Konoha: Naruto's abnormal life choices

Uchiha Obito's plan was executed with both precision and speed.

While Naruto and Yugito were still on the road, Obito had already intercepted Killer Bee, isolating him from the group and setting a trap.

Zetsu stood atop a tree nearby, his vigilant gaze scanning the surroundings. If anyone else approached, he would immediately alert Obito.

"You're not wearing a forehead protector. You're clearly not from Konoha. Who are you, and why are you targeting Kumogakure?" Killer Bee asked with a deep frown.

He was thoroughly confused by the identity of the masked man before him. If this stranger were from Konoha, there would be no need to hide his face—he would just attack openly. But if he wasn't, why go after Kumogakure?

At this point in the war, the other major villages should have been supporting Kumogakure, urging them to continue their conflict with Konoha to weaken both sides and reap the benefits.

Which ruled out the other villages.

So why would someone unaffiliated with the Five Great Shinobi Nations step into such a dangerous situation?

Did they not understand that even a weakened Kumogakure could crush minor forces like insects?

"Brother, I'm warning you. Walk away now and I'll let this go."

With his elder brother gone, Killer Bee had no interest in unnecessary conflict. He just wanted to return to the village, rebuild, and take his revenge on Konoha.

But Obito had no time or patience for such pleasantries.

This operation with Konoha had already cost him dearly. All the resources he'd stockpiled over a decade were depleted—only his emergency supply of Sharingan remained.

He would capture the Nine-Tails later to make up for it, but even so, the loss stung.

"Walk away?"

Obito scoffed. "I'll walk you out of this world instead."

With that, Obito surged forward, launching an attack.

"You arrogant bastard! Let me send you to hell! Go to hell!" Killer Bee shouted, instantly cloaking himself in Tailed Beast Chakra. He drew two swords and charged.

But as his blade slashed through Obito, his frown deepened. The blades passed through as if cutting air. Even when their bodies collided, Obito was intangible.

"What the hell kind of ninjutsu is this?!"

Before he could process it, an ominous wave of killing intent struck him.

Just as they crossed paths, Obito's form shimmered—and then, a kunai appeared in his hand.

He spun.

The kunai flew through the air.

Warned by the Eight-Tails' instincts, Killer Bee barely dodged a fatal blow to the back of his head—but the blade still sank into his shoulder.

Grimacing, he yanked it out, backflipped, and took up a defensive stance.

No more underestimating this opponent.

He was dangerous—more dangerous than anyone Killer Bee had fought before. The man could phase through attacks but still land hits himself.

What kind of ability was this?

Watching from afar, Naruto and Yugito crouched in the shadows, hidden.

Yugito was stunned by Obito's ability.

"His body... he's untouchable, but he can hit others. That's insane. What kind of jutsu is that? It's broken!"

Naruto smirked faintly. "There's no such thing as an invincible jutsu."

"If he were truly invincible, he wouldn't need Konoha's help. He could've crushed two villages on his own."

He folded his arms behind his back, voice calm. "Keep watching. You'll see. His technique is powerful, but it has weaknesses."

Encouraged, Yugito observed more carefully.

Naruto had warned her—this masked man was a future enemy. She needed to learn everything she could.

Back in the battle, Obito continued his assault, launching a massive fireball.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

He didn't want to give Killer Bee time to regroup. The sooner this fight ended, the better.

He had three Jinchūriki to capture, and wasting too much time on one would ruin everything.

Killer Bee gritted his teeth. He was at a severe disadvantage. The enemy could hurt him, but his attacks passed right through.

Still, if he wanted to find the weakness, he had to keep attacking.

"If you're fast enough, maybe you won't get hit," he muttered, then took a deep breath and charged in with a half-transformation.

His tails formed a shield, absorbing the fireball's heat. He burst through the flames and lunged—

But there was no one there.

Obito had vanished.

"Damn! He got away?"

A sharp pain exploded in Killer Bee's back.

He howled in agony—an iron spike had pierced through his chest.

He didn't even see the masked man move.

He didn't know how he vanished, didn't see where he attacked from. But the damage was real.

Gritting his teeth, Killer Bee pulled away, clutching the wound and sprinting.

This man was too dangerous. He had to fall back until he understood the technique.

But Obito wouldn't let him go.

"Trying to run?"

Obito raised his hand and flicked his fingers—dozens of iron nails materialized mid-air and flew at deadly angles.

"Clang!"

Killer Bee drew every blade he had, throwing them in a blur to intercept the spikes.

Sparks flew as the weapons collided, but the nails were stronger than they looked. One shattered a blade and struck his waist.

Pain shot through him.

Obito suddenly phased in behind him, mask glinting in the fading light.

Killer Bee turned and swung.

"Fire Release: Storm Dance!"

Flames erupted—this time from Obito's eyes.

They hit hard and fast. Killer Bee couldn't react.

Now badly wounded, he gasped as he finally saw the truth.

That eye... it was a Mangekyō Sharingan.

"This isn't ninjutsu. It's a Mangekyō technique!"

In the distance, Yugito clenched her fists.

"From the way he fights... he can't use that phasing ability while attacking."

Naruto nodded. "The technique is called Kamui. He sends his body—or parts of it—into a separate dimension. When he's intangible, attacks pass right through him."

"But he has to become solid again to attack or absorb things. That's his weakness."

Yugito shivered. "So to beat him... we'd have to guess the exact moment he turns solid?"

"Exactly. That's why he's so dangerous."

Naruto looked solemnly at Killer Bee, his mind drifting.

Even his father, the Fourth Hokage, had fought this man without knowing any of this—and still managed to wound him.

Minato Namikaze was terrifyingly intelligent in combat.

Even now, with full command of the Nine-Tails, Naruto wasn't sure he could win against his father in a fair fight.

If Obito hadn't been so focused on controlling the Nine-Tails back then, Minato probably would've killed him outright.

Obito, unaware of the spectators, taunted, "So much for the 'perfect Jinchūriki.' All talk."

He conjured another barrage of nails, firing at Killer Bee again.

The nails pinned him to a tree like a crucifix, piercing his limbs.

The sky hadn't even finished shifting clouds—and yet, Killer Bee's bones were already broken.

Helpless.

As pain consumed him, Killer Bee clenched his teeth.

"I still need to avenge my brother... I can't die here!"

"ROOOAAR!!!"

Crimson chakra erupted.

Nails were blasted out of his body as he swelled in size—his full tailed beast transformation.

His last resort.

He didn't care if he won. He just wanted to go down fighting.

"A waste of effort," Zetsu muttered from above, his gaze shifting.

"Itachi and Kisame just arrived. Things are about to get even worse."

Heavy footsteps echoed.

"Three tailed beasts in one day... I'll take the Eight-Tails."

Kisame's voice was practically gleeful. "Samehada's getting excited."

He unwrapped the massive sword on his back. It writhed like it was alive, salivating for chakra.

Beside him, Uchiha Itachi pushed back his bamboo hat.

"Amaterasu."

"AAARGHHH!!!"

Black flames ignited on Killer Bee, and his transformation unraveled under their relentless burn.

In less than ten seconds, the Eight-Tails was gone—only Killer Bee remained, writhing.

"Who are you?! Why are you attacking Kumogakure?!" he cried in despair.

But no one answered.

Why waste words on the dying?

If it had been one-on-one, he might've escaped.

But three elite enemies?

No chance.

Within minutes, Obito's nails silenced Killer Bee forever.

"…Kirabi…"

Yugito clenched her fists.

"Kirabi was… a good man. A kind person."

She glanced at Naruto—he remained expressionless.

She let out a breath.

Even if no one else had killed him, she would've had to. Better that others do it.

Kirabi… maybe you won't be born a Jinchūriki next time.

"So, one down," Kisame said cheerfully, watching Samehada feast on the corpse's remaining chakra.

"Too short. Not nearly as fun as that fight with the Nine-Tails brat."

Obito plucked the iron nails from Killer Bee's body and stored him in the Kamui dimension.

"One more to go. Two-Tails. If you want another fight, come with me, Kisame."

He turned to Itachi. "You stay here with Zetsu. Guard the Eight-Tails' corpse. Your health is too weak for another battle."

Itachi said nothing.

He stared down at Killer Bee's body, his thoughts unreadable.

Obito didn't press. He didn't trust Itachi—but he trusted Kisame to handle him if needed.

If they could capture one-third of the Tailed Beasts today, their plan could be completed within a year.

The dream was closer than ever.

But he didn't know...

Just minutes after he left, uninvited guests arrived.

Crunch.

Crunch.

Footsteps on dry leaves. Scarlet eyes filled with hatred.

"Uchiha Itachi," a cold voice growled. "Today is the day you die."

Hearing that voice, Itachi chuckled softly.

"My foolish little brother. Have you come here to die?"

He turned—and froze.

His pupils shrank.

Beside the black-haired boy stood a beautiful girl with long black hair, about seventeen or eighteen years old, a teardrop mole gracing the corner of her eye.