Naruto: Shinobi Payday-Chapter 23: Sasori vs Uchiha Obito

Zeldris's voice cut through the air like a blade dipped in sarcasm.

He wasn't trying to be polite—he never was. And he damn well knew this wasn't a friendly visit.

No, Uchiha Obito didn't just drop by for tea and small talk.

Zeldris tilted his head, watching the masked man with curiosity that bordered on reckless.

Let's see... if I use my Earthquake Fruit right—can I crack that space-warping trick of his? Kamui, was it?

His eyes gleamed, interest brewing behind the smug grin.

Sasori, off to the side, blinked once. Twice.

Wait—what is this idiot doing?

Is he trying to provoke Obito? Seriously?

Did he wake up this morning and choose violence—or is this just his normal personality?!

Obito's expression twisted behind his mask—not that anyone could see it. But his voice? That carried all the venom.

"You always had a big mouth, Zeldris," he said, low and dangerous. "And somehow, it's gotten even bigger."

The tension spiked. Sand shifted under their feet like it was holding its breath.

Zeldris, unfazed, raised a brow.

"Yeah, well... you always had that whole 'creepy uncle in a mask' energy," he replied. "Glad to see you're still keeping it weird."

Sasori sighed internally.

Yep. He's insane.

Obito's fingers twitched—ready. He wasn't here to trade insults.

But before anyone could throw the first punch, Sasori stepped forward—planting himself between the two like an annoyed older brother separating two drunk cousins at a family brawl.

Zeldris blinked. "Sasori?"

The redhead didn't answer. His eyes were locked on Obito now, burning with challenge.

"How about we take this outside," he said calmly, but there was a buzz in his tone—barely-contained excitement. "I've got a new toy I've been dying to test."

Zeldris grinned. Of course. Sasori had been itching to debut his latest puppet like a kid with a brand-new katana.

Zeldris gave him a subtle nod.

He wasn't under any delusions—Sasori wasn't going to beat Obito. But if this ended in flames, he might at least learn how Obito played the game.

Obito, for his part, didn't even blink.

Seriously? He looked at Sasori like the puppet master had just challenged him to a game of checkers on a battlefield.

Still, his voice was steady.

"...Fine," he said. "Let's play."

And just like that, his body began to dissolve—folding into itself like smoke sucked into another dimension.

Sasori tracked the motion with narrowed eyes. "So that's his Sharingan ability?"

"Yeah," Zeldris muttered. "Try not to get erased from existence."

A few minutes later

Under the open sky, the three stood beneath the weight of the desert wind.

Obito waited in the distance, cloak rustling. His stance was casual, almost lazy—like this was a chore he couldn't wait to be done with.

"I hope you don't disappoint me," he called out dryly.

Sasori didn't answer. He wasn't the type to talk when the real show was about to start.

He pulled a scroll from his cloak and tossed it onto the sand.

Boom!

Smoke hissed upward—and from it emerged his prized puppet: the Third Kazekage.

Metal glinted. Blades shimmered. The air around it seemed to hold its breath.

Zeldris stepped back to the edge of the battlefield, arms crossed, expression thoughtful.

Obito tilted his head slightly.

"Huh," he muttered. "Didn't expect you to bring your science project."

He squinted at the puppet. "That the real deal?"

Sasori's eyes lit up.

"No."

Then he smirked.

"It's better."

Ten chakra threads exploded from his fingers, snapping to the puppet's joints. It came to life like a possessed statue, every movement precise and lethal.

"No more talking," Sasori said coolly.

"Let's see if your intangibility can survive this."

He moved.

The Kazekage puppet lunged, arms unfolding with a hiss of hidden mechanics.

Blades whipped forward like scythes caught in a hurricane.

Whoosh—SHNK!

Steel tore through the spot where Obito had been standing.

Zeldris squinted, hand on his chin like he was scoring the choreography.

"Solid form," he muttered. "Deducting points for dramatic timing, though. Should've gone for a 'surprise reveal' angle."

A beat.

Nothing but air.

The blades sliced clean through... nothing.

Obito's voice drifted in from behind them.

"Impressive."

Sasori turned instantly—but Obito was already stepping from the shadows like a ghost.

"But you'll need more than blades and attitude to kill me."

Zeldris smiled.

"Oh good," he said, cracking his neck. "Now it's getting fun."

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