Brainwashing and being brainwashed

"Kabuto, what are you doing here?"

As Obito Uchiha spoke, Kabuto Yakushi trembled slightly as if struck by lightning, like a startled bird, a hint of panic on his face.

"Lord Orochimaru has betrayed us! He's joined Konoha!"

Kabuto Yakushi's eyes widened, his pupils filled with panic, and his voice trembled slightly. "Do you know what this means?"

His hands clenched involuntarily, and his body trembled slightly.

A slight smile played on Obito Uchiha's lips beneath his mask, and his unseen face betrayed no emotion as he spoke, "What does it mean? Does it mean Orochimaru has joined Konoha?"

"This means Lord Orochimaru is no longer my guiding light! This means my life is meaningless again! What is my value?!"

Kabuto Yakushi's pupils dilated sharply, his face filled with pain and confusion.

He shouted loudly, his voice filled with despair and resentment.

Obito Uchiha softly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What? Your only purpose is to be Orochimaru's vessel?"

His words carried a hint of sarcasm, as if he were mocking Kabuto Yakushi's foolishness.

Orochimaru to Kabuto Yakushi to Ryūchi Cave to learn Senjutsu clearly indicates his intention to make him his vessel.

This was a conclusion that Obito Uchiha reached after careful consideration.

Orochimaru's soul was damaged and he was not recognized by the Sage of Ryūchi Cave. So, they sent someone who could learn the White Snake Sage's Senjutsu. When he was reincarnated into a vessel that had mastered the White Snake Sage's Senjutsu, he would naturally have mastered the Senjutsu.

"Yes!"

Kabuto Yakushi's eyes were filled with madness. He suddenly stood up, his hands clenched into fists, his facial muscles twitching slightly, and shouted at Obito Uchiha:

"When I was at my lowest point in life, Lord Orochimaru was like a sun, illuminating my dark world!"

His eyes were filled with fervor and adoration.

"Can you understand that feeling of being redeemed? Therefore, for Lord Orochimaru, I am willing to give everything! Including my life!"

Obito Uchiha was immediately startled. He frowned slightly and pondered to himself.

He initially thought Kabuto Yakushi had only been brainwashed by Orochimaru in a simple way, but he never expected that the brainwashing would go to such an extent that he was willing to die.

Orochimaru, that old bastard, seems to have done quite a bit of research on brainwashing.

Obito sighed inwardly.

As far as he knew, Orochimaru's subordinates were basically people he had tricked or picked up, but without exception, they were all extremely loyal to him.

He was even willing to sacrifice his own life, just to help Orochimaru achieve his goals.

Even Obito felt extreme fear towards this kind of brainwashing technique.

Fortunately, he had already been brainwashed, but he thought he hadn't. It's very difficult to brainwash someone who has already been brainwashed a second time.

You simply don't understand! No one can understand how I feel right now!

Kabuto Yakushi roared, veins bulging on his face, venting his frustration at not seeing Orochimaru since returning from Ryūchi Cave, and the even greater despair that followed his encounter with Orochimaru.

"I don't understand, but I can give you new meaning."

Obito Uchiha's voice remained cold, a glint of cunning flashing in his eyes.

What new meaning?

Kabuto Yakushi paused for a moment, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes, and pressed for an answer.

"It's simple: destroy the person who ruined the meaning of your life."

Obito Uchiha's voice was cold and ruthless.

"Who is it that ruined the meaning of my life...? You mean Lord Orochimaru? Impossible! Even if he abandoned me, I would never lay a hand on Lord Orochimaru!"

Kabuto Yakushi's eyes widened, and he shook his head repeatedly, a resolute expression on his face.

"No, it's Konoha, every single person in Konoha. It was their forgiveness, their cowardice, that allowed Orochimaru to successfully join Konoha. If it weren't for their permission, would you have been able to join Konoha?"

Obito Uchiha like a heavy hammer blow, hitting him squarely in the heart.

"Konoha!!"

Kabuto Yakushi gritted his teeth, his eyes bloodshot, and his fists clenched tightly.

"That's right, now you know who ruined the meaning of your life, don't you?"

Obito Uchiha smiled coldly.

"I understand! Konoha Village! I knew from the beginning that Konoha Village was no good, but I never expected that they would even take my Lord Orochimaru away. They should have been wiped out long ago!"

"I've found a new purpose in life," Kabuto Yakushi said bitterly, his eyes burning with rage.

"Alright, then come back with me. I'll collect the corpses, and you'll research the Impure World Reincarnation. Let's strive to destroy Konoha Village as soon as possible, so that the meaning of your life can be rekindled!"

Obito Uchiha's voice was incredibly seductive.

"I understand, let's go."

Kabuto Yakushi turned around and transformed into a giant white serpent, speeding towards Cloud Village.

Obito Uchiha watched Kabuto Yakushi walk away, slightly surprised. He shook his head and chuckled inwardly.

He never expected that he would have this talent, being able to brainwash people so well and so quickly make them believe his words.

However, that's not the case. At this moment, Kabuto Yakushi needs a lifeline, a reason to live.

As long as you have a reason to live, any reason will do.

That will help him get back on his feet; that's the meaning of life—to do it.

Normal people set "tasks" for themselves in life to complete and do, while some people who are sick, like Kabuto Yakushi, Karin, Jugo, Kimimaro, and so on, are all sick.

They are unable to set "tasks" for themselves, so they need others to set tasks for them, which is what they consider the meaning of life and the recognition of their value.

After the two of them used their respective methods to head towards Cloud Village,

Not long after, another head popped out from the ground.

The dark head stared in the direction the two had left, a contemptuous smile playing on its lips.

"I never imagined that the naive boy from back then would be able to brainwash others now."

"But do you realize that you're one of those who've been brainwashed too?"

Black Zetsu smiled sinisterly.

"However, that arrogant Madara Uchiha who brainwashed you was just as much of a fool! With a little trickery, he modified the inscription on the Stone Tablet in the Uchiha Clan Compound and thought he was the only man who could see through Stone Tablet."

"He really thinks he's the savior who can change the Shinobi World, and he's actually following the path I laid out for him. How pathetic. If such an arrogant person ever finds out that he's been deceived by me, his expression will be quite interesting."

"Whether it's you, Obito Uchiha, or Madara Uchiha, you're just pawns in my game!"