Chapter 175: The Dark Mobilization

The flames roared, consuming an unknown skull. "You have made significant contributions to the Akatsuki. If you must blame someone, blame Naruto. It's because of him that you've become a threat to me." With these words, Obito Uchiha turned and walked into the lair behind him. He had already decided to join forces with Madara Uchiha to confront Naruto Uzumaki.

Sitting by the candlestick, Madara Uchiha rested his chin on one hand, gazing at Obito at a 45-degree angle, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table. "Since you have obtained his blood and have such convenient techniques, if it were me, I would have acted immediately to ensure his demise. As for the Gedo Statue and the Tailed Beasts, once you take his eyes, you can release them."

With a flick of his cloak, Obito slowly took a seat, staring at the flickering candlelight. "Ah, so I don't understand what Naruto is planning," he said in a low voice.

In truth, Madara was equally puzzled. "In our first battle, he used an enhanced Chibaku Tensei to suppress me at the ocean floor, thinking he was safe. That made sense. But in our second battle, he successfully sealed my chakra points with black rods and absorbed my chakra with the Preta Path. He could have used the Human Path to extract my soul, but he didn't. Instead, he warned me about Black Zetsu."

"He said Black Zetsu is Kaguya's will and that it altered the stone tablet left by the Sage of Six Paths!" Madara clenched his fist tightly at the thought.

"If that's true, then the path to salvation through the Infinite Tsukuyomi, as revealed by the stone tablet, is also fabricated? Does that mean my decades of effort and planning were all a joke? If Hashirama knew this from the grave, where would my reputation stand? Back then, in front of the stone tablet, I confidently expressed my understanding of its contents, mocking his confusion because he lacked the Sharingan to see the true path, but..."

"No, I cannot waver. There's no turning back now; retreating is certain death!" The flickering candle flame extinguished suddenly.

Obito looked up and asked, "What's wrong?" The flame reignited, and Madara, having dispelled his doubts, returned to his usual cold, calm, and unrestrained demeanor.

Madara stated firmly, "We can study Naruto's motives after we achieve our great success. Right now, nothing is more important than the Eye of the Moon Plan. As long as my Rinnegan and the Nine-Tails are in Naruto's hands, the plan will remain on hold."

Obito nodded, "You have a point, but I've fought Naruto three times and lost each time. Each time, he breaks my expectations with stronger chakra and new powers. This time might be no different."

Madara inquired, "Which of your three battles with him came closest to victory?"

Obito replied, "To be precise, it was during the second battle. At that time, he hadn't yet gained the Uzumaki clan's power or the Senju's Wood Release. If it weren't for Konan's explosive tags set up in Amegakure, the outcome might have been unknown." Remembering the sea of explosive tags, Obito clenched his fist, as it was a shadow that lingered over him to this day.

Madara pondered, "So, in your third battle with him, he had already gained the Uzumaki power and the Senju power, resulting in a qualitative leap in strength. The enhancement brought by these elements is the most evident, while the combination of jutsu and battle experience requires long-term accumulation. In the short term, there's not much improvement visible!"

Obito's expression darkened. Madara gestured with his hand, "Let's consider what other decisive elements he might have that could bring significant enhancement."

Obito answered without hesitation, "Ocular power and Sage Mode!"

Madara smiled, "Naruto isn't the original owner of the Rinnegan. As for his Mangekyō Sharingan, do you know whose it is?"

Obito replied, "It belongs to Shisui Uchiha, a rare genius of the Uchiha clan who awakened the Kotoamatsukami technique!"

Madara asked, "Does Shisui have any siblings?"

Obito shook his head, "No, not even brothers. His parents died early. Oh, Kagami Uchiha is Shisui's grandfather, and his eyes are also missing!"

Madara sat up straight, crossing his arms, and said, "A grandfather, not exceeding three generations. This means Naruto has the potential to awaken the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan."

"But Kotoamatsukami, as I understand it, without Hashirama's cells, takes over a decade to activate once. Even with them, it can be used at most twice a day. With this frequency, it's hard to go blind. Blindness is the storage of ocular power. Without the process of blindness, even if he transplants Kagami's eyes, he can't awaken the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, at least not in the short term."

Madara concluded, "So, in terms of ocular power, Naruto won't have significant enhancements!"

Obito pondered, "But isn't Susanoo a quick way to blindness? If he keeps it activated day and night, wouldn't that accelerate blindness?"

Madara chuckled, "Oh, Obito, you still don't grasp the essence of our clan's ocular power deeply enough. Frequent use of Susanoo only stores Susanoo's ocular power, and Susanoo doesn't require the eyes to keep watching the enemy. Once the storage is complete, it can be activated without eyes. To make the eyes completely blind, all ocular power must be stored. He can't escape using Kotoamatsukami extensively!"

Obito nodded, "I see."

Madara stated seriously, "Then the crucial element for Naruto's enhancement is Sage Mode. He has already mastered Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode. With the foundation of Sage Mode, mastering the other two Sage Modes shouldn't be difficult."

"Let's assume the worst-case scenario. During our inactivity, Naruto has integrated the three Sage Modes and learned a Sage Mode equivalent to Hashirama's. In that case, his strength would indeed have a qualitative leap."

"And unlike Hashirama, that brat Naruto is full of tricks. Who knows what methods he might employ? Although it's hard to accept, even if we join forces, we might not have a guaranteed victory!"

Obito remarked meaningfully, "It's hard to believe that even Madara Uchiha would say something that boosts others' morale while diminishing his own. So, you must have a plan, given your calm demeanor?"

Madara stood up, "Release the Gedo Statue!"

Obito was taken aback, "What did you say?"

Madara said in a deep voice, "The Eight-Tails is insignificant to Naruto now. Seal the Eight-Tails into the Gedo Statue to further enhance its power and use it in this battle!"

Obito frowned, "Release the Gedo Statue here? Aren't you afraid Naruto might try to summon it and take it away? Given Naruto's current style, he might actually do that!"

Madara provoked, "So, are you afraid?"

Obito replied unwaveringly, "Yes, I am afraid! Because the Gedo Statue cannot afford any mishap! This concerns the success or failure of the Eye of the Moon Plan!"

Madara taunted, "Fortune favors the bold, Obito."

"Fine, we can seal the Eight-Tails. Both the Gedo Statue and the Eight-Tails are in my space-time dimension. Let's go together," Obito challenged, even turning the tables, "Or are you afraid that once you enter, you'll never come out?"

With these words, the atmosphere instantly became tense!

"Well, I'm just offering a suggestion that benefits both parties as a collaborator. Even if you disagree, there's no need to take it so seriously."

Madara sat back down, crossing his legs.

Obito also sat down again, "If you're not comfortable going to my space-time dimension with me, I'll go in with Zetsu and seal it myself. It will just take a bit longer."

Madara asked, "How long?"

Obito replied, "Six days."

Madara rejected, "Too long! After you killed Hidan, Naruto could deduce that you're preparing to act. He might even calculate that we're joining forces. If he's well-prepared, our chances of winning diminish."

Obito frowned, "Then what do you suggest?"

Madara, with a hand on the table, stood up calmly, "Since I'm willing to let you release the Gedo Statue, I have a way to ensure it won't be summoned by Naruto. Come out, Black Zetsu, Zetsu, time to work!"

With a rustle, Black Zetsu and Zetsu emerged from the ground.

Obito questioned, "What are you planning to do?"

Madara replied calmly, "You'll find out soon enough!"

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