in this operation. Did he really think he wanted to step into the limelight so soon?
" Naoki Senju is different from Nagato. One is a user of Wood Release, and the other is a user of the Rinnegan. White Zetsu was detected as soon as they got close, so it has nothing to do with us."
White Zetsu was quick to exonerate himself, but in doing so, he also helped Black Zetsu out of a predicament.
"Hmph, you'd better not let it happen again!"
Obito Uchiha's expression was hidden beneath his mask, but even a cold snort was enough to make White Zetsu tremble.
Having dealt with the traitor within his own ranks, Obito Uchiha once again approached Nagato. With the Asura Path exposed, it was no longer possible for Nagato to launch another sneak attack.
From the moment Nagato was defeated by Naoki Senju, his fate was sealed. He just hadn't expected the Masked Man to act so swiftly, giving him no chance to catch his breath.
" Konan, Yahiko, it seems I'll have to come down and reunite with you..."
The Asura Path, hidden underground, unfolded all its mechanisms, missiles were activated, and the laser cannon above its head was fully charged. But this time, the target of the attack was not the Masked Man, but himself.
"Whether you are Madara Uchiha or not, no one can get these Rinnegan!"
Damn it!!!
Obito Uchiha furious. Nagato actually wanted to destroy those Rinnegan! Didn't he want to live? He could have used the Rinnegan as a bargaining chip to buy himself a chance to survive, even if he would be killed by the out-of-control Kunai afterwards...
But what gave him the audacity to commit suicide so decisively? What about Amegakure he cherished and protected? Did he not care about any of it?
Black Zetsu didn't understand Nagato's logic. He didn't take advantage of Nagato's unconsciousness to extract the Rinnegan, partly because he wanted to perfect his own persona—a lackey born from the Rinnegan, firmly carrying out Madara Uchiha's will.
How could a lackey turn around and gouge out its master's eyes?
Placing Pain's Deva Path) nearby was meant to give Obito a warning. Obito had been too arrogant lately and was crossing his bottom line. Nagato wanted to severely injure Obito and teach Obito a lesson.
But things seem to have gone beyond expectations; things have gone awry...
"Protect the Rinnegan!"
"Shut up, I know that without you saying it!"
Obito Uchiha removed his mask, revealing his true face and the Three-Tomoe Sharingan within his right eye.
At this moment, the Three-Tomoe Sharingan was losing its blood-red Tomoe, turning into an empty, lifeless gray.
Possessing the immense power to rewrite reality and resolve all unfavorable situations— Izanagi!
Trading a Three-Tomoe Sharingan for a pair of Rinnegan was a worthwhile price to pay, so Obito Uchiha didn't hesitate at all.
But no one noticed that a small, deep, dark sphere slipped through Nagato's fingers, floating higher and higher until it finally hovered above Amegakure.