For Ōnoki, this was a resounding slap to the face—harsher than any twinge in his back.
He'd just mocked the A–B duo for losing to "a half-grown kid" from Konoha, even wondering why A wasn't ashamed yet so forthright about it—only to learn Natsuki really was that strong.
Even without lifting a finger, to make a Rinnegan (Samsara Eye) wielder this wary said it all.
Arms folded, Natsuki chuckled. "So? What is it you want to say?"
Obito slipped straight into persuasion. "Hear out the Eye of the Moon Plan. You all know the Rikudō Sennin (Sage of Six Paths)—the pioneer of ninshū, the guardian of peace. His true identity was the Jūbi Jinchūriki (Ten-Tails Jinchūriki).
"In truth, the Sage feared that once he died, no one could control the Ten-Tails' power. So he split it into nine tailed beasts.
"My aim is to gather the tailed beasts and recombine the Ten-Tails. Then I will become its Jinchūriki and, with my eyes, cast Mugen Tsukuyomi (Infinite Tsukuyomi) upon the moon, blanketing the entire shinobi world. Everyone will enter their own dream."
"In that world of genjutsu (illusion techniques), all will realize their ideals. No more conflict. No more chaos. True peace."
Finishing, Obito couldn't help drifting into his own fantasy.
He wanted Rin in that dream—and a Rin who loved him.
Kakashi stared blankly at his once-closest friend, eyes dampening before he hardened inside.
Even if Obito knew there were problems with the Eye of the Moon Plan—so long as he could truly launch Mugen Tsukuyomi, so long as he could truly forge a dream world—he would drag the whole world into death to do it.
He wanted only a world with Rin in it.
But—no.
Kakashi had to tell Obito: no. Because it was wrong.
Gaara shook his head quietly. "Trap everyone in illusion to 'achieve' peace? What meaning would that have?"
Mei said, "Only by living in reality can people realize true meaning. A genjutsu world is forever false. It cannot be trusted."
A roared, "We won't hand the world to someone like you!"
Ōnoki said nothing, but the gravity and anger on his face said plenty.
All the while, Tsunade on Konoha's side wore no expression, as if Obito's plan stirred nothing in her.
Natsuki said, "I have people who love me—and whom I love—in the real world. That's good enough. I don't need some illusory world."
Obito sighed in regret. "I had hoped we could resolve this by negotiation. Since you refuse to hand over the hosts, there's only war. I hereby declare—the Fourth Shinobi World War begins."
The Fourth Shinobi World War?
He was insane.
Kakashi burst out, "Obito, you're crazy! Do you know how many will die?!"
Obito's face went cold. "Kakashi, be silent. My mind is set. No one will stop me."
He slipped back up through the ceiling. The chamber fell deathly quiet; no one spoke.
Only after a long while did people return to themselves.
As host, Mifune spoke. "Then, since that Rinnegan wielder has declared war, shall we change the agenda for this Summit?"
Mei suddenly looked to Tsunade. "Hokage. From the start you've been silent. When that Obito mentioned the Eye of the Moon Plan, you didn't even look surprised. You knew something, didn't you?"
The others turned to Tsunade as well—wariness behind their eyes.
Obito's claims were too outrageous. Anyone would be shocked—normally.
Tsunade raised her gaze, sweeping everyone present, then said solemnly, "As I said before: Akatsuki's collection of tailed beasts is to forge the Ten-Tails—catastrophe for the whole world. What Obito just called the Eye of the Moon Plan should suffice as proof. But that's only the surface."
Only the surface? After all that, it was still only the surface?
Tsunade clapped, and Tenten immediately produced a giant scroll. First she tossed the White Zetsu corpse aside, then spread the scroll in the center so all could see.
"This is the truth of the world, passed down via a dream sent by the Sage of Six Paths. The causes and consequences are all written here."
It was a fresh copy Tsunade had rewritten—she had pruned out certain parts, like internal intelligence about Konoha. No need to share those.
Puzzled, everyone still began to read—and their eyes grew wider the further they went.
…Flowers? Fresh flowers…?
Kaguya. The Sage's brother. Black Zetsu. A con. It was absurd beyond absurd.
More outlandish than Obito's Eye of the Moon Plan itself.
Mei and her people reached the part about the Fourth Mizukage being controlled by the Sharingan, the birth of the Bloody Mist. To learn it happened because of Obito's petty revenge left them reeling.
So all those years of Kirigakure's pain—were just for love's revenge?
What meaning had all those deaths?
A slammed the table; disbelief roughened his voice. "Hokage—this is all true?!"
Ōnoki shook his head, dumbstruck. "Is this the world's true face? I'm not just too old and going blind, am I?"
Gaara drew a long breath. "Nagato, wielder of the Rinnegan, used by Madara and Obito. Obito used by Madara. Madara used by Black Zetsu. What kind of nested farce is this? And the progenitor of chakra was an invader from beyond? Unthinkable."
Kankurō and Temari nodded wordlessly, wondering if the world itself was real.
Even after a long time, few had recovered.
Tenten had already rolled up the scroll. Though the truth was out, they couldn't leave it lying there. If Black Zetsu suddenly popped up and learned its scheme was exposed, who knew what it might try.
A asked, troubled, "So you knew all this already, Hokage? No wonder you were so calm."
Ōnoki reproached her. "If you knew the truth, why not tell us sooner?"
Tsunade gave the old man a sideways look. "I tried to convene a Five Kage Summit long ago. You all kept dragging your feet. Even if I wanted to tell you, how was I supposed to?"
That shut A and Ōnoki up—chastened.
They had stalled for petty advantage. Thinking back, it was shameful.
Though shaken, Mifune steadied quickly. "Then let the salvation of the shinobi world be the Summit's main business. Any objections?"
The five Kage all nodded.
At a moment like this, anyone objecting would be a traitor.
(End of Chapter)
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