Rising Shadows: Uchiha's Wrath

Obito panted heavily, his breath ragged, eyes locked onto Kaito, who stood tall and unyielding across the war-torn battlefield. Blood trickled down his arm, but Obito couldn't afford to acknowledge the pain—not when Kaito's relentless barrage of attacks showed no signs of letting up. He had narrowly escaped death multiple times, but it wasn't through luck. Kamui, his space-time ninjutsu, had been his salvation, allowing him to phase through each of Kaito's otherwise fatal strikes.

Still, Obito could feel the toll Kamui was taking on his chakra reserves. Each time he shifted his body into that intangible state, it drained him. His breathing grew heavier with each minute, and beads of sweat slid down his forehead. He knew he couldn't keep this up indefinitely—Kamui might be formidable, but it wasn't without its limits.

Around them, the battlefield crackled with the tension of the looming showdown. The smoke from previous skirmishes still hung in the air, blending with the dust stirred up by recent explosions. Uchiha Tekka and the remnants of the clan, fresh from repelling Danzo's Root forces, sprinted toward the heart of the compound, their expressions grim, weapons at the ready. They all sensed it—the air was thick with the feeling that something decisive was about to unfold.

Not far away, Itachi stood, his sword raised in a silent standoff against his father, Fugaku. His sharp gaze shifted momentarily to Obito and Kaito, feeling the overwhelming clash of chakra between the two. It was clear: this wasn't just another skirmish—it was a fight that could shape the future.

Obito's mind raced as he calculated his next move. He still had about four minutes left of 'Izanagi,' the ultimate trump card in his arsenal. It allowed him to twist reality itself, to survive death by transforming it into mere illusion, but at a terrible price. Each use would cost him a Sharingan—an eye forever blinded. He gritted his teeth at the thought. If I burn through Izanagi now, my advantage will vanish. This technique isn't something I can throw around lightly, not without a clear opening.

And even though his body had been enhanced to near-immortal levels, it didn't make him invincible. There were limits, especially when facing an opponent of Kaito's caliber. If he continued to waste chakra by phasing through attacks recklessly, he'd be too weak to face whatever awaited him next—Danzo's schemes, Itachi's plans, or Kaito's full power.

"Why the hesitation, Obito?" Kaito's voice cut through the noise of the battlefield like a blade, his tone laced with mockery. His eyes gleamed as if daring Obito to continue. "Have you finally found a way to counter me? Or…" He paused, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, "are you planning to flee?"

Obito's lips curled into a thin smile, refusing to show any sign of weakness despite the growing fatigue gnawing at him. "Your time-space techniques are indeed formidable," he admitted, his voice calm, measured. "But our battle has only just begun. You underestimate me."

Kaito, unimpressed, shrugged as though the outcome of their battle was already decided. His eyes darted across the ruined landscape, his sharp mind scanning the field for potential threats or opportunities. In the shadows, he noticed a subtle movement. Danzo… Kaito's thoughts sharpened. That wretched snake was hiding, watching, calculating. Kaito realized that his and Obito's presence had already been detected, and now the real chess game was beginning.

"We still have 15 minutes," Kaito said, almost casually, his voice betraying no sense of urgency. He cracked his neck, loosening his muscles. "I'll entertain you a while longer."

Without warning, Kaito vanished in an instant, the air around him rippling as his time-space technique activated. He reappeared behind Obito in a flash, sword poised to slice through his neck. But Obito, always a step ahead, had anticipated the strike. The second before the blade could connect, his body became intangible, allowing the sword to pass harmlessly through him.

Kaito narrowed his eyes, feeling the resistance of air where flesh should have been. Before he could pull back, Obito countered with a swift, well-placed strike aimed directly at his chest. Kaito sidestepped just in time, spinning to avoid the follow-up blow. Their movements were a deadly dance, each attack met with perfect counters, each evasion fluid and precise. Neither of them held anything back.

Each clash felt like a battle of minds as much as it was of power. Obito knew Kaito's speed and ability to teleport gave him an advantage, but Obito had his experience and tactical mind to rely on. As long as he had Kamui, he could avoid direct hits. Yet with every second that passed, the fatigue in his bones grew more apparent.

The ground beneath their feet trembled from the distant rumble of ninjutsu explosions as the Roots, on Danzo's order, unleashed their attacks.

But amidst the chaos, Kaito remained focused on Obito, as if the rest of the battlefield had ceased to matter. This fight, he thought, is what will decide everything.

***

Translator's Note:

Hey everyone, I wanted to address some feedback regarding the portrayal of Obito's abilities in this chapter. Some of you pointed out that I mistakenly described Obito using Izanagi multiple times during his fight with Kaito.

What I actually meant to convey was Obito relying on Kamui, his space-time ninjutsu, which allows him to phase through attacks by transporting parts of his body to another dimension. This is the technique Obito uses to avoid Kaito's strikes, and it aligns with the abilities we've seen him use in the original story.

Thank you to everyone who pointed this out! I've revised the chapter to reflect the correct usage of Kamui, and I appreciate your understanding as I work to stay true to the mechanics of the Naruto world. Your feedback helps me improve the story and ensures it remains faithful to the source material. Thanks for reading!