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Inside the tents, laughter and revelry filled the air, while outside, the world was shrouded in impenetrable darkness.
The rain continued to pour relentlessly, drenching everything in its path. Obito stood as still as a tree stump, concealed in the shadows of the forest canopy, observing the enemy camp with unwavering focus. His body showed no signs of movement, blending seamlessly into the surroundings.
Two hours later, Obito made the decision to retreat.
After confirming the shift change for the enemy's hidden sentries, he chose to withdraw without taking any unnecessary risks. There was no need to act rashly at this stage.
"Damn it, I hate rainy days!"
Drenched from head to toe, water dripping incessantly from his long hair and soaked clothes, Obito couldn't help but mutter in frustration. Unless it was for a mission, he had no intention of ever returning to this wretched place again.
However, the Akatsuki organization was based in the Land of Rain—a troublesome fact. While others might attempt to interfere with the Akatsuki's movements, Obito had no such qualms. In certain ways, his mindset aligned with that of Black Zetsu.
He harbored no interest in relying on the Ten-Tails or the Infinite Tsukuyomi to achieve his goals. Instead, his sole desire was to witness the visage of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, the progenitor of chakra.
If he were to "acquire" Kaguya... would that count as having done the unthinkable to an ancestor?
He chuckled darkly at the thought. If Tsunade were here, she would undoubtedly punch him for his depraved musings.
Dreams could be as vast as one's imagination allowed!
"To conquer Kaguya... yes, that'll be my ultimate dream. Compared to Tsunade, Kaguya is the true queen, isn't she?"
Though it remained nothing more than a dream, who said one couldn't aspire toward the impossible?
A person needed dreams—after all, what if they actually came true?
Obito retraced his steps quickly and soon spotted the markers left behind by Shizuku and Chunyu Xi, leading him back to their location.
The duo had been fortunate enough to find a cave, sparing them another night cramped inside a hollow tree. However, the thick smoke billowing out of the cave was puzzling.
"Cough! Cough!"
Inside, Shizuku and Chunyu Xi were choking on the acrid fumes. The Land of Rain offered no dry wood suitable for starting a fire; everything was soaked through.
"Who's there?!"
Shizuku, eyes watering and nose running from the smoke, called out in alarm upon sensing someone approaching.
"It's me."
Walking into the cave, Obito surveyed the scene. His gaze fell upon the smoldering pile of wood on the ground, which produced only smoke and no visible flames. Frowning, he remarked, "Smoke will attract unwanted attention. Didn't Uncle Sakumo warn you about this?"
"I'm sorry," Shizuku apologized immediately, taking responsibility despite the fact that Chunyu Xi had been the one to suggest lighting the fire. "We're soaked to the bone, and staying wet like this increases the risk of catching a cold. That's why we tried to start a fire..."
"Forget it."
Given Shizuku's sincere apology and valid reasoning, Obito let the matter drop. He couldn't fault them for trying to avoid illness while drenched in rainwater.
"Let me handle it." Shaking his head at the poorly managed fire, Obito took over the task. Within moments, a bright, crackling fire illuminated the cave. The warmth spread throughout the space, and Obito strategically placed branches near the entrance to block the light while allowing the smoke to disperse more quickly.
Seated beside the fire, Obito roasted some rations on a wooden plank and shared the intelligence he had gathered:
"Uncle Sakumo was right. The enemy's numbers are significant, and their strength is formidable. The intel wasn't far off, though there are fewer Special Jōnin than expected—they may have left the group or gone rogue."
Among wandering shinobi, unity was never guaranteed. Joining or leaving mid-mission was commonplace.
"What do we do now? We…" Chunyu Xi hesitated, her face flushed from the heat of the fire. She nervously swallowed, feeling overwhelmed by the seemingly impossible nature of their mission.
"If we can take out their leader, the rest of the mission will become much easier." With a stick, Obito traced four large characters onto the ground: *Enemy Jōnin*.
"This…?"
Both Shizuku and Chunyu Xi stared at Obito in disbelief. A Jōnin was no ordinary opponent—it wasn't something you stumbled upon like roadside cabbage. Though Obito was undeniably talented, having awakened his Sharingan at just seven years old, making him a prodigy even among the Uchiha and the entire Hidden Leaf Village, wasn't this plan overly ambitious?
"The three of you sure know how to enjoy yourselves."
From his hiding spot in a tree hollow, Sakumo observed the cozy scene inside the cave with a wry smile. But he had no choice but to remain where he was. No one enjoyed spending a stormy night in a tree hollow when they could instead relax in a cave, warmed by a campfire and sipping hot water.
"The enemy enjoys drinking, so our best chance to strike is during the late hours of the night. After indulging in alcohol, they'll be at their most disoriented. Even if they wake up startled, their combat effectiveness will still be greatly diminished. This gives us the advantage."
In the pouring rain, Obito whispered his strategy to Shizuku and Chunyu Xi, stationed not far from the enemy encampment.
"Gulp…"
No matter how thorough Obito's analysis or how meticulously prepared they were, Shizuku and Chunyu Xi remained visibly tense.
"Don't panic. Remember what I said—act within your limits. If things go south, prioritize your safety above all else. Avoid reckless actions at all costs."
After reiterating his instructions multiple times, Obito glanced at the sky and signaled that it was time to move. It was now the dead of night, approximately 3 a.m.—the hour when people were at their sleepiest and most vulnerable. The perfect moment to strike.
Under the cover of darkness, Obito moved like a sleek panther. His blood-red Sharingan gleamed eerily in the night, exuding an aura of mystery and menace.
"Ahh…"
At the hidden sentry post, two Genin yawned lazily. Their squad's original Chūnin had already retired to the tent to sleep soundly, leaving the two weaker Genin to endure the miserable task of standing guard in the relentless rain.
As the night dragged on, their exhaustion grew unbearable, and they succumbed to frequent yawns. Suddenly, a shadow darted past them. Before they could react, a pair of crimson eyes locked onto theirs. One moment, they were yawning uncontrollably; the next, their gazes turned vacant, as if they had been transformed into lifeless puppets.
Pathetically weak. They couldn't even withstand a simple genjutsu. In the darkness, Obito scoffed silently. With swift precision, he slashed their throats with a kunai. Blood spurted forth, mingling with the rainwater and creating a vivid streak against the blackness of the night. The faint scent of blood lingered momentarily before being washed away by the downpour.
A moonless, windy night was ideal for assassination—but Obito found the relentless rain even better. The sound of falling rain masked all noise, and the water diluted any lingering scents, allowing him to act with impunity.
After neutralizing one sentry post, Obito swiftly moved to the other side of the camp, dispatching the remaining sentries with equal efficiency.
He signaled to Shizuku and Chunyu Xi, concealed in the shadows, indicating that the sentries had been dealt with. Turning his attention to the cluster of large tents, Obito's eyes gleamed with anticipation. His heart yearned for battle—for the thrill of challenging stronger opponents.
"Wind Release: Tornado Hurricane!!!"
What better opportunity could there be than this? The enemy was packed tightly together, sleeping soundly in their tents.