Whoosh!
A spatial vortex swirled, and Obito appeared alongside Tobi atop a towering mountain outside Amegakure (Hidden Rain Village).
During his time in hiding, Obito had used Sasuke's severed arm, along with Tobirama's forbidden techniques, to transform himself into Sasuke Uchiha's blood brother.
Moreover, he transplanted the eyes of Sasuke's father, Fugaku Uchiha, which he had collected on the night of the Uchiha massacre, thereby awakening the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
Tobi asked, "Shall we strike immediately?"
Obito replied cautiously, "No. After the lessons of the past two failures, I understand how unpredictable he can be. First, I need to assess Naruto Uzumaki's current strength."
Obito partially covered his left eye with his hand, peering through the gaps between his fingers at Amegakure's southern district, where towers rose like a forest. His pupil zoomed in.
The telescope technique was an auxiliary ability that could only be activated with a specific ocular jutsu.
With this ability, Obito could even see the pores on someone's face from several kilometers away.
Soon, he spotted Naruto walking in the rain, accompanied by Konan.
Obito was taken aback. "Oh? So that's Naruto now? Both eyes replaced with the Sharingan, and one pair of Rinnegan transplanted into his hands—clearly Orochimaru's handiwork. But it can't be just that..."
Zzz!
His left eye glowed with a crimson light.
Great Debate of Battle!
This was originally the ocular jutsu of Fugaku Uchiha's left eye. It allowed the user to record the target's chakra, techniques, combat intelligence, and hidden capabilities—all combat-related attributes at that specific moment.
The data would then be stored in the eye's "database," which could be accessed at any time for simulated battles in the mental battlefield created by Great Debate of Battle.
After recording the data, Obito closed his eye.
Click!
Ten minutes later, Obito opened his eyes again.
He clenched his fists involuntarily, cold sweat dripping from his face.
Tobi asked, "How did it go?"
Calming himself, Obito released his fists and replied gravely, "I simulated 100 battles, and I lost every single one. Naruto's current strength is on a completely different level—he might even surpass Madara at his prime."
Tobi's expression turned grim. "Has he become that formidable?"
Obito's tone shifted. "However, I now understand Naruto's ninjutsu, secret techniques, strategies, and combo moves. Give me just one day to conduct targeted simulations, and I'll find a way to defeat him!"
"Let's go. By this time tomorrow, it will be the day of reckoning between me and Naruto!"
Whoosh!
They disappeared into the spatial vortex.
Meanwhile, Naruto and Konan arrived at a secluded training dojo.
The dojo had been specifically built by Naruto for training purposes, protected by a strong barrier to ensure its durability.
Click!
Naruto approached a large wooden pillar and tore off the sealing talisman attached to it.
Whoosh!
A second Naruto appeared opposite the pillar.
Mirror Striker Technique!
When the [Sealed] talisman is removed, it creates a duplicate of the person who removed it, identical in appearance and abilities. The duplicate immediately launches an attack, and its abilities remain constant.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Naruto engaged in a fierce battle with his perfect replica.
Watching from the sidelines to prevent any accidents, Konan couldn't hide her astonishment. "This is a technique Pain used to stall powerful enemies, but I never thought Naruto would use it for training."
Currently, Naruto's strength had reached a level where few in the ninja world could rival him.
Yet, he never let his sense of crisis fade.
He had set a goal for himself:
Every day, he must defeat the version of himself from that same day.
To Naruto, defeating yesterday's self was a given.
But to defeat the self of the same day—that was the true measure of progress.
Thus, he chose the Mirror Striker Technique.
This was Naruto Uzumaki's version of the Great Debate of Battle.
The next evening, after finishing his training, Naruto sat in his study, flipping through scrolls.
Konan entered with a serious expression. "Violet has been taken."
Naruto put down the scroll.
Konan placed a blank scroll on the table. "This was left at the scene of her disappearance. Can you decipher its meaning?"
Naruto unrolled the scroll. Indeed, it was blank. But as his eyes shifted into the Mangekyō Sharingan, words appeared:
"Come to Kannabi Bridge and face me in battle. No shadow clones to scout ahead, or this woman dies. Signed, Obito Uchiha."
Click!
Closing the scroll, Naruto stood up and donned his flame-patterned cloak. "Konan-nee, I'm heading out."
Konan frowned. "Obito Uchiha? Then Violet is likely already..."
Naruto interrupted confidently, "No, Obito wouldn't kill Violet yet. This is just a ploy to lure me out."
Konan warned, "Then it's definitely a trap!"
Naruto replied, "Violet is one of my important subordinates. Even if it's a trap, I have to go. Otherwise, how could I command respect?"
Konan insisted, "Then let me go with you! He only said no shadow clones; he didn't say you couldn't bring someone else."
Naruto shook his head. "Not a good idea. Obito must have gained new powers during his time in hiding. Until I figure out what those are, I can't let you take the risk, Konan-nee."
Konan's expression darkened.
Naruto reassured her with a smile. "Don't worry, Konan-nee. I'm not fighting alone."
Whoosh!
Golden chakra flared around Naruto, and he extended his fist.
Understanding his intent, Konan bumped fists with him.
Tap!
The scene shifted, and Konan found herself in Naruto's mental world, facing a red-haired woman.
Konan was startled. "You... you're!?"
The woman greeted her warmly. "Konan, right? I'm Naruto's mom, Kushina Uzumaki! I've been watching how well you've taken care of my son. Don't worry—I'll be monitoring the fight alongside him!"
Konan relaxed slightly. "I see. Thank you, Kushina-sama. And please excuse my appearance; I wasn't prepared to meet you."
Kushina chuckled. "No need to worry—you're such a beautiful and kind girl, just like me! So, how about joining Hinata as one of my daughters-in-law?"
Konan immediately panicked.
Naruto groaned, "Mom! Stop embarrassing Konan-nee! You're making this awkward. Besides, one-man-one-wife is the tradition of the ninja world!"
Kushina laughed mischievously. "One-man-one-wife? Sure—one husband, one wife. No problem there!"
Naruto retorted, "Then let Dad have a one-man-one-wife deal too!"
Kushina instantly switched to double standards. "What nonsense! Minato doesn't get that privilege!"
Naruto sighed in exasperation and turned back to Konan. "Sorry, Konan-nee. My mom's just like that."
Konan smiled gently. "It's fine. Kushina-sama is truly a delightful person."
The lighthearted moment passed.
Naruto lowered his fist and declared confidently, "I'm heading out now, Konan-nee!"
Konan watched him with deep concern. "Go, and come back soon!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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