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[Sorry about yesterday, took a sick day off!]
Joining the Akatsuki?
Gensou looked at Obito with a puzzled expression, wondering if this guy had lost his mind.
After speaking, Obito also realized that his invitation might have been a bit rash. However, he quickly rationalized that if someone as powerful as Gensou were to join, the collection of the Tailed Beasts would be expedited significantly.
The chances of successfully executing the Infinite Tsukuyomi would be unprecedented.
As for the potential issue of Gensou overshadowing him, Obito believed that once the Tailed Beasts were absorbed into the Gedo Statue, Madara's contingencies would ensure that Obito could absorb the statue and become the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki before Gensou could act. At that point, no matter how strong Gensou was, what could he do?
After thinking it over, Obito eagerly awaited Gensou's response.
Gensou chuckled, amused. "Before inviting me, shouldn't you at least explain what your organization's goal is?"
Obito's expression became serious. With Akatsuki's growing fame, and with Itachi and Kisame attempting to capture the Nine-Tails, the Five Great Shinobi Villages had already speculated about Akatsuki's true objective.
Obito decided not to hide anything. "Akatsuki's goal is world peace. Our method is to collect the nine Tailed Beasts and create a weapon of mass destruction to deter nations, ultimately conquering the world and achieving lasting peace."
Of course, Obito omitted the true purpose of the Tailed Beast weapon—the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan. After all, in his eyes, the creation of a world with Rin could only be realized by him alone. Even Madara would be kept out of the equation, let alone Hagoromo Gensou.
After listening to Obito's explanation, Gensou didn't give it much thought and shook his head calmly. "Boring."
The concept of a Tailed Beast weapon seemed similar to nuclear deterrence, and as for conquering the world, Madara used to go on and on about that. It only led to Gensou getting involved and eventually being ambushed by the Five Kage.
Gensou had no interest in playing the game of world conquest. Not only would it take a long time, but the task of maintaining order after the conquest would be even more tedious. He had no desire to waste his time on such trivial matters.
However, the Infinite Tsukuyomi did intrigue him a little. Letting the entire world dream peacefully, leaving him undisturbed, was appealing in a way.
But since Obito didn't mention it, Gensou didn't bring it up either.
Seeing that the time was getting late and that he had successfully acquired Shisui's pair of Mangekyō Sharingan, Gensou was ready to leave. With Akatsuki drawing the world's attention, his own actions would go more unnoticed.
Additionally, Akatsuki might be useful to him in the future.
Not particularly interested in dealing with Obito, who, protected by Kamui, would be difficult to kill unless Gensou made a risky move, Gensou casually remarked, "If you make me the leader of Akatsuki, I might consider it," and then turned his back on Obito, walking away with an air of indifference.
Obito watched Gensou's retreating figure without making any move.
After a long while, a large Venus flytrap-like plant slowly emerged from the ground beside Obito.
"So you actually tried to recruit Hagoromo Gensou?" Black Zetsu's voice echoed from within.
Obito didn't turn around, replying, "He would be a formidable ally, wouldn't he?"
"Indeed! But that's precisely the problem—he's too formidable! If he joined, who knows who would end up leading Akatsuki?" White Zetsu chimed in cheerfully.
This was another concern for Obito. A figure like Gensou would never settle for being under someone else's command. If Gensou were to become the leader and focused solely on capturing the Tailed Beasts, that would be one thing. But if he had other motives, it could spell disaster.
Shaking his head, Obito said, "Regardless, this was a successful probe. Even Itachi is far from Gensou's match. His revival hasn't weakened him, and his body shows no signs of aftereffects. Moving forward, Akatsuki's operations should avoid Gensou whenever possible. Capturing the Tailed Beasts remains the priority."
"Hehe, but I doubt someone who considers himself a 'god' like Pain would take that to heart," White Zetsu snickered.
Thinking about how Nagato had grown increasingly wary of him in recent years, with his secret activities constantly expanding, Obito snorted coldly, "Nagato... he's become too consumed by the power of the Rinnegan. Perhaps it's time to give him a reality check."
With that, Obito's body twisted and vanished from sight.
White Zetsu sank back into the ground.
Only Black Zetsu remained, gazing thoughtfully in the direction Gensou had departed, his dark face showing a contemplative expression.
To Black Zetsu, as long as the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan succeeded, it didn't matter whether it was Madara or Obito who executed it. After all, in the end, they would all become sustenance for his mother.
He had once considered luring someone like Hashirama, who could capture the Tailed Beasts with ease. Unfortunately, Hashirama's personality made it impossible for him to take the extreme measures that Madara did.
As for Gensou, since he wasn't a reincarnation of Indra or Asura, Black Zetsu hadn't paid much attention to him before.
But now...
With the Rinnegan—one of the key tools needed to revive his mother—already in existence, the pool of potential candidates to cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi had expanded significantly.
Previously overlooked, Gensou, now revived, was indeed an excellent candidate.
Not only was his strength comparable to Madara's, but his personality wasn't as rigid as Hashirama's. Though he once had a strong sense of justice, such a personality would only make him more determined to achieve his goals once he found a new purpose.
Just like Obito now.
Black Zetsu pondered, "Let's wait and see. Gensou has a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan, and if he reads the stone tablet in the Naka Shrine..."
Obito's plan was progressing well. And with the contingency of the real Madara also in place, Black Zetsu was not in a hurry.
However, after waiting a thousand years, he had grown accustomed to casting a wide net. It wouldn't hurt to extend that net toward Gensou.
If Gensou did take the bait, as long as it didn't interfere with the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan, it wouldn't matter if he and Obito or Madara ended up fighting each other. In the end, Black Zetsu would be the one to benefit.
With renewed anticipation, Black Zetsu slowly sank back into the earth.
Meanwhile, back at his experimental base, Hagoromo Gensou took out the Mangekyō Sharingan he had seized from Uchiha Itachi. After a quick operation, he placed the eye into the left socket of his clone.
Soon, both the left and right black-bladed Mangekyō Sharingan began spinning with excitement, rejoicing at their reunion.
At the same time, the deeper powers of the Mangekyō Sharingan—Susanoo, Kotoamatsukami, and the profound mysteries of Yin Release—were all fully revealed to Gensou.
Sensing all this, Gensou smiled faintly.
"The gifts delivered today are quite satisfactory."
(End of Chapter)