69novels Chapter 170 The Hidden Force
Chapter 170 The Hidden Force
Chapter 170 The Hidden Force
More importantly, Yuan Tuoye had a deeper consideration.
No matter how well the Anbu operated within the Uchiha clan's territory, it was impossible for them to remain hidden from the watchful eyes of the Uchiha clan members for long.
It was only a matter of time before it was exposed, and once it was discovered, conflict was inevitable.
If such a sensitive mission were carried out by a non-Uchiha ANBU squad leader, it would most likely ignite a fierce confrontation immediately, or even escalate into a bloody conflict.
However, if the person in charge is Uchiha Ryo, this genius boy with Uchiha blood flowing through his veins, the situation is quite different.
His very existence provides a buffer for a potential confrontation, an opportunity for explanation and mediation.
Choosing Uchiha Itachi was a well-thought-out strategy by Gen Takuno, a cautious step taken in an exploratory manner.
First, let the Uchiha clan gradually adapt to the reality of the Anbu's existence under Itachi's "buffering." Once this existence becomes less conspicuous and less unacceptable, then proceed with the replacement.
Of course, this rotation list will not include anyone from the Hyuga clan. The unspoken rivalry between these two powerful clans, both possessing ocular jutsu and bloodline limits, is itself a potential risk.
Itachi Uchiha is currently unable to comprehend the complex thoughts of Takuno Minamoto.
Hearing the other party's resolute words of trust, even though he was far more mature than his peers, the high expectations placed on him by the Hokage and the highest-ranking officer of the Anbu still stirred up a turbulent wave in his young heart.
A profound sense of responsibility and pride welled up within me.
"I understand, Captain-Commander!" Itachi Uchiha's voice was strong and clear, carrying the unique vigor and determination of a young man. "Rest assured, I will do my utmost to fulfill your trust and complete this mission!"
"Hmm." Yuan Tuoye's tone softened slightly. "The road ahead will likely be exceptionally difficult for you."
The hardship was self-evident, and Itachi Uchiha was well aware of it. The moment he accepted this mission, it meant that he would stand on the opposite side of countless clansmen.
Those within the tribe who only see the surface, who are immersed in past glories or narrow-minded sentiments, will inevitably label him a "traitor."
The label.
This is a fate that is almost inescapable.
but----
In that instant, the gentle yet firm voice of his close friend Uchiha Shisui, and the ideal vision of harmonious coexistence between his clan and the village that he had described, clearly appeared in his mind.
The glimmer of hope for the future in Uchiha Shisui's eyes seemed to become a beacon illuminating the gloom in his heart.
For this shared ideal, for the future that Uchiha Shisui believed in!
Even if we have to be enemies with some short-sighted members of our tribe, so what?
This conviction instantly overwhelmed all doubts and potential fears.
"I'm not afraid of hardship! For the village, for the future of the Uchiha clan, it's my duty!" Itachi Uchiha answered without hesitation, his voice firm and resolute.
He then solemnly accepted the weighty mission scroll from Yuan Tuoye.
The scroll felt cool to the touch, yet it seemed to contain immense power, symbolizing the heavy burden and mission he was about to shoulder.
He didn't say anything more, but simply gave the captain a brief and forceful salute again before turning and leaving.
That slightly thin yet exceptionally upright figure disappeared at the end of the dark corridor of the headquarters, foreshadowing the beginning of a journey full of thorns and challenges.
Yuan Tuono watched Uchiha Itachi's figure disappear into the distance, a meaningful smile unconsciously creeping onto his lips.
Because of the changes brought about by his existence, although he could roughly determine the fate of the Uchiha clan, he could not control the entire process.
This is precisely the unavoidable "inconvenience" brought about by altering the established script.
Fortunately, his current high position means that news from all sides of Konoha keeps flowing into his ears.
Even though he couldn't witness every moment of change, he could still piece together a partial picture of the truth by combining these fragmented pieces of information with his understanding of the original story's plot.
It's like walking through a fog with a tattered map in hand; you can't see the whole picture, but you can vaguely make out the path and direction.
However, not all fog can be dispelled.
At this moment, two heavy clouds of doubt are troubling him:
Firstly, there are those members who organized resistance and stirred up trouble within the Uchiha clan.
Was their motivation really just because they learned that Uchiha Shisui had awakened the legendary Mangekyou Sharingan?
Beneath this seemingly reasonable excuse, are there deeper, more hidden demands or driving forces at play?
Obito Uchiha? Or someone else?
Secondly, there was the unexpected choice made by the Uchiha clan leader, Fugaku Uchiha.
At such a critical and sensitive juncture, this clan leader, who prioritizes the interests of his family, surprisingly chose to side with the village!
This decision far exceeded Gen Takuno's expectations.
He originally thought that even if Fugaku Uchiha wouldn't choose between his clan and the village as in the "original story" and launch a coup, he wouldn't completely side with the village.
What Minamoto Takuno didn't know at that moment was that the motivations behind Uchiha Fugaku's crucial decision to choose sides were far more complex and profound than he imagined.
Minato Namikaze's gentle philosophy and new outlook certainly gave Fugaku Uchiha a glimmer of hope.
But the deeper, more fundamental driving force is his knowledge that the underlying logic of this world is always based on the principle of strength.
The statement of aligning with the village will not instantly deplete the foundation of the Uchiha clan's survival, and the sharpness of those Sharingan eyes will not be dimmed as a result.
The chips they hold firmly in their hands, their formidable fighting power, and their potential for destruction remain.
This left Fugaku Uchiha with a crucial escape route.
When the situation became irreversible and the survival of the clan was fatally threatened, he, and the entire Uchiha clan, still retained the opportunity and strength to tear up all agreements, go all out, and make a final stand.
His "taking sides" is more like a strategic gesture than a desperate surrender.
Yuan Tuoye rubbed his forehead, trying to dispel his pointless thoughts.
No matter how things unfold, for him, it's ultimately just a performance by an outsider.
His role was that of an outsider, and it would be pointless for him to intervene or make unfounded speculations.
Instead, we should calm down, stand peacefully to the side of the stage, and quietly observe the development and resolution of this play.
When the final curtain falls and the dust settles, looking back and examining everything, the cause and effect, the interplay of light and darkness will be presented clearly before our eyes.
Instead of wasting your energy on other things at this moment, you should focus your attention on the problems that you urgently need to solve.
Currently, the aftereffects of that memory-cutting surgery have been largely eliminated, which means that his long-planned Sage Mode training program can finally be put on the agenda.
With the assistance and guidance of Jugo, who possesses a special physique, mastering this power wasn't as quick as that kid named Naruto Uzumaki, who only needed half a month.
However, Yuan Tuoye is also confident that he will be able to successfully harness this natural energy within six months.
And once Sage Mode is fully mastered—
His fingers tapped lightly on the table unconsciously, his thoughts drifting to the mysterious place floating in the sky—the moon.
A thought became clearer and clearer: could we try to obtain the ancient bloodline that was said to belong to the Otsutsuki clan?
However, a few doubts also arose in his mind: he still could not accurately grasp the timing of the death of Otsutsuki Toneri's father, that key figure.
More importantly, even if he were to fully enter the realm of the Shadow Realm by then, what would his chances of victory be if he rashly set foot on the moon and faced the enormous golden Tenseigan embedded in the core of the castle, radiating boundless energy? Would it be a safe bet?
As I considered the various possibilities, a more cautious thought prevailed: perhaps—we should wait a little longer?
When he takes another step forward and successfully awakens the Mangekyou Sharingan, which symbolizes the ultimate power of the Uchiha clan, and perfectly integrates the Hashirama cells, which contain immense life force, into his own body, his power will surely undergo a qualitative leap.
Wouldn't he have a better chance of success if he embarked on the journey again then?
Thinking of this, his fingers paused.
That's right, Otsutsuki Toneri is destined to remain stranded on the desolate moon for the next few years, with nowhere to escape.
Since the goal is fixed, why should he rush and take unnecessary risks?
After a long period of deliberation, Yuan Tuoye's desire for power was ultimately suppressed by his usual calmness and caution.
The final decision was made to hold back for the time being, continue to accumulate strength, and wait for a more opportune moment.
The night was as dark as ink, heavily enveloping the Uchiha clan's territory.
-
High on the rooftop, a solitary figure stood alone. Dressed in darkness, his face covered by the iconic one-eyed vortex mask, he was none other than Uchiha Obito.
The crimson Sharingan, the only three tomoe exposed outside the mask, coldly surveyed the familiar streets and mansions below.
This place holds almost all of his childhood memories. The pride he once felt for having Uchiha blood flowing through his veins, and the glory of the clan he once vowed to protect with his life, are now like pebbles thrown into a deep pool, unable to stir even the slightest ripple in his heart.
Just as Madara Uchiha, the one who guided him, said, the Uchiha before him were nothing but cowards who were willing to grovel before Konoha, a group of scoundrels who had strayed from the true nature of the Uchiha.
Even more fatally, their very existence has become an obstacle in his path forward.
It's time to start cleaning up.
Obito Uchiha clearly sorted out the overall situation.
Now is not the right time for the Akatsuki to capture the Tailed Beasts. The newly recruited members are still weak, the operating funds are tight, and the crucial information on the Tailed Beasts is far from complete.
Moreover, the Gedo Mazo, which serves as the container, has strict restrictions on the order in which the tailed beasts are sealed.
Acting hastily at this time is tantamount to sounding an alarm bell for the entire ninja world, making the five great nations wary of the name "Akatsuki" and adding endless resistance.
The real strategy should be to lie low.
The Akatsuki organization continued to act as mercenaries, traveling between major countries and taking on shady commissions.
While making a fortune, they discreetly and accurately obtained information about all the tailed beasts.
By accumulating strength and perfecting plans, and waiting for the opportune moment, they will seize all the tailed beasts in one fell swoop, catching all the major ninja villages off guard.
This is the blueprint that Obito Uchiha and the Akatsuki organization at this stage have carefully planned.
According to this plan, he shouldn't be in Konoha Village at this moment.
He knew Minato Namikaze's character well.
The Fourth Hokage was upright and honest, and adhered to the righteous path. There was absolutely no way he would have any employment or entanglement with an organization like Akatsuki that operated in a secretive manner.
However, Obito's cold gaze pierced through the night, slowly landing on the dimly lit center of Konoha Village in the distance.
Because Konoha is too strong, so strong that it makes people restless and unable to eat or sleep.
The strength of Sunagakure and Kirigakure is no longer a threat; the Cloud Village, which claims to be martial, is now nothing but an empty shell with bluster.
As for Iwagakure, it lost a large number of elites in the fierce siege during the Third Raikage's attack. Obito Uchiha's continuous covert infiltration over the years has further depleted its talent pool, leaving only the aging Onoki to hold the fort.
Only Konoha was the sole exception.
Having a Hokage of extraordinary strength like Minato Namikaze in charge is already a great advantage, but the organization is also experiencing a surge in talent!
Within the Uchiha clan, not only is there Shisui, whose Body Flicker Technique is already renowned throughout the ninja world, but now, another figure of equal brilliance has emerged: Uchiha Itachi.
If Konoha is allowed to continue developing in this way, it will inevitably become an insurmountable wall and the biggest and most dangerous stumbling block when the Tailed Beast Plan is implemented in the future!
That's why he came.
The cracks and unrest that were quietly spreading within the clan were the seeds he had planted himself.
It's that simple. All you have to do is let those who crave power "accidentally" glimpse the unparalleled power of the Mangekyou Sharingan, and then, as a member of the Uchiha clan, make an enticing promise of assistance.
Greed and ambition ignited like wildfire in the hearts of those already proud and arrogant clansmen, drawing them eagerly into the trap he had woven.
He only needs to wait and see.
Minato Namikaze? That Hokage may have already sensed the undercurrents within the Uchiha clan and even taken action.
But in Obito Uchiha's eyes, that was nothing more than drinking poison to quench thirst!
The more Minato Namikaze tried to "appease" or "suppress" the radical faction within the Uchiha clan, the more destructive the eruption would be in the future. This was the inevitable outcome of the pride and obsession ingrained in the Uchiha bloodline.
How ridiculous! He didn't even need to lift a finger; he only needed to flap his wings a few times at the appropriate time, targeting those arrogant fools who were already itching to act.
The crimson single eye coldly watched everything that was stirring in the darkness below.
If this conflict, which he orchestrated and is destined to erupt, can also bury the brilliant geniuses of the Uchiha clan, such as Uchiha Shisui and Itachi, then...
Or perhaps, amidst the chaos, Minato Namikaze will be fortunate enough to perish.
Regardless of which outcome is achieved, the threat posed by Konoha, this behemoth, will be significantly reduced, making it less suffocating.
Well then, let this good show continue.
Obito Uchiha's figure disappeared into the night.