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Chapter 4 - Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Undercurrent

Deep within the wilderness of the Land of Fire, a massive skeleton loomed like a fossilized beast. Hidden beneath it was the entrance to Akatsuki's underground base.

Inside the crypt, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path sat cross-legged atop a stone altar. Thick iron chains bound its limbs, and a faint malevolence clung to its silent form.

In front of it, a man in an orange spiral-patterned mask sat slouched on a stone throne. His lone Sharingan glowed dimly in the darkness, pulsing faintly with the flickering candlelight that lined the cavern walls.

Obito Uchiha sat in silence, his aura cold and unreadable.

Black Zetsu and White Zetsu had just returned, bringing three devastating pieces of news.

Nagato—the seemingly invincible Pain—had been defeated.

Not only that, but he had betrayed Obito by using Rinne Rebirth to revive the Konoha shinobi.

And finally… Naruto Uzumaki had taken Nagato's body and disappeared, possibly defecting from Konoha.

Obito's voice was low, but sharp. "Nagato's betrayal was unexpected. But what's more surprising… is Naruto."

White Zetsu hovered nearby. "What do we do now?"

Obito turned his masked face slightly. "Did you hear anything from Naruto's talk with Konan?"

White Zetsu shook his head. "Nope. That kid has a Sage's senses. If I got any closer, I would've been caught."

Obito narrowed his eyes. "Then we assume the worst. Naruto may be planning to awaken the full potential of the Rinnegan."

He stood, casting a long shadow over the chained golem.

"There's more. According to the intercepted chatter, the Raikage has summoned the Five Kage to a summit. Their goal is to eliminate Sasuke."

Obito's tone deepened. "Originally, I planned to use the summit to declare war on the Five Great Nations… to announce the Eye of the Moon Plan. But that declaration hinges on one key advantage."

He glanced at the golem. "The tailed beasts we've sealed into this statue."

Obito clenched his gloved fists. "And the only one who can control it… is someone with the Rinnegan."

White Zetsu's tone turned panicked. "That's not good! Naruto has the Rinnegan now. What if he summons the golem and turns it against us?"

Obito remained calm. "Don't panic. The Rinnegan's power isn't something you just master overnight. It took Nagato years to control this golem."

But even as he said it, doubt stirred in his mind.

Naruto had the Uzumaki body, far sturdier than Nagato's. Given time, he would adapt. Fast. And with the Sage Mode and his unknown motives… he could no longer be dismissed as a mere child.

No. Naruto had to be dealt with before he became a real threat.

Just to be safe…

Obito slowly raised his right hand.

The eye inside his mask swirled with Kamui's power. In the next instant, the massive golem vanished—sucked into Obito's personal dimension.

With a soft hum, the Kamui stopped.

"Now," Obito murmured, "we've removed that risk."

White Zetsu grinned. "As expected! You teleported the entire golem!"

Black Zetsu, ever cautious, spoke next. "So what's the plan now?"

Obito crossed his arms. "Deploy every available White Zetsu to search for Naruto. He's most likely still somewhere in the Land of Fire. If there's even a hint of his location, report it to me immediately. We must recover the Rinnegan before he fully awakens it."

"Got it," White Zetsu nodded.

Obito turned to another figure—silent until now.

Kisame stood near the wall, watching the exchange with folded arms.

After Sasuke's battle with Itachi, Obito had revealed his identity to Kisame. Among all of Akatsuki's remaining members, he was the only one Obito fully trusted besides Zetsu.

"Kisame. The Eight Tails… I'm putting it in your hands."

"Understood."

Obito's voice lowered to a growl. "Don't be thrown off by the chaos. Stick to the plan. We'll proceed with the war declaration. The Five Kage are gathering—good. Let them come. Let's see how far they can get… before they realize they're pawns."

His gaze darkened under the mask.

"Besides, I hear Sasuke has his own mess to clean up."

Elsewhere in the Land of Fire, deep within the forest, Team Taka was taking a short rest during their march toward Konoha.

After Nagato's assault on the village, Sasuke had led them on a mission to capture Killer Bee. Though they returned with what they thought was the Eight Tails, they had later discovered it was only a clone.

Now, Sasuke and his team were moving independently. Vengeance against Konoha drove him forward.

At a small riverbank, Jūgo crouched alone, filling a jug with water. A small bird chirped and fluttered onto his shoulder. He smiled quietly, letting it sit.

Suddenly, the bird shot into the air with a startled cry.

Jūgo turned sharply toward the woods.

A blond figure stepped out from the trees, left eye covered in bandages.

"…It's you."

Jūgo narrowed his eyes.

He remembered this face. Back when Konoha had searched for Sasuke, Naruto had crossed paths with Team Taka. Even if it had only been a shadow clone, the memory stuck.

Naruto grinned. "Long time no see, Jūgo. You haven't changed. Still great with animals."

"…What do you want?" Jūgo's tone was wary. "Are you looking for Sasuke?"

Naruto shook his head. "No. I came for you. Or rather, someone only you can help me reach."

Jūgo frowned. "I'm afraid I can't—"

Suddenly—two Narutos burst out from both sides, each holding a Rasengan.

Jūgo's eyes widened. "Shadow clones?! When did he—?!"

Boom!

The Rasengans exploded, sending up a spray of water and smoke.

Jūgo staggered back, skidding across the river's surface. A deep wound split across his shoulder—nearly to the bone.

"He's stronger than before… his Sage power is unreal!"

Naruto stepped calmly onto the water, his gaze firm. "You'll live. But if you come quietly, I won't have to get any rougher."

Jūgo clenched his teeth. Sasuke was ten kilometers away. If he used his curse mark now, and released his chakra, Karin would sense it immediately.

Crackling energy spread across his body.

The curse seal activated.

Naruto's eyes narrowed. In a flash, he vanished.

Like Shisui's legendary Body Flicker, Naruto reappeared in front of Jūgo in the blink of an eye.

Palm pressed to Jūgo's chest.

Because in the last timeline, Sasuke's Rinnegan had been destroyed. Without its teleportation, Naruto had been forced to adapt—and he had. He'd mastered the Flying Thunder God technique.

Now, with the seal placed by the clone from earlier, he could teleport anywhere in an instant.

"Marked you earlier," Naruto muttered.

He channeled chakra into his hand.

A deep, humming energy began to draw from Jūgo's chest—Sage chakra infused with the power of the curse mark.

Jūgo's eyes went wide. "You're… draining my chakra?!"

As the power poured out, Jūgo's body shrank rapidly—regressing, collapsing. His transformation unraveled until he was no more than a boy, unconscious.

Naruto caught him before he hit the water.

"What a strange body…" he murmured. "Sasuke clearly saw something in him."

He carried Jūgo back to the shore.

Konan materialized beside him, her body forming from a swirl of paper.

"That went smoother than I expected," she said.

"He's stronger than he looks. I had to strike first, just to avoid any surprises. If Sasuke had gotten here in time, it would've gotten messy."

The harsh world of the future had made Naruto cautious—painfully so. Unless he was absolutely sure, he wouldn't move. And even then, he'd act conservatively.

He laid Jūgo down, removed his soaked cloak, and covered the boy with a dry one to keep him warm.

Konan raised an eyebrow. "Not taking him with us?"

Naruto looked at his palm, where a faint curse seal still lingered. "No need. I've already absorbed the power I came for."

Konan glanced at the bandages over his eye.

She couldn't help but think… his optic nerve hadn't even fully connected to the Rinnegan, yet he could already tap into its primary abilities. In some strange way, he might've been more compatible with it than Nagato.

Naruto stood, throwing Jūgo's wet robe over his shoulders. His silhouette was calm, almost regal.

"Let's go," he said, pulling up his cloak.

"Next target's waiting."

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