Beneath the hidden base under Kannabi Bridge, the atmosphere was tense and heavy.
Obito sat on the ground, a scroll clutched tightly in his hand as he studied it with intense focus. Around him, numerous scrolls were scattered in disarray, evidence of his growing frustration.
"So complicated… damn it. How did Uchiha Madara even manage to transplant it into me back then?"
After staring at the contents for a long while, Obito slapped his forehead, irritation clear on his face.
Not far ahead, a raised platform created through Earth Release stood in silence. Atop it lay the headless body of a White Zetsu.
It was Tobi.
Tobi was never truly human, and even after having his head severed by Ryūjin, he had not died. Still, his condition was far from normal. His body was ruined, barely functional, and from time to time, only fragments of chaotic and unconscious thoughts could be transmitted.
Even his usual nonsensical chatter had disappeared, proof that his mind was completely broken.
"Do not rush, Obito. Take it slowly. I believe you can restore Tobi," Black Zetsu said calmly from the side, his tone carrying faint encouragement.
Obito was studying the knowledge left behind by Uchiha Madara, attempting to find a way to heal Tobi.
He had no choice.
Right now, he needed Tobi's power more than ever.
In the Hidden Rain Village, Tobi had blocked Amaterasu for him. In the Hidden Mist, he had even shielded him from Kamui. Twice, Tobi had saved his life.
Against the overwhelming threat posed by that Uchiha from Konoha, Obito could not afford to lose such an asset.
Without Tobi, he did not even have the confidence to face Ryūjin again.
Whether it was Amaterasu or long range Kamui, both abilities were terrifying to the point of being nearly impossible to counter.
"Obito, since that man is so dangerous, should we reconsider our plan?" White Zetsu asked after a pause. "Perhaps we should avoid Konoha for now."
According to their intelligence, the Nine Tails Jinchuriki of Konoha, Uzumaki Kushina, was close to giving birth. Obito had originally planned to take advantage of that moment to strike.
His ultimate goal was to find a suitable wielder of the Rinnegan, someone who aligned with their ideals.
Ordinary persuasion would not be enough. To achieve that, they needed something more extreme.
Deepening the conflict between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha was only the beginning.
But that had been before.
Before they learned about Ryūjin.
He was not just powerful. He was a complete anomaly, someone who directly countered Obito's abilities.
Kamui made Obito nearly untouchable, even against stronger opponents. Yet Ryūjin possessed multiple ways to harm him.
The threat was simply too great.
"No need," Obito replied firmly, his expression resolute. "We proceed as planned."
"But Obito…"
"It is fine. I have made my decision." Obito's voice dropped, filled with determination. "I will transplant one Rinnegan into myself."
Originally, Obito had no intention of doing so.
His plan had been to find another Uchiha clan member to bear the Rinnegan.
After all, the one who carried it would eventually have to fulfill the mission of reviving Uchiha Madara. In simple terms, it meant sacrificing their own life.
Obito believed in the Eye of the Moon Plan, but that did not mean he was willing to die for it when other options existed.
But now, everything had changed.
Ryūjin's existence forced his hand.
Even if Tobi were fully restored, Obito still lacked confidence in defeating him.
After weighing his choices, this compromise became the only viable path.
One Rinnegan for himself, to gain greater power.
The other, entrusted to a suitable Uchiha, who would eventually carry out Madara's resurrection.
It was the most balanced solution he could find.
…
Konoha.
After his excursion to the Hidden Mist, Ryūjin returned silently to the village using Kamui.
Seizing the right moment, he switched places with his Shadow Clone without anyone noticing. With his current level of strength, the entire process was flawless.
When the clone dispersed, its memories flowed back into him.
Ryūjin could not help but feel speechless.
"Icha Icha Paradise, signed by Jiraiya… I only mentioned it casually, and he actually remembered."
He found it somewhat surprising.
Earlier that day during patrol, he had run into Jiraiya. The man had pulled him aside with a knowing grin and handed him a book.
It was none other than the famous work of the ninja world's bestselling author.
And it was signed.
Jiraiya had even promised to save copies of future releases for him.
The Shadow Clone had immediately read the book, and now those memories settled into Ryūjin's mind.
"This thing is seriously… boring."
He felt mildly disappointed.
After all the hype, this was it?
It only proved one thing. The people of this era were far too conservative.
If this kind of content existed in his previous life, it would not even raise an eyebrow.
Shaking his head, Ryūjin dismissed the thought and continued his patrol.
His trip to the Hidden Mist had delayed his schedule, and by the time he finished covering half the village, it was already time to clock out.
"Off work at five. No forced overtime. Not bad."
After parting ways with his teammates, Ryūjin did not head to the training grounds as usual.
Instead, he took a few turns and arrived at the village's central plaza.
A girl was already there.
She stood quietly, her expression a mix of anticipation and shyness. From time to time, she glanced around, clearly waiting for someone.
A faint smile appeared on Ryūjin's face as he walked toward her, his steps unconsciously lighter.
"When did you get here? Have you been waiting long?"
Kurenai Yuhi turned to him, her eyes bright.
"No, I just arrived."
The two began walking through Konoha together.
They moved naturally, side by side, like a couple, drawing the attention of passersby. More than a few people looked on with envy.
Among them, a certain member of the Sarutobi clan could only watch from afar, his heart quietly breaking.
But there was nothing he could do.
He could not compete with Ryūjin.
After wandering through the village, Ryūjin and Kurenai shared a meal before heading to the training ground together.
They sparred lightly, enjoying each other's company as the sun began to set.
By the time the day came to an end, both of them felt content.
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