Chapter 100: Knocked Out by a Traitor
Facing Orochimaru's skepticism, Obito responded calmly, "Orochimaru, I've heard that you're researching immortality. If someone like you can achieve eternal youth, why can't I, Uchiha Madara?"
Orochimaru's face stiffened at Obito's mockery, clearly irritated. Sasori, enjoying Orochimaru's discomfort, chimed in to mock him further, "His methods are flawed. He'll only go further down the wrong path. I, on the other hand, have achieved true immortality."
Although Sasori and Orochimaru were partners, they often clashed due to their differing approaches to immortality. Orochimaru focused on life sciences, researching genetics, cells, and soul transference, resulting in techniques like Living Corpse Reincarnation. In contrast, Sasori specialized in mechanics, abandoning his human body to transform himself into a puppet, believing this was a true eternity. Their disagreements often led to heated arguments.
Orochimaru, with a sinister smile, retorted, "You're just a child hiding in a puppet because you lost your parents too early and lack a sense of security. I've already seen through your tricks, you should know that."
Having fought Sasori before, Orochimaru knew the Sasori in front of him was merely the puppet Hiruko, with Sasori himself hidden inside. Orochimaru had always disdained Sasori's puppet techniques.
"You..." Sasori, infuriated by Orochimaru's taunt, angrily replied, "Let's settle this now. This time, I'll definitely take you down."
"Stop!" Obito's shout halted the impending clash. He realized these two were quite the troublesome pair. "Instead of wasting your energy fighting each other, I have a mission that will let you both show your skills and see who's better. Interested?"
"What mission?" Sasori asked, curious about Obito's intentions.
Obito coldly responded with four words, "Destroy Konoha."
Destroy Konoha? After a moment of silence, Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with interest. "I'm starting to believe you're Uchiha Madara, with such a grand scheme. But how do you plan to do it? Just the three of us?"
"What's wrong, Orochimaru? Don't you have the confidence?" Obito challenged.
Sasori seized the opportunity to mock again, "He's just a rogue ninja kicked out of Konoha. He's afraid to go back, let alone seek revenge. I'm in a different league altogether."
Having left Sunagakure voluntarily after killing the Third Kazekage, Sasori's departure was much more dignified than Orochimaru's expulsion from Konoha. After mocking his partner, Sasori quickly agreed to Obito's plan. "I once destroyed an entire nation with my puppets. Konoha will be a real test of my abilities."
Orochimaru, his eyes glinting, finally shrugged and smiled. "Alright, I'll join too." His curiosity about Akatsuki, having seen its leader Pain with the Rinnegan and now encountering the legendary Uchiha Madara, had piqued his interest.
Of course, Orochimaru's true intention was to get closer to Madara and gather information. Destroying Konoha was a secondary concern, and he would flee if things went awry.
As they discussed their plans, Zetsu suddenly emerged from the ground, looking battered and panicked. "Something terrible has happened!" he exclaimed to Obito.
"What happened?" Obito asked his voice tight with concern.
Zetsu, catching his breath, delivered the bad news, "The Uchiha clan attacked the Mountain Graveyard!"
"What?!" Obito was shocked, his composure shattered. He repeated in disbelief, "What did you say?"
Orochimaru and Sasori overheard. Was it the Uchiha clan from Konoha? And what was this Mountain Graveyard that seemed so crucial to Madara?
Obito, struggling to calm himself, ordered, "Orochimaru, Sasori, head to Konoha and wait for further instructions. I'll join you soon with the detailed plan."
Without waiting for questions, Obito used Kamui to disappear into a spatial vortex. Orochimaru and Sasori were taken aback by his space-time ninjutsu and exchanged glances.
Zetsu also sank back into the ground, following Obito.
Outside Amegakure, in a rain-free forest clearing, Obito reappeared. He knew Pain liked to observe the rain, mixing his chakra with it to monitor Amegakure. The Mountain Graveyard incident had to be kept secret from Pain and Nagato.
Zetsu emerged again, now fused with Black Zetsu. "What exactly happened?" Obito demanded, out of Pain's sensory range.
Zetsu, still shaken, recounted, "The White Zetsu you sent to monitor the Uchiha clan was exposed and captured by Uchiha Dan. Under genjutsu, he revealed the location of the Mountain Graveyard. The Uchiha clan launched a full-scale attack, and I barely escaped."
Obito clenched his fists, veins bulging in anger. Uchiha Dan, again! He never expected that his plan to destroy the Uchiha clan would be preempted by their own attack.
The Uchiha clan, despite the thousand-mile distance to the Mountain Graveyard, had mobilized entirely based on uncertain information, showing a gambler's resolve. They had gambled and won.
Obito, wary of the Uchiha's determination and capability, feared they might attack him in Akatsuki next.
"Where's Tobi?" Obito suddenly asked.
Zetsu hesitated, then reluctantly answered, "Tobi... has defected to the Uchiha."
Both Obito and Black Zetsu were stunned. Tobi, created as a clone of Hashirama Senju and manipulated by Black Zetsu, had defected?
Recovering, Obito grabbed Zetsu's collar, demanding, "Explain!"
"I don't know. Tobi fought the Uchiha but was defeated by Dan. Dan did something to him, and Tobi joined the Uchiha. Worse, he led them to raid the Mountain Graveyard, taking all the ninja tools, secret techniques, Sharingan, and Hashirama cells. They even burned all the White Zetsu soldiers there," Zetsu explained, terrified.
*Crack!* Obito punched a nearby tree, shattering it in frustration. "Tobi..." he seethed, nearly fainting from rage.
Obito had no friends, viewing Zetsu as mere tools left by Madara. However, he had some affection for Tobi, who had always been curious and helpful. Now, his only semi-friend had betrayed him, all orchestrated by Dan.
"Let's go!" Obito commanded, heading to the Mountain Graveyard to see the damage for himself.
Meanwhile, in a forest in the Land of Fire, the Uchiha clan was resting on their return journey. Tobi, now in a Uchiha high-collared blue robe, excitedly observed his surroundings. Leaving his underground home for Konoha's Uchiha compound, everything felt new and filled him with anticipation.
On the ground, Dan, Fugaku, and Shisui were having a secret discussion.
"Who would have thought Madara's chosen successor would be Obito," Fugaku remarked, surprised by the news from Tobi that Obito, posing as Madara, had joined Akatsuki.
This revelation meant their raid had possibly created a larger enemy, Akatsuki. Concerned, Fugaku and Shisui decided to keep this information secret to avoid unnecessary panic among the clan.
Turning the focus to another matter, Fugaku looked serious as he addressed Dan. "Dan, we need to talk about your friend, the doctor."
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