Chapter 257 : Walking into a trap
Since Kirigakure had blocked the paths to the east and north, Kakashi could only retreat southwest with Rin.
During their frantic escape, he also learned the Hidden Mist's purpose for abducting Rin — they intended to seal the Three-Tails inside her to cause widespread destruction in Konoha.
Given this, returning to Konoha was definitely not an option. Even if they were to return, they would first have to escape the Hidden Mist Anbu's pursuit and contact the village to prepare their comrades.
But this was almost impossible; the Hidden Mist would not give them time.
For a moment, a sense of despair, of having nowhere to turn, rose from the depths of their hearts. It seemed only one path remained: to perish alongside their enemies.
Rin absolutely refused to become a sinner who would destroy Konoha and harm her comrades. If escape was truly impossible, rather than falling into that situation, it would be better to end it all.
"No, I can't give up..." Seeing Kakashi, who had already expended most of his Chakra, still persevering beside her, Rin temporarily pushed aside her pessimistic thoughts and followed him, continuing to rush forward.
Around them, dozens of Hidden Mist Anbu pursued relentlessly, their agile figures rising and falling through the jungle like a gradually tightening net... After learning that Jin could freely enter and exit this place, Obito had been sulking in his room, not even bothering to respond when 9527 called him to play.
Just as he lay on the bed, staring blankly at the dark ceiling of the room, calculating how many days had passed since his 'death in battle,' White Zetsu, designated as 306, poked his head out of the wall and called out to him.
"Obito — other White Zetsu have sent word that 'Kakashi' and 'Rin,' whom you often mention, seem to be in danger!"
"What!?" Obito shot up from the bed. "What happened!?"
White Zetsu's tone was slightly urgent: "They are both being hunted by the Hidden Mist, alone!"
"Damn it!"
Obito, in a panic, flipped over and jumped off the bed, his strength so great that even the bed boards splintered into several pieces.
Taking three steps as two, he rushed to the giant boulder blocking the door and, gathering all his strength, unleashed a powerful punch forward.
After a 'boom,' a bone-piercing pain shot through his fist, and Obito himself was jolted back half a step.
The massive stone wall, however, was only barely damaged on the surface, with a few bits of gravel and dirt falling from shallow cracks.
"Ugh—! Damn it!!"
"It's no use, Obito," 9527 jumped down from the Gedo Statue, "your current body can't break this giant rock."
"I..." Obito took a deep breath to ease the pain, "I must go out and save Rin and Kakashi!"
"There's no helping a foolish Obito, is there?"
9527 sighed and transformed its body into a mass of tentacles, slowly enveloping Obito.
"Put on my body."
"Aren't you Madara's and Jin's subordinates?"
Looking around at the 'circle' body that was about to envelop him, Obito couldn't help but worry about them defying their masters' wishes.
"Is this really okay?"
"What a good child," 306 exclaimed, then said, "Aren't you going to save Rin and Kakashi? Don't worry about these things for now."
9527 completely enveloped Obito, forming a strong and hard shell over his body, leaving only two holes for his eyes.
"...Thank you!"
He came before the rock wall, stepped back, and gathered his strength.
The tube connecting to the Gedo Statue at the back of his head pulsed, and then a massive amount of Chakra surged into Obito's body.
He endured the stinging pain of his engorged meridians and unleashed a fierce punch. The giant rock instantly shattered into pieces, collapsing into ruins with a rumble.
"Borrowing the statue's power while still connected to its roots... Not simple at all," 306 remarked with a grin.
9527 slightly loosened the outer shell around Obito's face and asked proudly, "I'm amazing, aren't I?"
"Yes, amazing," Obito fully affirmed 9527 White Zetsu's ability.
Uchiha Madara, who had long since woken up, suddenly spoke, "Are you leaving?"
Obito silently tore off the nutrient-supplying tube at the back of his head, his eyes firm, and said decisively.
"You and Jin saved me, and for that, I am grateful. But now I must leave. I have to go!"
Madara, however, was not at all anxious about his designated second successor running off. He said calmly, "You are too hasty. It's too early to thank me now."
"I don't think I'll be coming back."
Obito couldn't stand this enigmatic old man. The situation was urgent, and he didn't have the patience to reason with him.
Besides, if it weren't for him keeping him locked in this godforsaken place, how could he not be by Rin's and Kakashi's side now that they were in danger?
"Anyway, I've already said my thanks. I'm leaving."
"You... will definitely return."
Madara stared at Obito, directly determining the latter's fate.
"When that time comes, I will accept your true gratitude."
Obito was noncommittal and looked up, asking 306 loudly, "Hey, that White Zetsu! Where are Rin and Kakashi?"
306 slid down the wall and explained.
"9527, who is attached to you, and I are both clones of Zero. We can communicate telepathically within a certain range."
"And there aren't just a few of us White Zetsu; there are many more clones distributed throughout the underground, exchanging information."
"Just go out. The White Zetsu along the way will send messages to 9527."
9527 extended a tentacle and wiggled it softly: "I'll use this to guide you."
"Please do."
Obito nodded and turned to leave, even grabbing a long robe from another room as he passed by.
"He's gone."
306 came to Madara's side and reported the real news to him.
"The Three-Tails is moving along its planned route and is expected to reach Konoha in about another day."
"With 9527 attached, Obito's speed should be much faster than before, so he might encounter them earlier."
"Lord Madara, should we instruct Obito to take a longer route?"
Hearing White Zetsu's question, Madara didn't answer immediately but turned to look at it.
"Is that damned idiot kid still behaving?"
"Black Zetsu said that Jin wants to use the Three-Tails to eliminate Hatake Kakashi."
306 paused, then added, "However, Black Zetsu also said that Jin is impulsive and might change his mind and look for new fun once he knows Obito is out."
"Tell Black Zetsu to keep a close eye on him and not let the idiot kid go too far."
Madara tapped the armrest of his stone chair with his index finger and said coldly, "If he can achieve the goal, he can kill anyone he wants."
"Regardless of how this operation proceeds, I only want the result."
"Uchiha Obito must join the Eye of the Moon Plan, otherwise, eliminate him."
...
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