Chapter 96: Conflicts among the Five Great Ninja Villages

After teasing Black Zetsu with words, Byakuya took out a scroll from his pouch.

The scroll documented the future development plans of the Akatsuki. Ever since he formally became the leader of the Akatsuki, Byakuya had been devising plans to expand and strengthen the organization.

In addition to developing Amegakure into a powerful local nation under Akatsuki's command, the plan to recruit manpower was also indispensable.

Yes, he intended to emulate the original plot of the Akatsuki, forming a mercenary group within the organization to recruit elite ninjas who had defected from the Five Great Shinobi Nations for various reasons.

This approach would maximize the organization's effectiveness systemically while squeezing the value out of those rogue ninjas.

He had no intention of being a saint to either the ninja villages or those rogues.

Taking the scroll from Byakuya, Black Zetsu casually glanced through it after unrolling it, and his eyes lit up.

Byakuya had been his most obedient subordinate in all these years. Without even needing orders, he had prepared in advance. In contrast, Obito was not only immature and conflicting but also frequently defied his commands.

At this moment, Byakuya spoke up, asking, "Black Zetsu-senpai, is this plan of mine acceptable?"

Black Zetsu nodded, then replied, "Your plan is generally feasible, but there are some areas that need refinement. Nevertheless, it's sufficient for now."

"Then please, Black Zetsu-senpai, give me your guidance..." Byakuya said very obediently.

"No need. I trust your judgment."

After receiving the plan, Black Zetsu didn't linger and used the Mayfly Technique to leave Amegakure.

Obito had been waiting outside the village for some time when he saw Black Zetsu arrive, speaking disdainfully: "Black Zetsu, you're finally back. Why not continue discussing with Byakuya? Isn't he your most prized subordinate?"

Facing Obito's sarcastic remarks, Black Zetsu remained expressionless. "Everything is for the Eye of the Moon plan. Besides, Byakuya is so strong; isn't he also being manipulated by us? He thinks we're helping him restore his country, but we can use this excuse to manipulate him."

With that said, Black Zetsu tossed the plan to Obito.

Hearing these words, Obito's expression softened considerably. Byakuya was indeed powerful, but in the end, he was just a pawn being played with.

Byakuya without the Sharingan couldn't see through destiny at all. He could only immerse himself in a false reality.

After reading through the plan, Obito furrowed his brow and then carefully re-read it again, sinking into contemplation.

The document stated that to dominate the shinobi world, one must quietly develop without revealing one's head. During the period of accumulating strength, powerful rogue ninjas must also be recruited to weaken the Five Great Shinobi Nations.

These points seemed average to Obito, even someone like Kakashi knew them.

But at the end of the plan, Byakuya detailed the weaknesses of the Five Great Shinobi Nations and provided strategies to weaken them.

The Sunagakure is in a period of transition, and the struggle between the Fourth Kazekage and the 'Scorch Release' Yegura has reached a fever pitch.

One could disguise oneself as a ninja from an enemy country and exacerbate the conflict between the Kazekage and Pakura.

Iwagakure, despite its internal unity, lacked a qualified successor. There were conflicts between the Third Tsuchikage and the two Jinchuriki, showing their lack of unity.

Simply by propagating the idea of the Jinchuriki wanting to seize power, they could sow division among them.

In Kirigakure, the Blood Mist policy over the years had caused profound contradictions between civilian ninjas and clan ninjas.

Although Konohagakure appeared flourishing, factional struggles were severe. Not only were there internal conflicts among the high-ranking officials, but the Uchiha and Hyuga clans were also restless.

Kumogakure, while internally united, was dominated by the Raikage's clan. However, it had the least internal conflicts among the villages.

Having read all this, Obito couldn't help but acknowledge Byakuya's abilities. He could actually identify the internal conflicts of the Five Great Shinobi Nations through intelligence gathering.

Simply by instigating conflicts as outlined above, even if the Five Great Shinobi Nations did not descend into internal strife, they would be left in a state of unease.

Perhaps many powerful jonin would intervene at that time, joining their ranks and becoming aids to the Eye of the Moon plan.

However, Byakuya's speed in gathering intelligence was also astonishingly fast.

Seeming to sense Obito's doubts, Black Zetsu came over to explain: "Byakuya fears retaliation against the Five Great Shinobi Nations. The destruction of Uzushiogakure and the subsequent estrangement of the Five Great Shinobi Nations are inextricably linked."

With that, Black Zetsu recounted what had happened back then.

The Uzumaki clan of Uzushiogakure was an ally of Konohagakure during the founding of the village. They assisted Konoha in controlling the Land of Fire and provided Jinchuriki and numerous sealing techniques.

However, over time, the isolated Uzumaki clan overseas began to attract the covetous eyes of the other shinobi villages.

Eventually, in accordance with an unspoken agreement among the major shinobi villages, they jointly attacked Uzushiogakure.

After hearing the account of Uzushiogakure's demise, Obito's expression subtly changed. He had never realized that beneath the village's seemingly bright facade lay so much darkness.

When Uzushiogakure was besieged by ninja forces from several major powers, Konohagakure surprisingly chose to stand idly by. This was a betrayal of his own Will of Fire. Why didn't Konoha protect its ally, its comrade?

Nowadays, even the shinobi of the Uzumaki clan prefer to wander rather than seek refuge in Konohagakure.

Perhaps they had also grown completely disillusioned with Konoha...

After retracting his gradually drifting thoughts, Obito dispelled his suspicions of Byakuya. Byakuya's hatred towards the Five Great Shinobi Nations was genuine; he truly wanted to destroy them.

Wait a minute, does that mean when Byakuya and the others contacted us six months ago, they were actually very dangerous?!

"Obito, which village do you want to weaken first?"

At this moment, Black Zetsu suddenly spoke, cutting off Obito's thoughts.

Obito fell silent. He wasn't sure which village to weaken first. Should it be Kirigakure, which he held deep animosity towards, or Konohagakure, the strongest of the Five Great Shinobi Nations?

Emotionally, he desired revenge against Kirigakure.

But from a strategic standpoint, he needed to deal with Konohagakure, the strongest, to ensure the success of the Eye of the Moon plan.

Unable to make a decision, Obito glanced subconsciously at Black Zetsu. Eventually, he made up his mind and said coldly:

"Let's start with Kirigakure. It's isolated from the world, so our actions won't alert the other ninja villages. We also need a base outside of Akatsuki."

Sure enough, Obito wanted revenge against Kirigakure...

Black Zetsu nodded, showing no surprise. After all, Madara Uchiha had once controlled Kirigakure, but now they had to find a way to dispel Obito's suspicions.

If Obito realized this was all a conspiracy, he might break away from their control.

---

As Black Zetsu and Obito left Amegakure, Byakuya received a notification sound from the system.

[Obito Uchiha has joined Akatsuki. You have gained the Three Tomoe Sharingan, Uchiha Bloodline, Fire Release basics, and Uchiha Shuriken jutsu.]