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A black rod slipped from his sleeve into Obito's waiting hand as he glared at Kabuto.
"A rough time?" A low chuckle escaped him. "You misunderstand. Or do you truly believe you can call for reinforcements under the gaze of these eyes?"
Hmph. He doesn't seem to view me as much of a threat, does he, Obito?
No matter. That contempt… is a card I can play.
Kabuto adjusted his glasses, his voice a low hum. "Perhaps. But I don't think you came here to fight. If you did, the roar of the Gedo Statue would already be shaking this desert."
Obito's gaze darkened. "Hn. Observant. Correct. I came for information. The whereabouts of Naruto… no, of that brat, Madara. Is he in your possession? Answer me!!"
As I thought. He's still obsessed with completing the 'Nine-Tails'.
Kabuto remained impassive. "And if he is? Or if he isn't?"
Obito's Rinnegan blazed with fury. "I asked a simple question! IS HE HERE OR NOT? ANSWER ME!!!"
BOOM…!!
A wave of crushing, malevolent pressure erupted from him, flooding the space.
"Ungh…!!!"
Shikamaru, a mere Chunin, was forced to a knee.
This pressure…! Just his killing intent…!
Father… did you ever face a monster like this?!
Kabuto's mind raced.
Lord Orochimaru is away. Sasuke is in a critical period of ocular fusion. While the forces on Pale Moon Island might not fear Obito, engaging him now is an unnecessary risk. Sasuke's safety and development are the absolute priority.
Besides… Naruto is no longer the helpless child who required our constant protection.
Kabuto met the furious gaze. "There's no need for such anger. I'll answer you."
Swish!
Obito's cloak flared as the oppressive aura vanished.
—"Speak."
"We intended to retrieve Naruto… that is, Madara," Kabuto stated calmly. "However, at the critical moment, Black Zetsu appeared. He threatened the boy's life directly. We were forced to compromise and let Madara go."
Obito stared, unblinking.
"How do you prove you aren't lying?"
Kabuto shrugged. "In this world, truth is doubted, while lies spread like wildfire. When you plant a seed of suspicion, your own arrogance keeps the truth at bay…"
Obito's eyes narrowed to slits. "There is one method to eradicate that seed of doubt and reach the truth directly. The cost, however, is your death!!!"
He acted without another word, his palm lifting—
—Universal Pull!
Whoosh…!!!
A violent gravitational pull seized Kabuto. Even with his chakra anchored to the ground, his body lurched forward, dragged helplessly toward Obito's waiting hand.
Obito… you really do underestimate people.
Zzt!
Kabuto's left eye snapped into sharp focus.
—Futodama!
"Huh…!?"
Obito's pupils constricted. The Universal Pull cut off instantly as his body phased into intangibility.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM…!!
The entire row of sandstone structures behind Obito was sheared off in a perfectly clean line, collapsing into rubble.
A cold sweat broke out on Obito's brow.
If… if I hadn't used the Rinnegan to see the chakra gathering in his ocular pathways, to predict a 'visual jutsu'… that clean cut would have been through me*.*
A memory flashed—the Gedo Statue's chains severing themselves days ago. He'd assumed it was Itachi's work.
So that's how it was…
"So it was your left eye's ability. A spatial severance. Indefensible. Just like the Kamui of my left eye." Obito's voice was a low growl. "You really did get a fine pair of eyes, Kabuto…"
Two space-time abilities. Right eye for transport, left for remote attack. Highly similar to Kamui. Coincidence?
Kabuto couldn't read minds like Itachi, but he could guess Obito's train of thought.
Of course. The original owner of this 'Futodama'… was an unsung hero of the Warring States period, your own father, Uchiha Kotsu.
Obito's hands came together in a seal.
Boom! A Wood Dragon surged forward, crushing everything in its path.
Schlik! A glance from Kabuto. The dragon was severed.
Obito leapt skyward. A skeletal Susano'o fist hammered down.
Schlik! A glance. The fist, then the entire arm of the Susano'o, was severed.
Obito phased through the aftermath, landing and forming another seal.
Boom! Boom! Two colossal trees erupted on either side of Kabuto, trying to crush him between them.
Obito lunged forward, hand outstretched for a 'Human Path' interrogation—when the sand beneath his feet erupted, throwing him into the air.
"To act so brazenly in the Land of Wind… you show far too little respect for your Kazekage."
Gaara didn't make moves. He made statements.
—Sand Waterfall Imperial Funeral!
RUMBLE…!!!
Hundreds of square meters of sand churned into a violent, devouring tsunami, swallowing both Obito and Kabuto whole.
Swoosh!
Kabuto's body contorted like a serpent, slipping through a gap between the wooden giants.
"Hmph!"
A moment before the sand buried him, Obito sucked the captive White Zetsu into his right eye. His remaining glare at Gaara was pure ice.
Kabuto dusted off his robe. "Gaara, this is a personal matter. Sunagakure need not involve itself."
Gaara was implacable. "He glared at me. That's grounds for a grudge."
The absolute, willful ruler of this desert, his will was law. His dominance and caprice were on full display.
Seeing Kabuto's slight surprise, Gaara spoke. "I know it was you who convinced Granny Chiyo to sacrifice her life for mine. To thank you for a Suna elder's choice would be an insult. I can only say… I intend to make her sacrifice worth it."
—"Almighty Push!!!"
Whooosh…!!!
The repulsive force conquered the sand tsunami, blasting it apart.
Obito emerged, a figure of pure menace.
"It seems the Village Hidden in the Sand… has outlived its usefulness."
Gaara's voice cut through the settling dust. "Now!!"
Swish! Swish! Swish!
On the surrounding sandstone battlements, dozens of Suna shinobi materialized, each holding a massive fan. They'd been there all along.
Kabuto's lips quirked. "An ambush. For me?"
Gaara didn't look at him. "I deemed it unnecessary. My sister, however, insisted on guaranteeing that person's safety."
Kabuto glanced at Shikamaru, now shielded behind Temari and her giant three-star fan. His smile widened. "It seems… we're both the ones being looked after today."
Temari raised her fan, a warrior's gleam in her eyes. "Let the intruders witness the might of Sunagakure!!!"
Dozens of giant fans whipped through the air in unison.
—Wind Style: Great Sickle Weasel Formation!!
HOWL—!!!
A storm of white wind blades, sharp enough to slice stone, mixed with Gaara's churning golden sand. The very air became a blender of destruction.
Obito hunkered within his skeletal Susano'o, even as Wood Release vines snaked out from around him.
But it was all a feint.
Whoosh. He vanished into Kamui, reappearing directly above Kabuto.
Information is no longer the priority.
The priority is this: Kabuto, with you dead, your hands can't reach me. I can revive the Ten-Tails whenever, wherever I please.
Blinded by killing intent, Obito failed to notice the subtle shift in Kabuto's posture.
—"In the ruins of Uzushiogakure, I swore an oath. No one would ever take me from behind again!!!"
Kabuto whirled, and from his parted lips erupted a dragon.
—Sage Art: White Extreme Technique!
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