I do not own Naruto, Kishimoto does,
Obito sighed loudly feeling his breath hitting the inside of his mask. His patience was dimensioning at a quickening rate. He originally wanted to capture bijuu while simultaneously forcing the five great nations to unite against him within a year after he gained his freedom from Madara and Zetsu. However, he failed to realize how much of a closely guarded secret the identities of the jinchuriki were. And without Zetsu, finding information has proved to be a frustrating endeavor.
Konan was the one to purpose their original plan, one from back when they were going to complete the Infinite Tsukiyomi. They needed to get people to join the Akatsuki, while he made sure it was apparent that he was the leader. That way the members could investigate who the jinchuriki are, while gathering money from bounties. As well as here recently, being paid by some of the great nations for information, assassinations, and sabotaging other great nations. Which worked well to cause discourse between their group and the nations.
After every mission one of the great nations contracted them for, they'd leave behind their symbol. The red cloud of the Akatsuki. Making it known that there is a group out there that is slowly weakening the great nations. This accomplished the anonymity of the nation who paid for the mission while making them more infamous.
It's been three years since Obito decided on his current path, and in that time, they still haven't managed to capture a single Bijuu. And their notoriety has only become whispers. Thankfully they managed to get members, currently, they are at six members including Obito. They have broken off into pairs, each with their own objective.
Obito's current objective was to find a rogue shinobi from Iwa, Jiro, and offer him a spot in the Akatsuki. He was currently paired with a blonde haired kunoichi named Yamanaka Akari. Who at the moment was testing his patience. She was skilled but to Obito she was incredibly annoying. To the point that he has considered sending her to his dimension and letting her starve to death. All for the sake of some peace and quiet. And the worse thing of all she knew who Obito was. She was a former Anbu of Konoha assigned to espionage missions. She recognized Obito immediately due to her incredible sensing abilities. Which Obito couldn't deny was needed at the moment. But since she knew who he was he had to be continuously paired with her. At least until the point she was no longer needed. Loose ends and all that.
"Obi-kun! I'm tired! Can we rest at the town ahead for the night?" Akari asked, forcing a tick mark to appear above Obito's right eyebrow.
"No." Obito answered.
Akari pouted, "why not? We've been walking for two days."
"As I've said the past seven times you've asked, within the last thirty minutes. It is imperative that we reach Jiro tomorrow. If he reaches Tsuchi No Kuni before we reach him, he may be captured or killed by Iwa shinobi." Obito responded.
"I don't see what makes this guy so special. I think just you and me can accomplish anything!" Akari exclaimed.
Obito sighed, "he has an impressive kekkei genkai, something that you can't say for yourself."
"So! Kekkei genkai doesn't make someone special. I've killed plenty." Akari huffed.
"Oh, even one who is considered S-class?" Obito asked.
Akari glared at him with her teal eyes, "never had the chance."
"I propose this then, when we catch up with Jiro, I'll allow you to fight him. If you kill him then it will prove we don't need him. But if he kills you, then I guess that just means you have served your purpose within the Akatsuki." Obito replied.
"Obi-kun, that's rude. That bastard can't kill me. I'm unkillable!" Akari exclaimed.
"We will see." Obito sighed.
The two Akatsuki members continued their trek to the border shared between Tsuchi No Kuni and Takigakure, avoiding the Iwa Anbu scouting the area. When an explosion close to them caused them to freeze, both shinobi sensing around them for the source.
"I sense five chakra signatures east of us. One who has incredibly strong chakra." Akari stated.
"Let's go see what the commotion is. From what I understand Jiro doesn't have a chakra signature to warrant you to be able to signal him out." Obito responded.
"And you still want him to join our special little group?" she asked.
"It's his kekkei genkei that makes him good enough to join the Akatsuki." Obito answered before quickly jumping up into the trees towards the clear sounds of fighting. Obito reached the five-warring shinobi in time to see a Iwa Anbu being blown away by an invisible force tearing a hole through his chest.
"What the hell hit that guy?" Akari blubbered.
"Jiro." Obito grunted scanning the area for the rogue shinobi. Suddenly balls of molten lava began to litter the area as a brown-haired man evaded the scorching rocks. "There he is."
Obito noticed one of the Anbu sneaking behind the unsuspecting Jiro, the Anbu thrusted a kunai forward. Quickly Obito activated his left eye, swirling both the kunai and the offending hand out of existence. The Anbu released a pain filled scream, alerting Jiro who hopped back and clapped his hands, a second later and invisible force tore the Anbu's head into pieces.
"Seriously what the hell is that?" Akari asked.
"It's Jiro's kekkei genkai, it allows him to compress the air around him and use it offensively. Since air is invisible to the naked eye, he has proved useful in assassination missions. The problem was he left every place he went into bloodied. Not a good thing for the Tsuchikage who continued to imprison Jiro for that. Eventually Jiro escaped killing the Tsuchikage's daughter in law in the same manner." Obito finally explained.
"I guess I can see why you wanted him. How do you fight against attacks you can't see?" Akari said.
Obito sighed, "if you would only pay attention, you would have noticed."
"Notice what?"
"With your sensing abilities you should have sensed the chakra condensing the air in front of him before his attack." Obito answered. "Come its time to introduce ourselves to the party. Remember I am Uchiha Madara, not Obito." Obito fell down landing quietly behind Jiro.
"I believe you our in the need of our assistance." Obito said mimicking the voice of Madara.
Jiro turned his head enough to see Obito, "I don't need help."
Obito chuckled, "Are you sure?" As the question left his lips a large man ran into the area completely engulfed in flaming lava. "I don't believe your kekkei genkai is going to be able to penetrate that armor. If anything you'd only cause more problems."
"I can take Roshi," Jiro spat before rushing forward.
"Who is that?" Akari asked.
"I believe that is the jinchuriki of the Yonbi" Obito answered.
"How do you know?" Akari questioned.
"Because it's stated that the Yonbi grants its jinchuriki the use of the Yoton kekkei genkai." Obito responded. "I need you to begin setting up that seal array I taught you."
Once Akari nodded, Obito took off quickly reaching Jiro and kicking him away from one of Roshi's attacks which passed through the Uchiha.
"Who are you?" Roshi asked.
"A soon to be acquaintance of the man you're currently hunting." Obito nonchalantly answered.
"If that is so, then I should say attacking me would be considered the same as attacking the Sandaime Tsuchikage." Roshi said.
"That would pose no problem. Neither you nor that fence sitter is enough to make me sweat." Obito replied, sensing chakra gathering to his right, the direction where he kicked Jiro, he activated his left eye. A condensed gust of air passed through him tearing into a tree. Obito jumped forward releasing four wooden rods that tore from his arm. Two flew into Roshi's shoulders, easily tearing into the lava armor thanks to the chakra Obito imbued them with, while the other two impaled into Roshi's feet. Sticking him in place. Obito then engulfed his right foot in chakra and kicked Roshi in the chest causing him to fall down.
Obito ignored the heat that seared his body, and quickly lept back into the air and landed in front of Jiro who attempted to hit him with one of his attacks. Obito once again let the condensed air slip through him, "I'm not here to fight you. I only come with a proposition to join our cause. You'll be allowed to mostly do as you wish. You'll have no fear of imprisonment. Unless you refuse, then I'll have no choice but to kill you and collect the large bounty you have."
Jiro gave him a confused look, "what is it you plan to do?"
"Collect the bijuu in order to create a weapon strong enough to force the great nations to their knees." Obito answered.
"How many bijuu do you guys have?" Jiro asked.
"We will have one in a moment." Obito replied.
"I guess I don't have much of a choice, I accept." Jiro said.
"Do not worry you will still have enough freedom to cause as much havoc as you wish." Obito stated.
"The seal is done." Akari said landing next to Obito.
"Good, activate it." Obito replied.
Akari nodded clasping her hands together, Obito felt her chakra rise as a large seal began to glow, with Roshi in the center. Roshi flared the lava armor turning the wooden rods into ash, he attempted to take as step forward when the armor dissipated.
"What did you do?" Roshi asked.
"We cut off the link between you and your bijuu. In order to do that we also had to cut you off from your chakra." Obito explained. He was happy that the seal truly worked, but he hated that it had to come from Orochimaru.
"Why would you need to do that?" Roshi questioned.
"To make it easier to capture you of course. Also, to help mitigate that pesky enhanced healing you jinchuriki are known for." Obito answered calmly walking towards Roshi. As he reached him Roshi threw a punch that flew through the masked Uchiha. Obito then slammed his own fist into Roshi's stomach with a loud boom. Roshi keeled over coughing up bile. Obito then kneed Roshi in the face feeling the bones crush against his hardened knee. Roshi fell to the grass unconscious. Obito clasped his hands together as wooden branches erupted from the ground and wrapped around Roshi's body, securing him. "The Yonbi is now captured," Obito turned to the other two, "Akari if you will."
Akari nodded and place her hand on the ground and channeled her chakra, the cloud symbol of the Akatsuki was branded in the dirt and grass.
"Obito." The voice of Nagato tore into his head.
"What is it?" Obito asked.
"We have discovered the identity of the Rokubi, he is located near you." Nagato answered.
"Thanks, I'll head there after dropping off the Yonbi." Obito responded.
"You captured him?"
"Yes, I'll explain later." Obito answered.
"Very well." Nagato said.
When he felt the connection between him and Nagato disappear he returned his attention to the other two, "With this the world will now know the Akatsuki is not just a group of mercenaries, we are effectively declaring war on Iwa and soon the whole world." Obito stated before swirling the three of them away.
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Rin quietly walked behind Minato-sensei, and to the left of Kakashi, as they returned to the Hokage's office. They have just left a council meeting where they discussed the rumors that two jinchuriki were captured by the Akatsuki. Nobody has any answer as to who captured them except for the symbol of a cloud. That to the three of them was recognized as the same symbol etched on the cloak Obito wore the last time they saw him.
They heard nothing of Obito for just over three years, until the news today. Truth be told they didn't know if it was him, but it was the group he was a part of. One thing they knew for sure was he was still alive. One of the Anbu said they spotted a man wearing a black cloak and a swirling orange mask. Along with a blonde woman wearing the same cloak. Which leads them to believe the Akatsuki has grown in number.
At the moment they know the identity of two members, Obito and Kakuzu. A fact they withheld from the council. Well except for Kakuzu, they disclosed that information. They've kept Obito's involvement hidden, because they all knew whatever he is doing is something he feels needs to be done. And knowing Obito they way they do, they are sure it is something that he believes is going to help people in the long run.
Of course, that hasn't stopped Minato-sensei from being worried that Obito's group may come after Kushina and her. But Rin holds on to the belief that he wouldn't. If he was, she was sure he would have come by now, since he knew she was a jinchuriki.
The trio made their way into the Hokage's office, where Minato-sensei immediately sat in his chair with a loud sigh. Rin couldn't help but feel sorry for her sensei, he's only been the hokage for six years and she can see how much the responsibility and stress weighs on him. She has heard him sigh out how he wishes Obito was still around to give him that hat, when he thinks no one can hear him. A small thing that always manages to make Rin smile.
"I'll have to be honest you guys, I'm not sure how much longer we can sit on the information that Obito is part of the Akatsuki. If he continues to capture jinchuriki this information could prove to be vital." Minato-sensei expressed.
"I was surprised you didn't say anything in the council meeting." Kakashi said.
"Of course, he wouldn't. Revealing Obito's involvement could put him in more danger than he already is." Rin argued.
"That is a risk I'm sure he as aware of, Rin. I don't think we can continue to ignore the fact he is kidnapping people. People who are great assets to their respective countries. What he is doing is enough to cause a war." Kakashi responded.
"Which as all the more reason not to tell anyone. If the Tsuchikage, who is already thinking of tearing everything apart to find them, finds out someone from Konoha was the one to capture his 'precious asset' then that in itself would be enough for him to declare war on us." Rin said.
"Not if we declare Obito a rogue shinobi." Kakashi countered.
"We can't do that Kakashi, he is our friend." Rin responded.
"Stop you two, I'm not going to do anything yet. I just wish we knew what Obito is planning. If we can do that then we could better decide what our next moves are." Minato-sensei interrupted, "to that end however, I may have an idea that could help us. Especially if Obito is still not willing to let us in on his plan."
"What is it sensei?" Rin asked.
"I was thinking of implanting a spy within the Akatsuki. Someone loyal to us, who will be able to tell us what they are planning and what their next moves will be. If we are able to do that then maybe, we can save some lives and keep Obito from staining his hands even more. I don't know exactly what all has happened to him, but I am sure that one day he may come to regret his current actions and if we can somehow alleviate some of that guilt before hand the better off he will be." Minato-sensei explained.
"That could work, but how can we be sure that whoever the spy is will even be invited into the Akatsuki?" Kakashi asked.
"I'm not entirely sure yet. What we can deduce from the fact that they recruited Kakuzu is that they are looking at extraordinary rogue shinobi. So, it would have to be someone who is also gifted enough to even be considered." Minato-sensei answered.
"There are very few who could fit those criteria." Rin sighed.
"That is true, but one thing is that Konoha is never short of extraordinary shinobi." Her sensei responded with a smile.
"And what if this plan fails?" Kakashi asked.
"Then I'll have no choice but to disclose Obito's involvement within the Akatsuki and declare him a missing nin. Because at the point the safety of the villagers will be more prudent than my love for my former student." Minato answered, his smile gone.
"I hope it doesn't come to that." Rin said.
"I hope so as well." Minato agreed.
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Naruto stalked his prey trying to be as quiet as possible. He tightly gripped the kunai in his right hand as his blue eyes found his prey. The man stood in the middle of a small clearing his back to the small six year old. Naruto cocked his arm back and with a quick movement he threw the sharp metal object. The kunai moved through the air and landed with a small thumb into the man's back.
The man didn't make a sound or movement. A confused look appeared on the young Uzumaki's face. "What the he-" Naruto began.
"Hell?" A deep voice finished, as the man in the clearing dissolved into wisps of white smoke.
Naruto felt the man place a kunai to his back, "how'd you do that?" The man chuckled behind him making Naruto turn around to see the smiling scarred face of his sensei, "come on Obito-sensei how'd you do that?"
"Kage Bunshin." Obito answered.
"Can you teach me how to do that?" Naruto asked, excitement evident in his childish voice.
"Not yet, maybe when you manage to control your chakra better, because right now you are atrocious at it." Obito responded.
"It's not my fault I'm only six!" Naruto exclaimed.
"That's no excuse, Kakashi was five when he graduated." Obito countered.
"But Kakashi-niichan is a genius." Naruto whined.
"And you are the son of the Hokage." Obito responded.
Naruto folded his small arms and pouted, "but you already know that Kaa-chan and Tou-chan won't teach me until I enter the academy."
"Which is why I'm teaching you in secret. Trust me by the time you enter the academy you'll be ten times stronger than Kakashi was at that time. Maybe not as smart but definitely stronger." Obito said.
Naruto jumped up in joy, "I can't wait!" he yelled.
Obito knelt in front of Naruto, "just remember you can't tell anyone I'm training you or that you met me."
"I know that Obito-sensei." Naruto responded.
"Just making sure." Obito said before standing up, "now lets continue with your taijutsu. Get in your stance."
Naruto nodded excitedly. Even though after he was always left black and blue, but he enjoyed the fact that it would help him be the strongest kid in the academy when he joined. Thankfully Obito-sensei always heals him afterward.
Within the year since Obito-sensei has been training him he's already been able to fight at a high genin level. Well just with taijutsu, he's made some strides with chakra control but he was still abysmal at it. The only ninjutsu he was able to learn was the three basic academy jutsu. And even then it took him a bit to make a clone.
Of course, he wished to show his parents all the skills he was learning, but Obito-sensei was adamant on keeping it a secret. One time Naruto asked his mother about Obito-sensei, she only told him that he is away at the moment and one day will return home. She also told him that he took a lot after him.
Naruto got in his stance and quickly threw a punch, which his sensei dodged. A sharp pain erupted on the side of his head, as he staggered to the right.
"You are still dropping your guard every time you attack." Sensei informed.
Naruto nodded before settling into his stance once again, it was going to be a long training session.
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Sorry for such a delay in this chapter, I got incredibly busy during the holidays, and then I ended up getting sick. Thankfully it wasn't COVID but it was pneumonia so it put me away for a bit. But I feel much better.
I decided on a small three year time skip so that Obito and the Akatsuki can solidify themselves within the world and we can begin the bijuu hunt. I'm gonna have the members we see in the manga, but some of them like Deidra and Hidan are still years away so for now I'm just going to come with some OC's to fill in the ranks.
I also needed the time skip so Obito can train Naruto, which was something I've wanted to do since deciding on keeping his parents alive.
Rin still isn't completely sold on the idea that Obito is capable of terrible things, so I'll say right now soon she is going to discover what Obito is truly capable of. It's something I think is needed for her character at the moment. Because Obito is right she is still in love with who he was not who he is now, and that is something I think she needs to come to.
Anyways let me know what you guys think of the chapter, and now that the holidays and sickness have died down I hope to return to a more regular update schedule. Thanks for all the support!
