"I've already said it: we in Konoha only aim to lead everyone toward progress together, not interfere in internal affairs, and to respect each village's culture. Isn't that the very philosophy of our Ninja Association?"
"Or have you already assumed that all the villages in the Ninja Association are vassals of Konoha?"
"If that were the case, there would be no need for so many countries and villages in the ninja world. Why not just rename them all Konohagakure?"
Uchiha Hikaru's words instantly silenced those who had doubted the Five Great Nations.
Mifune of the Land of Iron realized he had been tricked by Obito's words and had unwittingly played into his scheme. He reacted immediately, drawing the samurai sword at his waist and pointing it toward the masked figure, a cold glint flashing from the blade.
"I can't believe I let myself be fooled by your words, you most vicious and treacherous ninja," Mifune growled.
"The provocation in your words is clear. Truly despicable. Truly sinister."
The Sandaime Hoshikage standing nearby felt embarrassed. If only I had known earlier… I wouldn't have agreed so easily. I really am getting old…
Obito, seeing that Hikaru's words had nullified the effect of his verbal provocation, felt a pang of frustration but remained unbothered. It was only a test; failure was irrelevant.
He turned away from Mifune, sneering at Hikaru.
"Just a few words from me were enough to make them doubt the Ninja Association," Obito said, his tone taunting.
"You truly are a failure as the president of the Ninja Association. I don't even have as much prestige as you do."
His words weren't just a mockery of Hikaru—they implied that everyone else was foolish. The audience's anger surged, swords almost raised in unison.
Hikaru, however, only smiled, pity in his eyes.
"As expected of someone once called the last in the ninja academy," Hikaru said, voice calm but cutting.
"You've even forgotten the most basic concepts of being a ninja."
"To achieve your goals, you must do whatever it takes, verifying information again and again. A true ninja is always on guard."
"I didn't expect you didn't even understand this."
"As expected, the last truly is the last. Don't pretend to know everything—it only exposes your ignorance and stupidity."
Obito felt a surge of irritation. Hikaru's words were as infuriating as ever. He couldn't win this argument, and his pride flared red-hot.
"Why aren't you speaking?" Hikaru asked with a teasing smile. "Aren't you clever? Why not try a few more words and see if they believe you?"
Obito shook his head, dismissing Hikaru's taunts.
"I'm not interested in bickering further. I came here for a different reason—to invite you to join the Moon Eye Project."
"The… Moon Eye Project?"
Even Mifune, who had just decided to remain silent, now furrowed his brow in confusion.
Obito spread his hands and spoke freely, eyes gleaming with madness.
"Yes, the Moon Eye Project!" he declared.
"If the Five Great Nations and Takigakure hand over all nine Tailed Beasts to me, I can revive the legendary Ten-Tails!"
"Using the moon as a medium, I will cast an illusion across the entire ninja world—Infinite Tsukuyomi!"
"Everyone will live in their ideal world. The dead will be resurrected, reunited with their loved ones."
"A world without war, peace, happiness, and freedom for all!"
"Isn't it brilliant?"
As he spoke, Obito's madness reached its peak.
Mei Terumi's eyes narrowed, disgust evident. She regarded him as if he were a dark, filthy rat.
"Enough," she snapped.
"You live in a world of illusions. No matter how beautiful, it's still fake. I cannot fathom how someone as despicable as you could dream up such nonsense."
"Perhaps someone you care for rejected you, so you came up with this plan out of loneliness and stupidity?"
"Yes. Being despised by the entire ninja world, hated by all… only someone like you would dream such a delusion."
"You escape reality to live in a false world. You have no ambition."
Her verbal assault left Obito dazed. He had been so focused on Hikaru's words that he hadn't noticed others. Mei Terumi's barrage hit him hard.
It hurt.
It hurt so much!
Obito snatched the Uchiha fan behind him and hurled it toward Mei Terumi.
At that moment, Chōjūrō stepped forward—or rather, Hirame Aoi intercepted the fan with swift precision.
"Even though I'm just a bodyguard, don't think about harming the Mizukage!" Hirame Aoi warned. "You'll have to go through me first!"
Obito recovered the fan, suppressing his fury, and scanned the assembly.
"What a hopeless lot," he muttered.
"You didn't even seize your last chance. Do you truly think that without the Tailed Beasts, I cannot revive the Ten-Tails?"
"You've squandered your final opportunity for survival."
"I hereby declare to the entire ninja world: The Fourth Ninja World War begins!"
Without waiting for a response, Obito transformed into a Hollow and vanished. Having endured countless defeats, he knew that after boasting, the best course was to escape.
Though there had been mistakes, his declaration of war had succeeded. He hadn't expected the Five Great Nations to hand over the Tailed Beasts so easily. Everything he had done was merely to buy time.
Hikaru would never suspect that Obito's actions had only one goal: to acquire another Rinnegan. His companion, Black Zetsu, must have already obtained the other Rinnegan.
Soon after returning to the Moon Kingdom's underground cave, Obito saw the severely injured, half-dead Black Zetsu crawling from the earth in a panic.
"Did you get it?" Obito demanded, his eyes burning with anticipation. He imagined himself soon becoming the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki, ascending as the second Sage of the Six Paths.
Black Zetsu coughed violently, blood spilling from his mouth.
"Quickly… put this body into the nutrient solution…" he gasped.
"The resurrection of the Ten-Tails… cannot succeed without this secondary body!"
...
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