Chapter 216

To establish contact with Danzo, Obito had gone to great lengths this time, even parting with a precious Sharingan as a gesture of goodwill. This offering successfully opened a line of communication between the two.

The motive behind this alliance was clear: to deal with the Uchiha clan.

After hearing from Black Zetsu that Shisui had awakened the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan, Obito wrestled with the implications and ultimately resolved to annihilate his own clan.

However, his plan wasn't one of complete obliteration. To ensure his broader goals—particularly those concerning Black Zetsu—Obito intended to spare one or two of the most promising members of the Uchiha clan. They would serve as "backup" ensuring Madara's vision remained intact.

—

"Any conclusions?" Danzo's voice cut through the stillness as he watched the mysterious figure vanish from sight.

Turning to his subordinates, he awaited their analysis.

"Based on the intelligence we've gathered..." a voice began, their tone cautious but resolute.

One of Danzo's subordinates, cloaked in a hood, stepped forward cautiously, noting the dark expression on his leader's face as he prepared to answer the question.

"The individual didn't appear to leave through conventional means. Neither our sensory techniques, the village barrier, nor the insects and animals nearby registered any disturbance."

Pausing briefly, the subordinate continued, "We suspect the individual utilized space-time ninjutsu."

This conclusion was drawn after an exhaustive analysis of their sensory data and eliminating all other possibilities, bringing them unnervingly close to the truth.

"Space-time ninjutsu?" Danzo murmured, his lone eye narrowing as it lingered on the direction the masked figure had vanished. A glimmer of unease flickered in his gaze, betraying the gravity of his thoughts.

"If that's true," he muttered, his voice laced with suspicion, "then this individual could very well be the mastermind behind the last Nine-Tails Rebellion."

Danzo's grip tightened on his cane as his thoughts churned. Had it not been for the pressing issue of the Uchiha clan, he would have never allowed this enigmatic figure to walk away unchallenged. But for now, the Uchiha problem outweighed everything else.

Kushina was still alive, and all the top officials of Konoha were well aware of what had truly transpired that night.

"Uchiha Madara?"

Danzo sneered inwardly the moment the masked figure introduced himself. This wasn't the Madara he remembered, the legendary Uchiha who commanded fear and respect. No, this was a coward, skulking in the shadows.

But the eye beneath the mask... that was unmistakable. A Mangekyo Sharingan.

The brief glimpse of its pattern made Danzo's thoughts race. If this man really possessed that power, there was potential to exploit him. It might even be possible to maneuver events so that he, Uchiha Shisui, and Uchiha Toshiro inflicted irreparable damage on one another.

—

"Obito!"

In the depths of a dark, damp cave, Obito's figure materialized. Before he could even steady himself, a white, half-formed humanoid confronted him, its voice dripping with disapproval.

"Do you really intend to cooperate with that man?" the figure demanded, its tone accusing. "He's one of the culprits responsible for Rin's death!"

Obito froze for a moment, the mention of Rin's name like a dagger in his chest. But his resolve didn't waver. This was a necessary step for his plan.

"The true culprit behind Rin's death is this twisted world!" Obito snapped, his voice cold and resolute. "Besides, I already exacted my revenge on Konoha during the Nine-Tails incident."

Rin's tragedy wasn't the result of one individual's actions—it was the inevitable consequence of this flawed, cruel reality. Even if that incident hadn't happened, something else would have led to her demise. Only by reshaping the world could he ensure such tragedies would never occur again.

"Moreover," Obito continued, his tone calculated, "using Danzo's power to deal with the Uchiha will likely lead to both sides suffering heavy losses."

"Let them destroy each other?" White Zetsu tilted his head, clearly struggling to grasp Obito's reasoning.

"Exactly," Obito said with a faint smirk. "Toshiro isn't the type to sit back and take abuse without retaliating. If he catches wind of the schemes within the village, he won't hesitate to confront Konoha's leadership.

"When the dust settles, whether Konoha or the Uchiha suffer more damage, we'll be the ones to reap the benefits."

White Zetsu paused, then gave a slow nod, his understanding finally dawning. Obito's plan was as ruthless as it was shrewd.

"When the time comes, we may find the perfect opportunity to strike..." Obito's voice trailed off, his tone laced with uncertainty.

"Strike? Are you planning to eliminate Uchiha Toshiro?" White Zetsu asked, his curiosity piqued.

"No," Obito replied firmly. The prospect of killing Toshiro wasn't one he took lightly. From the intelligence Zetsu had gathered previously, Obito knew he couldn't guarantee success against someone as formidable as Toshiro. Unlike Shisui, Toshiro wouldn't fall victim to a trap orchestrated by Konoha's upper echelons.

"Our objective this time isn't solely the Uchiha clan," Obito continued, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "It's also... the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki."

White Zetsu's expression shifted, a glimmer of understanding sparking in his eyes as the weight of Obito's words settled in the air.

Obito hadn't anticipated that even after extracting the Nine-Tails from Kushina's body during his previous attack, she would survive—and not only survive but remain the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki.

Minato-sensei truly is something else...

This unexpected development posed a significant challenge. If Kushina retained her status as the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, dealing with her during the execution of his plans would be far more difficult than he'd initially calculated.

'If only I could find a way to pit Toshiro and Kushina against each other...' Obito mused, a sinister glint in his eyes.

"Uzumaki Kushina," he murmured, the name carrying an almost tangible weight.

Zetsu, who had been quietly observing, narrowed his eyes as a flicker of realization crossed his face. For a moment, he reevaluated the man before him.

Was this really the same fool who used to mutter Rin's name in his sleep or rage aimlessly about Kakashi's mistakes? The Obito standing here now seemed far more calculating and dangerous.

—

"Shisui, I have an important mission for you this time."

In the Hokage's office, the Sandaime's eyes, shadowed beneath his hat, observed the respectful young man kneeling before him.

"It would be an honor," Shisui replied, his voice steady yet deferential. He knelt on one knee, displaying the respect befitting an elder and leader.

Shisui harbored a deep sense of gratitude toward the Sandaime Hokage—not only for entrusting him with significant missions but also for the guidance and training he had received under his watch.

The Hokage spoke, his tone calm but serious. "You are well aware that the conflict between the Kirigakure and Konoha has never truly ceased. While large-scale battles have subsided, small-scale infiltration and border skirmishes persist without end."

The weight of the Hokage's words made it clear—this mission was critical.

"Yes, Sandaime-sama, could it be that this time..."

Shisui, known as Shisui of the Body Flicker among the Kiri Ninjas, had always kept a close eye on the developments in the ongoing conflicts between Konoha and Kiri.

As the Sandaime Hokage had stated, small-scale skirmishes and covert operations between the two villages had never truly ceased. The weight behind the Hokage's words made Shisui's thoughts race. Could this mission involve something significant regarding the conflict?

The Hokage's calm yet serious voice interrupted his musings. "In the near future, the Mizukage will send a delegation to Konoha to discuss border disputes and possible resolutions to the ongoing conflict."

Handing Shisui a scroll, the Sandaime silently observed the glimmer of hope that flickered in the young ninja's expression. Despite this, a deep sigh escaped the elder Hokage's lips.

Inwardly, he began to question the wisdom of his decision. Was it truly right to send Shisui in to this trap..?

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