Chapter 112: Mutual Preparations
Uchiha Dali played back the combat footage he had recorded using his Sharingan for everyone to see.
He even showed a close-up of Uchiha Obito's Mangekyō Sharingan for all to examine.
After all, in the entire Hidden Leaf Village, everyone aside from himself believed that Uchiha Obito had died on the battlefield.
Moreover, no one knew that Obito had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Naturally, at this moment, no one could identify the origin of those eyes.
Speculation about the identity of the leader of the Akatsuki thus became even more shrouded in mystery.
Uchiha Fugaku was sharp.
He stepped forward and solemnly assured Uchiha Dali, "Lord Fourth Hokage, I will conduct a thorough investigation within the Uchiha clan to see if any member has awakened the Mangekyō and kept it hidden from us."
This effectively preempted any accusations others might have tried to voice.
It also prevented them from using this as an excuse to raise further objections.
Uchiha Dali's eyes returned to normal as he calmly stated, "If the Akatsuki's goal is the Tailed Beasts, then they're bound to return."
"When they do, that will be their end."
Right now, the Nine-Tails and the Six-Tails were in his possession.
So what he said wasn't untrue.
Upon hearing this, Minato Namikaze offered a reminder: "But the Tailed Beasts in the other ninja villages might become the Akatsuki's next targets."
"Exactly. That's why I intend to retrieve them now."
Uchiha Dali nodded.
This statement instantly caused all the ninja in the office to exchange awkward glances.
Even the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and the two advisors reacted the same way.
For Uchiha Dali to say such a thing clearly meant he planned to take them by force.
Saying he would "retrieve" them was simply putting it more mildly.
And considering the state of Kirigakure and the Land of Water...
It wasn't hard to imagine what fate awaited the other villages.
"Oh right, in a couple of days, the Fourth Mizukage of Kirigakure will personally come to report on the situation."
"When the time comes, I'll need you to handle the reception, Minato."
After speaking, Uchiha Dali turned to look at Uchiha Fugaku.
After all, Fugaku was still a novice in assisting with Hokage duties, whereas Minato had far more experience handling the day-to-day responsibilities of the role.
Previously, Uchiha Dali had instructed Yagura to report in after resolving internal issues in the Land of Water.
Given Kirigakure's power, the daimyo's government in the Land of Water was in no position to resist.
Just like how the Fire Daimyo couldn't stand up to Uchiha Dali.
So the outcome was basically already settled.
There was no reason for him to waste time lingering here.
"I understand."
Minato nodded earnestly.
"Then, whatever else you all need to discuss, handle it yourselves."
"If there's nothing more, this meeting is over."
With that, Uchiha Dali activated the Flying Thunder God Technique and vanished from the meeting room in an instant.
…
Land of Rain, Amegakure.
In the Akatsuki's headquarters, Uchiha Obito appeared in the vast, empty underground chamber with the subdued Three-Tails in tow.
The moment they saw him return with the Three-Tails, the other Akatsuki members lit up with interest.
"Looks like you've resolved the situation in the Leaf," Nagato said calmly.
"The Leaf isn't as simple as you think. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had to bide my time back then."
"But now that Hashirama Senju is no longer around, nothing can stand in my way."
Uchiha Obito continued his posturing.
He didn't tell anyone how he had nearly failed to make it out of the Leaf alive.
Naturally, he had no intention of revealing that.
"We've just identified a promising candidate. We might be able to invite him to join our organization."
"If he agrees, not only will we gain a powerful ally, but we could also acquire more intel on the Leaf."
Konan walked over to report to Obito.
Upon hearing this, Obito turned to her. "Who is it?"
"His name is Orochimaru—formerly one of the three legendary Sannin of the Leaf. We've already investigated thoroughly," Nagato replied.
"Orochimaru… that little brat?"
A cold gleam flickered in Obito's eye beneath his mask.
As a former Leaf shinobi, he naturally knew that name well.
One of the legendary Sannin.
His former teacher Minato's mentor was also one of the Sannin—Jiraiya.
These legendary ninja were indeed very powerful.
"When I left the Leaf, that guy was still just a punk. But he must be one of the village's core powers by now."
At this moment, Obito still didn't know that Orochimaru had already defected from the Leaf.
So he expressed his doubts aloud.
The implication being that someone like Orochimaru was unlikely to join the Akatsuki.
That's when Black Zetsu and White Zetsu spoke up.
"We haven't had a chance to fill you in yet."
"I infiltrated the Leaf to gather intel. The village has deliberately kept this under wraps, so the outside world doesn't know yet—but that brat Uchiha Dali isn't simple."
"To become the Fourth Hokage, he personally took out Danzo Shimura, the leader of the Leaf's Root division."
"And he completely dismantled Root. As one of Danzo's subordinates, Orochimaru refused to serve under Uchiha Dali and chose to betray the village and leave."
"We've already tracked down his whereabouts."
Hearing this, Obito understood.
After thinking it over for a moment, he nodded in agreement.
Orochimaru had considerable strength and a notorious reputation. Given that the Akatsuki was in need of talent, recruiting him didn't seem like a mistake.
"In that case, bring him in."
With those words, Obito turned and walked into the shadows.
His fight with Uchiha Dali had taught him what it meant to encounter someone stronger than himself.
The fact that Dali could enter his Kamui dimension still gnawed at him—he had no idea how it was even possible.
He needed time to cool down and figure out where the flaw lay.
And he needed to find a solution—fast.
Otherwise, the next time they crossed paths, he might not be so lucky.
"Konan and I will go personally to invite him."
"If he refuses, we'll kill him."
Nagato's voice came from behind.
Obito had no objections. He replied coldly, "Anyone who dares obstruct our plans must die—no matter who they are."
With Obito's approval, Nagato and Konan felt at ease.
This man truly seemed to have severed all emotional ties with the Leaf.
If that was the case, there was no need to hold back when dealing with Orochimaru.
Nagato, now controlling the fully restored Deva Path Pain, departed with Konan, while Black Zetsu and White Zetsu melted back into the ground.
Once again, the massive underground chamber became dark and cold.