Chapter 93: The Action of the Akatsuki

Chapter 93: The Action of the Akatsuki

"Obito, so your name is Obito. We really have you to thank this time. If we had forcefully attacked Konoha and encountered that guy, it would've been troublesome." Deidara said with a cheerful smile as he looked at Naruto.

"The Nine-Tails will soon be in our grasp. This plan turned out to be unexpectedly smooth." Kisame also curled the corner of his mouth in a smirk.

"Obito-nii-san, why? Tell me!" Naruto asked again.

"Why? Because I'm not your Obito-nii-san at all. I'm the Obito of this world, not some imposter from another world!" The ninja world's Obito said, his face contorting with anger at the last few words.

"The Obito of this world?! But didn't you die a long time ago?!" Naruto exclaimed in shock.

"The Obito Uchiha that Kakashi knew is indeed dead. I'm now just a vengeful spirit," the ninja world's Obito said coldly.

His face twisted, revealing its original sinister and terrifying appearance, like an evil spirit returning from hell. His previous appearance had been slightly altered due to a White Zetsu attaching itself to him, making him look almost identical to the Empire's Obito, who rarely practiced muscle ninja way.

"Damn it!" Naruto cursed, feeling a bit angry and also chastising himself for being careless.

However, the reason for the current situation was the lack of intelligence and his overconfidence in his abilities. After using the ninja way's qi to sense and confirm that the person was 'Obito-nii-san', he hadn't doubted it at all, which was not the way of a ninja!

Now... things were dangerous!

Naruto took a deep breath and forcibly entered the Wind Style Breathing State, even though he was already exhausted. But he had to defeat these guys!

"Universal Pull!"

Pein raised his hand.

A powerful suction force erupted.

Naruto's expression changed in surprise as he was pulled towards Pein involuntarily.

He lifted his right leg and kicked Pein hard, sending him flying.

The ninja world's Obito's expression changed: "All of you, attack! The Nine-Tails isn't as easy to deal with as the previous tailed beasts!"

With that, the ninja world's Obito flew into action.

A fierce battle was about to unfold.

Naruto fought with all his might, but he was no match for the group of Akatsuki members.

In just a moment, he was knocked down, and then... the power of the Nine-Tails exploded.

Within the Kamui dimension, a terrifying battle commenced.

A long time later...

Naruto was impaled by the black rods, his limbs pinned to the stone pillars.

The members of the Akatsuki breathed a sigh of relief.

Deidara wiped his sweat and said, "He's really tough. So this is the Nine-Tails? Its power is on a whole different level compared to the other tailed beasts. It wields an incredibly strong art."

"Indeed, it's troublesome. As expected of the strongest, the Nine-Tails," Kisame said as he slowly transformed back to his original form from the shark-man form.

"Ah, Obito. You're quite powerful, huh? You even have Wood Style."

Deidara glanced at his former partner and said, "So, what does it feel like to be constipated?" The masked man, who was actually Konan, asked excitedly.

"Huh? What's wrong with you? Your brain seems even worse than usual. Why are you asking such a stupid question?" Deidara was puzzled by his subordinate's behavior, which seemed stranger than usual.

"Ah! I was just curious, so I asked! Aren't you praising me, Deidara-senpai? Answer my question as a reward!" Konan said.

"You're an idiot, that's for sure," Deidara turned away.

"Next, we only need the Three-Tails," Kisame said.

"Yes, only the Three-Tails is left. It's an incredible artistic achievement to gather all the tailed beasts," Deidara smiled, full of anticipation.

"But... what about the last Three-Tails? Zetsu has always provided good information in the past. What's going on recently?"

"Sorry, but I'll find out the Three-Tails' whereabouts as soon as possible."

"I want information on the Three-Tails in three days.

"Three days... that should be enough..."

Zetsu's eyes glinted.

Ninja World, Konoha.

The next morning.

Most people resumed their training after the Empire's Ninja Way tournament ended.

However, a group of people was astonished to discover that Naruto was missing!

This was strange because Naruto had always trained with them before.

They went to Naruto's house but couldn't find him, and after searching Konoha, they still had no luck.

This made the group of ninjas feel uneasy.

"Where's Naruto? Why is he missing? He was fine last night."

"I... I saw him going out with someone who looked like Obito last night."

One of the ninjas spoke up.

"He went out with Obito from another world?"

Shikaku didn't confirm or deny it and looked at Empire Lee: "Lee, does the Empire have any business with Naruto?"

"Huh? I haven't received any notification about that," Empire Lee scratched his head, confused.

"Then it seems we can only ask Obito about the situation, but he's also missing now..." Shikaku frowned.

"It feels... something's not right," Shikamaru also furrowed his brows.

"Could it be the doing of the Akatsuki? Their target has always been the tailed beasts, hasn't it?" Someone suspected.

"I don't think we need to worry that much. After all, with Naruto's strength, it's not easy for the Akatsuki to defeat him," Ino said.

"That's not certain. The Akatsuki has many powerful and bizarre members. If one is not careful, even the strongest can fall," Shino said.

Shikamaru shook his head.

Everyone couldn't help but recall Hidan's bizarre immortality, as well as Kakuzu's multiple hearts and suturing abilities. Their worries deepened.

"We must find Naruto!"

Shikaku immediately gave the order, and a group of ninjas began their search for Obito, calling out his name in the streets and alleys.

On an old street.

Obito, wearing a disguise mask, walked quietly, his mind filled with memories of the moments he had shared with Rin there during their childhood.

"Only this street remains unchanged. Although the Imperial Capital is prosperous, the buildings of the past are gone..."

His thoughts were immersed in his own world.

Until a loud shout startled him:

"Obito! Obito! Where are you? Where did you take Naruto? Come out!"

"?"

This shout caused the Imperial Obito to pause, and he quickly appeared beside the shouting ninja.

"What do you mean by that? I took Naruto away?" he asked.

"Are you Obito?" the stopped ninja asked in confusion.

"Yes."

The Imperial Obito removed his human skin mask.

"Great, we've finally found you! Naruto is missing, and someone saw you take him away, so everyone is looking for you," the ninja explained.

"I've been here all these days. How could I have taken Naruto away?" Obito frowned.

"This is what I know..." the ninja replied.

"Nonsense!"

The Imperial Obito was getting annoyed.

He immediately instructed the ninja beside him to notify everyone and prepare for a confrontation.

When all the ninjas gathered.

The Imperial Obito offered an explanation.

Shikaku Nara frowned:

"You say you didn't take Naruto away... but someone else saw it. Who's lying here?"

As he spoke, he glanced at the ninja who had spoken before.

"I swear, I really saw Naruto being taken away by Obito.

With Obito's appearance, and the photo collection we received when Lady Tsunade announced the Empire's news, there's no way I could mistake his identity," the ninja asserted confidently.

"I have no interest in lying; that would be a waste of my time," the Imperial Obito replied, his expression conveying his exasperation.

"I know Obito, and he's not the kind of person to lie about something like this," Empire Lee spoke up.

"If the other world's Lee says so, then I also want to believe Obito!

Because... the Obito I know wouldn't do such a thing!

He's full of youth, passion, and kindness."

Ninja World Guy recalled his childhood memories with Obito as he spoke.

"Youth, passion, and kindness?

Kindness is hard to judge, but youth and passion? This guy doesn't seem to have anything to do with those traits," a group of ninjas expressed their skepticism.

"I also don't believe Brother Obito would do something like this," Sakura added.

The other ninjas began to agree.

This made the ninja who had accused Obito of taking Naruto angry:

"Hey, hey, hey! What do you mean by that? Are you saying I'm lying?"

"Could it be that someone else impersonated Obito and deceived Naruto?" someone else questioned.

"Not very likely... After cultivating the ninja way, one becomes sensitive to qi. As long as you pay attention and discern carefully, it's not easy to be deceived.

Moreover, Naruto's ninja way is already quite extraordinary.

A transformation technique would be seen through instantly..."

Sakura shook her head.

The other ninjas who cultivated the ninja way nodded in agreement.

"Damn it! You're suspecting me! Fine, then go ahead and use ninja techniques to check if I'm lying!" the accuser challenged.

"That's not what we meant..."

"Come on! No more talking!"

"Alright... fine..."

The group suggested that Inoichi Yamanaka check his memory.

"Well?"

A crowd gathered around Inoichi, who had just finished examining the memory.

"It's true. That man looked exactly like Lord Obito," Inoichi confirmed with a solemn nod.

"Damn it! How is that possible!"

The Imperial Obito was displeased, and the spinning of his Rinnegan eyes startled the group of Konoha ninjas.

They recalled the previous battles they had witnessed involving the Empire's experts, and their hearts skipped a beat:

"This Obito... he's not going to turn on us, is he?"

"I don't trust you. Let me check his memory myself," the Imperial Obito said, pushing aside the Konoha ninjas and fixing his Rinnegan on the accuser's eyes.

A moment later.

The Imperial Obito remained silent for a moment before speaking:

"It's true, he did see 'me' taking Naruto away... but that definitely wasn't me.

Someone impersonated me! I swear on His Majesty's name!"

After saying this, he swept his gaze across the group.

"I believe you, Obito. As citizens of the Empire, no one would joke about His Majesty's name!"

Empire Lee was the first to voice his support.

Many others nodded in agreement.

Shikaku Nara rubbed his forehead in distress:

"I also believe you, Obito, but the situation before us is complicated.

An impersonation that even Naruto couldn't see through...

This is a conspiracy targeting Naruto. We must inform Lady Tsunade about this."

Although Nara Shikaku didn't express any distrust of the Empire, some of the Konoha ninjas harbored such thoughts. However, intimidated by the Empire's strength, they dared not speak them aloud.

They simply watched as Nara Shikaku contacted Tsunade.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end