Chapter 14: But Rin and Sakura Swapped
From Shiromo's "training plan" for Kakashi, one could clearly see his attitude toward the masked man, Uchiha Obito.
Shiromo had no intention of persuading him using the same methods he used on the other Akatsuki members.
Because there was simply no way to persuade him.
Shiromo could persuade others because he clearly understood what each of them needed and what they pursued.
Even Itachi, another member of the Uchiha psychopath club, only cared about two things: Konoha and Sasuke.
These two things conflicted in the original story. Itachi could threaten to leak Konoha's intelligence for Sasuke's sake, and he could also attempt to control Sasuke with Kotoamatsukami for the sake of Konoha.
This was because, in Itachi's heart, these two goals could coexist, and objectively speaking, it was possible.
So what did Uchiha Obito want?
First, reviving Rin Nohara could be ruled out.
He definitely knew about the Rinne Rebirth technique.
Even if he didn't want to die himself, he could have easily taken advantage of Nagato resurrecting the people of Konoha and slipped in along with them.
So was it because he traveled the ninja world and became convinced of its darkness and incurable nature?
Perhaps.
But the problem was that this was entirely based on his own perception.
For example, the original Akatsuki organization had been made up of cheerful, idealistic young people.
Even with Hanzō and Danzō's conspiracy, there was still a chance to turn the situation around. One of the original Akatsuki members was even preparing to report the truth, but Obito stopped him.
Others longed for the light, yet he went and killed them, and then turned around and blamed the world for being too dark. Wasn't that a little absurd?
Was Obito planning to activate the Infinite Tsukuyomi to create a world where Rin still lived?
Those who only understand Uchiha Obito on a surface level might think so, but that wasn't actually the case.
Uchiha Obito said he wanted to create a world where heroes would no longer weep at graves.
Some might argue that this doesn't conflict with Rin Nohara being alive. If no one dies, there's no need for grief, right?
But the problem was that in Obito's imagined "perfect world", the one he experienced under his own Infinite Tsukuyomi, Rin still died.
The only difference from reality was that Kakashi didn't grieve at her grave. Instead, he became Obito's right-hand man, helping him, the Hokage, live a fulfilling life.
Of course, this could simply be Obito's fantasy of having chosen a different path, where Rin's death wasn't the result, but the premise.
Even so, it indirectly revealed the contradictions within his various ideals.
Shiromo could only say that if Rin and Sakura could switch places, there wouldn't be so many problems.
When interacting with Obito, instead of bandaging his wounds or comforting him, she smiled and said to another teammate who had also lost his parents, "Look, he doesn't have parents, does he? No wonder he's so ill-mannered."
Then Obito could still want to create a world with Sakura instead, which only suggested that Obito might have some masochistic tendencies.
Even if Sakura's personality changed gradually later on, it wouldn't stop Obito from losing his charm.
In short, Faced with this situation, Shiromo found it difficult to understand.
He couldn't very well walk over and start repeating himself, whispering like an ancient god, "Didn't you once want to be Hokage too?" in an attempt to persuade him, could he?
Therefore, Shiromo had no intention of persuading Obito.
There was another reason as well.
The Five Great Ninja Villages could cooperate not because of "love" or "mutual understanding," but because they shared a common enemy.
Even if the people of the Five Great Shinobi Villages did develop such sentiments during the war, the core issue never changed: an external threat.
The Akatsuki might trust Shiromo regarding the Ōtsutsuki clan, but how many people from the Five Great Shinobi Villages would truly believe him if he told them?
The Ōtsutsuki clan would need at least another twenty years to reach the Shinobi World.
And the only Ōtsutsuki member currently present there couldn't be found anytime soon.
This was where Obito's role became apparent.
Meanwhile, after the four from Konoha departed, Shiromo and his group escorted the old man onward.
Along the way, Zabuza began to continue the explanation he had been interrupted from earlier.
However, after only a few sentences, he was interrupted again.
"Zabuza, I understand your goal. You want to change the Blood Mist, and we can support you in that."
Shiromo not only knew the backgrounds of the Akatsuki members, but he also understood Zabuza's desires perfectly.
Zabuza had defected because of his attempt to assassinate the Mizukage.
When he took Haku away from the village, Zabuza had said, "Tonight, I will abandon the Land of Water, but I will definitely return and take this country back into my own hands."
This statement revealed his ambition.
Furthermore, the Kirigakure ninjas who appeared later, whether it was the rogue Kisame, Suigetsu who was taken away by Orochimaru, or even the upright and honest Sixth Mizukage, Chōjūrō, all showed great respect for Zabuza.
This indicated that Zabuza truly attempted to assassinate the Mizukage in order to break the Blood Mist, and only became a rogue ninja after failing.
"What?"
Zabuza was somewhat startled.
First, how did they know all this?
Was Kisame's organization's intelligence network really that formidable?
Second, why were they agreeing so easily?
What benefit did this bring them?
"Have you seen the map of the ninja world? The Land of Waves occupies the most convenient passage for trade with the Land of Water. Once the bridge is completed, transportation will become even easier. I need you to control this place, develop and manage it according to the headquarters' plan, and provide a continuous flow of funding."
Shiromo took a map from the small pack behind him and unfolded it with both hands.
"That makes sense."
Zabuza immediately understood after hearing Shiromo's explanation.
Many small countries couldn't afford to support ninja villages, and even if they could, the scale was extremely limited.
Likewise, it was very difficult for wandering ninjas to secure stable funding. They could only work as mercenaries or accept bounty missions.
For ninjas, money was indispensable.
Since the other party was a powerful organization, they naturally required vast financial resources.
From this perspective, the Land of Waves was indeed an ideal location, especially if trade with the Land of Water could be established.
However, the issue was that Kirigakure had long been shrouded in the Blood Mist, making normal diplomacy impossible, let alone trade.
The most effective solution was indeed to assist them in eliminating the Blood Mist.
"Oh, by the way, Kisame," Shiromo added, "I remember that your crime as a rogue ninja was assassinating a daimyo, correct? Was that a frame-up, or did you actually do it?"
Shiromo turned his gaze toward Kisame Hoshigaki.
"No."
Kisame denied it.
After killing his traitorous superior, Fuguki Suikazan, he began to doubt Kirigakure's entire system.
However, he had never assassinated any daimyo; he was genuinely confused and drifting.
Later, he encountered Madara and the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, who was being controlled by Madara, and immediately joined the Akatsuki, effectively defecting.
There had been no time in between to assassinate any daimyo.
"So," Shiromo asked, "are you interested in making this arrangement a reality?"
At Shiromo's question, the others were momentarily stunned, each forming their own thoughts.
Only Kisame, the one directly involved, remained calm.
"No problem," he replied.
(End of this chapter)