Kai's eyes flicked towards Obito, his expression revealing nothing of what he thought of Sasuke's words. "So you've decided to manipulate the young ones with your twisted truths, Obito?"
Obito's silence finally broke as he responded, his voice a low, mocking drawl. "Twisted truths? I only revealed the reality that was hidden from him."
Kai's eyes narrowed, his voice retaining its calm, controlled timbre. "Your version of reality, perhaps."
Obito's laughter rang out, cold and devoid of humor. "And what do you know of reality, Kai? You, who have walked a path so different from the rest of us. What can you possibly understand of pain and sacrifice?"
"For once, I know you have the possession of Itachi's eyes." Kai's words were deliberate, cutting through the tension that filled the air.
Sasuke's anger flared, his eyes turning Mangekyo as the words resonated with the earlier revelations. The connection to his brother's legacy twisted like a knife in his heart. "I stole them from Danzo, so he wouldn't be able to use them." Obito's words were rushed, the attempt to explain palpable in his voice.
Sasuke's trust in Kai was immense, and his mentor's words had already swayed his judgment. Obito's explanation fell on deaf ears as he seethed with anger, his body tensed for battle.
"Sensei, let me kill him," Sasuke demanded, his voice filled with an urgency that was difficult to ignore.
Kai shook his head, his movements precise, his face betraying none of the emotions that might be surging within him. "You can't. His ability is troublesome." The words were spoken without hesitation, an undeniable truth.
Before anyone could respond, Kai's body disappeared, reappearing in an instant next to Obito. The movement was so fast, so unexpected, that Obito was too surprised to act. He turned intangible on reflex alone, a survival instinct kicking in as Kai's hand passed through where his Mangekyo Sharingan was.
Kai clicked his tongue in annoyance, but his reflexes were quick, his mind sharp. His hand, much like Obito's body, turned intangible, entering the same dimension as his body. With a swift motion, he plucked Obito's Mangekyo Sharingan from its socket.
Obito's cry of pain and shock cut through the stillness, his body writhing as Kai grabbed him, drawing him back to the dimension where Sasuke and the others were waiting. With a force that spoke of his controlled anger, Kai threw Obito to the ground like a sack of potatoes.
The thud of Obito's body hitting the ground resonated in the silence, a stark reminder of the violence that had just occurred. Sasuke's eyes widened, a mixture of awe and satisfaction in his gaze. Haku, Karin and Jugo's expressions were filled with disbelief, their eyes fixed on Obito's writhing form.
Obito's face was contorted in pain, his body shaking as he clutched at the empty socket. Blood dripped down his face, the loss of his eye a physical manifestation of his defeat.
"You think you can play with the lives of others, manipulate their emotions, and not face consequences?" Kai's voice was low, a dangerous undercurrent running through it.
Obito's laughter was weak, filled with bitterness. "You speak of consequences, yet you act as if you are above them. You think you can judge me?"
"I don't judge you, Obito. Your actions speak for themselves." Kai's response was matter-of-fact, devoid of any self-righteousness.
"You don't understand. You can't possibly understand what I've been through, what led me here." Obito's voice was desperate now, seeking validation, understanding.
Kai's expression remained unchanged, his eyes locked on Obito. "I don't need to understand your reasons to see the path you've chosen."
Obito's face twisted into a snarl, his body still wracked with pain. "You think you can defeat me, cripple me, and it will change anything? You're a fool, Kai. You know nothing of my plans, my vision."
Kai's response was measured, his words carefully chosen. "Your vision led you here, Obito. Defeated, broken."
Silence settled once more, the weight of Kai's words hanging heavy in the air. Obito's breathing was ragged, his body trembling as he struggled to comprehend the reality of his situation.
Sasuke's voice broke the silence, his tone filled with determination. "Sensei, what do we do with him now?"
Kai turned to Sasuke, his gaze steady. "We will take him back. He has information we need."
Sasuke nodded, accepting Kai's decision without question. The bond of trust between them was unbreakable, their shared understanding transcending mere words.
Holding onto them, Kai teleported Sasuke, Karin, Haku, Jugo, and Obito to Konoha, the prison he once healed Anko. With a forceful gesture, he threw Obito to a bed at the side, and seals manifested from thin air. They covered Obito's body, stopping him from even lifting a finger.
"Wait here," Kai commanded. His words were brief, but his meaning was clear.
The others nodded. Sasuke sat nearby, his gaze fixed on Obito. His anger was palpable, his hatred seeping into the very air. Karin, Haku, and Jugo sat near him, their presence a silent support.
Kai's absence was brief, and he soon returned with two figures: Tsunade and Kakashi. As the Fifth Hokage and Kai's lover, Tsunade deserved to know the truth, and Kakashi, as Obito's childhood friend, deserved to know as well.
"Obito, is this really you?" Kakashi asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and shock. The sight of his old friend's face, marred by blood and anger, was almost too much to take in. The man he had once fought beside, laughed with, now stared at him with hatred in his eyes.
"Yes, Kakashi, it's me. The very same Obito Uchiha you left for dead," Obito sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.
Kakashi staggered back a step, his body trembling. "Why? Why didn't you come to find me? Why are you part of Akatsuki?" The questions tumbled out of him, each one a plea for understanding.
Obito's laugh was a harsh, bitter sound. "Find you? The person who killed Rin? Oh yes, I saw it with my eye. You killed Rin."
"I— I tried to—" Kakashi's voice faltered, his face pale.
"I know she was sealed with Three Tails and was a ticking bomb to be sent to Konoha," Obito cut him off, his words like daggers. "I know she asked you to kill her. I know all of that, but what difference does it make? Didn't you fail her?"
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