"Since that is the case, there is no harm in me making a trip myself," Obito said quietly.
"If it increases my chances of success, then I will be one step closer to Rin's world."
After speaking, Uchiha Obito turned his gaze toward Ashveil.
Ashveil had said earlier that he would participate in the Fourth Shinobi World War.
If that were true, then something felt off.
Obito frowned inwardly.
Even he, someone who could not defeat Ashveil, firmly believed that one day he would stand at the peak and crush every shinobi in the world.
In Obito's eyes, Ashveil was an existence on the same level as Madara.
Yet now, this man was suggesting searching for someone like Kabuto.
It made no sense.
With Ashveil's strength, their side already possessed overwhelming combat power.
So why bother?
Ashveil, however, chuckled softly.
"As for that…"
"I never said I would exert myself during the war."
"Huh?"
Uchiha Obito froze, completely stunned.
Not exert himself?
Then what was all of this?
You dragged me into planning together, talked about the Eye of the Moon Plan, and now you tell me you are not even going to fight?
Obito's frustration surged.
If he were capable of defeating Ashveil, he would have already lashed out without hesitation.
"Mr. Ashveil," Obito said, struggling to keep his composure, "is this what you call cooperation? Is this how you are helping me?"
Outwardly, he looked confused.
Inwardly, resentment churned.
So in the end, you do nothing and just watch?
Ashveil chuckled again and looked at Obito with calm amusement.
"Is this not helping you?"
"After all, if someone with my combat power were to actively join the battlefield, it would completely disrupt your plan, wouldn't it?"
Ashveil smiled faintly as he spoke.
Obito's mouth twitched violently.
So not helping is actually helping?
He wanted to refute it outright, but there was nothing he could say.
The reason was simple.
He could not defeat Ashveil.
Facing someone of this level, the only thing Obito could do was endure and keep Ashveil from acting recklessly.
That alone would already be beneficial to the Eye of the Moon Plan.
In truth, Ashveil had no intention of remaining passive.
If he wanted to grow stronger, standing by was never an option.
However, when he did make his move, it would not be for Obito.
Nor would it be for the shinobi alliance.
What Ashveil intended was to stand alone.
Why should he choose sides?
His strength alone surpassed everyone else combined.
With that kind of power, why bind himself to anyone's cause?
If anything, fighting both sides would be far more interesting.
Ashveil's lips curved slightly as his thoughts deepened.
Obito, though unwilling, had no choice.
He followed Ashveil's suggestion and began searching for Kabuto.
Elsewhere, inside a hidden cave, Kabuto suddenly burst into laughter.
"It worked. It finally worked."
His voice trembled with excitement.
Having once served under Sasori, Kabuto already possessed Sasori's genetic material. By combining Orochimaru's research on Impure World Reincarnation, he had successfully revived Sasori.
Not only that, he had also obtained several Akatsuki corpses, including Uchiha Itachi and Kakuzu.
Hidan, however, remained inaccessible, guarded tightly by the Nara clan.
Even so, Kabuto was exhilarated.
More importantly, Kabuto had once been affiliated with Danzo.
Through that connection, he had secretly unearthed the remains of several former Kage.
Among them was Uchiha Madara.
That alone elevated his Impure World Reincarnation to an unprecedented level.
"This is only the beginning," Kabuto murmured.
"Lord Orochimaru, I will make your dreams come true."
Through relentless experimentation, Kabuto had not only refined this forbidden technique but also suppressed Orochimaru's cells within himself.
He had even obtained Sage Mode.
At this moment, Kabuto stood closer to invincibility than ever before.
Just then, space twisted.
Uchiha Obito appeared before him.
When Obito saw the figures standing behind Kabuto, his pupils shrank.
They were unmistakable.
Akatsuki members.
"You," Obito said coldly, anger rising. "You dared to use the Akatsuki's corpses."
But remembering his purpose, he restrained himself.
"It does not matter," Obito said slowly. "They are already dead."
"I am here because I need your cooperation."
Kabuto looked at him, a faint smile forming.
"An Uchiha?" Kabuto said lightly. "Aside from that brat Sasuke, aren't all the Uchiha already dead?"
Obito adopted a deep, aged tone.
"Who says so? I, Uchiha Madara, am still alive."
He intended to repeat the same deception he once used on Nagato.
Unfortunately, Kabuto was not Nagato.
Years under Orochimaru had sharpened his mind beyond simple manipulation.
Kabuto exaggerated his reaction.
"Really? Madara is alive?"
Obito relaxed slightly.
As expected, Madara's name still carried weight.
Obito explained his vision and the ideal world he wished to create.
For a brief moment, Kabuto was genuinely tempted.
A peaceful world, an orphanage without war.
That had once been his dream.
But temptation did not equal trust.
"It is unfortunate," Kabuto replied calmly. "Your combat power makes me believe that cooperating with you would only lead to defeat by the Five Great Nations."
Obito's eyes narrowed.
What was this supposed to mean?
"You think I, Uchiha Madara, would struggle against mere nations?"
Kabuto interrupted with a chuckle.
"Wait. You do not truly believe you are Uchiha Madara, do you?"
"Could it be that what I collected is fake?"
Before Obito could react, Kabuto performed a technique.
A coffin rose from the ground.
Inside stood Uchiha Madara.
Obito's composure shattered.
"How did you obtain Madara's body?" he demanded.
Kabuto smiled.
"It was hidden in a cave. Nothing special."
"As long as the body is not lost at sea or sealed like Hidan, I can find it."
"Now then," Kabuto continued, "it is time for you to tell me who you really are."
Obito removed his mask.
"I am Uchiha Obito."
To emphasize his power, he demonstrated several space time techniques.
Kabuto watched with clear disdain.
"Compared to my Impure World Reincarnation, this is nothing impressive."
"Your defense is solid, but your attack power is only around seven and a half Tailed Beasts."
"That is not enough to defeat me."
Obito clenched his teeth.
He was being openly belittled.
Night Feather had been right.
Kabuto was far from simple.
Obito considered attacking but abandoned the idea when his eyes fell on Madara's coffin.
If Madara were fully revived, he would stand no chance.
The Eye of the Moon Plan could be completed by Madara alone.
That realization filled Obito with unease.
Just then, an overwhelming pressure descended upon the cave.
Kabuto, who had been enjoying Obito's discomfort, froze.
Sweat poured down his face.
This pressure.
Even when he first met Orochimaru, he had never felt anything like it.
In the entire Shinobi world, only two people could produce such oppressive presence.
Hashirama Senju, the God of Shinobi.
And Uchiha Madara.
___
🌙 Ramadan Special
Unlock advance chapters on my Patreon with 7 DAYS FREE TRIAL on all Tiers.
40% Discount
Use code: RAMADANPASS
Link: Patreon.com/Zphyr
Limited-time Ramadan offer, don't miss it.