Chapter 179: Konoha, Year 55

Obito's words struck like a bolt of lightning.

They exploded in Madara's mind.

Madara froze in place, a mixture of shock and doubt clouding his expression.

"Altered? How is that even possible?!" he demanded, his voice edged with disbelief.

Obito shrugged casually and replied,

"It's not entirely impossible. Think about it—nearly a thousand years have passed since the Sage of Six Paths left that stone tablet behind."

"If I could bypass the Sage's restrictions to read the entire inscription using, well, less than honorable methods…"

"...what's to stop someone else from bypassing those restrictions in a different way to alter the tablet's contents?"

Madara's expression darkened, his features twisting into a scowl so severe it could rival Black Zetsu's.

"What you're saying… is just speculation, isn't it?"

Even after hearing Obito recount the tablet's contents, Madara still refused to believe that his life's pursuit could be based on a fabrication!

"You're just trying to shake my resolve in carrying out the Eye of the Moon Plan!" Madara snapped coldly.

Obito burst into laughter, his voice echoing with amusement.

"Hahaha! Relax, I'm just giving you a friendly heads-up. Whether you believe it or not is up to you."

"But for what it's worth, I did notice a few… irregularities on the tablet—marks that clearly weren't left by one person."

Obito's laughter reverberated in the air, while Madara's lips twitched involuntarily. He wanted to laugh but couldn't quite manage it.

After a struggle, he finally suppressed his twitching mouth and asked grimly,

"You're suggesting someone fabricated the Eye of the Moon Plan… but what could their motive possibly be?!"

Obito shook his head, feigning sincerity as he replied,

"I couldn't tell you. There's no way to guess someone's motives from a single altered tablet."

Obito deliberately withheld Black Zetsu's true intentions from Madara. After all, that wasn't something Madara needed to know.

If he revealed too much, it might only lead to suspicion.

Madara listened to Obito's "earnest" response, his brows furrowing deeply.

"Impossible… That's impossible…"

Obito observed Madara's conflicted demeanor and smirked inwardly.

The seed of doubt had been planted. Now, it only needed time to take root and grow.

"I don't know the full picture," Obito added casually, "but you're wise beyond measure,. Surely, over the years, you've noticed… peculiarities?"

"Have you never felt as though you were being subtly guided, bit by bit, into accepting someone else's ideas as your own?"

His words carried an unmistakable implication.

Madara's face shifted as he mulled it over, his expression cycling through a range of emotions.

"You're talking about… Black Zetsu?! That's absurd!"

Obito chuckled, his tone laced with amusement.

"Of course, anyone in your position would think it's absurd."

"After all, who would suspect their own will? Hahahaha!"

Madara froze.

He began to comb through his memories, recalling every major decision he'd made—from awakening the Rinnegan to his unwavering commitment to the Eye of the Moon Plan.

In every instance, Black Zetsu had been there, lurking in the background.

And he had always assumed those thoughts and decisions were entirely his own.

Madara's body trembled violently, as though shaken to its core.

Could it be true? Had he truly been manipulated by a mere inferior creature all this time?

The thought was unbearable!

Obito placed a hand on Madara's shoulder, his voice carrying a rare note of sincerity.

"I told you all this just so you'd be on guard. It'd be a shame if, after all our efforts, we ended up paving the way for someone else's victory."

Madara shot Obito a long, contemplative look, a complex mix of emotions flickering in his eyes.

"...Very well. I'll keep your words in mind."

"Let's head back, Obito."

Obito grinned mischievously.

"Sure thing. Want me to use my Kamui? It'd save us the trip."

Madara scowled, clearly unimpressed.

"There's no need. Don't think I don't know what you're trying to pull!"

Caught red-handed, Obito simply laughed it off.

"Alright, alright, we'll walk. I'll keep you company."

Another day's journey later, Obito delivered a fuming Madara back to their base before gleefully heading off on his own.

'Looks like Black Zetsu's got some stormy days ahead!' he mused with a chuckle.

In this round of verbal sparring, Obito had played his cards perfectly, exploiting his foreknowledge to gain the upper hand.

The best-case scenario? Madara might abandon the Eye of the Moon Plan entirely.

The worst-case scenario? Things would proceed as originally planned, which didn't bother Obito in the slightest.

'Madara, I've given you the chance. Whether you take it is up to you,' Obito muttered as he turned back toward Konoha, red Sharingan glowing faintly.

With that, he resumed his leisurely life in the village.

...

Konoha Year 55

Time slipped away unnoticed amidst the warmth of Rin's presence and the simple joys of life.

After an early snowfall blanketed the Nara Clan's estate, the grounds were transformed into a serene winter wonderland.

The paths were lined with frost-laden plants, and the gardens resembled delicate ink-wash paintings.

"People say a timely snow brings a bountiful harvest…" mused a spiky-haired man, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

"Getting married amidst this snowy backdrop—it's something you'd remember even decades later."

Beside him, a man with unruly hair clicked his tongue.

"Leave it to you, Mr. Philosopher. We were worried the snow would ruin the wedding, but you've turned it into poetry."

"Speaking of which, thanks again for arranging the venue, Shikayu."

Shikayu rolled his eyes.

"Obito, don't get all polite on me now. You weren't this courteous when you first asked for my help."

With a mock-serious tone, he continued, "Ever since you started this trend, everyone's been coming to me for their wedding venues. It's driving me crazy!"

Obito couldn't help but laugh.

"Well, you're the second son of the Nara Clan. It's only natural for you to help your brothers out with their big day."

Grinning, Obito added, "Speaking of which, how are things with Ryoko? Any plans to tie the knot yet?"

Yes, Shikayu, who often dismissed women as "troublesome," had quietly started dating Aburame Ryoko, his former classmate.

At the mention of Ryoko, Shikayu's lips curled into a subtle smile.

"Hm, probably soon. You know my dream…"

"Oh, I know!" Obito interjected enthusiastically.

"Don't worry, I've got this memorized!"

Shikayu watched in exasperation as Obito recited his dream with dramatic flair:

"To live a simple life as a ninja, earn just enough to get by, marry a woman who's neither stunning nor plain, have a couple of kids, retire as soon as they're self-sufficient, spend my days playing shogi and eating canned food, and die before my wife!"

Shikayu rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"That's my dream… you didn't need to deliver it with so much gusto."

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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