The return journey to the steel tower was silent. The rain washed away the physical traces of battle, but the heavy atmosphere hung over the trio like a shroud.
Uehara Naraku walked behind Konan and the Deva Path, his mind racing.
According to the original timeline, after Yahiko's death (which had technically happened long ago here, but the emotional climax was the betrayal today), Obito Uchiha—posing as Madara—would appear to guide Nagato toward the path of collecting the Tailed Beasts.
"He should be showing up right about now," Uehara thought, glancing around the grey landscape.
As if responding to his thoughts, the space in front of the Deva Path began to distort.
Swirl.
A spiral vortex appeared in the air, twisting the rain into a unnatural shape. From the center of the vortex, a figure slowly materialized.
He wore a dark cloak and an orange mask with a spiral pattern that centered on his right eye.
Konan's reaction was instantaneous.
"Enemy!"
She stepped forward, shielding the Deva Path (who was already stronger than her, but old habits die hard). Thousands of paper sheets materialized around her, forming sharp spears aimed at the stranger.
Uehara also jumped forward, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Konan. He held a card in his hand, though he didn't activate Destiny yet.
"Who are you?" Konan demanded cold.
The masked man stood calmly in the rain. His visible eye—a Sharingan—glowed with a sinister crimson light.
"I told you before," the masked man's voice was deep, raspy, and filled with the weight of age. "Hanzō cannot be trusted. Compassion and negotiation are useless in this cursed world."
He looked at the Deva Path.
"Nagato. Have you finally awakened?"
The Deva Path stared at the masked man. "You are..."
"I am Uchiha Madara," the man declared.
The name dropped like a heavy stone.
Uehara, standing to the side, nearly rolled his eyes. Here we go. The greatest actor in the ninja world, Uchiha Obito, begins his performance.
Konan frowned. "Madara? That's impossible. Uchiha Madara died decades ago."
"I cheated death," 'Madara' (Obito) said arrogantly. "Just as I can show you how to cheat the fate of this world. Join me, Nagato. Together, we can collect the Tailed Beasts, revive the Ten-Tails, and cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi. We will create a world of dreams where Yahiko is still alive. A world without pain."
Nagato remained silent, the Rinnegan rippling slightly. The offer was tempting. Especially today.
However, a discordant voice interrupted the heavy monologue.
"Hey! You liar!"
Obito paused. He slowly turned his head to look at the twelve-year-old boy standing next to Konan.
Uehara Naraku pointed a finger at Obito, his face flushed with righteous indignation.
"You're not Madara!" Uehara shouted.
Obito narrowed his eye. "Oh? And what makes a brat like you think you know anything?"
"My history teacher told me!" Uehara yelled, improvising on the spot. "Uchiha Madara was the God of Shinobi alongside the First Hokage! He was a tall, majestic, powerful warrior! Look at you!"
Uehara gestured vaguely at Obito's outfit.
"You're wearing a weird orange mask! You're hiding your face! You look like a suspicious stalker, not a legend! If you're really Madara, why are you sneaking around? Just go beat up Hanzō if you're so strong!"
Silence.
The Deva Path and Konan looked at Uehara.
Obito looked at Uehara.
Under the mask, Obito's face twitched. This kid... is he mocking me? Or is he just stupid?
[Ding!]
[Side Mission Triggered: Provoke the Mastermind.]
Description: Disrespect the man behind the curtain, Obito Uchiha.
Objective: Make Obito angry or confused.
Reward: 100 Gold Coins.
Uehara didn't stop there. He took a step forward, shielding Konan with his small body.
"Stay away from my Teacher and the Leader!" Uehara declared bravely. "I don't care if you're Madara or a ghost. If you want to hurt them, you have to go through me!"
He raised his hand. Destiny activated. The three cards began to spin.
Obito looked at the spinning cards. He remembered the report from Zetsu—this kid had stunned Hanzō.
"An interesting jutsu," Obito said, his voice dropping an octave to sound more menacing. "But you are too young to understand the despair of this reality."
Obito began to walk forward. He intended to phase through the boy's attack and grab him by the throat to teach him a lesson in fear.
"Red Card!"
Uehara threw a red card.
It flew straight at Obito's face. Obito didn't dodge. He activated Kamui, making his body intangible. The card passed harmlessly through his head.
Boom!
It exploded against the rock behind him.
"See?" Obito said, materialized again. "Your attacks are meaningless."
"I knew it!" Uehara shouted, pointing again. "You're a ghost! Only ghosts can walk through walls! Teacher, throw salt at him!"
Konan: "..."
Nagato: "..."
Obito: "..."
The atmosphere of terror Obito had carefully built was completely ruined. He felt a vein popping in his forehead. He was trying to recruit the owner of the Rinnegan to destroy the world, and this genin was treating him like a spooky urban legend.
"Enough," Obito snapped.
He looked at Nagato. "The boy has spirit, but he is ignorant. Nagato, you possess the eyes of God. You know what must be done. The Akatsuki needs power. I can provide the resources, the intel, and the direction."
The Deva Path finally spoke.
"We will... consider your proposal."
"Nagato?" Konan looked at him worriedly.
"Hanzō is strong," Nagato said coldly. "To purge this country, we need more than just ideals. If this man can help us kill Hanzō... I will use him."
Obito chuckled darkly. "A wise choice. I will be watching."
He began to swirl away into his vortex. But just before he vanished, he looked at Uehara one last time.
"Boy. What is your name?"
"Uehara Naraku!" Uehara puffed out his chest. "Remember it! I'm the one who's going to protect the Akatsuki!"
"Naraku..." Obito murmured. "Hell... A fitting name."
Swirl.
He vanished completely.
[Side Mission Complete: Provoke the Mastermind.]
Reward: 100 Gold Coins.
Uehara let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Confronting Obito was dangerous. If Obito had decided to be petty, Uehara would have been sucked into the Kamui dimension instantly.
"Naraku," Konan said sternly. "That was reckless. If he really was Uchiha Madara..."
"He wasn't," Uehara said confidently, turning to face her. "He was definitely lying. Madara wouldn't wear orange."
Konan sighed, but she reached out and fixed Uehara's collar. "You stood in front of me again."
"I promised to protect you, Teacher."
Konan's eyes softened. In this dark, rainy world, this boy's pure loyalty was the only warmth left.
"Let's go home," she said.
Somewhere in the shadows.
Obito materialized on a tree branch. Black Zetsu emerged from the trunk beside him.
"How did it go?" Black Zetsu asked in his raspy voice.
"Nagato has taken the bait," Obito said. "Hanzō's betrayal broke him. He is ready to embrace the plan."
"And the boy?" White Zetsu piped up. "The one who stunned Hanzō?"
Obito was silent for a moment. He touched his mask where the Red Card had passed through.
"He is annoying," Obito admitted. "But talented. He has a strange space-time ninjutsu or perhaps a seal-based ability. We should keep an eye on him. If he grows strong, he could be a useful tool for the Akatsuki."
"Or a threat," Black Zetsu noted.
"He is just a child obsessed with playing hero," Obito scoffed. "He is loyal to Konan and Nagato. As long as we control them, we control him. He is not a variable worth worrying about."
Little did Obito know, that "child" was currently browsing a system shop, debating whether to buy a magical sword or a hat that increased magical power, all while planning how to steal the Gedo Statue from right under their noses.