Hanzo froze, not expecting Obito to ask such a strange question.
After thinking for a while, he said, "If that were the case, in fact, I wouldn't have a choice."
"After the Second Ninja War, the Land of Rain's national strength was heavily depleted. In many areas, we needed Konoha's support."
"So, Konoha's words I would have no choice but to obey. I don't think I would fall for Danzo's scheme to sow discord, but…", Hanzo paused.
Obito's eyes grew deep, "But if Danzo had already sent word to you that he didn't like Akatsuki, then whether you wanted to handle it or not, you'd have to handle it, right?"
Hanzo nodded, "If I didn't deal with it, Konoha might cut off its economic aid to the Land of Rain. So, I would make a move against Akatsuki."
"However, after all, they were a group of very good young people. I wouldn't completely annihilate them. I would try to limit it to the founders, Nagato, Yahiko, Konan. In fact, as long as Yahiko, the actual leader, died, Akatsuki would collapse."
Obito thought it over. That really was the case.
In the past, Hanzo had always kept the scope of his moves against Akatsuki limited to those three founders, never implicating the whole group.
On that day, if Obito hadn't intercepted Akatsuki's members halfway, then perhaps, aside from Yahiko dying, the rest of Akatsuki could have survived.
Even the explosive tags Hanzo had planted in such numbers, all wrapped around Nagato's legs. In the end, the explosion only crippled Nagato's legs.
Although this might have had something to do with the Uzumaki clan's strong constitution and regenerative powers, Obito, having personally tasted the flavor of explosive tags, understood. That stuff really could blow people to death.
He himself had fused half of Hashirama's cells, yet even with his body able to withstand Minato-sensei's Rasengan, he still couldn't handle the chain detonation of multiple explosive tags. He needed Izanagi to escape.
He didn't believe Nagato's body was that much tougher than his.
So, from Hanzo's perspective, he really had shown mercy in that matter.
Hanzo was, in fact, a good leader. When a domestic force arose that was beyond control, even if it spread a peace ideology, he didn't think of extermination, but instead even had intentions of cooperation.
Even if, because of Danzo's pressure, he had no choice but to eliminate Akatsuki, he only killed the leader to let the organization collapse on its own, sparing most of the members.
If that had happened in Konoha, Hiruzen would only need to give Danzo a glance, without saying a single word, and by the next day Danzo would have slaughtered every single member of Akatsuki, probably not even leaving a chicken at their door alive.
Konoha could not tolerate a second "Will of Fire."
Thinking of this, Obito couldn't help but feel a wave of respect. To the Land of Rain, Hanzo was a hero. Unfortunately, such a hero, born in a small nation, could only be crushed by the Five Great Nations.
He lifted the teacup Hanzo had handed him, drained it in one gulp, "It's getting late. I'll take my leave. See you next time."
After speaking, Obito raised his hand, wiping himself out of reality.
Seeing Obito come so casually and leave so freely, Hanzo couldn't help looking toward Madara.
"He… is he always like this? Suddenly showing up, saying inexplicable things, and then suddenly leaving again?"
Madara said flatly, "You'll get used to it."
———
[The Fire–Lightning battlefield, the Frontlines]
In fact, after the four great hidden villages launched their campaign to encircle Madara, the war here had already quieted down.
Now aside from both sides still facing each other and some minor clashes, overall the fighting wasn't that intense.
Obito's figure appeared outside Konoha's camp and slowly walked toward the guards.
Because the military camp strictly checked every ninja coming in and out, to prevent anyone from sneaking in with a Transformation Jutsu, Obito couldn't just skip ahead and teleport straight into the command tent.
The guarding shinobi spotted Obito and instantly shunshined over. Then, once they saw clearly who it was, they couldn't help but get excited.
"You're the Black Fang, aren't you?"
"It's really great that you're here!"
"Black Fang, can I get your autograph?"
Obito's face instantly darkened.
That title was just too awful. It didn't fit his style. He had to find a way to change it.
So, after quickly registering at the guard post, he immediately used the excuse of urgent wartime matters to shake off the crowd, and under the guidance of a Konoha chunin, entered the main command tent.
Before Obito's arrival, the supreme commander of the Fire–Lightning battlefield had been this generation's "Shika" of the Ino–Shika–Cho trio: Nara Shikaku.
At the moment, he was discussing some strategies with his two teammates, Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Choza.
When he saw Obito arrive, his previously stern expression instantly softened, and he took the initiative to greet him.
"So you're Jonin Obito? It's been a while. Didn't expect you'd already made a name for yourself, with a reputation no less than Minato."
"This time you've come, is it to take over as supreme commander? Hahaha! I guess I can finally set down this burden."
Obito secretly thought Nara Shikaku really was formidable. With just a single glance, he had already seen through what Hiruzen was planning.
No wonder most of the Nara clan were naturally lazy.
In this world, being too smart wasn't necessarily a good thing. Seeing through certain rules too early, without having overwhelming strength, one would suddenly feel a helplessness. That no matter what effort was made, the situation couldn't be changed.
Since it couldn't be changed, why not lie down and rot early? Anyway, when the sky falls, there'll always be someone taller to hold it up.
Thinking this, Obito pulled out the letter of appointment, "Lord Hokage has indeed appointed me as supreme commander. His instructions are very clear, end the war with Kumogakure."
Shikaku nodded and said, "Actually, I think Kumogakure also has that intention. A and B have already restrained their troops and haven't launched blind attacks against us."
"It's just, they seem to want to secure the initiative in the peace agreement. They don't want to retreat. On the contrary, they want to wait for us to lower our posture and take the initiative to negotiate…"
Obito sneered, "It was they who started this war. And now, when they want to end it, instead of honestly admitting fault and accepting punishment, they want us to beg for peace? Dream on."
"A is still as shameless as ever."
The Ino–Shika–Cho trio all showed an awkward expression. Although they didn't know exactly how A had offended Obito, that duo had indeed caused them huge trouble.
Yamanaka Inoichi said frankly, "The A–B combo is extremely powerful. Especially Killer B, the perfect Jinchuriki of the Eight-Tails. Even if the three of us fought together, we likely wouldn't be their match."
"Moreover, the two of them always act together. We lack high-end combat power here. If a small squad runs into them, we'll certainly take heavy losses. But if we mobilize a large force, it'll completely reignite the war. Truly… it's difficult to deal with."
Obito, of course, understood the severity. At this point, A might not be as strong as in the future, but he should have already stepped into the Kage level.
As for B, needless to say. Being a perfect Jinchuriki of the Eight-Tails placed him at the very top tier of the Kage level.
Those two together, even if the Ino–Shika–Cho trio could combine into the power of a Kage, they absolutely wouldn't be their match.
To handle them, Konoha would need someone like Minato-sensei, or even Hiruzen himself, to take the field.
But now, none of that was a problem, because he had arrived.
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