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"...Your words are too beautiful, too perfect to be real. We simply cannot believe you!" Yahiko immediately saw through Obito's lofty promises, understanding that the true goal was Nagato's Rinnegan.
"I indeed came for the Rinnegan, but the Rinnegan's power can only be fully realized in your hands. If you can wield it to bring peace to this chaotic world, then I won't need to interfere," Obito continued, his Sharingan gleaming through the mask. "But it seems you are playing house, hiding your identities as shinobi, and living among civilians under Hanzo's rule, wasting the Rinnegan's power. You have the ability but fail to use it. The ongoing wars are partly your responsibility!"
These words struck a chord with Nagato, who had always felt ashamed of his inability to fully control the Rinnegan.
However, Yahiko and Konan had never said anything, making Nagato try to ignore this reality. But now, Obito's words shattered his delusions, making him realize his failure to use the Rinnegan's power was irresponsible to his comrades.
"Don't listen to his manipulation, Nagato. He just wants to use you," Yahiko warned, trying to lead Nagato and Konan away. But Obito made no move to stop them, puzzling Yahiko.
"I will wait here every day. When you decide, come find me," Obito said calmly, not preventing Yahiko's group from leaving. However, before leaving, Obito sent a telepathic message to Fugaku using his Sharingan.
Fugaku received the message without showing any reaction and silently followed Yahiko and the others back. Once at their base, one of the veteran members of Akatsuki tried to speak but was interrupted by Yahiko.
"Shin, no need to say more. I trust Naka-kun. Those two have likely been targeting Nagato's Rinnegan for a long time. It wasn't Naka-kun who revealed this information."
"But we must be careful now. That guy seemed to have been monitoring Akatsuki. We need to stay more hidden," Yahiko advised.
Fugaku felt a bit relieved but also pity for Yahiko and his friends. From the start, they were pawns in Madara's game, with even Nagato's Rinnegan not being truly his.
Today was a series of misfortunes for Akatsuki. They not only failed to get Konoha's support but also had Nagato's Rinnegan targeted.
After some discussion, they couldn't reach a conclusion and dispersed. Fugaku returned to his room, not coming out until nightfall when two White Zetsus sneaked in. One covered Fugaku and took him underground, while the other took his place in bed.
White Zetsu moved without any detectable aura, unnoticed by anyone. Even the Akatsuki members who periodically checked found nothing amiss.
Once out of Akatsuki's base, Fugaku was brought to the meeting place from earlier that day.
"Who are you?" Fugaku asked sternly. The voice was like Madara's, but he knew it wasn't him.
"No matter my past name, now I am Uchiha Madara," Obito replied, revealing his Mangekyo Sharingan. Seeing the Mangekyo, Fugaku's Sharingan turned into three tomoe.
"Former leader of the Uchiha, you need do nothing now. When they face peril and indecision, just give them a push," Obito instructed.
"Why should I listen to you? You're not Madara. That Mangekyo must be something he left behind," Fugaku retorted, skeptical of this impostor.
"You will agree because you need the Moon's Eye Plan, you need Madara's power. Or can you let go of even this?" Obito met Fugaku's gaze, pulling him into a genjutsu.
Within the illusion, Fugaku saw images captured by White Zetsu in the village. He saw Mikoto training Itachi, smiling with joy as Yoichi joined them, feeding him with a blissful expression. They looked like a family, shopping and attending events together.
"No, impossible! This isn't real. I entrusted Itachi to Hachidai, instructing him to..." Fugaku muttered.
"Hachidai is dead. He died as a hero shortly after you fled the village. In that war with Suna, the only Uchiha who died was Hachidai," Obito interrupted.
Hearing this, Fugaku closed his eyes, whispering, "Was it my fault? Because he helped me escape..."
"No, it was Yoichi, using his power as clan leader to have Hachidai killed!" Fugaku's heart filled with rage. The hope he placed in Itachi was shattered, Hachidai was dead, and his betrayed family lived happily with his enemy.
"How about it, former clan leader? Will you help me now?" Obito asked, seeing the despair in Fugaku's eyes.
After a moment of silence, Fugaku looked up with hatred. "What do you need me to do?"
"Exactly as I said, when Akatsuki faces destruction, give them a push," Obito detailed, leaving out parts of his plan while gathering information on Yoichi from Fugaku.
The Moon's Eye Plan would inevitably pit them against Konoha. Understanding Konoha's strongest shinobi, Yoichi, was crucial.
...
Disciple of All Worlds: Each night in your dreams, a random 'teacher' will appear, from whom you can learn. The learning efficiency in dreams is thrice that of reality.
"What kind of ability is this?" Yoichi wondered. After graduation, did he really need to be a student again?
"Random teachers... this means anyone could appear, even a plumber or AV actress? Pure luck determines the teacher, making it meaningless," he thought, doubting the ability's utility.
Even if he learned from a powerful teacher one night, the next night's randomization would render it futile.
"Forget it, better than nothing," Yoichi sighed, closing the ability panel. Turning to Rin, who was practicing alchemy, he instructed, "Rin, remember the details of each potion's preparation. When the industrial alchemy furnace is ready, I'll set one up for you."
"Understood, Yoichi-sama," Rin nodded, not minding his habit of patting her head, though she felt slightly embarrassed as she wasn't a child anymore.
Receiving a message from a clone, Yoichi created another clone to assist Rin and headed out.
Kakashi had been brought back, and he wanted to see him. Kakashi's Sharingan had evolved into a Mangekyo, though he was unaware of it. Yoichi planned to replace it with a three-tomoe Sharingan and give him Hashirama cells.
At the hospital, he found Sakumo also there. As a parent, he naturally came to see his son, especially since Kakashi was brought straight to the hospital.
"What happened to Kakashi?" Yoichi asked, putting down a fruit basket.
Sakumo shook his head, pointing to Kakashi. After a moment of silence, Kakashi spoke, "Father, Yoichi-senpai, Rin is dead. I killed her."
Sakumo was shocked but showed no emotion. "Why, Kakashi?"
"I seldom guided you, but I've always watched you with pride. I believe you wouldn't do such a thing."
Encouraged, Kakashi recounted the mission. After listening, Sakumo and Yoichi exchanged glances.
"What about the Kirigakure bodies?" Yoichi asked.
"Still at the front lines, I think. Someone killed the Kirigakure shinobi, but the bodies were destroyed," Kakashi recalled.
"If we have a head, the interrogation team can extract information. Sakumo-senpai, let's have ANBU retrieve the bodies," Yoichi suggested.
With Sakumo's nod, Yoichi turned to Kakashi. "Kakashi, strengthen yourself. Your Sharingan is more a burden now. Once healed, come to me. I have a solution for the Sharingan's chakra consumption."
He demonstrated with a sprouting branch from his palm, hinting at the Hashirama cells.
Sakumo remained silent, hoping Kakashi would accept the offer. After a pause, Kakashi nodded. "I understand, Yoichi-senpai."
Returning to the lab, Yoichi informed Rin about Kakashi's return.
"Is Kakashi okay?" Rin asked, concerned.
"He feels guilty for your death, but he'll be fine. You should have trusted the village more. There are many strong shinobi who could have handled the situation," Yoichi advised.
"I'm sorry, Yoichi-sama. I didn't want to harm the village," Rin admitted, realizing her hasty decision had burdened Kakashi.
"No need to worry. ANBU is retrieving the bodies. The interrogation team will uncover Kirigakure's plot, and Kakashi will understand you," Yoichi reassured, patting her head. "Your life is valuable too."
"Yes, I understand, Yoichi-sama," Rin replied, finding comfort in his touch. Being near him made her feel safe.
(End of Chapter)