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At the Akatsuki base, Obito confronted Nagato Uzumaki.
“Why did you kill Itachi Uchiha? Even though he let the Nine-Tails escape, he still had his uses.” Obito’s tone was filled with dissatisfaction. He was unhappy that Nagato had killed Itachi.
If Shin had been the one to kill Itachi, Obito wouldn’t dare question him. But Nagato was different. In Obito’s mind, Nagato was just a pawn, someone he looked down upon…
“My actions do not require your judgment, Obito Uchiha,” Nagato said coldly.
“Wha- what did you say?” Obito was stunned. He hadn’t expected Nagato to know his identity.
WHO TOLD HIM??
Only Black and White Zetsu and Shin Uzumaki knew his true identity. It couldn’t have been Black and White Zetsu, so it must have been Shin Uzumaki.
Obito seethed with resentment. He couldn’t believe Shin Uzumaki had exposed his true identity. It was impossible not to be furious.
“I already know your identity. Is there any need to hide it? I never thought the once-unknown loser from Konoha would one day masquerade as Madara Uchiha—”
Indeed, Nagato had already investigated Obito’s past. Knowing Obito’s name, investigating him wasn’t difficult.
Of course, Nagato only knew about Obito’s time in Konoha—he was unaware of other details. His knowledge was limited. Without White Zetsu’s help, his own investigation wouldn’t yield much.
The expression under Obito’s mask was grim. He’d even forgotten about questioning Nagato for killing Itachi; that was no longer important. Even if Itachi was useful, it wasn’t as critical as Nagato knowing his true identity.
“Was it Shin Uzumaki who told you?” Obito asked Nagato.
“So what if it was?” Nagato looked at Obito indifferently.
Did Obito Uchiha really think he could go settle scores with Shin Uzumaki? Nagato didn’t think Obito was capable of that. Even HE trembled before Shin Uzumaki…
Obito’s expression relaxed.
He suddenly realized that even if Nagato knew, it didn’t really matter. As long as he could control Nagato to complete the plan, everything else—like his identity being exposed—was irrelevant as long as it didn’t affect the Eye of the Moon Plan.
“Knowing my identity doesn’t matter. My goal has always been peace in the Shinobi World,” Obito said calmly to Nagato.
“Though I can’t say the same for Shin Uzumaki. Do you really think he desires peace??”
Nagato narrowed his eyes at Obito.
This was an attempt to sow discord. It seemed Shin Uzumaki and Obito Uchiha weren’t on good terms.
However, Nagato was curious. Why would Shin Uzumaki cooperate with Obito Uchiha?
It didn’t make sense…
It wasn’t that Nagato looked down on Obito Uchiha, but Obito truly wasn’t qualified. Their power levels were too disparate; how could they possibly cooperate?
Cooperation only existed between equals, or at least those with comparable strength. Could cooperation exist when there was such a vast power difference?
“I hope you can capture the Tailed Beasts as soon as possible. Only then can we revive the Ten-Tails quickly, and then use the Ten-Tails to intimidate the Great Villages and achieve true peace.”
After saying this to Nagato, Obito prepared to leave. Nagato knowing his true identity had been a significant blow; Obito needed to leave and calm down.
“Wait.”
Just as Obito was about to leave, Nagato stopped him.
“What else?” Obito Uchiha asked Nagato, frowning.
“Regarding the capture of the Tailed Beasts, you should also contribute.”
Nagato stared intently at Obito. He wouldn’t let Obito stay out of it. Besides, Obito’s motives weren’t pure; otherwise, why would he impersonate Madara Uchiha?
“Of course. I’ll join the Akatsuki under a different identity.”
Obito gave Nagato a deep look, then left.
….
After leaving, Obito appeared in a desolate wilderness, his eyes filled with terrifying rage. “Damn you, Shin Uzumaki! What exactly are you trying to do?!”
Obito believed Shin had deliberately revealed his identity to Nagato, likely for some ulterior motive.
However, Obito was completely mistaken. Shin hadn’t deliberately told Nagato; he had simply let it slip unintentionally. Truly, just an unintentional slip.
Shin had no need to scheme against Obito. If it were Madara Uchiha, Shin might be interested in some plotting, but he had no interest in dealing with Obito.
After a period of impotent rage, Obito gave up. His anger was useless—he couldn’t do anything against Shin Uzumaki.
———
A few days later, Obito joined the Akatsuki as a new member, albeit unofficially, like a substitute.
He still used the alias “Tobi,” acting like a goofy clown.
The other Akatsuki members didn’t take him seriously, dismissing him as a weakling with only Space-Time Ninjutsu worth mentioning.
Yes, Tobi had demonstrated his Kamui ability. After all, if you wanted to join the Akatsuki, you had to show some skill; otherwise, the other members wouldn’t accept you.
Temporarily taking Itachi Uchiha’s place, Tobi was partnered with Kisame Hoshigaki.
Actually, if anyone in the Akatsuki knew Tobi wasn’t normal, it was Kisame Hoshigaki.
Kisame had been recruited into the Akatsuki by Obito and knew his “True identity”—that is, the Madara Uchiha persona.
Shortly after Tobi joined the Akatsuki, Pain assigned him a major task: to capture the Eight-Tails.
The Five-Tails had been captured not long ago. Now, only the Six-Tails, Seven-Tails, Eight-Tails, and Nine-Tails remained.
The mission to capture the Six-Tails was given to Deidara and Sasori. The Seven-Tails mission went to Kakuzu and Hidan. Kisame and Tobi were responsible for the Eight-Tails.
Tobi maintained his goofy facade, but the expression hidden beneath his mask was terrifyingly grim.
Others might not know, but he certainly did. The current Eight-Tails was essentially Shin Uzumaki’s property, and had been for a long time…
It was clear Pain was doing this deliberately.
It seemed Nagato had his own agenda; he wasn’t so easily controlled.
Obito felt he needed to come up with a plan to control Nagato. If necessary, he would eliminate him.
Of course, that was a last resort. Nagato was still very useful; Obito didn’t want to get rid of him.
He hoped Nagato wouldn’t force his hand. If pushed too far, Obito wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate Nagato.
As for whether he had the strength to do so? Obito believed he could. He had some understanding of Nagato’s condition—Nagato didn’t have much longer to live anyway.
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