Obito frowned.
From what he had seen earlier, this organization possessed at least five Kage-level members.
Originally, he had no intention of provoking them yet. Drawing their attention too soon would only complicate things. But after hearing Black Zetsu's report, Obito's thoughts shifted.
The plan could not afford even the slightest deviation.
"I understand. You may withdraw."
After passing on the gathered intelligence, Black Zetsu's figure sank back into the shadows, his body dissolving into the swirling black void. A twisted smile appeared on his face as jagged teeth caught the dim light of the cave.
The flickering illumination cast Obito's shadow on the walls — warped and monstrous.
A hoarse, grim voice echoed through the cavern.
"Rin… I will create a world with you."
"Anyone who tries to destroy it… I will kill them."
Cold killing intent surged, filling the cave with suffocating menace.
Meanwhile, at the Umbrella Base, the atmosphere was completely different.
After the joy of a long-awaited family reunion, Naruto had begun pestering Minato Namikaze to teach him the Flying Thunder God Technique.
As one of the Hokage's signature and most difficult Ninjutsu, how could Naruto not be interested?
"Listen carefully, Naruto," Minato began, his tone patient yet firm. "To master the Flying Thunder God, you must possess talent in spatial perception. The very first step is learning to sense the existence of space itself."
Perceiving space was the foundation — the most essential requirement.
It was a gift not everyone possessed, and the reason Minato alone in Konoha could wield the jutsu to its full potential. Even the elite Flying Thunder God Squad of his era — a four-man team — could only activate the technique through combined effort.
They had talent, but not enough.
As Minato explained, Naruto's eyes widened slightly.
"So this is the level of a Hokage's Ninjutsu…" he muttered inwardly, both impressed and awed.
But more than the jutsu itself, he admired his father's genius.
Minato had not only mastered the technique but improved upon it — developing the Flying Thunder God: Second Stage, surpassing even its original creator, the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju.
Naruto couldn't help but sigh. If only Dad hadn't died so early…
If Minato had lived, he would likely have mastered Sage Mode as well. Combined with the Flying Thunder God, his father would have easily reached a level beyond even the strongest Kage — a super shadow-level shinobi.
"Only once you perceive the fabric of space can you begin engraving the Flying Thunder God Mark," Minato continued. "If you can't sense space itself, you can't hope to place the seal."
His understanding of space was profound, and as Naruto listened, he felt something stir in his heart.
[Flying Thunder God Comprehension +3!]
A grin tugged at Naruto's lips — he could feel the concept becoming a little clearer.
"Next," Minato said, "you'll need to extend your chakra and mind outward — to reach and touch the presence of space."
After giving a detailed explanation, Minato had Naruto close his eyes and begin the first stage of practice.
An hour passed.
Naruto sat cross-legged, brows knitted, concentration etched on his face. Minato watched, then offered an encouraging smile.
"There's no need to rush. It took me an entire day to grasp the basics myself," he said — his voice gentle, though the pride beneath was unmistakable.
"If, after ten days, you still can't perceive it, that means you don't possess the necessary spatial talent — and you won't be able to learn the Flying Thunder God."
He paused, his tone matter-of-fact. "Those who perceive the mark within three days are usually geniuses. I did it in less than one."
Minato smiled faintly, just a little smug.
"Comprehending space is the first step," he went on. "The second is to condense your own spatial formula, then brand it onto an object. That's even harder — you'll need extraordinary talent to achieve it."
"Finally comes spatial traversal. Jumping through space can cause dizziness, but that's something you can overcome with time. What truly matters is your neural reaction speed — your ability to respond instantaneously."
That was why the Flying Thunder God shone brightest in Minato's hands. His reflexes were sharper than anyone's — his body and mind reacting faster than thought itself.
In battle, that split-second difference determined life or death.
And because Minato was always one step ahead… every fight ended before his opponents could even realize it.
Among all the Hokage, his talent stood among the very best.
Suddenly, Minato noticed Naruto's eyes flutter open.
"Don't worry," Minato said kindly. "It's normal not to sense space right away. Failure is part of the process. Try a few more times — you'll get there."
"Who said I failed?"
Naruto grinned, confidence gleaming in his blue eyes.
[Spatial Perception +5!]
[Spatial Perception +4!]
He had felt it — the faint outline of another world overlapping this one.
Maybe his talent wasn't quite on par with his father's…
But fortunately, he had a cheat.
As the Heaven Rewards Diligence ability activated, Naruto suddenly felt as though the world itself had changed.
The once intangible space around him now seemed to gain form — the air thickened, the surroundings subtly distorted, and for a moment, it was as if he could touch the fabric of space.
It was an illusion, of course, but a true sign that he had begun to perceive space.
"What? You can already sense the existence of space?"
Minato's eyes widened in disbelief.
How long had it been since they started? Barely over an hour!
That was far faster than even he had been back then.
"Quickly — tell me, what does it feel like?" Minato asked eagerly, leaning forward.
Naruto described everything he had felt in detail — the invisible currents, the way energy bent around him, and the pulse of reality itself.
Minato listened carefully. By the time Naruto finished, there was no doubt left in his mind.
Naruto had indeed perceived space.
Considering his son's current level of strength and growth rate, such monstrous talent no longer seemed unbelievable.
"Your talent is truly astounding," Minato said with deep emotion.
Just as he was about to guide Naruto to the next stage of training, a sharp alarm suddenly echoed across the Umbrella Base.
Naruto immediately stood up, his expression hardening as his gaze turned toward the distant barrier control tower — the core of the base's defense system.
The sound of the alarm could only mean one thing: an intruder had breached the perimeter.
Naruto clenched his fists and sighed. "Looks like our training will have to wait…"
Had they finally been discovered?
Who could it be this time — one of the Five Great Nations? Akatsuki? Or perhaps… Black Zetsu?
No. That one was far too cautious. He'd never triggered the barrier before.
Inside the Umbrella's underground sector, Obito cursed under his breath.
He had just used Kamui to slip through space and infiltrate the Umbrella's inner core, but the moment he arrived, alarms blared all around him.
"Damn it," he hissed, his Sharingan narrowing behind the orange mask. "How devious… they've layered so many different barriers!"
The Umbrella's barrier system was complex — some were traditional sealing barriers, others entirely new constructs. Obito could only recognize one type; the rest were alien even to him.
"Alert! Intruder detected!"
The base's personnel immediately mobilized.
Naruto's earlier drills for simulated infiltration were paying off — everyone moved in perfect coordination, calm and efficient.
Teams formed instantly. Members of the Hyūga Clan activated their Byakugan, sweeping the area in unison.
Even Neji Hyūga was among them.
Within moments, Obito felt a piercing gaze settle on him — the unmistakable sensation of being watched.
Tch. The Hyūga Clan… he thought, recognizing the familiar chakra signatures.
He could hear the alarm echoing even from his position.
No choice. He would have to withdraw.
He had come merely to investigate, but now that his presence was exposed, staying was suicide.
After all, this base was rumored to house five Kage-level shinobi — and the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki himself.
Even Obito knew better than to pick that fight.
"Quick! The intruder is in the west sector!"
"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"
A massive wall of flame surged toward Obito, lighting up the underground hallways. He raised an eyebrow as he phased through it, the inferno passing harmlessly through his body.
So even that technique had spread outside the Uchiha Clan?
He barely had time to think before a squad of shinobi in chakra armor surrounded him, their movements synchronized and disciplined.
"Identify yourself!" the squad leader demanded.
Obito didn't bother replying. His body blurred as he leaped onto a rooftop.
"Fire Release: Blast Wave Wild Dance!"
Flames erupted from his body, swirling outward in a violent explosion.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
"Water Release: Water Encampment Wall!"
Twin waves of water surged up, countering the fire. Steam filled the air as the two elements clashed violently.
Shuriken cut through the smoke — sharp, whistling, deadly.
Obito twisted slightly, the blades passing harmlessly through his phased form.
"What kind of ability is that?!" one of the Umbrella shinobi shouted, eyes wide.
Before Obito could counterattack, a figure dashed toward him — clad in chakra armor, moving fast enough to leave afterimages.
But what caught Obito's attention wasn't the armor.
It was the crimson, three-tomoe Sharingan spinning in the man's eyes.
His breath caught.
Another Uchiha?
Or had someone stolen and implanted the clan's bloodline limit?
...
TN:
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