Every Step, Another Scheme

Uchiha Daiki's words had truly exceeded everyone's expectations.

After he said all that, everyone, including Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Shisui, found it unbelievable.

They had never even seriously considered such a possibility.

Yet Uchiha Daiki had not only considered it—he had already begun laying the groundwork long ago.

What exactly was going on inside his head?

At this moment, Uchiha Fugaku's gaze toward Uchiha Daiki grew even more complicated.

For the first time, he felt that he could not quite see through this rising star of the Uchiha Clan before him.

Daiki was clearly not much younger than he was.

Yet at that moment, Uchiha Fugaku felt like a complete novice in front of Uchiha Daiki.

Compared to the other's maturity and steadiness, he seemed so unbearably immature. For the first time, the position of Clan Head made him feel unworthy of it.

Naturally, Uchiha Fugaku would not reveal such thoughts on his face.

He gave Uchiha Daiki another long look and took a deep breath.

"Your approach is indeed surprising. Especially the fact that you actually managed to win a bet against someone like Minato-senpai—I find that utterly unbelievable as well."

"But, Daiki..."

Uchiha Fugaku's expression became meaningful. "Things are probably not as simple as you imagine. There are some things you do not understand."

His hesitant, vague words left those unaware of the truth completely confused.

But Uchiha Daiki was no clueless hothead.

He took a deep look at the silent Uchiha Shisui beside him, then smiled faintly. "We'll see when the time comes."

"I heard that Lord Orochimaru, who is commanding the troops on the Western Battlefield, is also highly popular and respected within the village. Perhaps my judgment is wrong. Maybe the successor chosen by the Third Hokage is not Minato-senpai, but Lord Orochimaru."

He shrugged casually, ending the subject.

Yet those words had already left a deep mark in the hearts of Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Shisui, Uchiha Tekka, Uchiha Inabi, Uchiha Yashiro, and the others.

At this moment, every elite powerhouse of the Uchiha Clan had different thoughts arise in their hearts.

The Uchiha Clan had indeed rendered outstanding service in this war.

But did they truly have the qualifications to compete for the position of Fourth Hokage as well?

Within a forest near the border of the Land of Fire.

News that the war had ended spread, and the various combat units began withdrawing from the battlefield one after another to return to Konoha.

At this moment, Kakashi and Nohara Rin were also preparing to return to the village.

"Is Minato-sensei not coming to meet up with us?"

Nohara Rin asked curiously.

"He has other missions. He told us to return first, meet up with the other units, and head back to the village together."

Kakashi answered.

"The war is finally over... It really wasn't easy. It's just a shame Obito can't see this ending."

Nohara Rin sounded somewhat sorrowful.

At her words, Kakashi suddenly stopped.

Thinking that her words had stirred him as well, Nohara Rin could not help walking toward him.

"Don't come over!"

Kakashi abruptly stretched out an arm to stop Nohara Rin.

Nohara Rin was startled by Kakashi's sudden shout. Before she could react, kunai rained down from the sky like a torrential storm, shooting toward them at high speed.

"Watch out!!"

Kakashi's pupils contracted slightly as he hurriedly drew the broken Short Sword, White Fang, deflecting the rain of incoming kunai again and again.

But at that moment, several Mist Hidden Anbu suddenly appeared behind them, silently infiltrating their rear.

While Kakashi struggled to deal with the downpour of kunai, one of the enemies seized the chance to restrain Nohara Rin, who was hiding behind him.

"Ah—"

Nohara Rin had only managed a single cry before the enemy completely subdued her and swiftly carried her away.

"Rin!!"

Kakashi sensed the disturbance and turned to rescue her, only to be blocked by two Mist Hidden Anbu.

After a fierce battle, Kakashi killed the opponents before him, but he was injured as well, and Nohara Rin had long since vanished without a trace.

"Damn it..."

Kakashi turned back and looked at the vast primeval forest ahead.

Konoha was still very far away.

There was no time to rush back and call for reinforcements.

Remembering the entrustment his friend Obito Uchiha had given him before his death, Kakashi could only steel himself and follow the traces left by the enemy, attempting to rescue his sole remaining companion.

He did not yet know that a massive conspiracy was already waiting for him.

At the same time, the aged and frail Madara Uchiha, hidden beneath the earth, watched Obito Uchiha's body recover day by day with his help as the plan in his mind gradually took shape.

His body was worsening by the day.

Knowing that his end was near, he had to quickly find a successor capable of replacing him and continuing that plan.

This Uchiha brat before him was not a bad choice.

But if he wanted the boy to obediently help him complete that plan, and even revive him one day in the future, further arrangements would be needed.

"Great! My body has almost recovered. After a while longer, I should be able to return to the village."

Obito Uchiha, who was practicing how to walk, suddenly shouted in surprise and excitement.

"Return to Konoha? That holds quite an appeal for you..."

Madara Uchiha said casually.

"Of course. Once I return to the village, I'll be able to see Kakashi and Rin. If they find out I'm still alive, they'll definitely be shocked! Hehe, I can't wait to see the look on Kakashi's face when he finds out..."

Obito Uchiha replied expectantly.

Just then, White Zetsu beside him suddenly spoke in a half-teasing tone. "That wish of yours will probably be difficult to fulfill..."

"Hm?"

Obito Uchiha turned toward him in astonishment.

"My clone just discovered traces of Kirigakure Anbu on the surface battlefield. They used a scheme to draw your teammate Kakashi's attention away and captured that little girl called Rin..."

"What?!!"

Upon hearing this news, Obito Uchiha was struck dumb as if hit by lightning.

"D-Damn it!"

"That Kakashi... Didn't I tell him to take good care of Rin? What the hell is that bastard doing..."

Burning with anxiety, Obito Uchiha clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. As soon as he finished speaking, he prepared to search for an exit and return to the surface.

"With your current strength and physical condition, what could you possibly accomplish even if you went out?"

"Besides, this is the world of ninja. War will never end. As long as conflict remains, people will always die."

Madara Uchiha said coldly.