Chapter 67 Obito is that you!

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"I lost again."

Tsunade sighed deeply, disappointment heavy in her chest as she stood up, preparing to leave. "The deal still stands. Even though I keep losing, I can handle it. After all, I was once in Kyoto."

She continued, her voice tinged with resignation, "Also, despite being the Hokage, Konoha is currently low on funds. When I have the money, I'll give you ten million ryo." With that, Tsunade exited the room.

Sasuke, still seated, watched her go with a puzzled expression. What kind of luck was this? Was she gambling against him?

Meanwhile, in the Hidden Rain Village, preparations were underway for the Impure World Reincarnation ritual.

It was a novel event for everyone involved, especially Orochimaru, who eagerly anticipated the miracle of resurrecting the dead.

Having regained the use of his arms through his dealings with the God of Death, Orochimaru was back in the game with his ninjutsu.

The group gathered in the dimly lit room included Orochimaru, Sasuke Uchiha, the frail Nagato, Konan, and Tendo Pain.

Lastly, there was Obito, still masquerading as "Uchiha Madara," with his mask firmly in place.

Nagato remained silent, but Tendo Pain broke the tension. "Madara, do you want me to use the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique now?"

Obito nodded slowly. "That is precisely why I gave you the Rinnegan. Once you use the technique, I will save you. After that, you owe me nothing, and I will grant you the Rinnegan permanently."

If the real Madara from the Pure Land were watching, he'd likely be furious, as his Rinnegan had been entrusted to Obito for a greater purpose.

Pain's voice was calm but skeptical. "How can I trust you?"

Obito's tone remained cool. "You have no choice but to trust me. If the plan succeeds, this is your only chance to revive Yahiko."

Nagato felt a stirring inside—not fear of Obito's threat, but a deep longing at the thought of bringing Yahiko back.

Yahiko's death had always haunted him. If he'd had the power of the Rinnegan back then, perhaps Yahiko would still be alive.

But the world was filled with regrets. Yahiko's death had driven Nagato to master the Rinnegan and become the leader of the Akatsuki.

Sasuke observed Nagato's frail form, weakened from years of using the Gedo Statue's chakra. Nagato had been drained, barely able to sustain himself.

"Can you use the Preta Path to absorb chakra?" Sasuke asked quietly.

Nagato nodded hesitantly. Sasuke urged, "Then take mine. Absorb my chakra."

Nagato hesitated. "You? If I absorb all of your chakra, it might not be enough."

Sasuke smirked, confidence in his voice. "You may doubt me, but trust in the power of the tailed beasts."

With that, black and blue chakra began to swirl around Sasuke, forming layers of energy resembling a tailed beast's cloak.

Nagato's eyes widened in shock. "The two-tailed beast that's been missing for years is in Konoha!"

Without further hesitation, he descended with Konan's help and placed his hand on Sasuke's chakra cloak, whispering, "Preta Path!" The chakra cloak rapidly diminished, leaving Sasuke exposed.

Nagato's transformation was nothing short of miraculous. His once gray-white hair turned a vibrant red, and his frail, emaciated frame filled out with muscle.

The deep wrinkles on his face vanished, restoring him to his youthful appearance.

Konan gasped in disbelief. "Nagato, if you could recover this easily, why didn't you capture a Jinchuriki sooner?"

Nagato replied, a hint of regret in his voice. "I became too reliant on the Six Paths of Pain and never considered this.

But if Obito's plan is true, if the dead can really be brought back... then even if I die, I must bring Yahiko back."

Konan turned her gaze to Obito. "What are you planning to use to ensure Nagato survives? The Reincarnation Technique will kill the caster!"

Obito waved dismissively, and a White Zetsu emerged, its features twisted and alien. This White Zetsu had mastered the technique of self-reincarnation.

Sasuke's plan was perfect, and everyone in the room agreed. Nagato, though a bit disoriented, found it easier than controlling the Six Paths.

The ritual began.

Orochimaru bit his thumb, drawing blood, and formed a series of hand seals before slamming his hand onto the ground. "Impure World Reincarnation!"

In an instant, fragments of souls began to coalesce from the afterlife, attaching themselves to the White Zetsu, forming the figure of Rin Nohara.

Rin stood silently, her eyes closed. Obito reached out, wanting to touch her, but he hesitated. His heart ached as he looked at the cracks on her face and her cold, lifeless body.

In the past, he had never confessed his feelings to her. And then, Kakashi had killed her.

Obito had convinced himself it was to prevent the Three-Tails from wreaking havoc in Konoha, but the pain of awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan had left him confused.

Even if Kakashi hadn't killed her, the Three-Tails would have consumed her.

Obito took a deep breath, transforming his sorrow into anger. "You think you're unstoppable, huh? After Rin is fully resurrected, I'll deal with you personally, Three-Tails. Let's see if you dare rampage in front of the Gedo Statue!"

Orochimaru observed Obito closely. Despite his immense power and shrouded mysteries, Obito was still human—vulnerable because of his emotions.

Orochimaru realized that without emotions, there were no weaknesses.

He smirked. "I will soon revive Rin's consciousness. Why don't you take off your mask?"

Obito trembled slightly at the suggestion. "No... I don't want to frighten Rin."

His current appearance was terrifying.

Orochimaru chuckled as he revived Rin's consciousness. She slowly opened her eyes, confusion evident in her gaze.

"Where... am I? Wasn't I... dead?"

Obito stood frozen, wanting to speak but unable to find the words. He turned away, his emotions swirling inside, though his exterior remained stoic.

Rin approached him, stepping closer until she wrapped her arms around him from behind. Obito could feel her warmth, even though he tried to suppress the emotions that threatened to overwhelm him.

"You're still the same as before," Rin whispered softly, her voice reaching him like a distant memory.

Obito's body trembled at her words.

Rin continued, "Obito, I saw everything you did. In another world, I watched as you committed so many wrongs. I tried to stop you... but I couldn't."

Obito's expression shifted, bewildered by her words. Even Rin felt she had failed.

Rin gently removed Obito's mask, revealing his scarred face. She smiled softly, "You're still as handsome as ever."

Obito's hand reached out, trembling as it brushed against Rin's cracked skin. Memories flooded back—Kakashi had killed her!

He had given Kakashi his Sharingan as a parting gift when he became a Jonin, asking him to protect Rin.

And Kakashi had taken her life instead. Through his own eye, Obito had witnessed her final moments.

Rin's voice cut through the haze of memories. "Obito, don't hate Kakashi... It was my choice to have him kill me."

At her words, Obito's expression turned cold. He said nothing as he put his tiger mask back on.

Rin sensed something was wrong. "Obito, wait!"

But in that instant, Rin's hand passed through Obito's body as he began to disappear into the shadows.

Confused and heartbroken, Rin wondered what had just happened and why Obito's demeanor had shifted so abruptly.

Sasuke stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Rin's shoulder. "You were Kakashi and Obito's teammate. As Kakashi's student, I should call you 'Sister.'"

He continued softly, "Sister Rin, Obito now is not the Obito from your childhood. Since your death, he has done many things to bring you back—some good, some bad. You need to understand that."

"But... I didn't mean it like that," Rin said, her voice faltering.

Sasuke nodded, understanding. "I know. But Obito misunderstood. He's likely headed to Konoha now... to kill Kakashi."

In Konoha, the night was dark, and the wind howled as a crimson moon hung in the sky. Kakashi slept soundly, his mask still on, even in slumber.

On the table beside him lay three items: a desk lamp, a short sword, and an old photograph. The image captured a moment with Minato, Rin, and a sulking Kakashi, who avoided eye contact with Obito.

What had once been a cherished memory now felt mocking to Obito. In a fit of rage, he hurled the photograph out the window.

The noise jolted Kakashi awake. He quickly assessed the situation, springing into a combat stance when he saw Obito in his room.

Kakashi swiftly formed a hand seal. "Raikiri!" Lightning chakra crackled in his palm, the familiar sound echoing from the past.

Obito's eyes gleamed with murderous intent as Kakashi charged. But the lightning blade passed through Obito's body harmlessly.

"Foolish," Obito sneered. "Kakashi, you can't touch me anymore."

Kakashi narrowed his eyes, his mind racing. "Who are you?"

Obito said nothing, summoning a katana from the Kamui space before charging at Kakashi with blinding speed.

Kakashi barely managed to defend himself, but Obito's blade pierced through his defenses, leaving a deep wound in his chest.

Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Kakashi quickly formed another seal. "Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"

Flames erupted from his hands, expanding rapidly and engulfing the room in a fiery explosion.

The blast drew the attention of Konoha's Anbu.

Amidst the flames and smoke, Obito stood unfazed. "Kakashi, you can't escape!"

Suddenly, a massive rock was lifted, revealing Kakashi, his Mangekyō Sharingan activated.

He locked onto Obito. "Kamui!" The space around them twisted violently as an irresistible force began to tear Obito apart.

Yet Obito moved freely within the distorted space, leaving Kakashi in shock. This was his most powerful jutsu, one that had never failed him before!

Obito appeared behind Kakashi, smirking. "Using the jutsu I gave you against me, Kakashi? How foolish."

"You remain as arrogant and blind as ever."

The space around them warped again, and in the blink of an eye, both Obito and Kakashi were pulled into the Kamui dimension.

In the Kamui space, Kakashi trembled, his pupils dilating in shock. He had started to piece together Obito's identity, but it was too hard to accept.

This masked figure... he was the one responsible for Minato-sensei's death and the Nine-Tails' attack on Konoha!

If this was truly Obito...

Kakashi stared at him, disbelief etched on his face as Obito slowly removed his mask. Every scar on Obito's face seemed to mock Kakashi.

"Obito!" Kakashi cried out. "You're alive! Why did you kill Sensei?!"

Obito's response was chilling. "Minato Namikaze may have been the Yellow Flash of the ninja world, but even with his speed, he couldn't save us from the true dangers. He wasn't worthy of being my teacher!"

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