Bang Dang.
The door of the fitness center opened, and the gym lights flickered on.
Duan carried the unconscious Samui into her bedroom and gently placed her on the bed.
But—
When he was about to head to his own room to rest, his sharp senses picked up something unusual. The door to the retreat room was ajar.
His gaze hardened. Without hesitation, he stepped inside.
"You must be Uchiha Duan. Tsk tsk… fierce as a tiger, strong as an ox."
The masked man spoke first, rubbing his chin with his fingers, his tone dripping with amusement. His gaze was probing, as though sizing up a rare specimen.
"Who are you?"
Duan's voice was calm, but his eyes betrayed recognition. He knew immediately who this was.
Uchiha Obito.
Duan wasn't surprised by the man's sudden appearance—only by how quickly Obito had found him.
This was Uchiha Madara's handpicked successor, the man hidden behind the chain of masterminds—Nagato, Obito, Madara, and ultimately, Kaguya.
"It doesn't matter who I am," Obito replied smoothly. "What matters is that I support your Jade Break Plan… and I'm willing to help."
He leaned slightly forward, his tone dropping. "For example, there are two Konoha Anbu lurking outside this gym right now, keeping watch. Shall I… remove them for you?"
"I don't deal with people who hide behind masks," Duan said bluntly. "Get out."
"Oh? So defiant. Seems I'll have to show you my strength first."
Obito sighed in mock disappointment and stood.
With a metallic clatter, a heavy chain slipped from his sleeve, catching the dim light.
In Obito's mind, Uchiha Duan was a fierce dog. And to control a fierce dog, you first collar it—become its master. Then, it would bite whoever you pointed at.
Duan's eyes darkened, though his expression stayed composed. A glint of killing intent flashed, subtle but sharp. He was ready to go all out.
The air in the retreat room thickened, pressing down on both men.
They were seconds away from clashing—
Boom boom boom.
A knock at the door cut through the tension.
"Curator, are you inside? I… have something to tell you." Samui's voice drifted through the wood.
"Tch. How disappointing."
Obito's tone chilled. Then he straightened, withdrawing the chain. "If you want to know who I am, come to Nanga Shrine. Eight o'clock tomorrow night."
His body twisted into a swirling vortex, vanishing into the void.
"Come in," Duan called, the room returning to stillness.
Squeak.
Samui stepped inside, moving cautiously. She stopped three meters away, bowed, then spoke anxiously:
"Curator… tonight, at Patriarch Fugaku's house, he suddenly used the Sharingan on me and made me faint. Please… what was going on?"
"It was a misunderstanding."
Duan placed a broad hand on her shoulder. "My brother-in-law asked me to apologize to you. Don't take it to heart."
"I… see."
Samui forced a smile, but didn't dare move.
"If that's all, get some rest," Duan said, removing his hand and leaving the room.
"Haa…"
Samui exhaled heavily, her stiff body relaxing. For a moment, she'd thought he was about to crush her shoulder to splinters.
She didn't believe his words. Something had been exposed. Either Fugaku or Duan—or both—suspected her.
Which meant her situation was dangerous. The logical move would be to flee Konoha immediately.
But—
Just last night, she'd received orders from Kumogakure: steal Duan's full training and diet regimen. The Fourth Raikage himself had issued the task.
She couldn't leave. Not yet.
The night passed without further incident.
By morning, the gym was quiet as usual—no customers. Duan and Samui trained, ate, and passed the day in outward peace.
As dusk fell, Uchiha Itachi walked in after finishing his Anbu shift.
He didn't want to be here—Hiruzen had ordered him to monitor Duan, and Fugaku had insisted he build rapport with his uncle. He had no choice.
"Is there anything I can help with?" Itachi asked when he saw Samui cleaning.
"I'll handle this," she replied, wiping sweat from her brow. "The curator's waiting for you. Says he has something to discuss. Go."
Oh?
Itachi stepped into the rest area and found Duan seated on the sofa.
"You came."
"Yes, Uncle."
"Are you free tonight? Come with me somewhere."
"Where?"
"Nanga Shrine. Someone asked to meet me there, but I'm not familiar with the way." Duan's tone was casual, but there was an edge beneath.
"Uncle… who asked you?"
"A guy in a tiger-striped mask. Don't know his name."
Tiger-striped mask?
Itachi's eyes narrowed. Something tugged at his memory, but he couldn't quite grasp it.
Night fell. The moon rose.
Led by Itachi, Duan walked through the Uchiha district forest, following the Nanga River downstream until the shrine loomed ahead—its solemn form cutting into the night.
In the trees nearby, Itachi's keen gaze picked out a lone figure, hands clasped behind his back.
"Uncle… he's been waiting for a while."
"Good. Makes him remember who sought the meeting," Duan replied evenly.
Itachi: "…"
As expected of Uncle—he could even justify being late.
They approached, stopping five or six meters from the man.
"Uchiha Itachi. We meet again."
Obito turned, addressing Itachi first, not Duan.
"You…!"
Recognition struck. Itachi's pupils constricted. His stance shifted, the Sharingan spinning into three-tomoe form.
"The masked man… from three years ago."