Chapter 169: A Two-Pronged Strategy
Hearing this, Minato Namikaze nodded and began sharing the intel he had probed from Uchiha Obito earlier.
"When we fought in that strange dimension, Obito tried to recruit Kakashi and me into his team, using the life of my child as one of his bargaining chips."
"From what Obito let slip, the reason he and the Akatsuki are gathering the Tailed Beasts is to create a peaceful world."
"But as for how exactly they plan to do that, we don't know—he refused to reveal anything more…"
Uchiha Dali nodded firmly. "Tailed Beasts have long been used as weapons of war by humans. That alone makes them extremely dangerous. I suspect their plan to gather the Tailed Beasts is to build some kind of superweapon."
"In my view, this talk of 'creating peace' is just a cover. What they really want is to use the Tailed Beasts' power to conquer the entire world."
"…Though I guess that's not so different from what I'm doing now."
That last bit, muttered in clear self-mockery, left both Kakashi and Minato momentarily speechless.
At that moment, Kakashi asked curiously, "So you let Obito go because you're certain they'll come back and cause more trouble—and that'll be your chance to take them out all at once?"
Given Uchiha Dali's abilities, the three of them were inside the Kamui dimension. Capturing Obito back then wouldn't have been difficult at all.
And yet Uchiha Dali let him go. That could only mean one thing.
No one knew how many members Akatsuki had.
Nor how strong they were.
There was nearly zero intel.
Based on Kakashi's analysis, Uchiha Dali must've been casting a long net to catch a big fish—waiting until the time was right to take them all down in one go.
Honestly, if he were strong enough himself, he would've done the same. It was far more efficient.
Otherwise, he'd have to hunt down each Akatsuki member one by one. That would be far too time-consuming.
Uchiha Dali gave him a thumbs up.
"I heard you graduated from the academy at five. You're definitely sharp."
"But I have another reason as well."
He spoke with a half-smile.
Hearing this, both Kakashi and Minato's eyes lit up.
The latter asked curiously, "You're planning to use the Akatsuki to pressure other ninja villages and nations into submitting to us, aren't you?"
That's the advantage of talking to intelligent people—less explanation needed.
Kakashi was a genius, and Minato was one too.
Uchiha Dali only had to drop a few hints, and they could deduce the correct answer on their own.
Besides using Akatsuki as bait to efficiently wipe them out, Uchiha Dali had a second goal: to use them as leverage against the other villages.
The Land of Earth, the Land of Lightning—
Even the smaller hidden villages.
His goal was to unify the entire ninja world.
The Lands of Wind and Water had already submitted.
On one hand, Konoha needed to step up its messaging—showing the world how good life had become for these two countries after joining forces with the Land of Fire.
On the other hand, the Akatsuki would serve as a wake-up call—a lesson for those nations still hesitant or even thinking about resisting.
A two-pronged strategy.
Once the other countries and villages saw how the Land of Fire, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Water were thriving in unity, enjoying peace and prosperity, they'd start to envy and admire them.
At that point, the Akatsuki would strike—stealing their Tailed Beasts, killing their people.
And then Konoha and Uchiha Dali would become their saviors.
By then, Uchiha Dali wouldn't even need to act. Those nations would come crawling to Konoha, begging for help.
As the three conversed, Uchiha Fugaku arrived.
"The Anbu said they sensed your chakra signature had returned—looks like they were right."
When he saw Uchiha Dali, Kakashi, and Minato, his face lit up with delight.
And when he spotted the baby in Minato's arms, he knew the battle had ended in victory.
"You came at the perfect time. There's something I need you to pass along."
Uchiha Dali shared his recent decision with Fugaku.
He was to relay the message to the rest of the village—everyone could now go about their lives without worrying about the Akatsuki threat.
All they had to do was patiently wait for the ninja world to come to them.
"Minato, take a few days off. Handle things at home."
He didn't want to say much about Kushina Uzumaki.
Though he felt regret, it was ultimately Minato's personal loss.
Even when faced with his enemy, Uchiha Obito, Minato hadn't gone for the kill.
As an outsider, Uchiha Dali saw no reason to interfere.
"Thank you, Fourth."
Minato nodded and looked down at the baby in his arms—Naruto.
For a moment, his gentle eyes turned sorrowful.
What a pitiful child.
Born without a mother.
At another time, Kakashi might have once again pleaded for Obito to be forgiven—hoping he could be redeemed.
But now, Kakashi was silent.
First, Obito had committed a grave crime.
It wasn't just Kushina's death.
He had released the Nine-Tails and directed it to attack the village, destroying buildings and causing significant casualties.
That kind of debt couldn't be erased with a few words.
No matter how much he longed to bring back his old friend, Kakashi could only bury those feelings deep inside.
Personal emotions had to give way to the emotions of the entire village.
"Sensei must be in deep pain right now…"
Kakashi thought to himself, then quietly sighed.
"You go get some rest too, Kakashi."
Uchiha Dali looked over at him.
Just then, Minato emerged from his grief and turned to Uchiha Dali with a request. "Fourth, I'd like to have Kakashi join the Anbu."
At his words, both Uchiha Dali and Kakashi were taken aback and turned to look at him.
Minato and Kakashi exchanged glances. Ignoring Kakashi's stunned expression, Minato continued explaining to Uchiha Dali, "Kakashi is exceptionally gifted. I hope he can train further under your guidance."
But Uchiha Dali knew what he truly meant.
On the surface, it was about nurturing Kakashi's talent.
But deep down, Minato was worried.
Despite appearing composed, Kakashi still bore the trauma of killing Rin Nohara with his own hands and the horrors of the battlefield. He was often haunted by nightmares and unable to break free.
Perhaps Minato really did want to cultivate Kakashi further, but mostly, he hoped Anbu life would help him gradually overcome his fear and guilt.
"If that's the case, then from today on, you're a member of the Anbu, Kakashi," Uchiha Dali said.
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