Chapter 103: Fanning the Flames
While Uchiha Dali was swiftly resolving the problems in the Land of Water and successfully compelling them to submit and compromise—
Elsewhere, in the secret underground base of the Akatsuki organization—
Uchiha Obito activated Kamui and returned here with Konan and the ruined body of Deva Path Pain.
Immediately afterward, Konan used Reverse Summoning Technique to summon Uzumaki Nagato back.
"Konoha's Uchiha Dali is going to be the greatest obstacle to our plan!"
Obito's eyes gleamed with a fierce light. As soon as he landed, he opened his mouth and spoke.
Originally, when he set out with Pain and Konan to Kirigakure, he was full of confidence, believing success was within his grasp.
As long as he could successfully control the Fourth Mizukage and use him to implement the Bloody Mist policy to persecute all the talented ninja—
Then all of Kirigakure would descend into endless internal strife, suffer massive losses, and see a significant decline in strength.
Not only could he use this opportunity to exact revenge on Kirigakure,
But it would also create an opening to capture the Tailed Beasts housed within the village.
Unfortunately, Uchiha Dali had suddenly appeared midway and completely wrecked his entire plan.
It was endlessly frustrating.
"Should we launch a full-scale attack on Konoha?"
Uzumaki Nagato asked.
At the same time, he used the power of the Naraka Path to instantly restore the damaged Deva Path Pain through the King of Hell.
Obito glanced at him but remained silent.
He hadn't made up his mind yet.
Today's encounter with that man made him realize there was something unusual about Uchiha Dali's strength.
As infuriating as Dali was,
He had no choice but to admit that the man's power was formidable.
Right now, if the Akatsuki were to confront Konoha head-on, it wouldn't be easy.
Even if they could destroy Konoha, they themselves would suffer heavy losses.
"No need."
"We have more important things to handle. Stick to the original plan…"
After weighing the pros and cons, Obito was forced to make the relatively rational decision.
And just as he made that decision—
Suddenly, a figure emerged beside them.
He rose up from the ground.
Half black, half white.
It was Zetsu.
"You probably won't believe this—but Kirigakure, and even the entire Land of Water, has submitted to Konoha."
Zetsu had previously acted with Obito and the others.
His primary role within the organization was reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.
Because the jutsu he specialized in was tailor-made for such missions.
If there was anyone in the ninja world capable of infiltrating every nation and every hidden village without a trace, it was him.
When Obito and the others realized the situation was turning against them and chose to retreat from Kirigakure,
Zetsu remained in place to continue observing and gathering intelligence.
So, he witnessed the entire process of how Uchiha Dali, through friendly and equitable negotiation, brought all of Kirigakure to submit.
Now, upon hearing Zetsu's words, Obito, Nagato, Konan—all of them frowned, their expressions growing grim.
Zetsu then described everything he had seen and heard in detail.
At the same time, he played back the footage he had recorded, showing everyone the terrifying power of Uchiha Dali.
When Obito and the others saw the scene where Uchiha Dali lifted nearly half of the Land of Water tens of thousands of meters into the sky, they were all dumbfounded.
"This man is even more troublesome than we anticipated."
Nagato quickly made a judgment.
Konan immediately followed up: "Why can he use the powers of your Rinnegan?"
"I don't know."
"But judging from the way he fought earlier, his abilities may even surpass mine."
"What do you think, Madara?"
Nagato looked toward Obito.
At this point, the only person who might be able to deal with Uchiha Dali was the man said to rival the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju.
Obito knew the truth about his own strength—he was hiding a bitter truth.
But right now, he couldn't show even the slightest weakness.
Taking a deep breath, Obito responded nonchalantly, "I'll handle this. Leave that brat to me."
"You all continue executing the rest of the plan."
"What's his purpose in making the entire Land of Water submit to him?"
Konan now posed a question.
She had wanted to ask it earlier after hearing Zetsu's report,
But it seemed no one had paid it much attention.
Now, with Konan bringing it up, Obito and the others fell into deep thought.
"I have a guess," Zetsu said, "but I can't be certain."
Everyone turned to him.
And he continued his explanation.
"Maybe… that kid Uchiha Dali is trying to unify the entire ninja world."
"Unify the ninja world?"
Obito narrowed his eyes.
The idea made him scoff.
He had never thought about such a thing, but after coming into contact with Uchiha Madara, he knew that it was impossible.
People could never truly trust each other completely.
Especially people from different nations—there was no hope of mutual trust.
What's more, the Kage of the various villages and the feudal lords behind them would never agree.
If even one person opposed it, unifying the ninja world would be nothing more than a joke.
In the end, it would only lead to greater conflict and another ninja world war.
That's exactly why Obito had come to believe so deeply in Madara's Eye of the Moon Plan.
Only that plan could bring about true and permanent peace in the world.
"If Uchiha Dali succeeds, then our organization is in danger."
"He already knows about our existence. I believe it won't be long before he takes action against us."
At that moment, Black Zetsu, merged with his other half, began subtly leading Obito and Nagato into the worst-case scenario.
Because in this entire organization, the person most determined to prevent Uchiha Dali from unifying the ninja world—
Was him.
And the reason why—only he himself knew.
Sure enough, after hearing Black Zetsu's words, Obito's gaze instantly sharpened, killing intent surging.
Nagato still appeared relatively composed, but the murderous aura in his eyes could not be concealed.
Both of them longed to bring true, lasting peace to the world.
But beyond that goal, they each harbored their own personal desires.
Obito wanted to create a world where Rin still lived.
Nagato longed to see his dearest friend again—Yahiko, the true founder of the Akatsuki.
So naturally, they could not allow Uchiha Dali to destroy their plan and trample their ideals.
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