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Deep within the dense forest, the Taka squad moved swiftly through the treetops.
Leading the group was Sasuke Uchiha, his expression as cold as ever. Behind him followed Karin, Suigetsu, and Jugo, maintaining a steady pace as they navigated the thick woodland.
As they pressed forward, a sudden distortion in space appeared ahead of them—a swirling vortex spiraling into existence.
Then, piece by piece, a figure emerged from the void.
First, the gleam of a single eye.
Then, the distinctive orange mask.
His head. His upper body. And finally, the rest of his form materialized.
The entire process took only seconds.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, momentarily surprised by the familiar presence standing before them.
The four of them came to an abrupt halt atop a thick branch, their gazes locking onto the masked figure in front of them.
Karin's breath hitched in surprise, her sensory abilities kicking in. What the hell? she thought. I suddenly felt this guy's chakra appear out of nowhere… how is that possible?
Suigetsu groaned in frustration, rubbing his head. "Ugh, talk about bad luck. This guy again?"
Sasuke, however, kept his focus on the masked man, his expression hardening. "How did you know we were here?"
Obito let out a cold chuckle. "Don't underestimate me. This much is easy."
Watching Karin's stunned reaction, Sasuke's irritation, and Suigetsu's complaints, Obito felt a sense of satisfaction.
Yes… this is the proper reaction when someone meets me.
Unlike Naruto, who acts like he knows everything already and ruins the sense of mystery.
Sasuke frowned. "What do you want? Taka has already severed ties with the Akatsuki. We have nothing to do with you anymore."
Obito's tone turned sharp. "And yet, you haven't held up your end of our agreement."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"
Obito's voice carried a hint of irritation. "The Tailed Beast hunt."
Karin scoffed. "Didn't we already deliver the Eight-Tails to you?"
Obito's voice grew cold. "That was a decoy. You were deceived by the Eight-Tails' Jinchūriki."
Suigetsu's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, what?!"
Karin's expression mirrored his disbelief.
Sasuke, however, remained still. His Sharingan spun slightly as he recalled the battle.
Impossible… he thought. I confirmed it with my Sharingan. There was no chance for a clone technique.
He replayed the fight in his mind, analyzing every detail.
Then, realization struck.
That severed tentacle…
Obito watched the expressions of the four and let out a sigh. "To be honest, I'm quite disappointed in you."
Suigetsu, irritated, folded his arms. "Yeah? Well, what do you expect us to do? That has nothing to do with us anymore."
Obito's voice sharpened. "No! I expect you to see things through to the end. Forget the Eight-Tails for now. There's something else that requires your attention."
Sasuke's tone turned hostile. "And what if I refuse?"
Obito didn't hesitate. "Then we fight here and now. And that means… you won't be going to Konoha."
The moment those words left his mouth, Sasuke's eyes darkened.
With a flick of his sleeve, he raised his right hand, forming a one-handed seal.
Lightning crackled violently around his palm.
His voice was cold, unyielding.
"Then I'll force my way through."
The raw power of Chidori surged to life.
Without hesitation, Sasuke lunged forward, his arm thrusting toward Obito's chest.
But Obito didn't move.
And in the next instant, Sasuke's Chidori passed straight through him.
His entire body phased through Obito as if he weren't even there.
Landing on the treetop behind him, Sasuke immediately spun around, eyes sharp with realization.
Again… Just like last time.
It passed right through him.
Is this his ability?
Obito remained still, his back still turned to Sasuke. "It's too late for you to reach Konoha now."
Sasuke's frown deepened. "What do you mean?"
Obito finally turned, his single eye locking onto Sasuke. "Because of your attack on the Eight-Tails, the Five Kage have called for a summit. Tsunade has already left Konoha to attend the meeting."
Sasuke scoffed. "I don't care about Tsunade. I'm going to Konoha to destroy it. My target is Danzo."
Obito snorted. "Danzo is indeed responsible for what happened to your brother, Itachi… But he isn't the one who set the Uchiha clan on the path to destruction."
Sasuke's Sharingan gleamed with cold intent. "What are you saying?"
Obito took a step closer, his voice low. "If you truly want to understand why the Uchiha were cursed, hated, and ultimately annihilated… you must look further back. To the Second Hokage—Senju Tobirama."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Tobirama?"
Obito could see it—the hook had been set.
So he pressed forward.
"You should remember, shouldn't you? When you were a child, your clan lived at the outskirts of Konoha, far from the center."
Sasuke frowned. "So what? What does that prove?"
Obito's voice was laced with disdain. **"After the death of the First Hokage, when Tobirama took power, he feared the Uchiha's strength. So he segregated them, isolating them at the village's edge.
And then, he created the Konoha Military Police Force. A grand title, isn't it? But in reality, all he did was turn the Uchiha into nothing more than watchdogs."**
Sasuke's gaze darkened.
Obito continued, his voice growing heavier.
**"We enforced the village's laws, captured criminals, maintained order—yet we had no voice in the decision-making.
Over time, the people of Konoha saw only our harsh expressions, our stern commands. They feared us.
Parents told their children to stay away from the Uchiha. Our clan, once proud, was reduced to being Konoha's enforcers, despised by the very people we protected.
And Tobirama… he was pleased. Because he knew the more we were isolated, the more resentment would fester. The cycle was inescapable."**
Sasuke clenched his fists.
He had always noticed it—the way people avoided the Uchiha, the hushed whispers behind their backs.
Even as a child, many kids wouldn't play with him, their parents warning them to stay away.
Obito could see the anger simmering beneath Sasuke's expression.
So he continued.
**"The Uchiha are a proud people. We long for bonds, for recognition. But when faced with constant rejection, that pride warps into arrogance.
The clan became isolated, speaking only of its own greatness. And the moment anyone acted out, the entire Uchiha name suffered.
Tobirama ensured that, with every generation, the Uchiha would be resented just a little more.
And in the end… that resentment led to annihilation.
Danzo was merely the hand that struck the final blow."**
Sasuke's eyes burned with fury.
A deep, unrelenting rage.
A rage that could only be quenched with vengeance.
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