Land of Rivers.
That expression genuinely startled him.
Even though the Tomoe Rinnegan hadn't fully awakened, Obito's chakra was already surging—ready for combat.
It was just a regular Great Fireball Jutsu, yet he bellowed "Kirin" with such intensity, the theatrics almost made it believable.
Black Zetsu gave a slow shake of the head and answered grimly.
"The current Kaguya far surpasses her old strength, thanks to Uchiha Bai Ye's influence."
But across these six years, Sasuke and Itachi's techniques had evolved significantly through constant sparring.
Suspended in mid-air, Obito postured like a monarch issuing judgment.
He watched the chaos below, intrigued.
Especially after a recent detour to Orochimaru's latest hideout—he had a new understanding of the world.
After some thought, Black Zetsu pulled a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Obito.
"So what?"
"Ride…"
Yeah, seriously.
Ever since their last return from Konoha, Obito and Black Zetsu agreed to keep a low profile, letting Akatsuki accumulate strength.
Far away now.
So unless Madara is directly before him, Obito's strength is too unstable to risk an open confrontation.
Obito tugged on his pants and gave Black Zetsu a sidelong look.
"Don't get it twisted. Madara has already been removed by the current Uchiha Clan Head—Uchiha Itachi."
"When Nagato's use is exhausted, Madara will be fully revived."
Konan had already left for Konoha to oversee the Chūnin Exams.
Still, they were in a delicate phase of cooperation.
But things have shifted.
Which meant—
Shannon had long been used to wielding Adamantine Sealing Chains, while Sakura toyed with her chakra-powered gloves.
Bai Ye stood calmly, one arm around Hinata, the other pulling Tenten close.
This was the perfect chance.
Right before him.
He wanted to sneak into Konoha, but with the new barrier network, even Obito's Kamui couldn't phase through undetected.
Across the ninja world, only a full-body Susanoo could produce such overwhelming pressure.
Six years.
"What do you mean?"
None of this affected the Uchiha clan directly.
The clan was thriving. Villagers slowly began accepting their exaggerated bravado—though they still often got humbled publicly.
Now his gaze transitioned from the Eternal Mangekyō to that ultimate evolution—the Rinnegan.
Years ago, when Bai Ye had taken his mother to the Snow Country, he'd glimpsed her from afar.
But nothing's absolute.
"You're making us look bad as villains!"
Still, Obito seemed to have some... cognitive dissonance.
Land of Waves.
"So we begin preparing for what's next."
Kakashi had been focusing solely on training, and had barely stirred in the ninja world.
"Alright, little thief."
And up ahead.
No matter the angle—it just didn't work. His attempt at a Kirin-style entrance was more comical than threatening.
The cost was too high.
In the original manga—
Just the technique to hijack a body had made even Orochimaru wary.
Obito was a mess.
After returning after nearly three decades, he tried imitating Itachi—training relentlessly to replicate Kirin.
Black Zetsu's expression turned serious as he examined the dates of Madara's imprisonment.
Then—
Leaping arrogantly from a tree, beheading sword in hand, he made a grand entrance.
Obito responded flatly.
Black Zetsu exhaled deeply.
"Don't tell me Madara has been enduring disgrace in Konoha all this time. He's literally leading the prison reform unit!"
At that instant.
Black Zetsu looked like he'd just bitten into a lemon.
"Is it really worth all this?"
"Based on our plan, once three years passed, Nagato would begin capturing the tailed beasts."
Zabuza stood unfazed.
Black Zetsu's expression became more complicated.
Seventh Entry
"Hashirama, I told you, don't show off before the battle even starts."
Then, an enormous Great Fireball surged forth. As it erupted—
This deeply confused Obito.
He still looked down on Madara, but—
Suddenly, he saw Sasuke's furious face.
"In the name of Konoha's Guard Captain—my godfather, Uchiha Bai Ye—I condemn you!"
Yeah.
He didn't even know how to properly counter a wild boar, let alone summon a thunder beast.
With the upgraded defensive barriers, his Mayfly technique was rendered useless.
Then, Naruto's countless Shadow Clones ambushed Zabuza from behind, pinning him.
Back when he visited the Wind Country and met Rasa, Obito had secretly copied the complete Impure World Reincarnation scroll!
Before everyone's eyes, the fireball started morphing.
…
Judging from Itachi and Sasuke's recent sparring—it had to be that technique.
Kakashi and Itachi stood calmly beside the renowned bridge-builder.
Black Zetsu glanced upward, shocked.
The Ten Tails?
Susanoo's chakra slashed its lightsaber, clearing trees and whipping up gales.
Obito hadn't sensed the looming danger.
He adjusted his tone and activated Kamui—vanishing from the Land of Rivers.
The reason Madara was so weak? He finally understood.
Sasuke was preparing for his grand entrance.
Don't expect much from Madara.
Calling that move Kirin? What was he thinking?
"I hope Madara stays imprisoned. The Three Tails is already revived—we don't need him. What's he going to do like this?"
"Two kids want to take me on?"
In the distance—
"How do you want to die?"
He remained unhurried.
But for now, Bai Ye stayed uninvolved.
With his Byakugan active, he scanned ahead and muttered.
Akatsuki no longer followed Obito. Konan had even clashed with the real Madara.
Obito already had a plan.
They fought.
Bai Ye wasn't concerned. His disciples had reached their goal—he wanted them to witness reality.
Once Madara fully recovered, he'd become a true force again.
Black Zetsu casually approached Obito as he redressed, peering at him with disappointment.
Shocking.
Kakashi glanced at Zabuza with mild pity—like a dead man walking.
Ancestor of chakra?
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Madara was a joke.
Only Obito could get Konan to follow orders now.
Even stronger than Mangekyō's ocular powers—
And yet Kaguya was happy just being a pampered rabbit.
Bai Ye and his students stood back, observing.
Still a villain—but one with absurd strength and unmatched status.
"Don't be fooled by Sasuke's swagger. Back in the village, he totally got wrecked."
Without new orders from Kaguya, Zetsu continued with the Eye of the Moon Plan.
If Madara were free, he'd be even stronger than before.
With Bai Ye's presence, the Uchiha name would never fall.
Black Zetsu remained skeptical of Obito's logic.
Seeing Obito preparing another Kirin, Zetsu stopped him cold.
"Just send the letter! Let Madara end the Impure World Reincarnation—then we can re-summon him properly!"
Together again, naturally.
Obito's breath was ragged, flames licking his form.
The entire ninja world focused on the grand Chūnin Exam.
Everyone had different motivations.
Fair enough.
Even Obito knew Kaguya's strange power shifts traced back to Bai Ye.
Madara's weakness? Hair-raising.
"Hatake Kakashi, the Copy Ninja?"
Even with the Eternal Mangekyō, Sasuke needed Yin Release to activate the full-body Susanoo.
It was a matter of both technique and sacrifice.
But worse humiliation lay ahead.
He swore.
"Get this letter to Konan. When she infiltrates Konoha, pass it to Madara in the prison team."
Some came to observe. Others sought chaos.
Then—something bizarre occurred.
With a final sigh, Sasuke flipped off Obito and Naruto simply yawned.
"So, are you male or female?"
"Madara's sentence is almost over."
"I'm warning you. Call Rin an old sow again, and I will end you."
Clearly, Madara had released the Impure World Reincarnation's control himself after resurrection—breaking ties with Obito.
Obito wasn't riding Rin. That flame-covered sow was clearly not Rin.
He had no clue what Kaguya was thinking now.
Naruto's voice echoed behind him.
"When Madara returns, we'll decide our next move."
Pretending. Dominating.
All eyes turned to Konoha.
Infinite Tsukuyomi loomed.
Ino pouted beside them.
Obito felt thoroughly insulted.
"You're taking both of them on."
He let out a roar.
No doubt.
Even a smaller Susanoo was still complete-body class.
Do you even match Itachi's execution?
His was the purple, compact version—far smaller than Bai Ye's.
Bang bang bang!
Why not cancel Impure World Reincarnation now?
Obito activated Kamui and burst into the fireball's trajectory.
"Kirin!"
…Ha.
Team 7's front line—Sasuke and Naruto—stood against the enemies.
Obito began hand seals, but something seemed off.
It looked like he'd overcooked it—those Hashirama cells weren't holding up.
He said nothing.
But now that Madara's back, Obito no longer calls the shots.
Bai Ye had clearly wanted his disciples to face reality and grow stronger.
But Obito couldn't understand how it came to this.
"Madara's a disgrace. A prisoner in Konoha's labor camp? The whole ninja world is laughing. Uchiha's name—tarnished."
"Stop the jutsu already! Just deliver the damn letter—before your old sow jutsu backfires again!"
It's not even Madara's fault—it's how incomplete the Edo Tensei was.
By the time he dropped the blade, shaking uncontrollably, Zabuza had already collapsed in shock.
Once a Seven Ninja Swordsman, now unaware Kakashi also wields a blade.
Obito scoffed.
Even worse, every time he activated jutsu, his crotch armor would catch fire.
Thankfully, Konan didn't blow him up with paper bombs and acknowledged him—for now.
Black Zetsu sighed and marked the calendar.
The technique was flawed, and the Hashirama cells in the sacrifices were insufficient—so the revived Madara was underpowered and captured by Konoha's prison corps.
That was him now.
The ninja world stirs.
And honestly, why scream "Kirin" for a sky-and-ground lightning attack… when there's no thundercloud?
Obito didn't argue this time. He took the letter and vanished.
The Duel doesn't end here… it only gets more intense.
30+ chapters ahead are already waiting.
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