Chapter:36

"Come on, then."

Kirito smiled as *God's Breath* quietly activated within him.

Suddenly, a chakra far more powerful than Obito's surged forth.

The chakra flow that Obito had once used to suppress the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, was instantly dispersed, and the energy now overwhelmed Obito.

"This chakra..." Obito muttered, stunned, though he quickly composed himself. He reminded himself that *Kamui* made chakra levels irrelevant, even if it rivaled that of a tailed beast.

In the next moment, Obito unsheathed his sword and appeared in front of Kirito.

Kirito swung his sword, but Obito easily avoided it by becoming intangible.

Seizing this opportunity, Obito thrust his sword straight ahead, piercing through Kirito's chest.

"Hmph, is that all?" Obito scoffed.

Just then, Kirito's amused voice, ghostly and unexpected, whispered into Obito's ear, "Really?"

Obito felt a cold sensation at his waist. His upper body detached, and he saw his lower half separated.

At some point, Kirito, whom Obito thought had been killed, was now standing behind him.

"Am I really going to die?" Obito wondered as his consciousness began to fade. In the distance, he saw the image of Rin Nohara.

With sheer willpower strong enough to suppress even the Ten-Tails, Obito activated the Uchiha clan's ultimate eye technique, *Izanagi*, instantly reversing his death.

Obito materialized behind Kirito and aimed for a strike, but Kirito had already predicted this.

With a swift movement, Kirito combined a powerful *Flash Step* with the *Body Flicker Technique*, reappearing in front of Obito and striking with incredible speed.

"So fast," Obito thought, shocked. He quickly activated the intangibility of his right eye's Mangekyo Sharingan to dodge Kirito's blade and counterattacked, slashing at Kirito's back.

However, just before Obito's blade could land, Kirito vanished as if he had teleported.

When he reappeared, he was beside Obito, cutting him in half once again.

The entire exchange happened in a flash. Obito had only just materialized to attack and had no time to react before being struck down once more.

Luckily for him, the time limit on *Izanagi* hadn't expired, sparing him from permanent death.

"You can become intangible to evade attacks, but you become solid when striking. Is this the Mangekyo Sharingan's technique in your right eye? It's quite an advanced space-time jutsu. I wonder how it compares to Uchiha Shisui's *Kotoamatsukami*."

Ignoring Obito's 'corpse,' Kirito looked toward the shadows. "Mr. Madara, do you think my strength is adequate?"

Obito's figure slowly materialized in front of Kirito.

"This bastard," Obito thought, frustrated after being killed twice in a row. Suddenly, he laughed. "Hah, now it makes sense."

"Kirito, I have to admit, everyone underestimated you. With such massive chakra, incredible teleportation abilities, and illusions even the Mangekyo can't penetrate, it must've been you who cut off Danzo's arm and stole Shisui's right eye."

Obito eyed Kirito more warily.

He recalled how Danzo's arm couldn't be reattached after it was severed. According to Black Zetsu, it wasn't just the physical arm that had been cut—it was as if its very soul had been destroyed.

Such a wound couldn't be healed. Combined with Shisui's right eye, Kirito possessed abilities that could truly threaten Obito's life.

"This guy is more dangerous than Itachi," Obito thought. If Kirito ever turned his attention to Shisui's eye or posed a serious threat, Obito knew he would have to flee immediately.

However, if Kirito intended to join the Akatsuki, he could be a powerful asset for the Moon's Eye Plan. First, though, Obito needed to be certain Kirito wasn't a spy sent by Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Yes, it was me," Kirito admitted openly. "So, do I now qualify to join the Akatsuki organization, as you mentioned, Mr. Madara?"

"Of course," Obito replied solemnly. "But I have two questions for you."

"First, what is your purpose for joining Akatsuki?"

Kirito smiled slightly. "To protect the one I love. Danzo has issued a kill order, and if Izumi stays in Konoha, even if she survives this time, there will always be another attempt. I can't just take her and run forever, hiding. We need a place that's truly safe."

"After Itachi wipes out the Uchiha clan, he'll be branded an S-rank criminal. If Akatsuki is capable of sheltering an S-rank criminal like Itachi, surely it can protect a single girl."

Obito nodded in agreement but pressed further. "And why should I trust you? Itachi joined Akatsuki because the Uchiha clan's extermination left him with no way back to Konoha. But what about you? What if you're here just to spy on Akatsuki? I doubt you would destroy your girlfriend's family."

"Of course not. I'm not that insane," Kirito said, a dangerous smile crossing his face.

"Then how can I be sure of your loyalty?" Obito asked, frowning.

"I have no interest in destroying the Uchiha clan," Kirito replied, "but I'd gladly wipe out the Sarutobi and Shimura clans."

"I'm guessing you didn't just wipe out the Uchiha for revenge. You wanted to collect their Sharingan and weaken Konoha's strength."

"Tonight, while the focus is on the Uchiha, I will go and annihilate the Sarutobi and Shimura clans. Does that work as a show of loyalty?"

Obito was taken aback for a moment, though his composure remained. Even he hadn't expected this.

"Destroying the Third Hokage's family and Danzo's family? That's incredibly reckless. You'll make Konoha your sworn enemy," Obito said. "But the Sarutobi and Shimura clans are in Konoha's center. If you act recklessly, it could alert many Konoha shinobi. Do you need my assistance?"

"Since Danzo and the Third Hokage can decide the fate of other families, they should be prepared for their own family's end. I'm not a monster, though—I'll leave some descendants alive," Kirito smirked. "What I do need is someone skilled in barrier techniques, to block outside detection. If too many Konoha shinobi are alerted and some manage to escape, the plan won't be perfect."

"If you're going to exterminate a clan, you must do it properly."

"No problem." Obito's lips curled slightly under his mask. "Zetsu, come out."

A moment later, a large, plant-like figure emerged from a nearby tree, opening to reveal a half-black, half-white face.

"This is Zetsu," Obito introduced. "A member of Akatsuki. He specializes in gathering intelligence and is skilled at setting up barriers. However, he has no combat ability. How you deal with the Sarutobi and Shimura clans is up to you."

"When this is over, Zetsu will guide you to meet me. As for Izumi, I can help her leave the village early. Do you need my assistance with that?"

"That won't be necessary," Kirito replied, shaking his head. "I'll handle Izumi myself."

(End of Chapter).

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