Moreover, as time passes, Nohara Rin will gradually listen to him, so there is no need to rush.
"Come with me, take a look here."
"Okay, Lord Yoichi..."
Upon hearing Uchiha Yoichi's words, Nohara Rin stood up instinctively, but her legs felt a bit numb and she stumbled forward, only to be caught by Uchiha Yoichi.
"...Thank you, Lord Yoichi."
Nohara Rin apologized in a low voice and followed Uchiha Yoichi as he led the way out.
Upon exiting the chamber, Nohara Rin found herself in a more expansive underground space. It was only then that she realized the enormity of the area, with ceilings dozens of meters high, supported by towering trees.
Aside from a few rooms behind her, the rest was undeveloped territory.
"This is my alchemy base. Once it's complete, you can leave," Uchiha Yoichi began, "If you leave now, those in the shadows might hide, so I need you to play dead for a while."
Upon hearing this, Nohara Rin fell silent for a moment, then lifted her head. A trace of determination flashed across her sweet face as she spoke to Uchiha Yoichi, "I understand, Lord Yoichi, let's do it your way."
"During this period here, you will be my apprentice. I will teach you whatever you wish to learn, even some forbidden techniques..."
Uchiha Yoichi gently brushed Nohara Rin's short brown hair and said with a smile, "Once you have mastered these and leave, you may very well become Lady Rin of Konoha Village."
"...It's not that exaggerated, Lord Yoichi."
Nohara Rin felt a little embarrassed after hearing this, and a hint of shyness crossed her mind as she wondered why Lord Yoichi was so fond of stroking a girl's hair.
Seeing that Nohara Rin had agreed, Uchiha Yoichi felt a bit relieved, otherwise he would have had to resort to certain methods.
Now that Nohara Rin had agreed to stay, with a year of daily interaction, she would definitely become his obedient disciple.
Subsequently, Uchiha Yoichi introduced Nohara Rin to alchemy, a method completely different from traditional antidote concoctions, which greatly surprised her.
After observing for a while, Nohara Rin became slightly interested in alchemy. Uchiha Yoichi didn't plan on keeping any secrets, but in the Ninja World, conducting such practices was incredibly difficult and required lots of equipment.
During this period, Uchiha Yoichi went out once to arrange for others to deliver some items, including daily meals and supplies needed by Nohara Rin, but no one other than the instructed individuals knew of this.
Even when leaving, Uchiha Yoichi would leave behind a Wood Clone, and without his permission, Nohara Rin couldn't leave the underground.
The ventilation ducts above were encased in Wood Release, and the entrance sealed with Sealing Techniques, making it nearly impossible for others to enter.
——————————————
"Obito, from today, you are Uchiha Madara...."
After saying this, Uchiha Madara, who severed the connection with the Gedo Statue, fell into death. He had taught Uchiha Obito the techniques of Yin-Yang Release and the Six Paths Jutsu within his illusion, and with his Mangekyo Sharingan, it was enough to assist Nagato in collecting the Tailed Beasts.
Watching Uchiha Madara die before his eyes, Obito was silent for a while until Black Zetsu and White Zetsu came to him and asked, "Obito, what do you plan to do now? Do you want to meet Nagato? There's a flag Madara left behind at his side..."
"Uchiha Fugaku, right? Who would have thought such a trivial affair lay behind the former Clan Leader dispute? This leaves me with little affection for the Uchiha Race... the former Clan Leader, Uchiha Fugaku... what a loser."
Having witnessed Nohara Rin's death, Uchiha Obito's mind twisted. Now, he only wanted to end this world and complete the Moon Eye Plan, creating a real world with Rin in it.
"Madara died too quickly just now; I still have a question I didn't get to ask. As Madara's will, can you answer it for him?"
Uchiha Obito suddenly spoke, asking Black Zetsu with his Three Tomoe staring directly at him.
"What is it?"
Black Zetsu replied slowly, though unaware of Obito's question, he added preemptively, "I am just Madara's will, not Madara himself. There are many questions I cannot answer, but of what I know... I will tell you without any concealment."
"After Rin was pierced through the heart by Kakashi, her body suddenly disappeared. Why is that? Was anyone using Space-Time Ninjutsu at that moment?"
This was the question nagging at Obito from earlier. Unfortunately, Madara was busy talking to himself, denying him the chance to ask.
"I am not sure. I hadn't been born yet then, so I can't answer that question."
In truth, Black Zetsu had been observing from a distance all along, but he too was unaware of why Nohara Rin's body suddenly vanished.
"Neither of us know either, but it's certain that Nohara Rin is dead..."
White Zetsu spoke, after which he pondered for a moment and continued, "If you feel that Nohara Rin isn't dead, then in a few years, seek out the Three Tails. If the Three Tails is resurrected, the Jinchuriki must surely be dead; there is no doubt."
Those words struck heavy on Obito's heart, as finding the Three Tails would mean Rin had indeed died. But what about Rin's body?
He didn't want Rin to be disturbed, wishing to place her body in the Divine Power Space.
"Obito?"
"No, it's nothing, let's go."
Returning to his senses, Obito said to Black and White Zetsu, "Let's see the flag Madara left behind, let this former Clan Leader play his intended role."
White Zetsu chuckled, "I also have many recorded images from Konoha Village here, lately that former Clan Leader has been exceedingly considerate towards Nagato and others. If he refuses to help you, these images will be of assistance."
......
Land of Rain, Akatsuki Organization
Yahiko and Konan, having visited Konoha Village, didn't receive the response they hoped for. The new Fourth Hokage did not wish to support them, citing a lack of funds within the village.
In this regard, Hatake Sakumo indeed spoke the truth. Although Uchiha Yoichi sought war reparations and mission commissions from the Grass Village Ninja and Hidden Waterfall Ninja, those funds were insufficient to restore even pre-war salaries for the Konoha Ninja.
The most they could achieve was a restoration of about seventy to eighty percent.
With even native ninjas' needs unmet, Hatake Sakumo would not support organizations in other countries, especially when doing so might spark war with Hidden Rain Village.
Since they didn't get support from the Fourth Hokage, Yahiko and Konan turned to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Being Jiraiya's disciples, Sarutobi Hiruzen met with them, but upon learning Yahiko sought financial aid, he courteously declined, explaining he had already passed power to the Fourth Hokage, and with his refusal, he too had no solutions.
Nevertheless, Sarutobi Hiruzen personally contributed a million Ryo to Yahiko, considering his ties to Jiraiya.
Although they didn't secure sufficient support, they found other opportunities, leaving Yahiko not particularly disheartened.
However, moving forward, the development of the Akatsuki Organization faced greater challenges, as support from Konoha ceased, leaving them without funds and materials, prompting them to emerge into the open to take on tasks for rewards.
Such an approach would inevitably draw the attention of Hanzo from the Hidden Rain.
"That's the situation; now we need to...."
"Who?"
Nagato suddenly broke Yahiko's speech, gazing directly towards the doorway of their secret base where two strangers appeared, both dressed unusually.
Both Yahiko and Konan became vigilant, yet Uchiha Fugaku, upon seeing White Zetsu, felt a slight start within him, as Uchiha Madara's lackey finally showed up....
Yahiko stood protectively in front of Konan and Nagato, asking, "Who are you? What's your purpose in seeking us out?"
"I am Uchiha Madara, and I am here for your Rinnegan."
Aimed directly at Nagato, Uchiha Obito replied, causing Yahiko and Konan to tense, instinctively glancing towards Uchiha Fugaku.
They had already concealed Nagato's Rinnegan, so outsiders shouldn't be able to identify it; yet, this individual immediately sought out Nagato....
"No need to look elsewhere. Ever since Nagato acquired the Rinnegan, we've been watching him. He possesses the eyes of the Six Paths Sage, and naturally bears significant responsibilities, for within those eyes lies the power to quell the chaotic world..."
"I don't care who you are, but using the name Uchiha Madara proves you're either stupid or malicious..."
With a cold laugh, Yahiko replied to Uchiha Obito, "Though I have no idea how you learned of Nagato's Rinnegan, don't think you can trick us with such nonsense!"