Chapter 268: Extortion


    Chapter 268: Extortion


    The battlefield was filled with smoke and chaos.


    Kakuzu, now in his Jiongu mode with only two lives remaining, and Hidan, missing an arm, stood battered on one side, staring intently at the man in the same Akatsuki cloak standing across from them.


    "Tobi! You''ve been hiding your true strength all along!" Hidan snarled through gritted teeth.


    He knew Tobi well. Tobi had joined the Akatsuki before him but had always been considered a mere backup member due to his supposed lack of strength.


    But now, it was clear. As full members, both he and Kakuzu had almost been defeated by Tobi. How could that be considered weak?


    "Space-time ninjutsu!" Kakuzu, ever observant, identified Tobi''s technique with a serious expression. "I never expected there''d be someone like you in the organization. It seems we all underestimated you."


    "You were the only ones who were in the dark," replied Uchiha Obito, standing unscathed. "Pain is fully aware of my presence."


    "After all, it was I who truly established the Akatsuki. I am its real leader."


    "What??" Kakuzu and Hidan''s faces changed, shocked by the revelation.


    Tobi was the true leader of the Akatsuki?


    Obito smirked coldly, "Now, what should I do with you two traitors? Tell me, what should I do?"


    Kakuzu and Hidan had no time to think. They braced themselves for another fight.


    Unexpectedly, Obito didn''t attack again. Instead, he looked at them calmly and said, "Considering the contributions you''ve made to the organization, I''ll give you a chance to live."


    "Go and tell Hagoromo Gengetsu that if he wants the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, he must meet with me. He''ll know where."


    "If not, he''ll never get the Two-Tails."


    With that, Obito left the rendezvous point. He grabbed the unconscious Two-Tails Jinchuriki, used his spiraling space-time jutsu, and vanished.


    Seeing this, Kakuzu and Hidan breathed a sigh of relief.


    But if he couldn''t solve the problem, he''d solve the person causing it.


    Hagoromo Gengetsu took out a container holding Obito''s other Mangekyo Sharingan.


    Perfect. He had a surprise for Obito too.


    Let''s see who would be more "moved" by the surprise.


    The rain poured down on the ruins of Mount Myoboku after Hagoromo Gengetsu left, washing away the smoke and debris. Over time, the rainwater began to accumulate in the large crater.


    If this heavy rain continued for two or three more days, Mount Myoboku''s ruins might give birth to a large lake.


    Returning with the remaining toads, Fukasaku and Shima hoped this wouldn''t happen.


    If it did, the last traces of Mount Myoboku would be gone.


    "The Great Toad Sage is gone. And Naruto too," Shima said sadly after examining the site.


    Fukasaku sighed deeply, preparing to comfort everyone.


    The scroll-bodied Toad Gamatora stepped forward with a serious expression, "The Great Toad Sage is gone. According to his wishes, it''s time for me to complete my mission."


    He spat out a scroll and handed it to Fukasaku, "The Great Toad Sage instructed me to give this to you."


    "The Great Toad Sage..."


    Opening it, Fukasaku found it was indeed from the Great Toad Sage.


    The sage had written instructions for Fukasaku to lead the remaining toads to a new home, to never seek revenge, and to remain neutral, never interfering in human affairs again.


    The last instruction emphasized neutrality, a lesson learned from the Great Toad Sage''s ultimate sacrifice.


    "I understand, Great Toad Sage," Fukasaku nodded solemnly. He led the remaining toads to their new home, leaving the world of shinobi behind.


    Toad Gamatora did not follow.


    "I have another task to deliver a scroll to Konoha," he explained, then quickly set off.