"You bastard..."
Other impulsive Akatsuki members around them clenched their fists, ready to teach this insolent kid who had shown up at their door a lesson.
"Stop!"
"Yahiko, this guy is defiling our dream! Didn't you hear him?"
"If something like this could make me give up, I would have given up long ago."
Obito coldly watched the farce. Having also experienced war, he couldn't understand why this group of people was still naive enough to believe that communication and understanding were possible between them and their enemies.
If communication and understanding could solve problems, ninjas would have long ceased to exist in the world.
"I'll make a bet with you. If I win, I only want Hanzō of the Salamander's antidote. If I lose, you will gain the support of Konoha's Uchiha clan."
"The Uchiha clan? Konoha!"
Nagato, hiding behind Konan, reacted particularly strongly to this. The scene of his parents dying at the hands of Konoha ninja was still vivid in his mind, as if it were yesterday, and he was still that helpless child.
The inescapable nightmare bound him completely, like ropes, making escape impossible. He could never forget the pain brought by the death of his loved ones.
The ripple-patterned eyes revealed beneath his forehead made brief contact with Obito 's three-tomoe Sharingan, and an aura like that of a primordial beast washed over them.
"This fellow is also a dōjutsu wielder."
Obito showed no fear under this imposing aura, continuing to speak as if he regarded the weak as nothing.
"Who exactly is the leader here?"
"Me."
Blocking Nagato's line of sight, Yahiko, though he had no fondness for this guy, wasn't about to drive him away. There was no need to escalate a dispute of ideals to this level. Nagato's overreaction was unexpected.
Since Jiraiya-sensei had left, this wasn't the first time Nagato had seen other Konoha ninja. This person, who could make Nagato actively reveal his Rinnegan, was certainly no ordinary individual.
"My name is Yahiko, she is Konan, and he is Nagato."
Introducing the members around him, Yahiko reached out to remove Obito's spiral mask but was blocked by his hand.
"After all this talk, I still don't know what you look like, nor do I know your name. How can we trust you like this?"
Uchiha Obito's Sharingan reverted to normal black eyes as he removed the mask himself.
The noticeably young face that was revealed made those around him somewhat disdainful.
"My name is Tobi."
"Heh, so it's just a stinky little brat spouting nonsense here. I thought you actually had some real skill. Yahiko, I'll kick him out right now."
"Underestimating a ninja because of their age can lead to a great loss."
Reminding her impulsive, hot-tempered friend, she also restrained the bald monk next to her who also wanted to drive the newcomer away. Konan, the only girl present, had a delicate mind. After considering all possibilities, she stepped out to act as a peacemaker.
After exchanging glances with Yahiko and Nagato, Konan brought an Akatsuki member's robe and walked up to Obito.
"The name 'Tobi' sounds like a codename. You just said you could get us the Uchiha clan's support. Then, according to my understanding of that clan, for them, who are typically exclusionary, to support us, you must also be a member of the Uchiha clan. Nagato's confrontation with you earlier also allowed us to see the Sharingan. Stating your real name should be a basic rule of communication."
"My name is Uchiha Obito."
No longer hiding it, Obito took the fiery cloud-patterned robe and draped it over himself.
"Deputy Commander of the Land of Water front, responsible for the Uchiha clan's advance. As soon as the battle there is over, you will gain the friendship of the Uchiha clan."
"He clearly looks younger than us. Can this guy's words really be trusted?"
"I think he's deceiving us."
"Someone from the Uchiha clan came to the Land of Rain?"
"Running here from the Land of Water, are you a deserter?"
After learning Obito's true identity, the crowd buzzed with discussion. The Uchiha clan, as a major clan of Konoha, was known throughout the ninja world. If they could obtain their help, they would most likely also gain Konoha's help, which would be of immeasurable benefit to the entire Akatsuki's development.
Even Yahiko suddenly felt his dream was a step closer. If what he said was true, it was indeed a rare opportunity.
"How can I believe you?"
"You have no other choice. For guys with your kind of ideals, your organization must be struggling to make ends meet and on the verge of collapse, right?" Obito's voice echoed in the cave.
"Otherwise, you certainly wouldn't have chosen this cave as your base. Giving me this cloak means you also want to test whether what I said is true or not. If Hanzō of the Salamander truly bears ill will towards you, he will definitely make a move after tomorrow's talks. You'll have time to prepare to flee. As long as you help me get the antidote, what's the harm in letting me join you?"
"Alright, no need for a bet. If Lord Hanzō supports us tomorrow, we will request an antidote for you. If he intends to destroy us, we will also do our best to help you seize Lord Hanzō's antidote."
"Yahiko... Lord Hanzō's strength..."
Konan couldn't help but worry. She had never imagined resisting Hanzō.
Not only had she never thought of it, but no one present had. Yet, they all held the resolve to die for their ideals.
"Before the new world arrives, if sacrifice and bloodshed are destined, then let Akatsuki bear it. The people have suffered enough."
Images of their comrades who had died for their ideals flashed through everyone's minds. Because of Yahiko's philosophy, they couldn't even seek revenge. Having lost everything, they could sense that tomorrow was the turning point of their destiny.
To walk openly on this cruel land, this step had to be taken by themselves.
"Tonight, we will formulate two plans. The first is how to defeat Lord Hanzō, and the second is an escape route."
"Agreed."
"Before that, I need to understand your abilities."
"Naturally. Likewise, I need to understand yours. Furthermore, if we need to act tomorrow, I will take command of the entire field."
"Yahiko is Akatsuki's leader!"
"Until tomorrow ends, I am the leader."
Yahiko fell silent for a few seconds. A strong gust of wind blew raindrops into the cave, making a pitter-patter sound. His blond hair, like the Golden Flash, was covered in water droplets. The damp ground was just like their current predicament.
"Listen to him."
"Hey?!"
"Until tomorrow ends, he is Akatsuki's leader."
"...Yes."
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