Chapter 58: Obito Strikes

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Chapter 58: Obito Strikes

As Yusuke clashed with the Akatsuki members, a figure wearing an orange vortex-patterned mask appeared at the Uchiha clan's compound in Konoha.

It was none other than Obito. However, unlike his usual attire, Obito wasn't wearing the Akatsuki cloak. Instead, he wore a simple black robe.

Under the bright moonlight, Obito stood atop a tall building, gazing down at the Uchiha clan's compound.

"Once the entire world falls into the Infinite Tsukuyomi, what family, what village will even matter?"

A cold light flickered in Obito's eyes as he made up his mind to first find Yusuke's family.

Although he knew that the Akatsuki had dispatched four members to ambush Yusuke, Obito could never shake the unease in his heart.

"Uchiha Yusuke, you truly are an unsettling individual."

"Even if the Akatsuki can't handle you, once I have your family as leverage, I'm sure you'll be forced to reconsider your actions."

A vortex-like disturbance appeared in the air, and Obito's figure vanished into the swirling ripples.

At this moment, the Root organization had already initiated their assault on the Uchiha clan. However, thanks to Uchiha Souichirou's timely leadership and strategic deployment, most of the combat-ready forces had gathered. The elderly, women, and children were already hidden safely in the clan's underground shelters.

When the Uchiha ninja heard about Root's plan to eradicate their entire clan, they were filled with fury and vowed to destroy Root once and for all.

Although Itachi suspected that the Root organization's scheme to target the clan was likely approved by Konoha's higher-ups, considering the scale of such an operation, even Danzo wouldn't have made such a decision alone, especially without the backing of the village leaders.

However, unable to confirm this fully, Itachi decided to have Souichirou publicly attribute the plot to the Root organization alone. This way, it would leave a potential escape route for the clan, avoiding an all-out confrontation with the village.

Once the Root organization's ninja made their move, the Uchiha clan's forces quickly counterattacked. A fierce battle broke out at the clan's compound, resulting in a stalemate.

In the original timeline, the Uchiha clan had been completely unprepared for the extermination plan laid out by Konoha's higher-ups. Clan leader Fugaku had given up the fight, leading to the clan's annihilation with little resistance.

But with Itachi's early warning, the Uchiha clan had been able to react. Though their response was hasty, it was enough to hold their ground for a while.

What Danzo hadn't anticipated, however, was that Obito had not followed the plan. Instead, Obito had thrown a wrench in the works.

The original plan was for Obito to cooperate with the Root organization to eliminate the Uchiha's fighting forces.

With Obito's top-tier combat strength involved, even if the Uchiha put up a resistance, they would have been overwhelmed in no time. Root's losses would have been minimal.

But Obito had chosen not to concern himself with Danzo and Root's plans. His priority now was to capture Yusuke's family.

In a hidden cave beneath the Uchiha compound, the families of Yusuke and Itachi were taking shelter.

Under the dim light, Sasuke leaned nervously against his mother, Uchiha Mikoto, while she gently comforted him with soft pats on his back. At the same time, she whispered quietly to Uchiha Hazuki, who was sitting next to her.

On the other hand, the carefree and oblivious Zai and Tai were wandering aimlessly around the small cave, unaware of the looming danger.

Meanwhile, Kabuto sat calmly, seemingly lost in thought, while Izumi paced back and forth, clearly anxious.

---

Before entering the cave, everyone had already been briefed by Itachi on the general situation, and their hearts were weighed down with worry.

The occasional tremors outside the cave only made the atmosphere even more tense, leaving everyone uneasy.

"I can't just stay here. As a member of the Uchiha clan, I must do my part," Izumi said, walking toward the entrance of the cave.

Kabuto immediately stopped her, speaking calmly. "Even if you join the battlefield, you won't be of much help. But if the enemy finds this cave, only you and I will be able to protect everyone."

Hearing Kabuto's words, Izumi calmed down.

Just as Kabuto said, this cave wasn't just home to her; it was also sheltering her family and Itachi's. If enemies attacked, Kabuto would struggle to protect everyone on his own.

"Thank you... I was being impulsive," Izumi sighed, abandoning her thoughts of going out to fight.

Kabuto adjusted his glasses. "With the teacher gone, we need to stay calm and hold our ground."

At that moment, Tai seemed to notice something. He walked over to a corner of the cave and crouched down to examine something closely.

"What is this?"

Tai pointed at a spherical object protruding from the ground, covered in a orange whirlpool pattern. Curiously, he poked it with his finger.

Due to the dim light in the cave, Tai didn't immediately realize that the object was a human head.

What startled him even more was that his finger passed straight through the object, with no resistance whatsoever.

As Tai was about to investigate further, he noticed a small opening on the spherical object, which seemed to flash briefly. Inside the opening, a blood-red eye blinked.

"Ah!"

Tai screamed, falling backward onto the ground in shock.

The others in the cave were startled by Tai's scream. Izumi and Kabuto quickly rushed to his side, just in time to see a figure wearing a orange whirlpool-patterned mask and a black robe rising from the ground, as if it had no physical form.

"I've found you all!" Obito's voice came from behind his mask, a sinister grin spreading across his face.

Upon seeing the mysterious figure, Kabuto felt a deep sense of unease. It was clear that this was no ordinary intruder.

But with no one else to rely on, Kabuto knew that he was the one everyone depended on now.

He helped Tai to his feet and positioned himself protectively behind him, standing calmly in front of Obito. "Who are you, and what is your purpose here?"

Izumi, not backing down, unsheathed her sword, the Kusunagi sword "Kikyo Senrakuzakura," and stood beside Kabuto.

Obito didn't immediately answer Kabuto's question. Instead, he scanned the room, his gaze lingering on each of them.

"Not bad, the important ones are all here," Obito murmured slowly.

Izumi then noticed that the eye exposed by Obito's mask was also a Sharingan, and she couldn't help but ask, "Are you also a member of the Uchiha clan?"

Obito let out a mocking laugh. "Yes, I am the Uchiha clan's ghost."

"And tonight, the Uchiha clan will be annihilated, and all of you will die here."

At this point, Obito paused, his gaze shifting to Izumi, who was on high alert.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips under the mask. "Perhaps, you won't have to die today."

Hearing this, both Kabuto and Izumi understood that a confrontation was unavoidable.

They exchanged a look, and in that instant, their battle strategy was silently communicated.

Over the years, Izumi, Kabuto, and Itachi had worked together on many missions and fought side by side. Their bond was so strong

that they could communicate their thoughts with just a glance.