Chapter 6 Duel Obito!

Under Kaito's relentless assault, the Uchiha forces gained the upper hand. Though casualties mounted, Root operatives fell ten times faster than defenders.

After eliminating another squad with a Rasenshuriken, Kaito paused. The battle was turning - now he needed to address the greater threat.

"You've watched long enough," Kaito called to empty air. "Show yourself."

Space distorted as a masked figure materialized. "Impressive," Obito admitted, his single visible eye narrowing. "To detect my presence..."

Kaito's Sharingan analyzed his opponent:

[Uchiha Obito]

[Abilities: Mangekyo Sharingan (single eye); Hashirama Cell-enhanced physiology]

[Combat Level: High Kage]

Obito studied Kaito with newfound interest. He'd once considered Itachi the more promising Uchiha, but this display of power - the perfected Rasenshuriken, the tactical brilliance - forced reevaluation.

"Who are you?" Kaito demanded. "Another Konoha dog?"

"Konoha?" Obito's voice dripped contempt. "I am Uchiha Madara."

Kaito's laughter echoed across the battlefield. "Madara? That's your disguise? Pathetic."

Obito's eye twitched. With dramatic flair, he revealed his Mangekyo Sharingan. "This proves nothing to you?"

"A stolen eye and cheap theatrics," Kaito scoffed, drawing shuriken. "Let's see how you handle real combat."

The projectiles passed harmlessly through Obito's phased body. "Your attacks are meaningless," he taunted. "Join me instead. Your skills would-"

"Spare me the recruitment speech," Kaito interrupted, forming hand seals. "I know exactly what you are - a lost child playing villain."

Obito's composure cracked. Chains materialized in his hands, twin scythes glinting. "I orchestrated the Nine-Tails' attack! You think to mock me?"

As Obito charged, Kaito hurled a kunai while secretly molding chakra in his left palm. The masked man ignored the blade, confident in his intangibility - a mistake he'd soon regret.

But then—

Kaito vanished.

Obito's eye widened in alarm. His instincts screamed, but it was already too late.

A voice rang out from above.

"No, you're wrong. I've won!"

"Rasengan!"

With devastating force, Kaito materialized midair, his palm driving the black sphere into Obito's skull. The very air twisted violently around the point of impact, a deafening shockwave ripping through the battlefield.

Obito's lone Mangekyo Sharingan spun wildly in response, just as Kaito flickered away.

BOOM!

A massive explosion erupted, swallowing everything within a hundred-meter radius. Jagged cracks raced across the battlefield, and a column of blinding light shot into the sky. Trees splintered, the earth trembled, and an oppressive silence followed as the dust settled.

Kaito landed near a cave entrance, panting, his gaze sharp as he surveyed the destruction. The crater still smoldered, the air thick with ash and heat. He wiped the blood from his mouth, his muscles taut with exhaustion.

Then—

A low, chilling laugh echoed through the wreckage.

"Hehehehe..."

Smoke coiled around Obito's silhouette as he emerged, battered but alive. His cloak was tattered, blood dripping from his forehead, but his Sharingan burned with renewed fury.

"You bastard, I was almost killed by you!"