Two days later, Obito—who had once been Yamato Arata before transmigrating into Obito Uchiha's body—had fully recovered from the fatigue of the fierce battle. Once again, he entered his divine space.
The space created by Kamui was vast and infinite. Items transported here were scattered across different points in time, making it difficult to encounter others unless they arrived almost simultaneously.
As the master of this dimension, Obito could freely appear wherever he wished.
This time, he approached the Eight-Tails.
"Hey, you're looking pretty lively," Obito said mockingly.
Enemies truly loathed seeing each other face-to-face.
Boom! The Eight-Tails reacted immediately by preparing a Tailed Beast Bomb.
Within Kamui's dimension, Obito couldn't use intangibility to phase through attacks.
"Hmph." Without a trace of panic, he bit his finger.
"Ninja Art: Triple Rashomon!"
Boom! Boom! Boom! Three massive Rashomon gates shot up instantly—only to be obliterated just as fast. However, the trajectory of the Tailed Beast Bomb was thrown off, and it exploded harmlessly behind Obito.
He didn't even glance at the explosion. Instead, he stared down the Eight-Tails and said, "Still got enough chakra to throw a tantrum, huh? Seems like you're in pretty good shape."
The Eight-Tails roared, "Why have you locked me in this endless void?! Do you want to make me your Jinchūriki?! Don't even think about it! I'd never agree to someone like you being my host!"
"Heh…" Obito chuckled darkly. "A Jinchūriki? You've got the wrong idea. You're not even as powerful as the Nine-Tails. Why would I degrade myself to be your host? You're more suited to being... a pet."
The Eight-Tails' eyes widened. "Did you say... merely the Nine-Tails...? Wait... Don't tell me…"
It made a horrifying guess.
Obito raised his voice. "That's right. You and the Nine-Tails are fragments—chakra remnants born from a single source. All nine of you were once one: the Ten-Tails!"
The Eight-Tails roared in disbelief. "You're trying to revive the Ten-Tails?! Are you insane?! That would doom the world!!"
Obito calmly responded, "If we don't revive the Ten-Tails, the world will still be doomed. One day, beings from the sky will descend. And to stand against them, the power of the Ten-Tails is essential. So... Eight-Tails, surrender to me."
Bang! Obito pressed his hands together, and his Mangekyō Sharingan unleashed overwhelming visual prowess.
Divine Power Seal: Eight-Pillar Beast Imprisonment!
Rumble! Eight cube-shaped constructs suspended in the space morphed into massive pillars and surrounded the Eight-Tails, trapping it inside.
Obito's fingers changed seal patterns again. "Seal the Tails!"
Cha! Cha! Cha! Chakra chains sprang from each of the eight pillars, binding each of the Eight-Tails' limbs.
"Like hell I'll let you succeed!" the beast howled, charging another Tailed Beast Bomb in its mouth.
"Relax," Obito said, altering his hand signs again. "Now for the collar."
Seal the Head!
Snap! A chain shot up from beneath the Eight-Tails, coiling around its neck like a noose.
Crack—! The massive energy orb in the Eight-Tails' mouth fractured, then disintegrated into harmless shards.
Its power was completely suppressed.
Swoosh! Obito unrolled a summoning contract scroll.
Crack! Infusing his palm with Lightning Release chakra, he formed a Chidori Blade and slashed a bloody gash in the Eight-Tails' chest. Blood splattered, landing on the scroll.
He then bit his own thumb, pressed his bloody fingerprint onto the scroll, and rolled it shut in one swift motion.
With this summoning contract, he could summon the Eight-Tails to battle at will. Combined with the divine sealing formation, the Eight-Tails would remain trapped in Kamui's space and return automatically once the summoning ended.
Obito turned to leave.
"You're going to plunge the shinobi world into chaos, aren't you?" the Eight-Tails bellowed.
"So what if I am?" Obito didn't look back.
Naruto's tale, as told by Kishimoto, preached love and peace. Obito liked that—back when he was merely an observer.
But now... he was a participant. His script was about war and freedom.
And both required one thing above all: power.
"One day, those who inherit the will of the Sage of Six Paths will rise to stop you!" the Eight-Tails cried.
"Then I'll surpass the Sage of Six Paths himself!" Obito declared, vanishing into the spiraling vortex of Kamui.
—
Back in the real world.
"What's the plan?" A Fei asked, lounging on top of the Gedo Statue.
"Orochimaru's results are coming soon. I'm not going anywhere. I'll wait here," Obito replied, sitting down on a stone bench.
In the nearby clearing, Moondusk Xiyang was sparring with White Zetsu while dressed in a sleek black combat outfit.
"She's changed a lot in the last two days," A Fei said, chin in hand. "Seems like her mindset has shifted."
Obito smiled faintly but didn't reply.
A Fei continued, "She became captain of Konoha's ANBU at such a young age. Her strength's decent for a jōnin. But she doesn't seem to have any kekkei genkai or special talents…"
"She's got great curves and sensitive ears. Isn't that enough of a special talent?" Obito quipped.
"Well, from a woman's perspective, sure. But from a ninja's..." A Fei trailed off.
Obito said, "The rich rely on technique; the poor rely on mutation. There are many paths to power. I don't expect her to fight in wars. I just don't want her to drag us down."
Crack! A bolt of lightning split the earth. White Zetsu was knocked back.
Moondusk Xiyang, drenched in sweat, stood tall. She had overheard their conversation.
"I do have a kekkei genkai," she declared.
"Oh? What kind?" Obito raised an eyebrow.
She looked at him for a moment before shaking her head. "But I guess it's not needed... right?"
Then, with a huff, she changed the subject. "Didn't you say you were going to build a hot spring just for me? I haven't seen it yet."
"Ah, I forgot. I'll get on that soon," Obito said awkwardly.
She blushed, nodded, and headed back to her room to clean up.
Suddenly—
Gurgle!
A clone of White Zetsu emerged from the Gedo Statue. "We've got a situation!"
"Speak," Obito said.
"Konoha's discovered this base. They're on their way—and their target is Orochimaru."
"Who's leading them?" Obito asked.
"The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi!"
Obito's eyes narrowed. So... Kabuto had made his move.
"A Fei, keep a close eye on Kabuto."
"And you?" A Fei asked.
"The Third Hokage is known as the Professor of Ninjutsu. In his prime, his strength was unrivaled. I'm about to ascend to a new level of power, thanks to Senju Hashirama. Fighting him now... will be the perfect way to mark the end of my past."
With his cloak billowing and his fan strapped to his back, Obito vanished into the swirling Kamui vortex.