~ Every 100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter! Your votes keep this climbing. Thanks!
The name that startled the Five Kage was "Uchiha"—not Obito.
Uchiha Obito. A name that flashed briefly across the reports from the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, known to few aside from the participating Iwa forces.
Ōnoki stroked his beard, reminiscing. "Obito… I've heard that name. Kakashi of the Sharingan, famed throughout the ninja world, inherited the eye of that very Obito. Even if this Obito is alive, Lady Tsunade, your claim that he manipulated the former Mizukage Yagura and orchestrated Konoha's Nine-Tails incident… lacks persuasiveness."
Tsunade's expression was grave. "Frankly, I could hardly believe it myself—if I hadn't witnessed it with my own eyes a month ago. Uchiha Obito appeared in Konoha and stole Hatake Kakashi's Sharingan!"
"What?!"
A ripple of profound shock spread among the Five Kage.
That Kakashi… had his Sharingan taken?!
A hint of schadenfreude colored Ōnoki's tone. "No wonder. I wondered why Kakashi wasn't present as the Hokage's escort. So he's been relegated to the backlines…"
Tsunade wanted to make the Kage understand the gravity of the situation, but struggled to find the right words.
Nara Shikaku stepped forward. "Lady Hokage, allow me."
Tsunade nodded and retook her seat.
Under the collective gaze of the shinobi, Shikaku stepped up. Lady Tsunade omitted the part where Sasuke also appeared with Obito in Konoha. She still doesn't want Sasuke to become the focus of the world's attention. That's why she hesitated.
After a brief pause, Shikaku spoke, his voice low and deliberate. "The critical issue now is not the name 'Obito,' but the established facts: his ability to manipulate the Mizukage Yagura, and the Nine-Tails attack on Konoha. With all due respect, surveying the entire Uchiha clan, only one individual had the capability to accomplish either of those feats. A name you, Lord Tsuchikage, are surely familiar with."
Ōnoki's face noticeably paled.
Shikaku confirmed it. "Correct… Uchiha Madara."
Ōnoki's eyes narrowed. "Are you suggesting this Obito possesses Madara's abilities and ambitions?"
"Or," Shikaku pressed, "that his actions were carried out under Madara's directive."
"Shikaku, your wisdom is renowned," Ōnoki warned, his voice sharp. "You must be responsible for your words. The name Uchiha Madara is synonymous with war itself."
"My judgment is based on evidence," Shikaku countered calmly. "Obito's transformation from a Konoha hero to an agent of darkness must stem from a significant catalyst. After taking Kakashi's eye, Obito revealed he was also present during the ambush by Kiri ANBU where Kakashi was surrounded. The death of their mutual comrade, Rin Nohara… that was likely the trigger for his change."
"What does this have to do with Madara?"
"Where did those Kiri ANBU come from? Why was Uchiha Obito there? Why did he just happen to witness Rin's death? The coincidence is too great. The only one with the power and reach to orchestrate such a scenario, in my estimation, is Madara. Furthermore, Obito's subsequent emulation of Madara's method—unleashing the Nine-Tails—supports this theory."
He raised a placating hand. "Of course… this is merely my speculation. No concrete evidence exists. There's no need for excessive alarm. The core issue is this: the Akatsuki's designs on the tailed beasts stretch far back. In less than a year, nearly all of them have fallen into Akatsuki hands. It's difficult to believe they lack the ambition—or the means—to use these beasts for war. This is what merits your collective attention, Lords and Ladies Kage."
"We must set aside past grievances and seek a joint solution. Putting aside the question of an alliance for now, we must at least achieve transparency and sharing of intelligence. I've said my piece." Shikaku's gaze shifted. "Lord Raikage, what is your view?"
Even the arrogant Raikage had to concede. "Nara Shikaku. Vision. Foresight. Strategy. Eloquence. You possess them all. No wonder Konoha is so difficult to deal with. Fine. I will temporarily let the matter of Lord Tsuchikage's past use of the Akatsuki rest. Once the Akatsuki is destroyed, we can settle old accounts."
Ōnoki snorted. "As you wish."
Kabuto Yakushi observed, impressed. Nara Shikaku. Formidable. With limited intel, he's nearly reconstructed the truth and seized the initiative for Konoha in these talks. Even if Obito hadn't come to declare war, it seems a Shinobi Alliance might still have formed.
But… they don't know. The Akatsuki has already been taken down single-handedly by Sasuke-kun. The Obito they speak of is about to become Sasuke-kun's defeated foe—perhaps even his victim.
Sasuke-kun won't let war break out at this juncture.
…
Orochimaru and Sasuke emerged from the Flying Thunder God kunai Kabuto had pre-positioned.
They stood on the snowy plains of the Land of Iron.
Treading the path of his previous life, Sasuke's mindset was utterly different.
"Orochimaru. Since my rebirth, I haven't done anything worthy of a collective assault by the Five Kage. The Ten Confrontations are life-and-death battles. How do I get the Five Kage to try and kill me?"
Orochimaru's answer was simple. "Walk in wearing the Akatsuki's black robe with red clouds. It speaks louder than a thousand words."
"About my past… I will have to come clean with the Kage eventually," Sasuke said. "I'd rather not make explaining myself more difficult. Unlike Naruto, I'm genuinely not good with words."
"So… Sasuke-kun, you want to temporarily draw the Kage's ire toward yourself, while leaving room for explanation afterwards?"
Orochimaru pondered briefly, a playful smile touching his lips. "That's not difficult either, Sasuke-kun. You simply need to show your 'true Hawk colors.'"
Sasuke frowned. "True Hawk colors?"
"Indeed. Think back to when you led Team Hawk, active across the ninja world…"
"Honestly… I've forgotten how I felt back then."
Seeing the lingering amusement on Orochimaru's face, Sasuke added, "You're not just trying to see me act out of character for your own amusement, are you?"
"That would certainly be entertaining," Orochimaru conceded. "But Sasuke-kun, after all these years, standing here again… is there truly not a shred of regret in your heart? The memory of being 'greeted' by each Kage in turn is still vivid, isn't it? I know it's not your style, but try to recall it…"
Sasuke closed his eyes. He remembered. Coming to the Five Kage Summit to hunt Danzō, only to be beaten down by each Kage in succession. Without Obito's intervention, he wouldn't have even laid eyes on Danzō.
Orochimaru's voice turned earnest. "Sasuke-kun. Indulge in a little childishness this once. With your experience, viewing the Five Kage must be akin to looking at children, no?"
"I've never raised children."
"It's an instinct. Unrelated to experience."
Sasuke opened his eyes.
Orochimaru smiled. "Found your footing?"
"Yeah. But I still can't do it your way. I'll use my own method…"
Sasuke took out a mask, slipped it over his face, and charged straight into the heart of the Five Kage Summit.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Read up to (180+ ) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here: patreon.com/BingeInk
Happy reading, everyone!