Chapter Thirty-One: Obito Thought He Was Clever

"Have I been discovered?"

Obito muttered to himself. He wasn't even sure whether he'd given himself away.

Logically, while phased, his body was hidden in Kamui Space.

As long as he didn't reveal himself, no one could detect his whereabouts—unless they had an astonishing talent for Space-Time, like his untrustworthy teacher, Minato.

But Youhu was an exception.

Without any Space-Time Talent, he'd still managed to defy the impossible and teach Obito a harsh lesson.

While Obito hesitated, Youhu had already shifted his gaze away. He walked forward a dozen or so meters, then repeated what he'd said earlier.

So that Anbu hadn't actually noticed me.

Seeing this, Obito breathed a sigh of relief, then felt a little annoyed.

How could he be scared enough to spook himself over a mere Uchiha Anbu? Was it because he saw a reflection of Teacher Minato in the kid?

Obito forced himself to calm down. He planned to keep watching Youhu and see what the boy was really after.

After a while, Youhu wandered into a secluded corner of Hero Cemetery and spoke to himself.

"Looks like Brother Obito really isn't nearby. That's probably for the best. I truly don't want to become Brother Obito's enemy."

"In the years after my parents sacrificed themselves, Brother Obito's deeds were what inspired me and kept me going."

"I wanted to become the Hokage's student and a hero like Brother Obito. But why did he have to become the Masked Man?"

"If I get the chance to see Brother Obito someday, I'll definitely persuade him to change his ways."

As he spoke, Youhu removed his mask, revealing the fresh-faced features of a young boy. His expression was tangled with regret and longing, and there seemed to be tears glistening in the corners of his eyes.

Watching from hiding, Obito thought Youhu's face looked familiar.

During his final year at Ninja School, he seemed to have seen this young clan brother, who had just enrolled.

His clan brother's name was Uchiha Youhu. Like Obito, he was an orphan, and his talent was fairly average.

But Youhu worked very hard at his studies. Every day after school, when Obito returned to the clan compound, he would see Youhu training diligently.

Aside from that, the two had little contact. They were practically strangers who knew each other by name.

He never expected that after his "death," he'd become the "Konoha Hero" Youhu looked up to.

Lost in memories, Obito felt an unfamiliar emotion rise within him. It was the first time he'd experienced what it was like to be admired and needed.

The feeling was a little addictive.

"If I hadn't chosen to become the Masked Man back then, and had returned to Konoha as the Konoha Hero..."

"Could I have been living a happy life now, too?"

Obito couldn't help wondering.

The next second, he banished those unrealistic fantasies.

The life of Hero Obito had ended the day he watched Rin die. All that remained now was the Obito who had inherited Uchiha Madara's will.

Still, he could make good use of the fact that Youhu admired him.

Judging by Youhu's demonstrated combat talent, perhaps he could take Uchiha Itachi's place and join the Akatsuki.

Unfortunately, Youhu had no one important to him. The only person he cared about was Obito himself. There was no way to guide his Sharingan to evolve in the short term. At best, he could serve as a pawn to keep an eye on Konoha.

Once he'd settled on a plan, Obito emerged from a swirl and appeared before Youhu.

"Youhu, what did you want to see me about?"

"Brother Obito? When did you get here...?"

Youhu's muttering was interrupted by Obito's sudden appearance. He hurriedly put his White Mask back on, then seemed to remember something and spoke excitedly.

"Brother Obito, you still remember me!"

"Of course." Obito gave a slight nod, putting on the air of a seasoned senior. "Tell me, what do you want from me? If you're going to ask me to return to Konoha, don't bother. After causing the Nine-Tails' Rampage, I'm no longer a Konoha ninja."

"Why?"

Youhu asked, confused. "Is there some reason you had to do it, Brother Obito? Were you being controlled by someone?"

"..."

Obito remembered the Curse Mark on his heart. To some extent, Uchiha Madara did have him under his thumb. But his desire to carry out the Moon Eye Plan was genuine.

"No one can control me. I have my reasons for doing what I do."

"After all these years away from Konoha, I've seen through the entire Ninja World. I have a plan to bring lasting peace to it."

"I knew you were still the same hero, Brother Obito..."

Youhu looked excited, then asked eagerly, "Can you tell me about it? I want to know what you really think, and understand you better."

"If you're willing to listen, of course I can tell you..."

Obito was pleased with Youhu's reaction. He thought he still had a fair amount of charisma. Even after becoming the Konoha Hero, he still had a formidable fan.

If Kakashi were here, he'd definitely try to talk Obito around, and the two of them would end up arguing again.

What Obito failed to notice was that, as he explained the Moon Eye Plan to Youhu, Youhu wore a smile of triumph.

Youhu didn't know that Obito was nearby, so he'd deliberately used his words to test the waters and trick Obito into revealing himself.

Obito knew Youhu was putting on an act and hadn't actually detected him, so he didn't come out. He'd kept watching Youhu in secret and listening to his thoughts.

What Obito didn't know was that Youhu already knew he was nearby. Youhu had deliberately pretended not to notice him.

By opening his heart, Youhu had lured Obito out and cemented his identity as Obito's devoted fan, successfully winning Obito's trust.

After playing three layers of mind games, Youhu had indeed earned Obito's tentative trust.

Obito thought Youhu was a useful Uchiha and had even told him the Akatsuki's entire plan.

After hearing Obito's plan, Youhu pretended to suddenly understand.

"So, Brother Obito, you plan to gather the Tailed Beasts and create an Ultimate Weapon to deter the Five Great Nations from starting another war, keeping the Ninja World at peace for a long time."

"I knew it, Brother Obito. You're still the Great Hero I've always believed in."

"You no longer want to protect just a little village like Konoha—you want to protect everyone in the Ninja World. That dream is even greater than becoming Hokage."

"Brother Obito, take me with you. I want to work alongside you!"

As he spoke, Youhu's face was filled with fervor. It was as if following Obito was the sole purpose of his life from then on.

"My plan is too dangerous. A little Anbu like you can't get involved. Just stay in Anbu and be my eyes and ears. I won't let you put yourself in danger..."

Obito shook his head gently, rejecting Youhu's wish to follow him.

He felt a little sorry for Youhu. The boy's combat talent was decent, but he wasn't as smart as Obito.

Obito had merely told Youhu Nagato's plan, and Youhu was already so moved he was practically in tears. But Obito's true goal was to carry out the Moon Eye Plan and trap everyone in the Ninja World in Infinite Tsukuyomi.

Unfortunately, that plan was far too shocking.

He wouldn't tell anyone until he was ready to put it into action.