Chapter 165 – Failed Negotiation
Back when Uchiha Obito was first rescued by Uchiha Madara, he truly did intend to return to Konoha.
He hoped he could recover quickly, reunite with Rin and Kakashi in the village, and had been working tirelessly toward that goal.
However, that dream shattered completely on one fateful day.
The day he witnessed Kakashi kill Rin Nohara with his own eyes using Chidori.
The woman he loved most in this life was killed. Of course, it wasn't Kakashi's fault, but Kirigakure's.
The Kirigakure Anbu had sealed the Three-Tails inside Rin Nohara, turning her into a Jinchūriki, and deliberately drove her and Kakashi to flee back to Konoha.
Their goal was to unleash the Three-Tails within Konoha and use it to destroy the village.
To prevent that disaster, Rin willingly chose to die by Kakashi's hand.
The moment she died, Obito's entire world collapsed.
And from that very day onward, Uchiha Obito fell into darkness completely. He resolved to turn the entire world upside down.
Everything was an illusion.
Whether it was friendship, or the bond between master and disciple—it was all fake.
Only the Infinite Tsukuyomi was what he truly needed.
As long as the Eye of the Moon Plan could be realized, Rin Nohara could be resurrected.
And the world would know everlasting peace.
These thoughts flashed rapidly through his mind.
The fury that had surged within Obito slowly subsided.
At last, he turned his head, slowly and deliberately, to look at Kakashi and Minato Namikaze.
His former best friend and beloved teacher.
"The man I used to be is dead, Kakashi. The person standing before you now is Uchiha Madara."
The moment Obito said this, both Kakashi and Minato were visibly shaken.
Kakashi's gaze immediately grew cold.
"So you really have been using Uchiha Madara's name to commit all those despicable acts."
Minato also frowned, his voice low and grave.
Obito neither confirmed nor denied it.
Instead, he looked toward Minato. "Everything was going according to plan. If we could just complete the project, the Shinobi World would know true and lasting peace."
"Everyone would be able to live in happiness."
"But then… Uchiha Dali appeared and ruined everything, Sensei."
Hearing Obito say that, both Kakashi and Minato were once again taken aback.
Both quickly grasped the underlying tone in his words.
Minato immediately asked, "All of this… You did all of this just to create a peaceful Shinobi World?"
"That's right."
Obito nodded seriously.
Minato and Kakashi fell silent. They merely stared at the masked figure before them—a man who now felt completely unfamiliar, yet had once been so dear.
They were trying to determine whether he was telling the truth.
After a long pause, Kakashi asked, "If it's truly about creating peace, then why are you stealing the Tailed Beasts from the villages?"
It was a question Minato had wanted to ask too.
After all, in his quest to seize the Tailed Beasts, this former student of his had even caused the death of his wife—and taken his son.
Obito ignored Kakashi's question.
Instead, he glanced down at the infant Naruto in his arms, then said, "Now it's time for you to make your choice, Sensei… Kakashi."
"Join me. Let's work together to create a truly peaceful world."
Obito extended the invitation to them.
Minato's expression darkened at once.
Kakashi, too, wore a serious look.
But Obito paid their reactions no mind. He had anticipated this response the moment he made the offer.
"Sensei, I promise you—if we succeed in our plan, not only will Rin return, but so will Kushina."
"Your whole family will live together happily, without anyone ever disturbing you. Everyone will be truly happy."
Just moments ago, Minato had wanted to ask what his former student's plan entailed.
But now, hearing Obito's words, his heart sank instantly.
Kakashi, too, looked deeply skeptical.
"Rin is dead, Obito…"
He couldn't bear to see his former friend like this.
"Didn't you hear what I said?"
Obito looked at Kakashi. "If my plan succeeds, Rin will live again."
"Do you even realize what you're saying?"
Kakashi frowned and pushed back.
Everything Obito was saying now was far beyond their understanding.
Even Minato, like Kakashi, felt that Obito was spouting delusions.
Perhaps it was grief and trauma that had broken his mind.
The scars left by war can be brutal for some.
That was why neither Minato nor Kakashi had made a move yet—they were still trying to reach Obito through words.
"You can't understand what lies beyond your comprehension—I get that."
"You only need to trust me. Sensei, this is your choice now. From this moment on, will we be enemies who fight to the death, or comrades working toward the same ideal? It all depends on your answer."
As he finished, vines suddenly sprouted from Obito's arm.
Covered in sharp thorns, they wrapped tightly around the infant Naruto in his arms.
The threat was unmistakable.
It was clear—if Minato or Kakashi dared to act, or if they refused him, Obito would kill Naruto on the spot.
Seeing this, Minato's pupils contracted. "Wood Release?"
He stared at Obito's power in shock and confusion.
There was no mistake—this was the power of the Wood Release Bloodline Limit!
"At a time like this… that's what you notice? You really are something, Sensei…"
Kakashi couldn't help but grumble inwardly.
Coming to his senses, he looked toward Obito and gave a stern warning. "I don't know how you gained Wood Release powers, but Obito—that child is Sensei's son. He's innocent. Don't do anything reckless!"
But Obito paid him no mind.
His gaze remained fixed on Minato.
"Let Naruto go."
"Then we can talk, Obito," Minato said, as if only just realizing his son was in the enemy's grasp.
He immediately tried to set conditions.
But Obito wouldn't budge.
"You only have one choice, Sensei. Either watch your son die before your eyes and continue opposing me…"
"Or join me, and together we'll take down Uchiha Dali."
His tone was absolute, leaving no room for negotiation.
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