As Madara Uchiha waited for Obito Uchiha's answer, he closely studied the younger man's expression.
He had spent time with Obito before, even engaging in deep conversations.
Konoha's influence on Obito was undeniable—it shaped both how he was raised and how others saw him.
Besides Rin Nohara, there were his teacher, teammates, clansmen, and fellow students.
It would be nearly impossible for him to fully abandon Konoha.
Madara understood that much was only natural.
However, if Obito continued following Madara's orders and plans, he would inevitably set foot on a path with no way back.
Just gathering the Tailed Beasts alone would brand him an enemy of every major ninja village.
And Zetsu was pulling strings from the shadows.
Obito's strength itself was also under Madara's control.
Even if he feigned cooperation, both Madara and Zetsu had countermeasures ready.
Madara shifted his gaze away, temporarily noticing nothing unusual.
Obito genuinely seemed grief-stricken and pained.
After a moment, Madara asked, "So what do you plan to do?"
Slowly lifting his head, Obito stopped reminiscing about Kakashi's annoying arrogance.
He didn't rush to accept Madara's request.
Haruki once told him that when negotiating with enemies, never show all your cards at once.
Right now, Madara was essentially revealing all his cards.
Obito said gravely, "I want to go back to Konoha first—at least take Rin with me."
Madara nodded slightly.
Obito's reaction reassured him.
If Obito had accepted instantly, Madara would have definitely suspected him.
"I'll have White Zetsu accompany you."
"Fine."
Obito didn't refuse and simply nodded in agreement.
He already knew about White Zetsu—it was an unintended byproduct born from Madara's use of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. He created White Zetsu while cultivating Hashirama Senju's cells.
In addition, there was also the deeper Black Zetsu.
"Oh, that's right—you've awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan."
Madara recalled what happened earlier in the day and smiled. "You've become one of the strongest shinobi in the ninja world with your Mangekyo Sharingan."
"Mangekyo Sharingan?"
Obito was slightly taken aback. He hadn't checked himself since waking up.
He didn't know he'd awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Suddenly, his eyes trembled, revealing the black, triangular-blade pattern.
At the same time, a torrent of new knowledge flooded his mind.
He couldn't help but show surprise.
"Once the Mangekyo Sharingan awakens, you gain access to two extremely powerful Dojutsu techniques. Of course, overusing them can quickly lead to blindness. However, implanting Hashirama Senju's cells can delay these effects."
Madara looked at him and said, "My research on Hashirama's cells goes far beyond anything Konoha has accomplished. I can ensure your eyesight remains intact for a long time, and I also know how to evolve it further."
Evolve?
Though uncertain whether Madara was telling the truth, the underlying implication was clear.
Reveal everything—as long as Obito joined the Moon's Eye Plan.
A temptation built on personal gain.
Obito took a deep breath and nodded. "Thank you, Lord Madara."
A faint smirk tugged at Madara's lips.
The horse won't run unless it's fed.
He understood that principle all too well.
"What are your two abilities?"
Madara Uchiha asked with curiosity.
"My left eye enhances my ocular power, while my right eye can teleport myself—or anyone or anything I touch—to another dimension."
Obito didn't hesitate much before telling him this.
His intention was to feign trustworthiness.
Besides, he was lying.
His left eye wasn't like that at all.
"Not bad," Madara Uchiha replied, showing no signs of doubt.
The Mangekyō Sharingan reflects the user's inner self.
After witnessing Rin Nohara's death, it made sense that Obito would want to grow stronger and escape this world.
Madara commented, "Your left eye ability may be simple, but it is highly effective. Combined with various other Sharingan techniques, its power becomes immense. The right eye's spatial ability is a rare and invaluable survival asset—it's extremely rare. With these dual abilities, you can both attack and defend. Even in defeat, you can always retreat."
"That's exactly what I think too."
"Hmm. Now that you have this ability, I can now send you to Konoha with peace of mind."
Obito's openness made Madara even more comfortable.
Initially, he had considered keeping Obito here for longer.
"Since that's settled, here's your first task—join the Akatsuki Organization. Nagato has obtained my Rinnegan, but his thinking is still too naive. I want you to correct his mistakes."
"I think there's a real chance," Obito mused.
"I understand my senior well. His vision of peace clashes heavily with Konoha's reality. Convincing him to join us should be possible."
Madara Uchiha slightly stiffened.
There seemed to be logic in what Obito said.
He had been stuck in a dead-end belief—that only intense shock could change Nagato.
But now, Obito had opened his eyes to it.
"Nagato seeks peace, but inevitably must oppose Konoha—the strongest village right now," Obito continued explaining.
"Konoha has gathered the Three-Tails, Eight-Tails, and Nine-Tails, along with powerful new ninja tools. They already pose a threat to the entire ninja world, dragging everyone into war until one side emerges victorious. But would Nagato willingly be destroyed or unified? He believes peace shouldn't come through extreme violence, yet Konoha itself is heading down that very path. All extremes of military power are converging in Konoha."
Madara Uchiha felt surprised by how well Obito understood Nagato.
According to his reasoning, there was no need anymore for carefully designed incidents.
"I'll leave the Akatsuki affairs to you. However, remember clearly—Nagato is merely our tool."
Madara reminded him not to let emotions cloud his judgment.
He said nothing further—rushing would accomplish nothing.
After fully trusting Obito, he could finally depart peacefully.
White Zetsu appeared before the two.
Madara glanced at him briefly, then signaled both to leave.
White Zetsu gave a knowing nod.
They arrived on the surface.
Obito glanced around.
It turned out to be a bridge.
Without concealing anything, White Zetsu explained, "We're under Kannabi Bridge in Grass Village."
Obito committed the name to memory and followed him toward Amegakure.
A moment later, Haruki appeared.
Because of the presence of the Outer Path's Demonic Statue, he didn't dare approach too closely, lest he be discovered.
Now seeing Obito and White Zetsu, he couldn't help but stroke his chin thoughtfully.
"Has he defected? That seems unlikely."
Haruki understood Obito far better than Madara Uchiha ever could. If Obito truly believed Rin Nohara was dead, he'd definitely react more intensely and dramatically.
Right now though, while his expression seemed serious, it looked more like an act.
He immediately activated the [Flying Thunder God] technique to return to the Akatsuki Organization's base.
It took about three to four hours round trip.
By now, Amegakure was now fully under Akatsuki control.
Haruki asked around, then headed directly for Amegakure.
In a tall building, he found Nagato and the others already waiting.
"Haruki."
Tsunade noticed his arrival first.
"Yes."
Haruki smiled and greeted everyone else.
"Teacher, where's Obito?"
Kakashi hadn't seen Obito and couldn't help but ask.
"Don't worry, he'll be here soon."
Haruki reached out and patted Kakashi on the shoulder, signaling him to stay calm.
He scanned the room, preparing to ask the other staff to leave, when suddenly he realized Jiraiya wasn't present.
"Where's Jiraiya? Why isn't he here yet?"
"Gamabunta came with news from Mount Myoboku—the Great Frog Sage summoned Jiraiya back," Tsunade explained.
Haruki frowned slightly—he didn't have much respect for this so-called Toad Sage.
But Jiraiya trusted them far too much.
After a moment's pause, he continued what he was doing.
Soon, only Nagato, Yahiko, Konan, Tsunade, Rin Nohara, and Kakashi remained in the office.
"What I'm about to say might come as a shock, but try not to panic or overreact," Haruki said.
Without revealing the existence of Zetsu or Madara Uchiha's identity, he recounted the entire situation.
In short, Madara Uchiha had taken interest in Obito, wanting to bring him onboard to stir up chaos and overthrow the entire ninja world.
"There's no way Obito would collude with them!"
Rin Nohara was the first to speak after hearing this, her tone firm and resolute.
"I agree," Kakashi seconded, "he may act like a fool sometimes, but no one cares about Konoha more than he does. His dream is to become Hokage—there's no way someone like him would fall for tricks from shadowy ninja."
Haruki smiled and said, "I never said he betrayed Konoha. He's probably working undercover. I saw them heading toward Amegakure, so I hope you can all cooperate accordingly."
Kakashi and Rin both exhaled in relief.
If Obito really turned rogue, they wouldn't know how to deal with it.
"Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko—I need to talk to you three separately."
Haruki glanced at Tsunade.
Tsunade immediately led Kakashi and Rin out of the room.
"You've already achieved the Akatsuki's short-term goal of bringing rare peace to the Land of Rain. What are your plans moving forward?"
The three exchanged glances before Nagato finally spoke.
"Teacher, we're planning to model ourselves after Konoha and focus first on restoring life in the Land of Rain."
"That's actually a great idea," Haruki said, slightly taken aback, then smiled.
Nagato's response genuinely surprised him.
But it also proved that Akatsuki, without Madara Uchiha's influence, was indeed more normal and rational.
"What about after that?"
Haruki asked again. "Once Rain Country grows strong enough, what's the plan? Start a war?"
"Of course not."
Nagato shook his head quickly. "I hope to maintain lasting peace with them. If they start a war, then our Rain Country will be responsible for ending it."
Haruki let out a bitter smile.
"As expected," he mused. "So naïve."
Actually, he had to admit that Nagato's philosophy held some merit after losing Yahiko.
Let the ninja world fully experience the pain of war, use fear as a deterrent against war, create the Tailed Beasts and his own deterrent force.
But there were still major flaws.
"What if the nations beyond Rain Country unify?"
Haruki looked at him seriously. "You might not know, but Konoha has already taken over the Land of Lightning, now controlling two great nations and emerging as an undeniable superpower."
Nagato's eyes immediately widened as he fell silent.
He opened his mouth—then closed it again, at a loss for words.
Given Konoha's current strength, they had no chance of stopping the war.
Instead, it would drag Rain Country back into the chaos—and possibly cause its complete annihilation.
What should they do?
They were completely out of options.