Naruto: Traveling Through Time Starting with Seizing the Dragon Vein

"As long as the other party can offer me a satisfactory 'reward,' I don't mind listening to what nonsense they have to spout."

Just then, the space in the center of the hall distorted.

Wearing a mask, Obito slowly emerged from the Kamui vortex.

Having just deduced the grand plan for the [Limited Tsukuyomi], Obito exuded confidence from head to toe.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over Kakuzu and Juzo Biwa.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

Obito deliberately lowered his voice, making it sound like the legendary Asura of the Ninja World.

“Juzo Biwa, Kakuzu. You are both ninjas abandoned by your respective villages, living like stray dogs in this world full of hypocrisy and war.”

Obito opened his arms and began what he considered to be a persuasive speech:

"Join my organization! It will be called [Akatsuki]!"

"Here, you will no longer be rebellious ninjas hunted down. We will gather the most powerful forces in the world to destroy this corrupt old world and establish a realm of absolute peace, free from war and suffering!"

"In that new world, you will be the new gods standing at the pinnacle!"

After Obito finished speaking, a brief silence fell over the hall.

however.

Pipa Juzo scratched his ear, slammed the guillotine to the ground with a "bang," and stared at him with an expression that said, "You're an idiot."

"Finished? So... how much are you planning to pay me each month?"

Kakuzu didn't even lift his eyelids. He slowly pulled a small abacus from his sleeve, fiddling with it as he spoke:

"Don't try to paint a rosy picture like 'Building a New World' in front of an old man like me who's almost ninety. I'm realistic. How much money will you give me if I join your organization?"

"..."

Obito's face, hidden beneath the mask, froze.

What the hell?!

Lao Tzu is talking to you about the grand ambition of destroying the old world and creating a new world of God!

You two bastards are talking to me about money here?

Where is the prestige of you S-rank rogue ninjas?

Actually, it's not surprising that they talk about money like that; or rather, Obito understands why they value money so much.

Actually, it's not fair to blame Kakuzu and Juzo for being so mercenary.

Or rather, Obito simply didn't realize that the landscape of the ninja world had already undergone earth-shattering changes.

During the years that Uchiha Yue controlled the rise of [Roulan], especially after the full implementation of the [Furnace Project] and [Chakra Metal Industrialization].

Money has gradually changed the perception of the lower-level ninjas in the entire ninja world!

In the past, money could only buy food and ordinary kunai;

But now, as long as you have enough money, you can buy the "single-soldier chakra storage arm guard" produced by Loulan on the black market, and even the "exoskeleton armor" that is enough to make a genin fight against a jonin!

Along with the rise of Loulan came an endless stream of extravagant entertainment and material enjoyment that required massive amounts of money to sustain.

In this era crushed by industry, empty talk about dreams will only hasten death.

Only real money can buy entertainment and power – that is the only truth!

"madness!"

Obito laughed in fury, a chilling killing intent emanating from him. "In this world filled with despair, money is nothing but worthless paper! Only power and my plan can grant you true salvation! Join me, or... die!"

Faced with Obito's intimidating force, Juzo Biwa gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes.

Kakuzu, however, rolled his eyes in the shadow of his cloak.

In the spiritual dimension that Obito could not see.

The tiny purple [Ming Seal] deep between Kakuzu's brows flashed slightly, and an encrypted mental local area network instantly connected to a core terminal far away in Loulan.

[Kakuzu]: Boss, this masked man is so poor. He can't even offer a basic salary, he relies entirely on empty promises and threats of force. Can I just use the 'exoskeleton armor' you gave me, combined with the Earth Grudge Fear, to blast him to death?

Uchiha Yue, who was in the underground laboratory of Loulan, was holding a cup of coffee when he saw the mental message from Kakuzu and almost burst out laughing.

[Uchiha Yue]: Hold on, old man Kakuzu. It doesn't matter if he's poor. You can play along with him, pretend to be impressed by his strength and join Akatsuki. The money you earn as an undercover agent for him will be given to you ten times by Loulan. In addition, all the profits from the bounty missions he sends you to the black market will be yours.

Upon hearing "ten times the money," Kakuzu's green eyes instantly lit up!

[Kakuzu]: Boss, you're so generous! Boss, don't worry! As long as the money's right, I'll bite whoever he tells me to bite!

Even after the mental communication was cut off, Kakuzu maintained his previous arrogant expression.

"Since you are so confident, then let this old man see if you are capable of bearing the power of this so-called new world."

Kakuzu roared, and several thick, black Earth Wraith tentacles instantly shot out!

Seeing this, Juzo Biwa did not hesitate to swing his Executioner's Blade and, together with Kakuzu, attacked from both the left and right!

"Overestimating yourself." Obito snorted coldly, advancing instead of retreating.

"Boom! Bang! Clang—!"

The cramped, enclosed room was instantly transformed into a demolition site.

However, this seemingly fierce battle lasted for less than five rounds.

“Your strength is indeed unfathomable… In this cruel ninja world, following the strong is also a way to survive. Since you have such a grand vision, I, Kakuzu, am willing to join Akatsuki.”

Seeing that even the seasoned veteran Kakuzu had backed down, Biwa Juzo, though feeling somewhat aggrieved, could only snort resentfully and sling his Executioner's Blade back over his shoulder: "Count me in. But let me make this clear: if there's no profit to be made, I'm leaving at any time."

Watching these two infamous S-rank rogue ninjas bow down and submit to his "strength" was truly awe-inspiring.

A slight smile finally appeared on Obito's lips beneath his mask.

“Very good, you have made the wisest choice.”

Obito turned around. "Come with me. I'll assign you rings and uniforms representing the organization. Our first target is..."

"BOOM—!!!"

Before Obito could finish speaking, the black market hall was suddenly shattered by a violent burst of fire-style chakra.

"boom!"

Three figures of young men dressed in black trench coats with a rising sun embroidered on their chests walked in, stepping on flames.

Leading the way was a black-haired boy wearing windproof goggles.

Young Obito stood with his hands on his hips, his three-tomoe Sharingan gleaming in the firelight:

"Long time no see, my future self."

The young Obito pointed a thumb at himself, and Kakashi and Rin behind him simultaneously drew their weapons, their eyes sharp:

"We are [Dawn]!"

"Today, I'm here specifically to stop you, you idiot who wants to destroy the world!"

Chapter 211 Masked Man: Why are you like a leech?

The entire underground black market hall fell into a deathly silence as the three teenagers swaggered in.

Kakuzu and Juzo Biwa exchanged a glance.

[Kakuzu]: Boss, is this the troublemaker you sent? Do you need me to help them take down this masked pauper?

[Uchiha Yue]: No need, you can just be good background characters.

[Kakuzu]: Received, boss.

Kakuzu smoothly took two steps back, even pulling the bewildered Juzo Biwa along with him. The two of them tacitly shrank into a shadowy corner of the hall, adopting a "I'm new here, I don't know anything" attitude.

Meanwhile, Obito, the masked man standing in the center of the hall, had his blood pressure soar to a critical point!

It's them again!

These three persistent "illusory phantoms"!

Based on his understanding of Uchiha Tsukuyomi, he was definitely gossiping behind the scenes again.

This means that since he can't kill these fakes, he can only try to escape.

But we've just hired people, and they're still in front of us, so we can't lose face.

"You ignorant brat."

Masked Obito slowly turned around, his black robe fluttering in the surging chakra.

"I originally intended to keep you alive until my new world was built, and then dispose of you as fake specimens. Since you're in such a hurry to die, then I'll grant your wish!"

"How arrogant!"

The young Obito retorted without backing down, his hands suddenly forming a hand seal, taking a deep breath, and his chest bulging high.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

"Don't embarrass yourself with such childish tricks."

Masked Obito snorted coldly, not even bothering to dodge, and instantly activated the Kamui in his right eye.

"call--"

"Kakashi! Rin!"

Young Obito didn't expect a Fireball Jutsu to work at all. The moment the fireball was launched, he had already drawn his kunai and, together with Kakashi, turned into two afterimages and flanked from both sides!

Lightning Release: Thousand Birds Sharp Spear!

Kakashi's lightning blade erupted with a blinding light, aiming straight for Obito's waist and ribs.

Meanwhile, young Obito leaped high into the air, his kunai imbued with high-frequency wind-style chakra, and stabbed fiercely towards the throat of masked Obito!

"too slow!"

Masked Obito's body switched freely between reality and illusion, and Kakashi's lightning spear and young Obito's kunai once again pierced through his body without any hindrance.

Just as their attacks missed, Obito's masked hands suddenly materialized and grabbed at the back of their necks!