.
---
A glowing purple light shone in the darkness.
Kabuto's eyes widened in excitement.
Obito frowned. Is it Nagato?
But as soon as the figure stepped forward, Obito's expression froze in shock.
"Naruto?!"
Naruto smirked, taking a few casual steps forward. His golden hair shimmered under the dim light, and the Rinnegan in his right eye pulsed with a quiet power.
"What's wrong, Obito? It's only been a few days, and you already seem so distant?"
Kabuto was just as shocked as Obito.
First, Naruto possesses the Rinnegan.
Second, Naruto knows the masked man's real identity.
Third, how the hell did Naruto find this place?
As he was still processing everything, Obito's sharp voice cut through the air.
"What did you do to Nagato? How did he manage to transplant the Rinnegan? And more importantly—how did you find this place?"
Naruto chuckled, his gaze shifting toward the underground army of White Zetsu. He nodded slightly, as if inspecting the rows of lifeless soldiers.
"Hmm… This still looks like a prototype. Kabuto, don't forget to capture Yamato. You'll need his Wood Release to strengthen the White Zetsu army."
Kabuto's expression darkened immediately.
How did Naruto know about that?
He had just suggested that very plan to Obito. If Naruto was aware of it, that meant he had been listening this entire time.
But that was impossible.
After training in Ryūchi Cave, Kabuto's sensory perception had evolved far beyond an ordinary ninja's. He could detect even the slightest shifts in chakra. Yet, until Naruto chose to reveal himself, he hadn't sensed anything.
Obito, meanwhile, was growing more and more uneasy.
From the moment he had first met Naruto, he had felt that the boy was somewhat similar to his younger self—naïve, brash, and burning with the dream of becoming Hokage. He had even considered molding Naruto into a new pawn for the Akatsuki, someone who could inherit his will.
But now, standing before him, Naruto was a completely different person.
That smirk, that composed demeanor—it reminded him of Uchiha Madara.
A man who always acted with complete confidence, as if he held the entire world in his hands.
That alone pissed Obito off.
"Naruto! Answer my question!"
Naruto turned to him slowly, his Rinnegan glowing.
"I came here to talk to you."
Obito scoffed. "Did I hear you right? You—the boy who always shouted about being Hokage—want to negotiate with the leader of the Akatsuki?"
"I'm not here to argue." Naruto replied, pacing around the underground chamber. "I know exactly what you two are planning. You, Obito, want to start the Fourth Great Ninja War for the Moon's Eye Plan. And you, Kabuto, want to fulfill your own twisted version of self-discovery. But here's the thing—I can help you both achieve your goals."
Obito and Kabuto stiffened.
"What?"
"You heard me." Naruto spread his arms slightly. "The organization I created—the Heaven Organization—can accommodate both of your plans. If necessary, I can even give you the Rinnegan, Obito. And Kabuto, I can help you find your 'true self.' After all, your dear master, Orochimaru, is standing right beside me."
Kabuto's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Orochimaru-sama… is alive?"
Naruto nodded.
"I brought him back. But unlike you, he's looking for something far greater. He keeps searching for the truth, evolving beyond his previous self. And you…" Naruto smirked. "You think just because you trained in Ryūchi Cave and transformed from a snake into a dragon, you've surpassed Orochimaru? How arrogant."
Kabuto clenched his fists. He was both furious and terrified.
Furious because Naruto spoke to him as if he was nothing.
Terrified because Naruto knew everything—his training, his transformation, his mindset.
"Who the hell is this guy?!"
Meanwhile, Obito was analyzing Naruto carefully. He couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling in his chest. Naruto wasn't just strong—he was playing a game of chess, and Obito didn't know what the endgame was.
"Naruto, what are you really after?"
Naruto's smirk deepened, his gaze softening for a brief moment.
"You'll understand when the time comes."
Then, as if dismissing the conversation entirely, Naruto turned away.
"By the way, the Five Kage are gathering in the Land of Iron soon. Their target is Sasuke. He and I fought recently, and his Susanoo has nearly reached its complete form. However, his Mangekyō Sharingan has yet to break its limit. This is your chance, Obito. You can use this moment to deepen his hatred for Konoha."
Obito narrowed his eyes. "If you're so interested in Sasuke, why don't you handle it yourself?"
Naruto sighed. "You and I both know my presence would only complicate things. If I interfere, Sasuke will hesitate. But if you do it, he'll be forced to embrace his hatred completely."
Obito fell silent.
Naruto was right.
Obito could manipulate Sasuke's pain in a way that Naruto couldn't.
That realization unsettled him even more.
This Naruto was nothing like the reckless boy he had watched before.
"What is he planning?"
He exhaled slowly and spoke, "Fine. But what about the Rinnegan?"
Naruto stopped walking and glanced over his shoulder.
"You want it to control the Gedo Statue, don't you? Don't worry. When the time is right, I'll consider giving it to you."
And just like that, Naruto left.
But he didn't use the Flying Thunder God Technique.
No, he wanted them to wonder.
If he had simply disappeared in an instant, they would have confirmed their suspicions.
Instead, by walking away like any normal person, he planted doubt in their minds.
Did he teleport in?
Was he hiding here the whole time?
How much does he really know?
Uncertainty. Fear.
Naruto wanted them to feel both.
Because an enemy who was afraid to act was far more dangerous than one who attacked without thinking.
---
Obito and Kabuto remained silent for a long time after Naruto left.
Kabuto clenched his fists, gritting his teeth.
"Obito… who the hell is that guy?"
Obito stared into the darkness where Naruto had disappeared.
"I don't know."
For the first time in a long time, Obito felt like he was the one being manipulated.
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