Naruto: Uchiha is not Raikage!

Unfortunately, progress has been slow and extremely difficult.

Madara Uchiha was extremely cautious, leaving almost no substantial physical traces. His chakra also seemed to have undergone some special processing or concealment, making it difficult to track and locate using conventional methods.

The remnants of those spacetime fluctuations are also fleeting and difficult to discern patterns.

However, thanks to the Rinnegan's powerful sensory abilities and Pain's all-encompassing surveillance, Nagato gradually pieced together some unsettling outlines:

Madara Uchiha's activities within the organization were not entirely continuous; there were some brief and inexplicable "gap periods" that did not completely coincide with the known timelines for gathering information on the tailed beasts or peripheral missions.

These discoveries deepened Nagato's suspicions.

"Is he really Madara Uchiha?"

In the secret chamber where his main body was located, Nagato's body, which had become stronger after the transplantation of "Hashirama cells", leaned slightly forward, and the ripples in his "Rinnegan" contracted slightly.

"Or is it... just an imposter who stole the name and power, with personal motives, trying to use me and 'Akatsuki'?"

He decided to intensify his investigation and began to consciously adjust some non-core details of the plan to test "Ban's" reaction.

At the same time, he also strictly controlled the process of collecting the "Gedo Mazo" and the tailed beast chakra, ensuring that core control was firmly in his own hands.

Now we can all make cakes together and even collaborate.

Once the plan is truly completed, when it's time to divide the spoils, it will also be time to go our separate ways.

Nagato knew that neither he nor Madara Uchiha were prepared to relinquish all the rights to the Tailed Beasts.

They are bound to have a battle.

Of course, before that, they had to deal with their common enemy, Uchiha Kiyoshi.

Nagato suddenly felt he had to thank Uchiha Kiyoshi. If it weren't for someone like Uchiha Kiyoshi, his cooperation with "Uchiha Madara" and the others wouldn't have been so close.

Everyone was unusually determined to kill Uchiha Kiyoshi!

……

Almost at the same time, in a secluded place.

Wearing a vortex mask, Obito Uchiha, now identified as Madara Uchiha, had just finished a remote intelligence exchange with White Zetsu.

White Zetsu spore clones seeped from the ground, bringing some seemingly trivial information:

"Hey Obito, Pain's 'little animals' seem to be a bit active lately, wandering around in some strange places... They haven't gotten close to any key areas, but I'm still a little worried about them."

Black Zetsu's hoarse voice followed, carrying a chilling tone:

“It’s not just summoning beasts… The selection of interrogation subjects in the Hell Path seems to have involved some unnecessary background investigations. Nagato… he’s starting to get curious.”

Obito's single Sharingan, visible behind the hole in his mask, narrowed slightly, a crimson light swirling within it.

He was silent for a moment, then his voice came through the mask, still that deep, weathered tone of "Ban," but if you listened carefully, you could detect a suppressed coldness:
"Oh? You noticed something was off... As expected of someone chosen by Madara, even if you're just a self-righteous pawn, your keenness isn't entirely wasted."

He walked to the edge of the cave and gazed at the deep darkness below.
"The truth will eventually come out. If Nagato knows what's good for her, that's fine, but if she doesn't..."

Obito muttered to himself, as if addressing Zetsu, "Or perhaps some recent 'coincidences' have caught his attention?"

He turned around and looked at White Zetsu and Black Zetsu:
"Give him a proper warning, let him understand that some boundaries cannot be crossed, and the progress of the 'Eye of the Moon Project' cannot be allowed to fail. While he still has value to me, I don't want any unnecessary complications."

"Understood~"

Bai Jue responded easily, his body slowly sinking into the ground.

Before it completely sank in, Black Zetsu on the other side chuckled softly:
"Give him a little nudge, make him more focused on collecting the tailed beasts. We need to create a little surprise, make him feel that his investigation has attracted unnecessary trouble, or that Madara's authority is inviolable?"

"There's no need to be overly deliberate."

Obito said calmly.

"Just make him encounter a small setback the next time he tries to explore."

"learn."

Black Zetsu's voice was filled with satisfaction.

“Fear often stems from the unknown and loss of control. When he realizes that his spying behavior may lead to unpredictable consequences, or even affect Konan and Yahiko, I think he will know to restrain himself.”

Obito remained silent, simply standing there quietly.

Nagato's investigation, though slightly earlier than he had anticipated, was not entirely unexpected.

This was just a minor ripple in the process of implementing the plan.

He has enough patience and the means to bring everything back under control.

The name "Uchiha Madara" is both a shackle and a deterrent.

Nagato may have doubts, but as long as he cannot prove them, and as long as the ultimate allure of the "Eye of the Moon Project" and the interdependence of the power of the "Rinnegan" remain, he cannot cause too much trouble.

"Continue monitoring, but don't alert the enemy."

Obito gave his final instructions.

"Our focus remains on the Tailed Beasts. Also... we can't let up on intelligence gathering on Konoha, especially on that Uchiha Kiyoshi. They... will be the biggest variable in our plan."

"Yes."

White Zetsu's figure completely blended into the shadows.

…………

a few days later.

A refined place.

Otsutsuki Isshiki sat at a luxurious table, enjoying a high-quality steak.

This is not ordinary beef.

This is beef that he had specially bred for Amado, and its value far exceeds that of any other beef in the ninja world.

Only he, Otsutsuki Isshiki, could enjoy such food.

He cut the steak with elegance, his pale face and signature white eyes reflected in the silver cutlery.

"The ninja world has been quite lively lately."

Ōtsutsuki Isshiki murmured to himself, his voice echoing in the empty hall.

Several light screens made of chakra unfolded in the air in front of him, displaying intelligence from all over the ninja world.

This is also one of the technologies developed by Santu Amado.

In terms of technological level alone, Amado Sanzu is even much stronger than Orochimaru.

Uchiha Kiyoshi's activities are unusually active, and he seems to have mastered some kind of space-time ninjutsu, frequently traveling to other worlds.

The Otsutsuki clan also possessed these technologies that allowed them to traverse the world.

Even the Otsutsuki clan's treasure, the "Plow," can travel through time without any cost, going against the current.

"Is it a bit slow?"

Otsutsuki Isshiki quietly observed the intelligence report.

Shell tissue remains a very secretive entity to this day.

Then, using the technology of Amado Sanzu, he began to monitor the Akatsuki organization.

Otsutsuki Isshiki wanted to use the Akatsuki organization to stir up trouble on the surface, and then test Uchiha Kiyoshi's true strength.

Unfortunately, Akatsuki's tailed beast capture progress was 17.3% slower than expected, and leader Nagato seemed to be beginning to have doubts about "Uchiha Madara".

As a member of the Otsutsuki clan, Otsutsuki Isshiki deeply understands the importance of patience.

After being betrayed and severely injured by Kaguya Otsutsuki a thousand years ago, he chose the safest way to recover: to find a suitable "vessel" to slowly regain his strength, while establishing the Kara organization as his eyes, ears and tools.

But now, a change has occurred.

"Uchiha Kiyoshi..."

He chewed on the name while simultaneously chewing the meat in his mouth.

The screen then switched to the Land of Rain.

The Six Paths of Pain stand like sculptures atop the tower, where the rain never ceases.

"The Akatsuki's 'Eye of the Moon Project'... Infinite Tsukuyomi, dragging the entire world into a dreamlike state, then absorbing all chakra through the Divine Tree. I never expected these inferior beings to have learned this technique."

He sneered:
"Kaguya did the same thing back then, but she was sealed away by her own son."

However, Isshiki Otsutsuki had to admit that the Akatsuki organization did indeed have some value.

Their ongoing work of collecting the tailed beasts is actually to recover the scattered chakra of the "Chakra Fruits" for the Otsutsuki clan.

If it were possible to guide or even control this organization...

"However, that pawn who calls himself 'Uchiha Madara' seems to have his own thoughts as well."

The analysis retrieved all of Obito's movements after the Battle of Kannabi Bridge.

"Impersonation, driving war... Interesting."

Ōtsutsuki Isshiki stroked his chin.

Keeping the shell completely hidden is the safest option.

However, this would mean missing the opportunity to get in touch with and observe Uchiha Kiyoshi, the biggest variable.

However, if one actively contacts the Akatsuki... one can indirectly learn about Kiyoshi's movements through them.

Yishi pondered for the entire duration of the meal.

As he gracefully placed the last bite of beef into his mouth, and the life force within the meat transformed into chakra within his body, he made his decision.

Amado.

The sound wasn't loud, but a figure slowly emerged from the shadows at the edge of the hall.

He was a middle-aged man, wearing round-framed glasses and a white research robe, holding a data tablet in his hand.

His expression was calm, and his eyes revealed the composure characteristic of a scientist.

"Lord Ci Xian."

Amado bowed slightly.

"The Akatsuki organization has recently encountered a bottleneck."

Ōtsutsuki Isshiki did not turn around, but continued to look at the light screen.

"The capture of the tailed beasts is progressing slowly, a crisis of trust is emerging internally, and externally... there are variables that they cannot understand."

Amado pushed up his glasses:

"You mean Uchiha Kiyoshi?"

"Not just him. But he is the biggest unknown."

Ōtsutsuki Isshiki turned around, his Byakugan staring intently at Amado.

"I need you to make contact with the Akatsuki organization, under the name of the 'Kara' organization."

Amado's expression remained unchanged, but a series of analyses scrolled rapidly across the data panel:

"Risk level 73.5%. Pain, the leader of Akatsuki, possesses the Rinnegan and is assessed as a threat. The mysterious figure claiming to be Madara Uchiha is skilled in space-time ninjutsu and is assessed as high-risk. Direct contact could expose the organization or trigger unnecessary conflict."

"So you need to be careful."

Otsutsuki Ichishiki.

"There's no need to expose all of Shell's information. Just let them know that there's an organization that's more deeply hidden and has a longer history than them, and that this organization... is willing to cooperate in certain areas."

What is the basis for cooperation?

"Intelligence sharing and technology exchange."

Ōtsutsuki Isshiki made a finger gesture in the air, and the light screen displayed a summary of several technologies.

"We can provide solutions for optimizing the efficiency of tailed beast sealing, technology for detecting natural energy, and even... some historical data about the Otsutsuki clan."

Amado quickly took notes:

"What's the price?"

"We need all the intelligence that the Akatsuki gathered during their capture of the Tailed Beasts, and also... we need all their observation records of Uchiha Kiyoshi."

"understood."

Amado put away the data panel.

"So, who should we contact? Should we meet Payne directly, or..."

"Go see 'Uchiha Madara'."

Isshiki Ōtsutsuki's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile. "That man hiding behind the mask is more ambitious than Nagato, and understands... the value of a transaction better." Amado nodded.
"When will we leave?"

"Now."

"Remember, you represent the shell organization. There's no need to be humble or arrogant. Show the level we should have...."

Amado bowed again, then turned and left.

Ōtsutsuki Isshiki sat back down, and with a wave of his hand, a new steak appeared on the empty plate.

"The game...it's time to move to the next stage."

…………

On the border of the Land of Rain, in a desolate hilly area.

Dark clouds forever shrouded this land, and fine rain, like silk threads, tinged everything with a damp gray.

The moss that grows tenaciously in the cracks of the rocks is one of the few signs of life here.

Obito stood at the entrance of a cave.

"At this rate, we can capture all the tailed beasts within two years."

Obito was making plans in his mind.

"But the Nine-Tails... Minato Namikaze and Kushina's sealing techniques are too troublesome, and now Konoha has Kiyoshi Uchiha as a variable..."

Thinking of Kiyoshi, Obito's brows furrowed beneath his mask.

"We must speed things up."

Obito murmured.

Just as he was about to activate "Divine Might" to leave, a sudden change occurred.

It wasn't an attack, nor a trap, but rather a... sense of unease.

Obito suddenly turned around, his Sharingan instantly transforming into the Mangekyou Sharingan, and he warily scanned his surroundings.

The rain was still falling, the wind was still blowing, and the rocks and moss remained unchanged.

But his intuition told him that something, or rather, someone, was approaching.

A middle-aged man wearing a white research robe and round-framed glasses walked over from a distance, seemingly by some unknown means.

"Who are you?" Obito's voice came through the mask, deep and full of pressure.

He secretly mobilized his chakra, ready to activate "Kamui" at any moment.

Whoever it is, the ability to approach him so silently in this way signifies an extremely high threat.

Amado pushed up his glasses, his gaze calmly landing on Obito.

“You can call me Amado.”

The man's voice was steady.

"I come from the Shell organization."

Shell structure?
Obito quickly searched his memory.

Akatsuki's intelligence network covers the entire ninja world, including major ninja villages, underground black markets, and rogue ninja organizations... He had never heard of the name Kara.

"never heard of that."

Obito said coldly.

"No matter which small organization you belong to, getting close to me is your biggest mistake."

He raised his hand, intending to form hand seals to release a ninjutsu.

But Amado did not make any defensive or evasive moves; he simply raised the data panel in his hand.

"Please wait a moment, Mr. 'Uchiha Madara,' or should I call you Uchiha Obito?"

Obito froze.

The face beneath the mask instantly turned icy, and a murderous intent emanated from it as if it were a tangible presence.

"Do you know what you're talking about?"

Obito's voice was filled with undisguised killing intent.

His identity was exposed?
Who is this man?

"I know."

Amado remained calm, even swiping his finger across the data panel a few times.

"Obito Uchiha 'died' during the Kannabi Bridge mission, but was actually rescued by Madara Uchiha. After Madara's death, he inherited Madara's name and plans, operating in the shadows as 'Madara Uchiha,' and currently controls the Akatsuki organization, pushing forward the 'Eye of the Moon Project.'"

With each word he uttered, Obito's killing intent intensified.

As soon as Amado finished speaking, Obito was already preparing to launch a fatal attack.

These secrets must never be known to anyone, especially the identity of "Uchiha Obito".

But Amado's next words made him pause again.

“We have no hostility toward you, Mr. Obito. In fact, the history of the Kara organization is much longer than you think. Our founders were observing when the Sage of Six Paths founded Ninjashu.”

Amado clicked on the data panel, and a holographic projection unfolded in the air.

The projection displays a complex organizational chart with branches all over the world.

"The mission of Shell is to change the world and advance humanity through technology."

Obito stared at the projection, his Mangekyou Sharingan rapidly analyzing the information within.

Forged?

No, the details of those historical events were too precise; some of them were even unknown to him.

The technological level displayed by those technical diagrams far exceeds the current ninja world's understanding.

If the extent of influence shown by those resource distribution maps truly exists, then the organization's stealth and strength are terrifying.

"What do you want to say?"

Obito remained vigilant, but temporarily suppressed his intention to attack.

"We have noticed an interesting change in the ninja world recently."

Amado switched the projection to display Kiyoshi's image.

Obito remained silent, processing this information.

The Shell Organization... is more deeply hidden, has a longer history, and is more technologically advanced than Akatsuki.

Their attention to Kiyoshi shows that the man is indeed a threat that needs to be taken seriously.

"So you came to me wanting to cooperate in dealing with Uchiha Kiyoshi?"

Obito probed the way.

"not quite."

Amado shook his head.

"The Kara organization does not directly participate in worldly conflicts. What we provide is... limited support in terms of information and technology. In exchange, we need the intelligence that the Akatsuki organization collected during the capture of the tailed beasts, as well as their observation records of Uchiha Kiyoshi."

"Limited support?"

Obito caught this keyword.

Amado nodded and then manipulated the data panel a few more times:
"We can provide a solution to optimize the sealing efficiency of the Tailed Beasts, and we can also provide... information about the Otsutsuki clan."

"Otsutsuki?"

Obito was startled.

He had indeed heard the name from Madara Uchiha, but the information was very limited.

Obito was deep in thought.

A mysterious organization that suddenly appeared possesses technology far ahead of its time, knows countless secrets, and even understands beings like the Otsutsuki.

But there's no such thing as a free lunch.

"How do I know this isn't a trap? Or are you sent by Uchiha Kiyoshi to test me?"

Obito said.

Amado pushed up his glasses:

"You can verify it."

He tossed Obito a metal device about the size of a thumb.

Obito carefully wrapped his hand in chakra and took the device.

It was an exquisite cube with a smooth, mirror-like surface, without any interfaces or buttons.

"This is a portable chakra analyzer."

Amado explained, "It can monitor chakra fluctuations within a five-kilometer radius in real time. You can use it to verify our technological level, which far exceeds that of Konoha."

Obito infused a wisp of chakra, and the cube immediately levitated, projecting complex data streams and three-dimensional maps.

The level of technology involved is indeed beyond the capabilities of any force in the current ninja world.

"This is just a small gift."

Amado said.

In fact, the technological level of the Kara organization should not have been so advanced. It was only later that Otsutsuki Isshiki felt threatened by Kiyoshi, which made everyone work desperately on research and development.

Therefore, the level of technology has experienced explosive growth.

"If you are willing to establish an initial cooperative relationship, we can offer more substantial things. Of course, all of this is on a voluntary basis. Shell never forces cooperation."

Obito stared at the cube, then looked at Amado.

This man who suddenly appeared, this organization that suddenly appeared, disrupted his rhythm.

However, the information and strength displayed by the other party made it impossible for him to simply regard them as an enemy or ignore them.

Most importantly, if the Shell organization truly possesses the technology and intelligence accumulated over a thousand years, as they claim, then contacting them might accelerate the "Eye of the Moon Project" and better address the variable of Kiyoshi.

"I need time to think about it."

Obito finally said.

"of course."

Amado nodded slightly.

"This communicator is for you. You can use it to contact me when you make a decision."

He tossed another small device to Obito, then took a step back.

"One last reminder, Mr. Obito."

Amado looked back one last time before leaving.

“Nagato has already begun to suspect you. The existence of the Kara organization might be a reasonable excuse for you to divert his attention.”

The portal is closed.

Only Obito remained on the wasteland, the drizzle continued, as if nothing had ever happened.

But the two devices in his hands, and the explosive information in his mind, all told him that there was another unseen player on the chessboard of the ninja world.

Obito stood there for a long time, his expression behind the mask complex and difficult to decipher.

Finally, he put away the two devices, activated his divine power, and his figure disappeared into the spiral-shaped spatial vortex.

He needs to think carefully about what kind of changes this unexpected meeting will bring.

…………

The Land of Whirlpools, a cliff overlooking the sea.

Kiyoshi stood on the edge of the cliff, the sea breeze ruffling his robes.

Mito Uzumaki stood slightly behind him, her red hair fluttering in the wind.

She held a thick stack of scrolls and blueprints in her hands, the results of their discussion over the past two days regarding the sealing technique.

Kiyoshi shared some of his plans with Mito Uzumaki and asked for her help. (End of Chapter)