Chapter-36 Crazy Obito

It didn't take long.

The high-level meeting in the Hokage Building concluded.

After much debate and negotiation, Danzo successfully acquired temporary Hokage authority from Minato.

This meant that while Danzo didn't officially take the position of Hokage, he was allowed to occupy the office, control its powers, handle daily governmental affairs, and oversee the allocation and management of high-risk missions at all levels.

However, this decision sparked dissatisfaction among the elders, Mito Homura and Koharu Utatane.

"We're all from the same generation. Why does Danzo, who prefers skulking in the shadows, get to assume Hokage's authority temporarily?"

"If anyone should take over temporarily, it's Sarutobi!"

"Is it because he's missing an eye? Or because he's too cautious to take any risks?"

"If Sarutobi hadn't stepped aside, Danzo wouldn't have stood a chance!"

To be fair, Danzo wasn't particularly surprised by Sarutobi stepping back.

He merely assumed Sarutobi had lost his spirit after the death of his wife, Biwako.

What he didn't know was that the 'resurrected' Second Hokage Tobirama had thoroughly reprimanded Sarutobi the previous night. Sarutobi, now humbled, no longer sought power for himself.

He didn't want to risk Tobirama witnessing him cling to authority and using the Fourth Hokage as a puppet.

So, Sarutobi let it be, allowing Danzo to do as he pleased.

He secretly hoped that if Tobirama ever returned, Danzo would endure the same harsh scolding.

...

Once Danzo secured Hokage's authority, his first decree was to mobilize more Root ninjas to monitor the Uchiha clan.

The Uchiha were strictly forbidden from leaving their district without approval. Any missions requiring their involvement would need Danzo's personal authorization.

This oppressive decree naturally provoked discontent among the Uchiha clan.

Fugaku, their leader, 'deliberately' approached Danzo to protest.

But Danzo dismissed him, citing the village's need to recover from the Nine Tails attack and remain vigilant against potential spies.

The village was on high alert. With widespread hatred toward the Nine Tails, if the Uchiha dared to resist now, Danzo wouldn't hesitate to exploit the public sentiment and eliminate them.

Fortunately, Fugaku chose to endure once again.

As clan leader, he restrained the radicals in his ranks, knowing full well the long-term strategy.

Having already formed a secret pact with Minato, Fugaku was in no rush. He even hoped Danzo and others would continue with their heavy-handed tactics.

"The more arrogant you are now, the harder you'll fall later."

And so, Fugaku bided his time.

...

[Land of Iron – Mountain Cemetery]

In the hidden underground base built by Uchiha Madara, Obito, battered and scarred, finally retreated to safety.

Zetsu quickly emerged.

White Zetsu teased him with a mocking tone: "Oh, look! The great 'Uchiha Madara' failed?!"

Black Zetsu's voice dripped with malice. "You overestimated yourself. Namikaze Minato isn't so easily defeated."

"Stop the nonsense and help me transplant a new arm!" Obito snapped angrily.

Mockery aside, Black Zetsu wouldn't abandon such a critical pawn.

White Zetsu immediately retrieved a replacement limb and began the transplant while treating Obito's wounds.

"Obito, you didn't let anyone discover your identity, did you?" Black Zetsu inquired cautiously.

"Of course not! No one could recognize me in this state!"

Obito felt confident in his disguise. Even though he had been defeated by Minato, he was certain his teacher hadn't uncovered his true identity.

What a shame… little did he know that Wakato had nearly exposed him down to the color of his underwear.

"Hehehe! The mighty Obito, humbled by his teacher! Taught a lesson, huh?" White Zetsu quipped, continuing his jabs.

"Shut up!"

"I was just caught off guard. I didn't expect him to use Rasengan and Flying Thunder God techniques simultaneously!"

"A loss is a loss. Excuses only make you weaker," Black Zetsu chided, his voice cold. "You are Madara's successor. You can't afford to falter here."

Obito, lonely and wounded, found some solace in Black Zetsu's words.

"This is just one failure. It won't happen again!"

"What's the status of the Fourth Hokage and the Nine Tails Jinchūriki?"

"I don't know. I retreated before I could confirm anything," Obito admitted.

White Zetsu grinned slyly. "Oh, I've got some fresh intel. Want to hear it?"

White Zetsu's many clones had been keeping tabs on Konoha, gathering the latest updates.

"Spit it out!"

"It seems the Nine Tails has been re-sealed. But the Fourth Hokage is seriously injured and has temporarily handed over power to Danzo."

"Seriously injured? Retired to the background? Could this be deliberate misinformation?" Black Zetsu questioned cautiously.

"Not likely," Obito reasoned. "Without Sharingan, subduing the Nine Tails wouldn't have been easy. After my fight with Minato, his chakra reserves must have been depleted. Even if they managed to seal Nine Tails again, someone would have been gravely injured... or worse."

"Will the Jinchūriki die if the Nine Tails is sealed within them again?" Obito asked.

"No," Black Zetsu replied, his vast knowledge clear.

"Heeheehee! Poor Obito! No one even died! Both Minato and Kushina might still be alive! What a colossal failure! Hahaha!"

"Shut up!"

"What's your next move?" Black Zetsu asked grimly.

Obito gritted his teeth and declared: "As long as Minato and Kushina are alive, Akatsuki can't grow. Capturing all the tailed beasts will be impossible. Didn't Madara warn you about this?"

"Yes, that's why I'm asking you, the inheritor of Madara's will."

After a moment of thought, Obito made his decision.

"Stir up Kumogakure to launch a probing attack against Konoha!"

"If the Fourth Hokage doesn't intervene, it will confirm he's truly incapacitated. Then we'll strike again and finish the job!"

"My plan… my vision… must be realized at any cost!"

White Zetsu clapped mockingly. "Oh, look! Crazy Obito's about to start the Fourth Ninja War already! What a maniac!"

Obito ignored the taunts. Ever since Rin's death, his sole purpose had been to create a world where she could live safely, free from harm.

For that dream, he would do anything.

"Should I contact Nagato?"

"Not yet. Let's see what Kumogakure does first."

"Also… tear off the flesh on my back!"

"Flesh? Why?"

"It bears the mark of the Flying Thunder God!"

Knowing Minato was still alive, Obito took no chances. He ordered White Zetsu to remove the piece of flesh carrying the mark.

If Minato had died sealing the Nine Tails, the mark wouldn't matter.

But since he lived, Obito had to take it seriously. Another encounter with Minato, and he might not survive the next round.

Without hesitation, White Zetsu tore off the marked flesh.

The excruciating pain made Obito's vision blur and his teeth clench, but compared to losing Rin, this was nothing.

...