Chapter 127: The Reckoning

Chapter 127: The Reckoning

Obito Uchiha's mood had soured drastically.

He'd been content to spectate, curious how Nagato would handle Orochimaru.

Though Izayoi's appearance surprised him, it only deepened his intrigue.

Before he could enjoy the spectacle further, however, he'd become the center of attention himself.

The alias "Uchiha Madara" had served him well—Kamui's power always gave him the upper hand against Nagato and Itachi Uchiha, whether they believed his act or not. But now this carefully maintained facade had been unceremoniously torn away.

Because he'd visited Rin's grave every year, and lingered too often in Hidden Leaf Village observing young Itachi's development during the Uchiha Clan's downfall, they'd finally found his weakness.

And the one who uncovered this vulnerability was just some kid who'd still been attending the Ninja Academy back then.

This realization left Obito feeling both humiliated and shaken.

Such strategic brilliance, combined with the rare Wood Release bloodline and the ability to invent S-class ninja techniques with an extraordinary chakra reserve... This child might prove even more dangerous than Nagato or Shinkurō Ōtsutsuki.

Before Obito could ponder further, a figure materialized before him.

"How will you explain yourself, Madara... no, Obito Uchiha?" Nagato asked with a smile. It was the first time he'd seen Nagato looking so relaxed and unguarded, rather than his usual solemn demeanor filled with wary glances.

Just seeing that smile told Obito everything—he could never again command the same cautious respect from this man.

"Let's discuss this inside."

Before White Zetsu could appear, Obito activated Kamui, creating a fist-sized black hole that sucked both him and Nagato into Kamui's Dimension.

Nagato offered no resistance, willingly entering the space.

"What's that idiot planning now?" Black Zetsu, fused with the earth and vegetation, finally showed visible agitation.

"Do you think Obito will reveal all of Madara's plans to Nagato?" White Zetsu asked worriedly.

"These two pawns have already slipped from our control", Black Zetsu muttered darkly, resolving to prepare contingency plans.

"This is your space-time technique dimension?" Nagato examined the dimly lit expanse filled with towering stone pillars, his gaze settling on Obito with academic interest. "Here, you can't phase through attacks anymore. Bringing me here unarmed—don't you fear I might kill you?"

"Killing me would change nothing, wouldn't it?" Obito replied casually, cross-legged on the ground but poised to activate Izanagi at a moment's notice.

"I hope your explanation proves... enlightening", Nagato said ambiguously.

That Nagato hadn't attacked immediately made Obito subtly relax. As long as violence was avoided, his true strength remained concealed. This confirmed Nagato still harbored some apprehension toward his ocular techniques.

If he could clarify the situation now, Nagato might still maintain appearances. He and White Zetsu could continue operating within Akatsuki.

Composing himself, Obito began, "Do you remember our first conversation when we met?"

At Nagato's silence, Obito continued, "Back on that rainy day when Yahiko still lived and your ideals hadn't yet changed. You've already realized it, haven't you?"

Nagato's eyes darkened. "Realized what?"

Obito pressed forward, "As I said back then—where there's light, shadows follow. So long as victors exist, there must always be the defeated. The self-righteous desire to protect peace inevitably births war. To protect love, hatred must be born... This inseparable causality cannot be severed, not even by Hashirama Senju, the God of Shinobi, whose peerless strength couldn't break this fundamental law of reality!"

"But..." Obito pointed at Nagato's eyes. "Your Rinnegan can!"

Nagato instinctively touched his eyes, staring grimly at Obito. "Ten-Tails' Statue."

"Exactly", Obito said. "Would you like to know why Shinkurō Ōtsutsuki came to retrieve it?"

Nagato's pupils contracted sharply. "Tell me."

This was what Nagato most wanted to understand—what secret made the Ten-Tails' Statue worth the Ōtsutsuki clan's millennia-long exile to the Moon, worth igniting ninja world wars and revealing their existence.

While Nagato knew the Statue could seal Tailed Beasts and unleash a chakra dragon capable of instant annihilation, he doubted such power justified this obsession.

And clearly, Obito understood the Statue's true nature.

Indeed, Obito raised one finger solemnly, reciting, "All shall become one with me. The ultimate completeness."

Nagato's brow furrowed as he repeated, "The ultimate completeness... I assume that refers to the Statue absorbing all Tailed Beasts' chakra. But what does 'all shall become one with me' mean?"

"What is a Jinchuriki?" Obito asked suddenly, shocking Nagato.

"You mean..." Nagato's eyes widened in realization.

"Precisely", Obito confirmed. "The Ten-Tails' Statue has another name—the Ten-Tails itself."

The Uchiha Clan possessed a sacred stone tablet recording Six Paths Sage's secrets, readable only through powerful dōjutsu. From these inscriptions, Obito had learned of the Ten-Tails and Rinnegan techniques. The Uchiha's sacred duty was to guide the Rinnegan's rightful wielder.

"Once the Ten-Tails absorbs all nine Tailed Beasts' chakra, it becomes an overwhelming force—the ultimate weapon", Obito explained. "Its Tailed Beast Ball could easily enforce your vision of peace."

"But more importantly", Obito spread his arms dramatically, "the Ten-Tails possesses power to sever causality itself! By becoming its Jinchuriki, you'd wield the strongest chakra and cast a world-encompassing genjutsu. In this illusionary paradise, everyone's dreams would manifest eternally. There would be only victors, never the defeated; only peace, never war; only love, never hatred!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end