What does it look like when a mastermind is finally exposed, stripped of all disguises, and left standing naked before everyone's gaze?
One only needed to look at the reactions of the Akatsuki's core members to find the answer.
While there were flickers of anger and frustration, the prevailing emotions were mockery and a burning desire for vengeance. After all, with the exception of Deidara, that eccentric jokester obsessed with the "Art of an Explosion," every one of them had tasted the bitterness, pain, and betrayal the world had to offer.
Despite their varying reasons for joining the organization, they shared a subconscious consensus: they would never allow the world they lived in to be drained of its energy and turned into a barren wasteland.
Seeing the expressions on their faces, Nagato couldn't help but reveal a satisfied smile. "Very good! It seems you have all made your choice. Only by remaining united can Akatsuki achieve its grand ambition. Now, let us begin aiding the Resistance and show those Great Nations what we are made of."
"Leader! Before that, I believe we should confirm Itachi's stance. Don't forget, he is a spy for Konoha," Sasori reminded him meaningfully.
"Don't worry, I am no longer that man. My only wish now is to ensure Sasuke survives this great war and lives a life of eternal happiness," Itachi Uchiha stated his position in a flat, indifferent tone.
With the deaths of the Third Hokage and Danzo, the only ones left who knew of his status as a spy were the two village consultants. Unfortunately for them, he didn't trust those two old men, who always kept a hidden hand in everything they did.
Furthermore, the current state of the Shinobi world was undergoing an unprecedented and violent upheaval. It was entirely possible that the Hidden Villages would soon exit the stage of history, becoming as obsolete as the Samurai once were.
This meant that the Akatsuki and Allen represented the inevitable trend of the era.
Just as he had once chosen to kill his parents and destroy his clan to preserve Konoha, Itachi now chose to abandon Konoha to support the rising Resistance that was squeezing the living space of the Shinobi.
"Heh, Itachi really is a 'good' big brother. Pity that Sasuke will never forgive the choice you made back then, especially the part where you killed your own parents with your own hands," Deidara mocked with a venomous, sarcastic tone.
But Itachi clearly no longer cared about external opinions. His face remained as calm as if he hadn't heard a word.
Seeing that the core members were on the verge of internal strife again, Nagato stepped in to stop it. "Enough! We are all in the same boat now; there is no need to trade barbs. Everyone, move out according to the plan. Let us contribute what we can to this world during the final darkness before the dawn."
As the last word left his lips, Sasori, Deidara, Kisame, Itachi, and Kakuzu immediately turned and departed from Amegakure. They headed for their pre-assigned locations to begin sniping the suppression forces sent by the Great Nations.
Watching Nagato smile for the first time in ages, Konan couldn't help but ask, "Have you truly decided?"
"Yes. Since the tragedies of our early lives were orchestrated by Madara Uchiha and Black Zetsu, I will use the final power of these eyes to show them what's what. Remember, if I die, take the remaining members and the Akatsuki's funds and seek out Allen," Nagato instructed with great solemnity.
Konan nodded gently. "Understood. But be careful. Even though Obito is on our side now, I can feel that Black Zetsu doesn't trust him."
Nagato smiled dismissively. "Don't worry. This time, I am not fighting alone. I have an ally who knows the truth just as well as I do and possesses sufficient strength. Oh, I almost forgot, send a few people to the Land of Iron to find the finest swordsmiths there. Allen said he wants to forge a weapon capable of slaying gods."
…
Meanwhile, Allen, who had just crossed the vast desert of the Land of Wind and entered the Land of Fire, happened to cross paths with Obito, who had come to deliver information.
The moment they met, Allen unceremoniously reached out his hand and said, "Give me your other Kamui Sharingan."
"Now?" A look of hesitation appeared on Obito's face.
"Yes! Now!" Allen left no room for negotiation.
Resigned, Obito gritted his teeth, plucked the eye from his socket, and handed it over with a look of reluctant resignation. Allen took it and tossed it directly to the Red Dragon.
Once the pair of Kamui Mangekyō were fully consumed and analyzed, the pattern in Allen's own eyes shifted once more. He had completely acquired that bizarre spatial manipulation ability.
"Interesting! Is this the limit of what Yin Release can achieve using spiritual energy? But why must it manifest in the eyes? Because that organ is closest to the brain?" Allen rubbed his chin, instantly firing off a series of questions.
According to the explanation of Yin-Yang Release, Yin Release is the process of creating something from nothing, while Yang Release is the act of breathing life into that creation.
This meant that compared to pure-blooded aliens who only knew how to plunder energy for use, Hagoromo, the Sage of the Six Paths, had clearly broken the boundaries of life and death, reaching a higher level of creating life. He had even achieved a degree of immortality himself.
Therefore, the Sharingan, the pinnacle of Yin Release, didn't necessarily have to rely entirely on physical eyes.
Thinking of this, Allen immediately drew a massive amount of life energy from the Red Dragon. Combining Yin and Yang Release, he created a pair of crimson Mangekyō Sharingan in the palm of his hand within minutes. Furthermore, the tomoe pattern was an exact replica of the Kamui Mangekyō.
Obito, seeing this through the three-tomoe Sharingan transplanted into his socket, was so shocked he couldn't speak. He couldn't believe this guy could create a Mangekyō Sharingan out of thin air.
No! Not just a Mangekyō! It was an Eternal Mangekyō! And based on the familiarity of the Yin Release chakra within them, they were identical to the eyes he had just lost.
"You... how did you do that?" Obito asked, his voice trembling slightly.
"It's simple. Yin-Yang Release, plus a bit of mastery over life. Take them and swap them in. I look forward to your performance in the final battle," Allen replied with a half-smile.
With the assistance of Karin's medical ninjutsu, Obito soon finished the transplant. Feeling the incredibly abundant ocular power, a ferocious expression crossed his face. He said through gritted teeth, "With this power! Madara! Black Zetsu! I swear I will make you pay for everything you've done!"
"Good luck. Remember to get me a few White Zetsu. I plan to use them as sacrifices to Reanimate a few people," Allen ordered casually.
"Who do you plan to Reanimate?" Obito asked, looking up with curiosity.
Allen answered directly: "A few powerhouses from the Uzumaki Clan. I've been quite interested in Sealing Jutsu lately and plan to learn a thing or two from them."
"I see. Give me a few days. Before that, I must put on a show to make Black Zetsu believe you've been deceived by me." Obito curled his lips into a mocking smile.
"Oh? What do you plan to do?"
"I will describe you as a man obsessed with the power of the Tailed Beasts, someone desperately eager to resurrect the strongest Tailed Beast of legend: the Ten-Tails!"
"Hahahaha! What a brilliant idea! That way, Black Zetsu will treat me as nothing more than a tool to help him gather the Tailed Beasts."
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