Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 149: Hagoromo Gengetsu Reunites with "Uchiha Madara"

"Itachi, this is the first time I've seen you in such a miserable state."

As space distorted, Uchiha Obito, dressed in an Akatsuki robe and wearing an orange spiral mask, suddenly appeared beside Uchiha Itachi. He narrowed his eyes at the sight of Itachi's disheveled appearance and greeted him.

Itachi stopped the transference seal, coughed heavily, and asked expressionlessly, "What are you doing here?"

"That's a question I should be asking you. The Akatsuki strictly prohibits members from acting alone. If I hadn't painstakingly found you, your end would have been quite dire." Obito said lightly.

In fact, when Itachi learned about Sasuke's latest situation, Obito, who knew Itachi well, was very clear that Itachi would definitely go to find Sasuke.

Obito, who also wanted to gauge Hagoromo Gengetsu's strength through Itachi, did not stop him. He even dispatched White Zetsu to follow Itachi and relay information back.

However, Obito overlooked one point: having stayed in the Akatsuki for so long, Itachi had learned much about White Zetsu's abilities. By deliberately hiding his tracks, even White Zetsu could only follow him vaguely after a long time.

This caused Obito to arrive a bit late.

Fortunately, he still made it in time.

Seeing the usually formidable Uchiha Itachi now so weak, Obito turned his head to look at Hagoromo Gengetsu. The latter stood casually, as if watching a passerby, without any sign of surprise or seriousness.

Obito's pupils narrowed slightly behind his spiral mask.

'So this is the man who was said to rival Uchiha Madara back in the day?'

Although Obito considered himself to be "Uchiha Madara" in the current ninja world, he knew very well the gap between himself and the real Madara.

Even when Madara was on the verge of death, his body aged and relying on the Gedo Statue to sustain life, his every move still exuded an aura that Obito could never forget.

If Madara was like that at the brink of death, one could only imagine Hagoromo Gengetsu in his prime.

'Indeed, the legends were true!'

With Itachi, who possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan and wielded legendary artifacts like the Totsuka Blade and Yata Mirror, defeated so badly, while Gengetsu appeared unscathed, even the slightest bit of his attire not damaged.

Despite having Kamui at his disposal, Obito couldn't help but remain highly vigilant.

"Let's get you out of here first."

Obito placed a hand on Itachi's shoulder, and the spiral power of Kamui from his right eye began to absorb Itachi into the Kamui space.

Despite his wariness of Itachi, Obito recognized his potential as an asset in capturing the tailed beasts, especially given his Mangekyō Sharingan.

Moreover, Obito had not forgotten about Itachi's younger brother.

He had long coveted the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.

Although Sasuke was allied with Gengetsu, Obito believed he could turn Sasuke into a sharp blade for his own use, knowing the full truth about Itachi, Konoha's upper echelons, and the Uchiha massacre.

Therefore, Itachi couldn't die yet.

Knowing his current condition, Itachi did not resist Kamui.

If possible, he wanted to spend his final moments with Sasuke.

As for the reunion of Gengetsu and "Uchiha Madara," knowing the truth about "Madara," Itachi was no longer interested.

In an instant, Itachi vanished.

Obito breathed a sigh of relief.

    

He had expected Gengetsu to intervene, but surprisingly, there was no reaction from the latter.

What's going on?

At the same time.

Gengetsu watched Itachi disappear into the Kamui space without any reaction.

Itachi was crucial for Sasuke to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.

He would not overstep his bounds.

He had no objections to Obito's intervention.

Now, only the two of them remained on the battlefield.

The ominous flames of Amaterasu continued to burn everything they touched.

Without immediately revealing Obito's identity, Gengetsu said blandly, "Another Uchiha?"

Unlike with others, Obito did not dare to call himself Uchiha Madara this time.

After all, the person in front of him had dealt with the real Madara numerous times.

"No wonder you are said to be on par with the gods. Tobi of the Akatsuki, at your service, Elder Gengetsu." Obito introduced himself.

"One after another, the Akatsuki members come. Are you planning to declare war on me?" Gengetsu asked casually as he dusted off his clothes.

"Of course not. Everything just now was solely Itachi's personal actions."

Obito realized he was facing a relic from the Warring States period, with possibly even greater knowledge, so he further explained, showing his sincerity:

  "Itachi wanted to take Sasuke's eyes. Only by merging the Mangekyō Sharingan of siblings can it evolve to a higher level."

As expected, Gengetsu nodded without surprise and said, "Like Madara and Izuna."

Only the order was reversed.

In the past, it was the younger brother Izuna who completed Madara.

And in the future, it could be predicted that the older brother Itachi would complete Sasuke.

"Izuna? Madara?"

Obito was taken aback.

He realized he had heard a big secret.

Madara had never shared the details of his brother Izuna with Obito, only mentioning the evolution of the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.

"No wonder Madara knew so much. Did he murder his brother to get his Mangekyō Sharingan?"

Unaware of the specifics from the Warring States period, Obito found this theory fitting with Madara's long-term schemes and actions.

No matter, Madara was dead.

Though he had agreed to revive him, Obito never intended to follow through.

Turning back to Gengetsu, Obito sincerely stated, "Itachi's actions do not reflect the Akatsuki's will. The Akatsuki is not your enemy, Elder Gengetsu. On the contrary, with the five great ninja villages as our common enemy, the Akatsuki can be your ally, even part of your own force!"

With a sudden flash of inspiration, Obito extended an invitation:

"Elder Gengetsu, are you interested in joining the Akatsuki?"