Chapter 19 — Uchiha Yujiro: I've Discovered Naruto's Dark Truth
Even though Yujiro had said, "Let's talk," after the clash ended, Obito refused to move any closer.
Yujiro sighed. "What, you're gonna yell at me from way over there? Doesn't your throat hurt?"
But Obito stayed put. No way in hell he was stepping into range of the Konoha Flame Claw. One slip, one kunai through the chest, and his dream of a gentle world for Rin would shatter like tofu in a blender.
So Yujiro was the one to break the silence.
"You're alive, stronger than ever… but you didn't return to the village. That makes you a rogue, right? Tell me—do you hate the Uchiha? Hate Konoha? Or maybe the Fourth?"
Obito was silent for a beat. Then he answered in a flat voice:
"…The world."
"Wow." Yujiro raised a brow. Even expecting nonsense, he still had to whistle at that answer.
"So what then? Gonna listen to me, work together to change the world?"
"—Not at all." Obito's voice sharpened, his tone swelling with conviction. "Because your path is wrong. This world is beyond saving. No amount of patchwork or effort can fix it—it's incurable!"
Yujiro almost laughed. Of course he's preaching. He knew debating with a brain-poisoned zealot was pointless, but snark was his nature.
"Big words from someone who hasn't even tried. You say it's hopeless—based on what, exactly?"
"The tragedies! The endless suffering! I've seen the world's cries, its—"
"Yeah, yeah," Yujiro cut him off. "You saw plenty of tragedies before Rin died, didn't you? And back then you were just a dumb, wide-eyed kid. So let's be real—it was her death that broke you. That's why you leapt to this ridiculous conclusion."
He leaned forward, voice mocking but pointed.
"Yes, Rin's death made you despair. But how the hell did you jump from 'I hate Minato'… to 'the entire world is unsalvageable'?"
He ticked them off one by one:
"The Fourth showed up late, you resented him. Understandable.
The village threw your squad against enemies way out of your league, you resented Konoha. Fair.
The Uchiha gave you no backup, left you hanging—you could hate the clan, too. Reasonable.
Hell, hate Iwa, hate Kiri, hate all the ninja if you want. Fine."
Yujiro tapped his temple. "But the world? Seriously? That's just dumb. World too big for your brain, Obito?"
"Wrong!" Obito snapped, bristling. "You underestimate me!"
Then his tone cooled. A cruel smile curved behind the mask as he gave Yujiro a pitying look. "I've seen the truth of this world. With these eyes, I understand. You can't. But if you had them, you would. This is the Uchiha's ultimate secret—the final plan to bring everlasting peace and happiness."
Ah, here it comes. Yujiro exhaled slowly. The Infinite Tsukuyomi sales pitch.
He didn't even need to know about Zetsu's manipulations, or Kaguya's revival scheme, to see how absurd the plan was.
Trap everyone in a dream?
Bodies left helpless—no food, no water, no defense. Landslides, floods, earthquakes—humanity would die drooling in its sleep.
What about the sick clinging to life in hospitals?
Workers on scaffolds?
Sailors guiding ships?
Yujiro could've listed a hundred ways this "perfect world" ended in mass graves.
Instead, he casually pointed out a couple—and watched Obito's face twist with anger.
"These are necessary sacrifices!" Obito shouted. "You think I haven't considered them?!"
Yujiro smirked. "Yes. You haven't."
"…"
"Changing the world isn't simple," Yujiro went on, voice firm now. "It's long, messy, painful work. There's no magic button that makes everyone happy. No instant shortcut. And you—Obito—you're already walking the wrong path.
"So it really is because of Rin, huh? Her death twisted you this far… Fine, fine, I'll shut up. Don't glare at me like I just killed your wife."
Teasing someone's scar was fun, sure—but pushing Obito too far would end ugly. Yujiro wisely bit his tongue. The two Uchihas just locked eyes, silent, mutual disgust simmering between them.
"Doesn't look like we'll ever see eye to eye."
"Indeed."
In that moment, both acknowledged it: the man standing opposite was the greatest obstacle on their self-proclaimed path to "saving the world."
So… keep fighting?
No. The odds weren't absolute. Losing meant the end.
Pretend nothing happened and walk away?
That felt just as wrong.
When ideals collapse, only interests remain.
Obito broke the silence first. "The Hokage will eventually turn on the Uchiha. When that happens, what will you do?"
Yujiro shot back immediately: "And you're planning to fight the Five Great Villages all by yourself? You won't even have bones left to bury."
"Join me against the Hokage," Obito pressed. "That way, the Uchiha survive."
Yujiro countered smoothly: "Be my mercenary. Do the dirty jobs. Big pay, fat bonuses."
"Too hollow."
"Too insincere."
"… …"
"… …"
Their "negotiation" ended in deadlock. Obito wanted to use Yujiro. Yujiro wanted to freeload off Obito. To call it a Tom and Jerry routine would be underselling just how shameless both sides were.
"At least tell me about Amegakure," Yujiro finally said. "I'm curious about this Akatsuki of yours."
Obito snorted. "Hmph. If you want answers, find them yourself."
Deep down, he relished the thought of Yujiro clashing with Nagato. No matter which one died, Obito wouldn't shed a tear.
With that, he twisted space with Kamui and vanished, leaving only his parting shot:
"You'll regret this, Yujiro!"
Yujiro clicked his tongue. "Tsk, tsk, tsk."
Maybe it wasn't too late to give up ninjutsu and start training full-time in verbal combat.
Then again… no, that wasn't right.
Naruto's so-called "Talk no Jutsu"? That had to be Kotoamatsukami all along.
Yes—that was the dark truth of Naruto! Shisui's ultimate genjutsu, rewriting minds so they believed they'd been persuaded by words.