"When?"
"When did Jie Uchiha get behind me?"
Obito suddenly remembered the way Jie had moved when he killed Asura Path Pain, and understanding dawned in his eye.
"So he even learned Flying Thunder God?"
Obito finally understood.
"He marked me when he patted my shoulder earlier."
A bitter smile crossed Obito's face. Then blood surged up his throat, and he staggered two steps forward, pulling himself free of the black rod before collapsing to the ground and slowly going still.
Nagato and Konan fell silent.
The mastermind who had pretended to be Tobi and used Uchiha Madara's name had died right in front of them, just like that. If not for Jiraiya, the two of them might have ended up the same way.
Jie casually flicked the blood off the black rod and sealed it into a scroll.
This thing was actually pretty useful. The chakra black rods Nagato created with the Rinnegan and Yin-Yang Release could control puppets from a distance, interfere with chakra flow, and restrict a person's movements after stabbing them.
It was even more valuable than the ninja sword Jie had once paid two hundred million ryo for. With some modifications, it could definitely become a powerful weapon.
Jie glanced at Obito's body, disdain flickering in his eyes. He had seen plenty of tricks like this. He had even used them himself.
If Obito managed to escape today, Jie might as well stop calling himself an Uchiha.
Ignoring Obito, Jie walked over to Nagato and Konan.
"You should have a clear idea of my strength by now. I believe both of you are smart. Once you return to Konoha, you should know what to do."
He paused slightly, then added, "After all, Jiraiya's name only buys you this one chance."
Nagato and Konan were silent for a moment, then nodded.
Jie had already shown them mercy by letting them live. Nagato also realized that Jie's current strength was enough to suppress the entire Ninja World.
To him, that was no different from the ultimate weapon he had once wanted to create. If Jie could force the Ninja World into peace, then Nagato had no reason to refuse.
As for Konan, she would follow Nagato wherever he went. Yahiko was already dead; she could not lose Nagato too.
Just then, Nagato asked, "What exactly is the deal with Obito Uchiha and Black Zetsu? Why did Black Zetsu say these Rinnegan were left behind by Uchiha Madara?"
Jie had exposed Obito's identity the moment they met, and he clearly knew plenty about Black Zetsu as well.
After hearing the question, Jie paused, then glanced at Obito's body and sneered.
It was about time to reveal the truth. Since Obito was still there, Jie might as well let him hear it too. Letting him die without understanding anything would be a waste.
Jie coughed lightly and began.
"It's a long story. A long time ago, there was a powerful Tailed Beast in the Ninja World called the Ten-Tails. That was the Gedo Statue's original form."
"The Ten-Tails once brought disaster to the Ninja World. After the Sage of Six Paths sealed it inside himself, he used Yin-Yang Release to separate its chakra and created the nine Tailed Beasts. The empty shell became the Gedo Statue you see now."
"And Akatsuki's goal was to recreate the Ten-Tails and use its power."
Kaguya Otsutsuki was still too far removed from all this. Besides, Jie could not be sure Black Zetsu had really left, so he kept the Ten-Tails explanation brief.
Nagato nodded. Jie really did know Akatsuki's goal.
Jie looked at him with a little sympathy. The next part would be harder to accept.
"Unfortunately, Akatsuki's plan was part of someone else's plan from the very beginning."
Nagato's eyes widened.
"There was one thing Obito said that was true. From the beginning, Akatsuki had been in his and Black Zetsu's hands."
"You thought you were its leader, but you were only a pawn. Akatsuki's plan was always part of the Eye of the Moon Plan."
"The Eye of the Moon Plan?" Nagato murmured.
"Reviving the Ten-Tails is only the first step. The real goal is to become its Jinchuriki and gain the power once held by the Sage of Six Paths."
"Then, using the moon, that person would cast the most powerful genjutsu over the entire Ninja World and trap everyone inside an illusion."
"And when that time came, a certain idiot would finally realize he had been used all along."
Jie glanced at Obito's body.
"He sure can play dead."
Izanagi only lasted a minute, so Obito had already revived. After that, he quietly pretended to be a corpse, even hiding his heartbeat and breathing.
Unfortunately for him, everyone present had special ways to sense things. Trying to fool Jie's Mangekyō Sharingan and Nagato's Rinnegan with a trick like that was just stupid.
But Jie did not expose him right away. This explanation was for Nagato, and also for Obito.
He wanted Obito to die knowing the truth. That way, if Obito still felt wronged, he could go find Madara in the afterlife himself.
With that thought, Jie turned back to Nagato and continued.
"As for the Rinnegan, they really weren't something you were born with. Uchiha Madara transplanted them into you."
"Not the fake lying over there."
"The real Uchiha Madara."
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