A sharp, eerie hissing filled the battlefield.
Jiraiya was abruptly pulled into the swirling abyss of Kamui, vanishing before Naruto's eyes. The masked figure, Obito, stood unwavering, his single Sharingan spinning ominously.
Naruto had foreseen ambushes, stationing numerous shadow clones to counter the approaching waves of mutated White Zetsu. However, Obito had played a cunning trick. The Flying Thunder God mark had been removed from his body—because he had literally carved out the flesh bearing it and transplanted it into a living White Zetsu. It was a cruel deception, designed to throw Naruto off.
Naruto clenched his fists, fury rising like a tide. Through his remaining clones, he had just witnessed Jiraiya being dragged away, and now rage clouded his vision.
So that's what Obito meant. Even someone as powerful as himself had weaknesses, and Jiraiya was his.
Kidnapping his mentor—it was a calculated move, one that struck deep. Obito must have deduced this from Naruto's reckless actions in Yugakure, where he had risked everything to save allies.
Naruto no longer hesitated. He had to retrieve Jiraiya at all costs.
Before he could take off, Sasuke intercepted him, a smirk playing on his lips. His eyes gleamed with malice. "Naruto, your fight is with me. You're not going anywhere."
Without warning, Sasuke launched a volley of blackened flames, shaping them into deadly projectiles. Amaterasu's cursed fire roared toward Naruto.
Naruto barely reacted, raising his hand lazily. "Shinra Tensei."
The force erupted outward, dispelling the flames instantly.
Nine-Tails' chakra flared, manifesting two colossal arms that rocketed toward Sasuke. The air cracked with the sheer force of Naruto's attack.
Sasuke barely had time to react before he was pummeled. His Susanoo flared to life in a desperate attempt at defense—but it crumbled under Naruto's raw power. Sasuke let out a choked cry as blood splattered from his mouth. The impact sent him skidding across the battlefield, tearing down trees in his wake.
Shock filled his crimson eyes.
How? He had inherited Itachi's power, awakened the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan—yet he couldn't even withstand a single full-powered strike from Naruto?
Naruto didn't give him time to recover.
"Universal Pull."
Sasuke and his fragmented Susanoo were yanked back with violent force. Desperation flickered in his gaze. He activated the Eternal Mangekyō's technique again.
"Amaterasu!"
Black flames burst forth, aiming to consume Naruto.
But Naruto didn't even flinch. The crimson energy of the Nine-Tails flared around him, shielding him. The flames failed to take root, sliding off harmlessly.
Sasuke's mind reeled. It was as if Naruto was playing with him.
Naruto's next attack was merciless. His chakra arm morphed into a massive fist and slammed into Sasuke's gut, sending him crashing into the earth like a meteor. A deep trench carved itself into the battlefield as Sasuke tumbled, finally lying still amid the rubble.
Naruto's cold gaze locked onto him. "Sasuke, I don't have time to waste on you today."
Without another glance, he turned to Killer Bee. "Uncle Bee, he's yours."
Bee grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Yo, lil' Uchiha, you 'bout to feel the heat!"
Naruto vanished in a flicker of yellow light, leaving only stunned onlookers behind.
The Konoha shinobi watching from the walls stood frozen in disbelief.
Sasuke, armed with the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, empowered by Susanoo, had just been humiliated in three moves.
This was Naruto's strength now.
Genma Shiranui exhaled slowly. "If anyone still thinks we can 'capture' Naruto as a rogue ninja, they can try it themselves. I sure as hell won't."
At the Hokage's office, tension thickened the air. A dozen of Naruto's clones stood guard around Tsunade as she glared at the masked figure before her.
"Madara!" she roared. "Give Jiraiya back!"
Shikaku and Inoichi exchanged uneasy glances.
Madara? No, it couldn't be.
If that was true, then Konoha had been keeping some terrifying secrets.
Shikaku finally spoke, measured and cautious. "Hokage-sama… you're not joking, are you?"
Tsunade's fists tightened. "No jokes. He claims to be Madara Uchiha."
Obito chuckled darkly. "The Barrier recognized me, didn't it? That should be proof enough."
He stood relaxed, his Sharingan spinning lazily, yet the atmosphere buzzed with danger.
Naruto arrived in a burst of golden energy.
Obito barely reacted, though his amusement flickered. "You're fast."
Naruto cracked his knuckles. "You're a coward."
Obito feigned a sigh. "I was going to take the Hokage with me, but since you're here, that plan's ruined."
Naruto's eyes narrowed. "You're ruthless—even to yourself. You carved out your own flesh to trick me. You baited me with Eight-Tails, used Sasuke as a distraction, and planned to hunt alone. Clever."
Obito let out a chuckle, clapping mockingly. "Excellent deduction, Naruto! But no prize."
Tsunade frowned, eyes darting between the two. "Naruto… you speak like you know him."
Naruto scoffed. "Know him? Oh, more than that. This guy used to be a Leaf ninja. He had the same dream as me—to become Hokage, to be acknowledged."
Shikaku stiffened. "Naruto… are you saying this man isn't Madara?"
Naruto smirked. "Why don't you introduce yourself, 'Madara'? Or should I do it for you?"
A shadow flickered across Obito's face before he sneered. "You're insufferable. You drag out things I don't care to remember."
Naruto's expression darkened. "You mean the past you refuse to face. The real you."
He moved to weave hand seals.
Obito's Kamui began swirling again. "Go ahead, Naruto. But remember—I don't have to defeat you. I just have to keep threatening you. If you want Jiraiya back, you'll trade the Nine-Tails and Eight-Tails."
Naruto's lips curled into a smirk. "Do you really think I wouldn't mark the people I care about?"
Obito's Sharingan dilated.
In the next instant, a shadow clone beside Tsunade vanished.
And then—
Jiraiya appeared, coughing, confused but very much alive.
Naruto turned back to Obito and scoffed, spitting to the side.
"You really are pathetic. No real strength, no courage to face me head-on. You're nothing but a joke."
For the first time, Obito's smirk faltered.
Naruto cracked his neck, his golden aura flickering like wildfire. "And I don't have time for jokes."
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