Uchiha Kage really didn't expect Samui to use that towel to gag Temari's mouth.
Although he felt a little embarrassed in his heart, his face still wore an expression of calm composure.
"I'll try my best to ask for you."
Speaking of which, it was about time to pay Samui a visit.
Hopefully, Kurenai hasn't bullied her too badly.
———
"Uchiha Obito, do you still plan to wear that mask and pretend to be Uchiha Madara to deceive people?"
"You…", Obito had come to the Hidden Rain Village to inquire about the progress of preparations for the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, but unexpectedly, he was called out by name as soon as he appeared.
"How do you know?"
At this moment, hearing Nagato speak with such certainty, continuing to deny his identity was already meaningless.
Although Uchiha Obito was extremely shocked in his heart, he quickly collected himself.
Pretending to be Uchiha Madara or not no longer mattered, Nagato would still act according to plan anyway.
However...
From now on, his influence within the Akatsuki organization would likely be greatly diminished.
He wouldn't be able to show off whenever and wherever he wanted, that really made him uncomfortable.
"Your identity has already spread in Konoha, so there's no need for you to wear a mask and impersonate anyone anymore."
Pain (Nagato), after learning that this guy who often posed as Uchiha Madara was actually just an ordinary Uchiha younger generation, no longer had that former wariness and trust toward him.
"As expected, it was Konoha…"
But it was strange, if Namikaze Minato had left information about him back then, he should have long been on Konoha's rogue ninja wanted list.
Why is it only now that the truth has come to light?
What exactly happened?
Uchiha Obito couldn't figure it out no matter how hard he thought.
He wondered if White Zetsu had obtained any relevant intel…
He'd have to go back and ask.
"So, those things you said before, and that my eye came from Uchiha Madara, were all lies?"
"Not quite. Although I'm not Uchiha Madara, I am his acting agent. What I said is no different from what Madara himself would say."
"Enough. The Akatsuki doesn't need traitors, and it doesn't need Uchiha Madara. From now on, you are no longer a member of the Akatsuki, let alone the secret leader."
Thinking about how he foolishly believed this guy was Uchiha Madara for so long, and how he was tricked into doing so many things, Nagato was really infuriated.
He had no tolerance for liars and traitors.
"I am the leader!"
"You… you'll regret this!"
Seeing that Nagato had no respect for him anymore, Uchiha Obito could only angrily fling his sleeve and then disappear from the spot.
It would be unwise to clash with the Rinnegan right now. Better to not argue with Nagato for the time being.
But later, he had to find out who exposed his identity.
Damn it, if it interfered with the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan…
He wouldn't let them off lightly.
———
"Come out! Uchiha Itachi!"
Sasuke searched all over Konoha with clenched teeth, again and again, but couldn't find any trace of him.
Whether he wanted to take revenge on Itachi or uncover the truth of that year, he couldn't find the person at all.
He could only return dejectedly to the ruined Uchiha district and silently grieve.
The Third Hokage had said there were hidden truths behind the clan massacre, which left a sliver of hope in Sasuke's heart,that perhaps his older brother Uchiha Itachi wasn't the one responsible.
If it wasn't Itachi...
Then who should he take revenge on?
Could it be that masked man the Third Hokage claimed was Uchiha Obito?
He couldn't help but punch the wooden post in front of him… After a long time, when he had finished venting, Sasuke fell into deeper confusion.
If Itachi really wasn't the one responsible, then what meaning did all those years of hatred have?
"Damn it, if only I were stronger…"
If only he had been able to take down Itachi back then, he'd know the full truth by now.
Instead of ending up in this situation where he couldn't even find the guy.
The three-tomoe Sharingan just wasn't enough.
And the kind of dungeon (replica world) that could make him stronger hadn't appeared for a while. What should he do?
Was he supposed to just sit here doing nothing and wait?
"Sasuke."
Naruto, who had followed him, still couldn't fully understand Sasuke's feelings right now, but seeing the wooden post smashed into a crater, he knew Sasuke must be having a hard time.
"Kage sent me to get you back."
It was already completely dark outside, it must've been tough on Sasuke, running around Konoha alone for so long.
"Naruto…"
Sasuke opened his Sharingan and stared straight at Naruto's stomach.
Although he hated to admit it, the Naruto who burst out with that strange chakra seemed way stronger than him.
That monster named Shukaku was completely beyond him—but Naruto could attack it effectively.
Even that jutsu called Rasengan was more powerful than his Chidori…
Naruto had silently pulled ahead of him.
"I really envy you for having that kind of special power."
If he had something like that inside him too, maybe he could surpass Uchiha Itachi?
If the Mangekyo Sharingan never awakened, then…
He would have to seek new power.
"Envy? Me? Sasuke, what weird thing are you saying? That thing inside me is a monster. Because of it, everyone in the village sees me as a monster too…"
Naruto didn't get what there was to envy about it.
"Right now, fight me, Naruto."
Just punching a wooden post wasn't enough to release the knot in his heart, and besides, Sasuke really wanted to know—was his strength really even inferior to Naruto's?
"What? Right now?"
"We didn't get to fight during the Chunin Exams, you must feel that's a pity too, right?"
Clenching his fists, Sasuke glanced provocatively at Naruto in front of him.
"Fine! I'll knock you out and then drag you back to hand over to Kage."
For some reason, as soon as he locked eyes with Sasuke, Naruto also felt a rush of excitement and anticipation.
"Dead-last like you only says unrealistic things like that."
"I won't be dead-last forever! I'm about to surpass you!"
"Hmph…"
Surpass me, huh? This guy, Naruto…
Sasuke activated his Sharingan and formed the seal of confrontation.
Seeing this, Naruto also formed the seal, then nervously touched his Konoha forehead protector.
"Sasuke!"
"Naruto!"
The two boys who both needed to vent quickly clashed.
————
"Such incredible geniuses."
Although they were both just genin, the aftershocks of Sasuke and Naruto's fight had already far surpassed the genin level, no, even surpassing that of chunin and jonin.
And this had been seen by Orochimaru, who had long set his sights on Sasuke.
"Orochimaru, shouldn't you be on the frontlines?"
Uchiha Itachi, who was also keeping an eye on Sasuke, appeared nearby without anyone knowing when.
The desolate Uchiha district suddenly became lively.
"This is just a clone of me. But you, Uchiha Itachi… it seems you still care about your little brother."
You even followed him here out of worry for his safety.
Orochimaru had always thought Itachi was a cold-blooded killer.
"I heard most criminals enjoy returning to the scene of the crime. Uchiha Itachi, I'm curious—after killing so many innocent clansmen, aren't you afraid their vengeful souls will come for you here?"
Just as Orochimaru and Uchiha Itachi appeared, another boy stepped out from the nearby shadows.
"Uchiha Kage?"
Upon seeing the newcomer, Uchiha Itachi's face instantly became more guarded.
Even he hadn't noticed Uchiha Kage's approach.
"A genius who's mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique?"
Orochimaru was also a bit surprised by Uchiha Kage's appearance.
But since he wasn't in his real body, he wasn't as cautious as Itachi.
"What a pity, such a genius, yet he never awakened the Sharingan."
"Is the Sharingan that important? The First Hokage didn't have it, and yet the man acknowledged as the strongest Uchiha, Madara, never beat him even once."
Uchiha Kage fired back lightly at Orochimaru, then turned to Uchiha Itachi.
"Our new Anbu captain, who slaughtered his own clan so coldly, couldn't even defeat an unknown masked man?"
"…", Uchiha Itachi remained silent.
Losing to that masked man had indeed been a blow.
Honestly, ever since he debuted, that was the first time he had ever lost.
"You're quite an interesting Uchiha."
Orochimaru felt that this Uchiha boy, not just his name and looks, even his personality that stabbed right at the heart resembled that Uchiha Kage from decades ago.
Could there really be such a thing as reincarnation?
"They're about to decide the winner."
Hearing the intense explosion not far away, Uchiha Itachi spoke blandly.
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