A strange silence fell over the laboratory.
Everyone's gaze focused on Uchiha Obito, who had just been quietly observing and enjoying the show.
Nagato turned his head and fixed a strangely intense stare at Obito.
At that moment, he suddenly felt that getting or not getting Hashirama's cells was no longer important.
Compared to improving his Wood Release, he was more eager to figure out Obito's true identity.
If Nagato had turned to look at Black White Zetsu just then, he might have found his answers.
Black Zetsu's expression was inscrutable, staring at Izayoi (wearing that playful smile), as though in deep thought.
White Zetsu, on the other hand, looked utterly dumbfounded, eyes brimming with disbelief: he never imagined that aside from them, someone else out there knew Obito's real identity.
Only Orochimaru and Yakushi Kabuto—both unaware that Obito was pretending to be "Uchiha Madara"—were left gaping at him in astonishment.
Orochimaru even exclaimed in awe:
"A living Uchiha, aside from Sasuke and Itachi? Then that space–time jutsu we saw—was it a Mangekyō Sharingan–exclusive ability?"
Uchiha Obito didn't respond, as he hadn't yet recovered from the shock and anger in his heart.
If someone here could sense emotions, they would realize that Obito's feelings were in turmoil, swirling chaos in his mind.
Luckily he wore a mask—otherwise the expression on his face would have let Nagato see that he need no longer treat him so warily, or hold him in such esteem.
Seeing Obito remain silent, Nagato's suspicions of him only deepened, and he couldn't help asking:
"Madara, what's going on here? Who is 'Uchiha Obito'?"
Observing this, Black Zetsu couldn't help cursing inwardly.
You fool. Merely hearing your real name was called out and you lose your composure?
Where's the mental fortitude you had when you orchestrated the Nine-Tails' rampage and manipulated Kirigakure from the shadows?
"What…? Uchiha Madara?!"
Orochimaru and Yakushi Kabuto both jerked back in alarm at how Nagato had just addressed Obito.
Orochimaru, near incredulous, exclaimed:
"That legendary Shinobi from the past—didn't he supposedly die at the Valley of the End by the First Hokage's hand?"
After speaking, Orochimaru and Kabuto both turned in unison to look at Izayoi, abruptly realizing why Izayoi was calling that man "Uchiha Obito."
At last, Obito snapped out of it. Using Madara's voice, he forced a laugh:
"So, not only could you sense that I possess Hashirama's cells, but you even discovered my Sharingan? Not bad—an authentic Wood Release heir of the Senju indeed…makes me think of a young Hashirama."
It was as though he hadn't even heard the name "Uchiha Obito," nor insisted he was Madara. But his line of talk set off all sorts of conjecture.
Tap, tap, tap…
Suddenly, Izayoi clapped vigorously.
"Excellent acting!"
Sparks of blue-white electricity danced around Izayoi's palm as he gave Obito a thumbs-up:
"Kakashi would be so moved, he'd probably run a Chidori through Rin Nohara's heart and flash you a thumbs-up in return!"
Boom!
That remark was like a lit fuse detonating a bomb.
The instant Obito, who had just managed to repress his emotions, heard it, the scene of Kakashi's Chidori piercing Rin's chest played in his mind.
Just like then, when he first witnessed that with his own eyes and his two–tomoe Sharingan instantly evolved into a Mangekyō, Obito's chakra flared uncontrollably, bursting outward from his body in a raging aura.
Seeing Obito like this, Black Zetsu couldn't help tilting his face upward, inwardly groaning. This is bad.
Meanwhile Nagato's lips curved faintly upward, like a heavy stone lifting from his heart, leaving him at ease.
At this point, whether or not he got Hashirama's cells no longer mattered. He'd found the greatest payoff: he no longer had any doubts.
In Nagato's view, Uchiha Obito, once believed to be an immortal near–centenarian who could stand toe-to-toe with the God of Shinobi, who even outlived that "God" by decades, was now revealed to be merely a small-timer playing spooky charades, so timid he wouldn't even show his real face.
He was no true threat. Though Nagato still didn't know exactly where Obito obtained the Six Paths jutsu and Yin–Yang Release, the only thing worth cautioning against was his phase-through space–time ability.
The real foe was that unknown benefactor who bestowed him those powers.
That might be the real Madara, or the descendant of the Sage of Six Paths.
Regardless, that person was the Rinnegan's true owner.
Whether it was Obito or Black Zetsu, both were but pawns for that hidden mastermind.
Another mysterious enemy had popped up, yet Nagato remained calm. Because he was certain that person must be dead.
Obito and Black Zetsu had come seeking him not just for the Gedo Statue, but possibly also for…Rinne Tensei no Jutsu.
That person evidently wanted to use Nagato to resurrect a second life.
Surely there was some contingency planted on Nagato, either in his body or in the Rinnegan. Once triggered, it would force him to cast Rinne Tensei and bring that mastermind back from the dead.
But now that Nagato had recovered his full strength, these two had made no move on him. Combining that with the conditions for resurrection—the caster having to see the target's remains to summon the soul—Nagato deduced the final step required a key these two might hold.
Hence, Nagato almost wanted to tear them apart right here. But his reason told him otherwise. Another unknown pawn might lurk in the shadows; if he acted rashly, he'd lose the initiative entirely.
For Konan's sake, for Yahiko's dream, he had to remain composed.
"You see? Look how upset he got."
Izayoi wore an expression as if to say, Well, there you have it, pointing at Obito who had become unhinged. Then he turned and smiled at Orochimaru.
"Omoshiroi…"
Orochimaru also studied Obito with interest, chuckling:
"Ah, I recall the Fourth Hokage had three students. Apart from Kakashi, there was indeed an Uchiha who 'died' in the war—his body never recovered. So that was you."
"Furthermore, that Sharingan in Kakashi was apparently a parting gift from that dying Uchiha comrade." Yakushi Kabuto scrutinized Obito's mask with amusement. "Kakashi's eye is the left one, while the mask here is designed with a hole on the right side. It perfectly fits the story, no?"
'Obito, you have become a clown!'
Seeing him stared at like a caged monkey, White Zetsu's gaze showed a trace of pity.
His identity exposed, Obito could no longer maintain his foothold in Akatsuki. Both Nagato and Itachi would no longer fear him. Even if Nagato didn't cast him out, Obito would lose all leverage.
If this news spread further, Konoha's honors of "wartime hero" would be stripped away. People might even desecrate his grave, discovering it was all a sham. Apart from Kakashi, no one would care for him again.
Black Zetsu stayed silent, surreptitiously eyeing Nagato—hesitant about using a spiritual possession jutsu on him. But as soon as that powerful sensing ability from Nagato came to his notice, he abandoned the idea, resuming his hidden stance.
Obito, touched on his raw nerve, abruptly calmed down. He didn't explain how Izayoi found out but asked:
"How did you discover it? And why are you so certain?"
That was the biggest question swirling in his mind.
Logically speaking, they were from different generations. When Obito set the Nine-Tails loose on Konoha, Izayoi was just a baby.
Even the person who knew him best—his old teacher—was clueless about his identity. So how had Izayoi learned? And with such confidence?
"Because I'm not blind," Izayoi retorted, staring at him as if he were a fool. "When I was a student in the Academy, you'd occasionally pop into the village to wander around. Every year on November 15th, you'd go to the cemetery to pay respects to a girl named Rin Nohara. The mask only has a hole on the right side. Investigate that connection between Rin Nohara and Kakashi, and any non-idiot can guess your identity."
"..."
Once again, Obito fell silent.
'What an imbecile!' Black Zetsu cursed mentally. Leaving behind such an obvious clue…
Nagato and Orochimaru's group, for their part, were completely assured of Obito's real identity now.
"In your youth, you could stroll around Konoha at will without me noticing—this does confirm your Wood Release awakened quite early," Obito conceded. "Impressive indeed. At least as a child, you hid it well from me."
Now the atmosphere was on a hair trigger.
Orochimaru and Yakushi Kabuto stood behind Izayoi, gazing wary toward Nagato's party.
But Nagato ignored them, turning to Obito:
"Got anything else to say?"
"I'll give you an explanation. We'll take these few people down, and you'll get the item you want." Obito said no more. He unleashed a Mangekyō Sharingan genjutsu to seize control of Orochimaru.
But before he could do anything else, Izayoi smiled and spoke softly, naming a jutsu that made them all tense:
"Wood Release: Nativity of a World of Trees!"
Rumble—
A violent trembling coursed through the entire lab and the underground base.
Then the floor cracked as thick, towering tree roots burst out—like giant serpents—displacing earth and stone.
In the blink of an eye, the underground base was submerged in a sea of greenery.
Even the four subordinates outside maintaining the Four Red Yang Formation were disrupted.
Soon, as thick roots with budding leaves violently pushed up the ground, cracks spread.
Having to avoid the entangling vines and trunk-like tendrils, Pain had no choice but to deactivate the barrier and leap away.
This region of the Land of Fields was mostly plains, with Orochimaru's base hidden underneath one of those grasslands.
From a distance, one could see huge green "serpents" rising from below, each rearing up like small peaks.
Seismic ripples spread throughout the grasslands.
Once everything calmed down, that endless grassy plain had unexpectedly gained a lush forest, as if a brand-new oasis had sprung forth. Someone not in the know might think that was the Land of Fire's great forest.
Amid that newly-born forest, Nagato—who'd never seen Konoha's Forest of Death—couldn't help marveling at the towering trees like small mountains. He exclaimed:
"What incredible Yang Release chakra! At his age, to have so much chakra… He really is the same type as me."
Atop one of those giant trunks, Black White Zetsu reappeared.
Sensing the chakra of this vast forest, White Zetsu couldn't help praising:
"What a Wood Release. Without our leader's help to infuse Yang Release into Tobi, that level of jutsu is way out of his reach by comparison!"
Black Zetsu said nothing, mind sinking to an all-time low.
He now felt exactly like Chiyo in Sunagakure:
'How did everything change so drastically in just a few months? The ninja world is unrecognizable…'
At first, they only had to deal with Ōtsutsuki Toneri and Nagato. Then it turned out that Toneri was a true-born Tenseigan wielder, not some transplant, possibly matching the genuine Rinnegan.
Now there was Izayoi, a legitimate Wood Release successor, who had discovered Obito's identity, and who also possibly carried the Uzumaki blood's unique powers like Nagato.
Black Zetsu felt the script was totally out of his control.
At least the real body of Madara was still in his hands. Using the Gedo Statue, White Zetsu's cells, plus Hashirama cells, they had managed to restore Madara's corpse to youthful condition.
If only they could manipulate Nagato into casting Rinne Rebirth to resurrect Madara, they'd get a living Madara with Wood Release + Sharingan + Rinnegan, in his prime. Neither Toneri nor Izayoi would be a threat.
Recalling the earlier sense of vigilance from Nagato, though, and realizing Nagato was on guard, Black Zetsu felt it best to keep a contingency plan.
Still, the pressing issue was Obito's fiasco.
Even as a living Yin–Yang being, Black Zetsu had a splitting headache.
So long as they lost the initiative, he didn't much mind, but Obito was now completely losing face.
Black Zetsu worried that Obito might be cast out of Akatsuki, making things even more precarious.
"You idiot…" Black Zetsu cursed inwardly, then sank underground via a Mayfly jutsu to meet up with Obito and Nagato.
~~~
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