Naruto: The Tale of an Otsutsuki

White Zetsu's words initially made Obito think he was being mocked. After all, White Zetsu loved stirring up trouble and never missed an opportunity to complain loudly about anything worth nitpicking.

Given Obito's current predicament—besieged and forced to retreat by the ninja alliance—White Zetsu's sarcasm wouldn't be out of place. However, Obito quickly sensed that something was off.

White Zetsu wasn't gloating or relishing in misfortune. For once, his expression reflected genuine panic.

"He knows my strength. He should also know that this level of attack is meaningless to me," Obito thought, suppressing the urge to tear White Zetsu in half. Instead, he asked calmly, "What's wrong?"

White Zetsu, oblivious to Obito's inner frustration, replied in a panic, "Madara was defeated by Kirito not long ago. After the Edo Tensei was undone, Madara's soul completely ascended to the afterlife."

Hearing this, Obito's expression froze. White Zetsu wasn't referring to him—the imposter—but to the real "Uchiha Madara."

As Madara's designated "successor" and "executor," Obito knew just how powerful the real Madara was. He had never imagined Madara could lose, so the news was deeply unsettling.

Obito recalled his earlier encounter with Kabuto Yakushi, who had threatened him using Edo Tensei. At the time, he had feared Madara's resurrection more than Kabuto's power. Obito knew Kabuto lacked the strength to control Madara, and Madara would undoubtedly seize control of the plan. If that happened, Obito wouldn't stand a chance.

Now, learning that Madara's soul had ascended, Obito felt an unexpected sense of relief. But it was fleeting.

He quickly realized that if Madara had fallen to Kirito, his turn would come next. Worse, this war would now shift dramatically, and Obito's anxiety began to rise.

"Did he leave any instructions?" Obito asked, hoping Madara had prepared for this eventuality.

White Zetsu nodded. "He said you need to summon the Ten-Tails as soon as possible. If the plan fails, follow Black Zetsu's orders and retreat into the shadows, waiting for the next opportunity."

Hearing this, Obito's brows furrowed deeply beneath his mask.

Madara had no confidence in the plan's success. Entrusting Black Zetsu with the fallback strategy implied that Madara believed Obito might not survive.

If given the option, Obito would have preferred to disappear into hiding. But with most of the tailed beasts captured, neither he nor the Akatsuki could ever return to obscurity. Their actions had escalated too far, and the Five Great Nations would never allow them peace.

Moreover, he had already revealed the "Eye of the Moon" plan to the world. The Five Great Nations would fight to the last breath to stop it.

Even if Obito escaped now, he doubted he would live to see the day Infinite Tsukuyomi succeeded.

Thinking about the broken ninja world that had caused Rin's tragic death, Obito clenched his fists. He would destroy this wretched world with his own hands.

"I understand," Obito said coldly. "I'll focus on resurrecting the Ten-Tails. Tell the White Zetsu army to stall the Allied Forces as much as possible. Stop their reinforcements."

His gaze sharpened as he sensed the familiar chakra of the Nine Tails. Even without Naruto's presence, the Gedo Mazo could still absorb the Nine Tails' chakra.

Scanning the battlefield, Obito quickly locked onto the purple-gold-red gourd carried by Samui.

"So they sealed it? The Golden and Silver Brothers were foolish enough to be trapped by my tools. Convenient—it saves me the trouble of searching."

Obito began forming seals with his hands. "But you've delivered the Nine Tails' chakra to me on a silver platter."

The Gedo Mazo, as if sensing Obito's intentions, roared and began rampaging. Its massive fists smashed through the earth and debris meant to contain it, turning mountains of rubble into dust.

Boom! With an earth-shattering leap, the Gedo Mazo launched itself out of the pit like a rocket.

BOOM! It landed in the middle of the Allied Forces, its massive form crushing everything beneath it. The earth shook violently, and everyone's attention turned toward the monstrous beast.

Obito seized the opportunity, dashing toward Samui's position.

"Everyone, stop him!" a sharp-eyed ninja shouted as they noticed Obito's movement.

A wave of Allied ninjas rushed forward to block his path.

"Don't get in my way!" Obito growled.

He pulled the Gunbai—the iconic fan with three tomoe patterns—from his back. In his other hand, he wielded a sickle connected by a chain. With swift and brutal efficiency, he cut through the advancing ninjas.

Swish! Dodging an attack, Obito swung his sickle, striking a ninja's back and rendering him unable to fight.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" A ninja stood in his path, launching a massive fireball straight at him.

"Uchiha Reflection!"

Instead of dodging, Obito caught the fireball with his fan. The Gunbai absorbed the flames and released a violent storm, blowing away the line of Allied ninjas blocking his way.

With the path cleared, Obito pressed on, moving deeper into the Allied Forces.

"Damn it! What's he after?" Darui muttered, realizing something was off about Obito's movements.

Before Darui could act, the Gedo Mazo's massive fist slammed into the ground, forcing him to leap away.

Boom! Boom! Boom! The Gedo Mazo relentlessly targeted Darui, its speed defying its size, forcing him to stay away from Obito.

The same scene played out across the battlefield. Anyone attempting to intercept Obito found themselves crushed under the Gedo Mazo's attacks or cut down by Obito himself.

Swish! Swish! Cutting down yet another group of ninjas, Obito finally saw his target—a figure in the distance carrying the purple-gold-red gourd.

(End of Chapter)