"Moreover, there is no conflict of interest between us."
When Mingyue said these words.
Even though Obito was wearing a mask, Mingyue could judge the change in his expression from the slight trembling of his body.
"...You don't hate me?"
After about half a minute of silence, Obito asked slowly.
"Heh,"
Mingyue curled his lips slightly, shrugged, and said:
"Why should I hate you? Hate you for killing Namikaze Minato? For causing the death of Uzumaki Kushina? To be honest, you killing your teacher, what does that have to do with me?"
For fifteen years, the image Mingyue presented before Obito, Hatake Kakashi, and other classmates had always been that of a kind-hearted top student.
He had a bit of the vibe of Aizen Sōsuke from the "Bleach" world.
Just not that exaggerated.
But at least he could be described as "harmless."
Now, saying such words indeed shocked Obito quite a bit.
"Obito, I don't know why you are alive now when you should have died in the Battle of Kannabi Bridge three years ago, nor do I know the reason why you released the Nine-Tails and killed your mentor today, but those things don't matter to me."
Mingyue spread his hands and continued:
"But right now, our positions are the same, aren't they?"
Mingyue did not reveal all of Obito's secrets.
If he did that, Obito would definitely kill him at all costs.
Mingyue couldn't make a perfect prediction of who was currently in the Akatsuki organization.
But at least besides Obito, there were Pain and Konan, two Kage-level ninjas.
Kakuzu had likely joined as well.
Even more troublesome was Black Zetsu, that thousand-year-old turtle, a schemer who had tricked even Indra and Uchiha Madara.
Before having absolute certainty, he shouldn't be too reckless.
Hearing this, the killing intent overflowing from Obito's body receded slightly.
Mingyue continued:
"You are the sinner who killed the Fourth Hokage, and I am the missing-nin who killed the Third Hokage's son and daughter-in-law. Both of us hold each other's trump cards. In such a situation, mutual benefit is the most suitable choice for both parties, isn't it?"
As soon as these words came out, Obito fell silent.
Although his scheming skills might be slightly inferior to old manipulators like Uchiha Madara and Black Zetsu.
Obito wasn't bad at playing games either, and he naturally saw the complexity of the current situation.
If he really pushed Mingyue too far.
Causing him to leak the news that "Uchiha Obito is alive" would be harmful and bring no benefit.
But if he could control his movements, it was equivalent to holding his trump card too.
Both sides holding each other's weaknesses was safer.
"What do you want?"
Obito asked coldly.
Saying this meant he had conceded.
"Nothing much, I just want a good place to go."
Mingyue smiled:
"After all, I killed Sarutobi Hiruzen's son and daughter-in-law. That old man must hate me to the bone and has dispatched a large number of Konoha ninjas to search for me throughout the ninja world, right?"
"I hope to have a safe place where I can calm down and study this thing properly."
As he spoke, Mingyue gave a thumbs up, pointing to the Scroll of Seals hanging on his lower back.
At this time, White Zetsu's voice rang in Obito's mind:
"Hey? Obi... oh no, Madara-sama~ Should we let him join the 'Akatsuki'? Well, in terms of strength, I think he is completely sufficient."
Obito possessed Hashirama cells like White Zetsu, so they could communicate telepathically.
Hearing White Zetsu's suggestion, Obito pondered for only a few seconds before denying it:
"No, this guy knows my true identity. I absolutely cannot put him in the 'Akatsuki'."
The identity he used to deceive Nagato and Konan was "Uchiha Madara".
Letting Mingyue, who knew his true identity as "Uchiha Obito", join was too risky.
If Nagato and Konan knew that the old monster who was supposed to have lived for nearly a hundred years was actually a pretty boy a few years younger than them, who knows what would happen.
Turning against him on the spot wouldn't be impossible.
The Akatsuki organization was Obito's trump card for capturing Tailed Beasts and implementing the Eye of the Moon Plan.
There absolutely could be no mistakes.
"I've got it, let's send him to the Hidden Mist Village."
After thinking for about a minute, Obito secretly decided.
The Hidden Mist Village was his lair.
It was controlled by the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, whom he controlled with his ocular jutsu.
Although it was important, it was merely a stronghold before the Akatsuki organization was fully formed.
Once the ten official members of the Akatsuki were gathered, the Hidden Mist Village would lose its value to Obito.
Throwing the troublesome Mingyue into the Hidden Mist seemed the most suitable choice to Obito.
"The Hidden Mist Village is now completely under my control. Follow me."
Obito responded indifferently, turning casually to walk towards the pier.
At the moment Obito turned around.
Mingyue sketched a faint smile of a successful conspiracy.
Goal achieved!