Mastermind of the Akatsuki

Ten minutes earlier.

Upon arriving at the Uchiha Police Headquarters, Byakuya sensed the chaos unfolding inside—a battle completely one-sided. To be precise, it was the masked man, Obito, singlehandedly massacring the Uchiha police force.

Judging by their skill in ninjutsu and taijutsu, it was nearly impossible for Obito to simultaneously deal with more than ten three-tomoe Sharingan Jonin of the Uchiha police force. These were elite shinobi capable of giving even the "strongest Hokage," Hiruzen Sarutobi, significant trouble. On the battlefield, they could rival an entire army of hundreds.

However, with the spatial abilities of the Kamui Mangekyo Sharingan, Obito didn't need to fight them head-on. Using Kamui's intangibility and space-time teleportation, he effectively turned the situation into a slaughter.

When Byakuya stepped into the police building, Obito was busy toying with a young Uchiha kunoichi.

The girl, wearing her police uniform, activated her Sharingan upon noticing Obito, hurling kunai one after another. Yet against Obito's intangibility, all physical attacks were futile.

Byakuya noticed the girl's three-tomoe Sharingan and mused at how someone with such a kekkei genkai could appear so weak. Still, with proper training, she might someday become a Jonin-level shinobi.

Watching Obito kill what could be his future subordinates, Byakuya could no longer tolerate it.

He picked up a kunai from the ground, attached an explosive tag, and threw it at Obito. Passing harmlessly through Obito's body, it struck the wall behind him and detonated, causing a minor explosion.

The explosion drew the attention of Izumi Uchiha —and Obito.

Seeing the newcomer clad in black with a face-concealing mask like his own, Obito frowned. He knew exactly who it was: it was his partner, Byakuya.

No one but Byakuya would appear in the Uchiha compound in the dead of night, and no one but him would dare interfere with Obito's work. Byakuya wasn't even subtle about opposing him—saving the very targets Obito was assigned to eliminate.

Byakuya flashed to Izumi's side just as she turned to thank him. He patted her shoulder lightly, planting a Wood Release seed, and instructed, "Check inside for any survivors. Outside the compound, someone will guide you to safety. Don't overthink it, and don't ask any questions."

Izumi nodded gratefully and rushed deeper into the police headquarters. However, as soon as she entered, the Wood Release seed sprouted. Vines burst forth, tangling her limbs and dragging her underground.

The same fate befell other surviving members of the police force. As they tried to escape, vines wrapped around them and pulled them into the earth.

Seeing this, Obito's irritation boiled over. "Byakuya, where the hell are you taking these Uchihas? These are my spoils of war, and I will decide their fate!"

Byakuya turned to Obito, his voice cold and mocking. "Your spoils? Heh! You were merely hired as a tool by Itachi. Eliminating the Uchiha clan was Danzo's order, carried out by Itachi. You are just a helper. What claim do you have over these Uchihas? As for my interference, they are mine because Itachi serves me. I trained him. Soon, he will be my subordinate, and therefore, these lives belong to me!"

Obito's temper was barely under control. He needed these three-tomoe Sharingan for Izanagi. Byakuya stealing them infuriated him.

Byakuya sneered, his mockery unrelenting. "Oh, so Itachi is your subordinate now? Funny, I thought he was shaped by the Will of Fire under the Third Hokage's supervision. Born a shinobi of Konoha, loyal to Konoha. And let's be honest: if not for me and Danzo sowing distrust between Konoha and the Uchiha, do you really think your little plan would have worked?"

Obito's expression darkened behind the mask. "You've been working with Danzo?" 

Byakuya nodded, as if stating the obvious. "I've always worked with Danzo—and manipulated him. Who do you think amplified the Uchiha threat narrative that widened the rift between Konoha and the Uchiha clan? Without us influencing Itachi from the shadows, you wouldn't have him as your puppet today."

Byakuya's words struck a nerve. Obito's anger surged as the implications sank in. "Byakuya, what exactly are you planning?"

Byakuya ignored the question and instead continued with his withering tirade. "Your reckless contact with Itachi could have exposed your identity. If Itachi had reported your existence to Konoha, they might have reconciled with the Uchiha clan and hunted you down as the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails attack. Do you want to see a united and powerful Konoha? Or have you forgotten your mission to collect the Tailed Beasts and execute the Moon's Eye Plan? Remember, you screwed up the Nine-Tails incident, Obito. Who cleaned up that mess for you? Me." 

Byakuya's frustration was palpable, like a teacher scolding an unruly child. Obito couldn't stand being talked down to, especially not by Byakuya.

"I've had enough!" Obito snapped, forming the seals for Wood Release: Cutting Sprigs. Wooden spikes erupted from his sleeve, flying toward Byakuya.

Byakuya didn't move. Instead, he mirrored Obito's technique, launching identical wooden spikes in return. The two projectiles collided midair, splintering harmlessly.

Obito froze, his expression hidden but his disbelief clear in his voice. "When did you master Wood Release?"

Obito had always relied on his unique combination of Wood Release and the Sharingan. Even in the face of defeat, he comforted himself with the knowledge that his abilities were unique, granting him an edge in the long run. But now Byakuya had Wood Release too, shattering that fragile illusion.

Byakuya smirked, a hint of derision in his tone. "The same way you obtained Wood Release—from Black Zetsu. After I captured the Two-Tails Jinchuriki and sent Kakuzu to secure other village, Black Zetsu acknowledged my contributions and shared the method with me."

Obito stiffened, fury and doubt clouding his mind. 

Black Zetsu gave Byakuya Wood Release? Why? 

Black Zetsu was supposed to be his ally, his creation. Was Zetsu plotting something behind his back? Could Byakuya and Black Zetsu be working together to betray him? 

Obito's grip tightened, his thoughts spiraling. For the first time, true suspicion and unease bloomed in his heart.