"Black Zetsu-senpai is making a valid point..."
Byakuya nodded and continued, "It's true that the organization currently lacks someone who can handle errands. The Kamui ability is very convenient. But what's the deal with 'Madara'—is that a title or a name? If I remember correctly, Madara Uchiha died decades ago, right?"
Upon hearing Byakuya deny that he was Madara, Obito's mood soured. In a low voice, he said, "I am indeed Madara Uchiha..."
Byakuya completely ignored Obito and turned to Black Zetsu beside him.
"Black Zetsu-senpai, is he really Madara Uchiha? Is Madara's strength really this weak? I feel like his strength isn't even on par with Senju Hashirama..."
Black Zetsu looked somewhat embarrassed and could only explain reluctantly, "He is Lord Madara's successor, inheriting Lord Madara's title."
Byakuya nodded solemnly and said seriously, "So he only inherited Madara's title. No wonder his strength is so weak; there's absolutely no sense of oppression."
Listening to the conversation between Black Zetsu and Byakuya, Obito's face beneath his mask darkened.
Clearly, this was supposed to be the return of a strong figure, yet he was completely disregarded by Black Zetsu and Byakuya. And what exactly was Byakuya's deal?
Although he didn't seem threatening on the surface, he had nearly inflicted serious injury just now.
While this surprise attack hadn't decided life or death, he had undeniably lost to Byakuya.
This made Obito doubt whether the past six months of training had been in vain. He couldn't defeat Byakuya before, and apparently still couldn't now.
At this moment, Byakuya finished his conversation with Black Zetsu and walked towards Obito's position.
"What's your name? You remind me of someone I knew named Obito, also an Uchiha," Byakuya said.
Upon hearing the name "Obito," Obito's expression changed. His voice turned cold as he replied, "I don't know anyone named Obito. But yes, I am indeed Uchiha and the title of Madara is just a name I use casually with outsiders. You can call me the Masked Man."
"Alright, Masked Man..."
Byakuya acquiesced easily and continued, "But really, you don't know Obito? He may not be the brightest, but he's a good person. I wonder how he's doing now."
'Don't keep mentioning Obito in front of me! It sounds like we're familiar,' Obito retorted coldly in his heart.
Obito then continued, "Don't compare me to that Uchiha of Konoha. They're just a bunch of poor souls fantasizing about becoming Hokage."
After a brief pause, Obito spoke with a serious expression, "Byakuya, I'm quite satisfied with the test just now. You qualify to become a member of our organization and work together towards our common goals!"
Byakuya's expression also turned serious as he asked, "May I ask, what is the name of our organization? What are the plans of our organization? What do we aim to achieve in three years, and in five?"
Obito hesitated and stumbled, unable to provide an answer.
It seemed he truly didn't know the name of his and Black Zetsu's organization, nor did he have a clear vision of future plans.
Seeing this, a faint smile crept onto Black Zetsu's lips.
When he first met Byakuya, he was also puzzled by Byakuya's eloquence. Somehow, he ended up joining the Akatsuki organization under Byakuya, becoming one of Byakuya's subordinates.
If Black Zetsu couldn't do it, Obito surely couldn't either.
Seeing Obito unable to answer the questions, Byakuya sighed lightly and said, "Since you, like Black Zetsu-senpai, don't know how to rule the world, why don't you join my Akatsuki organization? With your strength, you could barely become a peripheral member of Akatsuki."
"A peripheral member!" Obito exclaimed incredulously, unable to accept this treatment.
He had come here to replace Byakuya and become the leader of Akatsuki. Instead, Byakuya didn't even grant him the status of a full member, only a peripheral one.
Unable to accept this, Obito immediately used Kamui and left the Akatsuki base.
Watching the swirling vortex disappear with Obito, Byakuya silently remarked on Obito's weak mental endurance. He hadn't even asked about Rin Nohara's situation, and this kid had already run away.
Originally, he wanted to ask Rin if she had married Kakashi yet and perhaps send some gifts or the like.
(AN: Man, MC is a menace.)
Gathering his thoughts, Byakuya looked at Black Zetsu beside him, furrowing his brow as he said, "Black Zetsu-senpai, now that the outsider has left, we can speak frankly. Who exactly is the Masked Man? Why does he claim to be Madara Uchiha, and why does he seem less than respectful towards you? What's the whole story behind this?"
Black Zetsu sighed inwardly and then said, "He's an orphan picked up by Madara Uchiha, now Madara's successor. Madara Uchiha is the initiator of the Eye of the Moon project, and I was once one of Lord Madara's subordinates."
"I see..." Byakuya suddenly understood, then continued, "But this guy is using Lord Madara's influence to harass you, Black Zetsu-senpai. I can't tolerate that."
At this point, Byakuya suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, what is the Eye of the Moon plan?"
Caught off guard by the question, Black Zetsu hesitated briefly and cautiously explained, "The Eye of the Moon plan, in full, is a genjutsu of such scale that it puts the entire shinobi world under an illusion to achieve peace."
"I see." Byakuya nodded thoughtfully, "Such a genjutsu is indeed powerful. Once everyone is trapped in the illusion, dealing with all resistors would mean ruling the world. But casting such a ninjutsu must be complex."
"Extremely difficult. First, one needs to gather the nine Tailed Beasts and seal them using the Rinnegan into the Gedo Statue. After reviving the Ten-Tails, only then can the Infinite Tsukuyomi be cast."
Since he couldn't deceive Byakuya any longer, Black Zetsu decided to reveal the entire plan of the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
After pondering for a moment, Byakuya found a loophole and remarked, "Nagato's Rinnegan indeed seems to possess these abilities. However, this Eye of the Moon plan doesn't seem very useful. Before gathering the nine Tailed Beasts, we would have to subdue the Five Great Shinobi Nations. Achieving that would already grant us the ability to rule the world."
"...," Black Zetsu became increasingly tensed; it seemed Byakuya had discovered the flaws in his words.
Continuing, Byakuya said, "However, the Gedo Statue would serve as an excellent chakra source, capable of intimidating the Five Great Nations with its power and forcing them to maintain peace."
"Black Zetsu-senpai, you're really something. This deceitful plan of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, fooling Madara and the Masked Man, claiming that putting all humans under an illusion would maintain peace—only fools would believe such a thing."
After listening to Byakuya's analysis, Black Zetsu was sweating profusely.
Byakuya almost suspected him, but fortunately, Byakuya concluded that the Eye of the Moon plan was a deception aimed at Madara and Obito, all to create the Ten-Tails and dominate the shinobi world.