'But, there's a problem here that must be solved.'
'At this period, Kirigakure actually isn't weak, while Kakashi's strength probably still doesn't reach the level of a Kage.'
'Actually, even if Kakashi learns Purple Lightning and in some aspects touches the level of a Kage, the problem of him not being well-rounded enough, his body being fragile, still isn't solved.'
'Aren't the three Sannin of Konoha strong enough? Even Jiraiya, who has the strongest frontal combat power among the three, because his ability to keep himself alive wasn't too good, after infiltrating Amegakure, stayed there forever.'
'Recklessly carrying out this mission, Kakashi has the risk of dying.'
'So then, should Kakashi be sent?'
Hiruzen, standing to the side, watching Obito's constantly shifting expression, suddenly acted like a heart-to-heart grandpa.
He said, "A fledgling hawk wanting to learn to fly has to leave the protection of the nest. I know you worry a lot about Kakashi's safety, but, are missions ever absolutely safe?"
Obito snapped out of his thoughts and nodded.
What Hiruzen said did have some truth.
He was Kakashi's friend, not Kakashi's nanny. Kakashi couldn't always grow under his and Minato-sensei's protection. In the end, he had to shoulder things on his own.
The Kakashi of the previous life was just a good example. Though a bit useless, at least he could exchange a few blows with any level of shinobi he encountered. No matter how complicated the environment, he could survive.
This was a kind of luck, but also a reflection of strength.
Thinking this through, Obito said to Hiruzen, "Lord Hokage, I think this mission can be left to Kakashi. However, let's first ask his opinion. If he's unwilling, then wait for me to return, and I'll go myself."
Hiruzen clasped his hands behind his back, "Then I'll summon him over later. As for you, set out as soon as possible."
Obito answered, and seeing Hiruzen had nothing more to say, he immediately shunshined away.
He kept feeling that Hiruzen now seemed to be more long-winded than before.
———
Before carrying out the mission, Obito first went to the medical division, found Rin, told her about leaving the village, and only then used Kamui to teleport to Amegakure, Akatsuki headquarters.
Hiruzen had reminded him: during the earlier campaign to encircle Akatsuki, Kirigakure hadn't participated, so naturally missed out on the chakra converters trade. He felt it necessary to make it up to them.
At this moment, Yahiko and Konan were leaning against the stairway corridor, watching the rain, not even noticing Obito's arrival.
Seeing the two of them so sweet and happy, Obito didn't disturb them, but instead sensed Madara's location and teleported over.
This time, Madara had actually gone to Hanzo's residence, sitting together with him drinking tea.
Sure enough, besides Kakuzu, the other members of Akatsuki were all too young.
Madara still preferred staying with old men like Hanzo. At least they could find some common language.
As for Kakuzu, as long as he was with money, he was happy.
Both Hanzo and Madara were seasoned old geezers. They instantly sensed Obito's arrival.
Madara, seeing Obito suddenly appear at his side, asked somewhat displeased, "Not saying a word and barging into someone else's home, impolite."
Obito smiled, "I'm already used to it. Hard to change. The location is clearly here, yet to deliberately teleport outside and then pretend to walk in, aren't you tired?"
Madara snorted, "What is it you've come to me for this time?"
Obito said, "Madara, by the way, isn't the Third Mizukage under your control? Make him behave a bit. Also, about spreading the chakra converters, it seems we forgot Kirigakure."
Madara scoffed, "I can't be bothered to 'control' that man. I just cast a genjutsu on him, so that when necessary he'll follow my orders."
"So, his every action is of his own will. If he wants to harm Konoha, that's for you Konoha people to deal with. Why come to me?"
Obito felt Madara's words made perfect sense and had no rebuttal.
'Madara isn't Konoha's Madara, why should he help Konoha?'
The foundation of their cooperation was to bring peace to the ninja world, not to make Konoha better.
So he said, "Then what about the chakra converters? Will you send someone to trade?"
Madara thought for a while, "That's fine. They haven't been active in a while. Might as well send them all out. Especially Kakuzu and Sasori. One holed up in the treasury, one cooped up at home all the time, not good for the body."
Obito said awkwardly, "You're planning to send all of Akatsuki out on a raid?"
Madara shook his head, "Hanzo and I won't go. Doesn't count as 'everyone out'."
"But you, what you proposed before, the oversight system for the Land of Wind, was quite good. Sunagakure can be left to Pakura. Konoha, you watch yourself. Then what about Kirigakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure?"
"Nagato, Konan, Yahiko, Kakuzu, Sasori, they're not suitable. So we need to recruit new talent."
Obito nodded, thought for a bit, then said, "Actually, there are many in Kirigakure with good qualities."
"I recommend four: Hozuki Mangetsu, Kisame, Momochi Zabuza, and Terumi Mei. Especially Hozuki Mangetsu, he should already meet the criteria for full membership. The others can be considered interns and grow slowly."
Madara trusted Obito's eye, "Then when I send them, I'll have them watch those people. Recruit if possible. If not, you go yourself. This kind of thing is your specialty."
Obito thought, then said, "As for Hoshigaki Kisame, try to bring him back. Kirigakure isn't right for him. I… owe him a favor, and want to repay it."
Uchiha Madara gave Obito a look, "You actually owe someone a favor? Is this a request?"
Obito said, "Yes."
Madara snorted, "Fine. I'll have the members ensure he's brought back safely."
Obito nodded. Madara, though foul-mouthed, was good to his own. Since he promised, he would do it.
Seeing that everything important had been said, Obito looked at Hanzo and laughed, "Leader Hanzo, won't you offer me a drink?"
Hanzo stared at Obito, poured a cup of tea, pushed it over, and suddenly asked, "You are, Uchiha Ri?"
Obito smiled: "Didn't expect you to recognize me. That's right. The one who first disguised as Uchiha Ri to establish Uchiha diplomacy with you, that was me."
Hanzo had seen Obito use Kamui shuriken to instantly kill a bunch of Root members. He'd seen Obito use Flying Thunder God and strange abilities to toy with Danzo.
Suddenly, he felt like he had become a clown.
"So, that day, when I shunshined to your side, you could've reacted?"
Obito thought it better to leave Hanzo a little face, "Actually, not necessarily."
Hanzo fell silent. He wasn't stupid, couldn't he tell what was flattery and what was truth?
He only said, "So young, truly terrifying. Good thing I and Amegakure won't face you."
Obito suddenly grew a bit interested in Hanzo.
Curious, he asked, "Hanzo, I'd really like to know. If Akatsuki's leader wasn't Madara, but Yahiko, and if it hadn't grown like it is now, and Danzo hadn't died, and I'd never come, yet Danzo began sowing discord between you and Akatsuki, killing your people and pinning it on Akatsuki, what choice would you have made?"
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