Oboro's system was simple.
No quests.
No exchange store.
No special features.
Aside from a few brief notes, it contained only a single interface: character affinity and progression data.
Males only had a Bond Route.
Females had a Romance Route, more complicated.
The former awarded bond rewards. The latter had two stages:
A kiss… and then, well… ahem.
Honestly, the second part would be much easier, if Oboro chose to pursue it.
But he wasn't that kind of depraved villain.
According to the system's affinity breakdown, the baseline favorability for a stranger hovered between 55 and 60.
Above 60 implied a hint of goodwill.
Above 70, you could be called friends.
Above 80, close confidants, potentially lovers.
At 90, like with Shisui, it signified unwavering trust, souls aligned to the point of entrusting one's life to the other.
And 95, that was "life and death, no regrets."
Of course, numbers were static.
People were not.
The values merely reflected emotional states, not fixed destinies.
Everything Oboro said or did could cause those numbers to rise or fall.
He'd understood this not long after acquiring the system.
Take Kurenai's favorability score, for example, 40.
That was hostile.
Much lower and they'd be drawing blades at first sight.
Still, Oboro didn't regret a single thing he'd done.
As a ninja, he had always met or exceeded the standard in all areas, and that "standard" was Jōnin level.
He could already use basic Genjutsu. He also had multiple ways of countering it.
But after unlocking the reward "Master of Genjutsu", he realized how shallow his previous understanding truly was.
What he'd grasped before was merely the tip of the iceberg. Now, the whole mountain sat within his grasp.
Visual illusions. Auditory illusions. Tactile illusions. Binding illusions.
All etched into his mind.
Aside from a few techniques that required specific Kekkei Genkai or special conditions, he now had access to practically every Genjutsu in existence.
He'd once been known for his Taijutsu prowess.
Now, he was a true Genjutsu master.
As for Kurenai… she probably hated him now. Might even be planning some form of retaliation.
He wasn't afraid.
Root.
When Oboro showed up for routine reporting, he was summoned by Danzō, only the second time since joining Root. Kaku was not present.
"There's a mission I want you to take."
Danzō didn't waste words. He handed over a scroll.
"Open it."
Oboro took it with both hands and scanned the contents.
The mission seemed straightforward: surveillance.
But the target was… unusual.
No, sensitive.
Uchiha Fugaku.
"Surveillance of the Uchiha has never ceased," Danzō said, tone calm, as if offering him a glimpse behind the curtain.
"But there's a limit to how far we can go without backlash."
"Still, disputes between villagers and the Uchiha are increasing. I want you to closely monitor his activities. Uncover the source of the unrest."
"And remember, don't get exposed."
"…Understood," Oboro replied, lowering his head.
They wanted him to spy on the Uchiha clan head?
That alone was odd enough to raise red flags.
Never mind the difficulty of such a mission. Root didn't lack skilled veterans. Like Kaku, for instance. Why assign something like this… to a rookie?
Was this another test?
But this time, not of his ability or mindset.
It was a test of loyalty.
He had joined Root through Shisui. Shisui, an Uchiha. It was only natural Danzō would suspect him of being his spy, or the Uchiha's.
Danzō wanted to use this mission to confirm Oboro's true allegiance.
If Fugaku discovered the surveillance, he'd see it as Danzō tightening the noose, another move to suppress the Uchiha.
A dull political game.
Oboro mentally scoffed.
Compared to the hidden power play behind it, the mission itself was almost laughably pointless.
,
He later met up with Shisui in the forest near Konoha's edge and told him everything.
Unlike Oboro, Shisui was fixated on Fugaku.
"You're not going to tell him?" Oboro asked.
"I've spoken to the clan head many times. Each time, I can feel it, his resolve grows stronger," Shisui said wearily.
"This kind of provocation… will only push him further. Oboro, please, whatever happens, don't get caught."
Resolve?
Resolve to rebel?
Oboro didn't answer. He simply stared at Shisui.
"…What?" Shisui noticed the look in his eyes and frowned.
"You really do know how to give me problems," Oboro finally said.
"He's the clan head, and I'm just a Chūnin."
"Oboro…"
"I know your real strength. You'll be fine if you're careful," Shisui replied with a sigh.
Oboro leaned against a nearby tree.
"And what if I do get exposed?"
"The ANBU under Hokage watch the Uchiha day and night. Danzō's people too. The tension's only growing, it's just a matter of time before something breaks."
"There's still room for diplomacy," Shisui insisted.
"From who?" Oboro asked with a dry laugh. "The Hokage? Or Fugaku?"
"You mean the Hokage's willing to give the Uchiha a chance… but only if they don't rebel?"
"Oboro, why do you-"
"That's not hard to guess," Oboro said coldly. "Do you really think the Hokage's being generous?"
"…He's already shown great restraint with the Uchiha," Shisui replied after a pause.
Oboro let out a mocking smile.
"Really?"
"Then tell me, what has the Hokage actually done to fix the situation?"
"He's offloaded everything onto you. Onto the Uchiha."
"He turns a blind eye to Danzō's tactics, yet demands the Uchiha follow the rules to the letter."
"This is what you call tolerance?"
"He pushes someone to the edge, then claims 'I gave you a chance' when they jump. That's the oldest trick in a politician's book."
"Enough!" Shisui shut his eyes, frustrated. "You're too biased, Oboro."
Oboro's gaze darkened.
"If not for you, I wouldn't care if the Uchiha lived or died."
"But if they do rebel and get wiped out, what then, Shisui?"
"Will you be the tragic 'hero who slayed his kin'?"
"Or the last of a disgraced clan?"
"Which label do you prefer? You really plan to carry that burden your entire life?"
"Uchiha won't rebel!" Shisui snapped.
"Oh?" Oboro sneered. "What gives you that confidence?"
"…If Fugaku really decides to go through with a coup…"
"You'll change his mind?" Oboro finished the sentence for him.
"…"
"But even without Fugaku, would the village really drop its guard? Would Danzō just… stop? Would the villagers stop whispering? Would the Uchiha suddenly be welcome with open arms?"
"Can you fix any of that?"
"In the end, nothing changes. There'll just be another Fugaku, forced down the same path by the same pressure."
Shisui had no retort. Not a single word.
"…These things take time," he murmured, tone subdued.
Oboro's tone softened slightly.
"If Fugaku's resolve is growing, it means he wasn't always like this. Maybe he used to believe in another path, but now, he sees no other choice."
"Konoha and the Uchiha aren't two sides where one compromise can fix everything."
"If we want a real solution, both sides have to change."
"Thinking one man can turn the tide, that's unrealistic."
Shisui looked up at him, dazed. "Then… how?"
"How do you change both sides?"
Oboro's gaze turned icy.
"Then change two people."
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200 P.S = 1 Extra Chapters
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• TL/N •
Hello guys Fanfic recommendation!
Check out my other work:
> Naruto: Mind Control
If you like smart and strong MC, this fanfic is for you.
It's Peak.
Give it a chance and you won't be disappointed