After spending a few days at the camp, Haori's team finally received new orders. He could return to the village now.
Haori had actually had a pretty good time at the camp over the past few days. It was just that the ninjas' enthusiasm had become a bit much for him and the others.
Haori had killed Haku of the Explosion Corps, a man whose hands had been stained with the blood of countless Konoha Ninja.
And he had helped complete the mission to blow up the bridge, making the course of the war much clearer, with the dawn of victory just ahead.
These were all things that lifted people's spirits, and they were why everyone respected Haori so much.
Their excitement and enthusiasm were only natural. Even after learning Haori could leave the battlefield and return to the village, they didn't think there was anything wrong with it.
Haori and the others had already done so much behind enemy lines. They could even be said to have laid the foundations for victory. The rest could be left to them.
The ordinary ninjas really were very likable. And Jiraiya had certainly done a great job of publicizing their achievements.
Still, when Haori first learned that he could return to the village, and that Kakashi and Rin were on the list too, he was taken aback.
Wait, we're leaving already?
What about Obito?
But after thinking it over, Haori realized that the two things didn't seem to conflict.
"Obito was injured only a short time ago. He nearly lost half his body. Even with White Zetsu Cells, an injury like that would take time to heal."
Haori recalled the time Obito had spent recuperating. That meant Rin's death hadn't happened as soon as the war in the Land of Grass ended.
Obito could barely move, after all. No matter how elaborate the plan, there was no way to carry it out under those circumstances.
"Besides, I remember Konoha and Iwagakure were supposed to negotiate, and Konoha was the one making concessions."
It had been a long time since he'd transmigrated, so his memories weren't perfectly clear, but he did remember the negotiations.
Konoha acknowledged everything Iwagakure had done and gave up its right to demand compensation. Those terms seemed completely outrageous.
Because of those terms, Danzo had lambasted Sarutobi Hiruzen, which had eventually led to something extremely important.
"The Third Hokage took responsibility for the war and chose to step down." (The negotiation details are from anime episode 569; I didn't make them up.)
It wasn't strange that Haori could remember these events. He himself had been caught up in the war.
Looking at things now, it seemed that a lot had happened during those negotiations.
For example, the secret of Orochimaru's first human experiment was exposed, costing him his candidacy.
On top of that, Madara might have used the negotiations as an excuse to get Kirigakure involved, ultimately completing Obito's transformation.
And because of Namikaze Minato's deterrent power, as well as their own difficult circumstances, Iwagakure had been forced to sit at the negotiating table, cementing Minato's reputation.
"Looks like I still have time to do a lot of things."
Haori thought to himself. He hadn't forgotten his main quest, or the side quest he still had to complete.
He would absolutely not give up on taking down Uchiha Fugaku.
It was tied to his main quest, and his life was on the line too. He would never let that man carry on.
But if he wanted to take him down, Haori had to prepare thoroughly.
There was a good chance that man had a Mangekyō Sharingan, and he was the clan head in name.
Taking him out would be no simple matter.
And Haori wanted more than just to take his place.
If you were going to be clan head, why not make the whole clan fall into line?
But that wouldn't be easy either. The Uchiha Clan still had two major factions.
"Power..."
Haori murmured softly, then couldn't help cursing Uchiha Fugaku for being useless.
He had the power to deal with these problems, yet he did nothing. It was a wonder the clan hadn't been wiped out!
"Haori, what's wrong?"
As Haori was lost in thought, Rin's voice suddenly sounded behind him.
"Everyone's ready. How are things here?"
"Mm, I'm ready. I was just thinking about some other things."
His mind was full of grumbling, but Haori quickly shook off the mood.
He turned around and saw Kakashi, Might Guy, and Aoba waiting outside.
"Let's go."
Haori stood up and smiled at Rin.
"By the way, what about Jonin Minato? Isn't he going back?"
"The teacher said he still needs to stay a few more days to confirm the situation here. He'll head back after that."
Rin shook her head, then seemed to remember something and smiled.
"But the teacher asked me to tell you that if you're in a hurry, you can go straight to Teacher Kushina.
"He'll come visit you after he gets back, too."
"I see. Then please thank him for me."
Haori nodded happily when he heard that.
He had been thinking about the old Uzumaki Clan estate for a while and wanted to see if there was anything there worth digging up.
Namikaze Minato had remembered this the whole time, which made Haori quite grateful. He really was a good person!
[Side quest completed: Help Team Minato destroy Kannabi Bridge]
[Reward obtained: Mount Myoboku Sage Mode and training method]
--
"Lord Madara, they've already headed back to Konoha."
In the underground chamber in the Land of Grass, Madara was still working out how Obito would awaken his Sharingan in the future when White Zetsu showed up again.
Madara already had a clear plan: use Obito's love to transform him.
In the end, Obito would fall completely into darkness and never be able to escape Madara's control.
But a lot of the details still needed careful thought. Only then could he put together the perfect plan.
Madara knew he couldn't afford to be careless about the awakening. One misstep could ruin everything!
"They're heading back to Konoha? That's fine. That kid Obito still needs time to recover."
Madara was a little displeased by White Zetsu's sudden appearance, but he only nodded.
"If nothing unexpected happens, Konoha and Iwagakure should begin negotiations. This war is about to end."
"Uh, why would they negotiate?"
White Zetsu blinked. He wasn't smart enough to understand what Madara meant.
"Don't think about it. Just do your own job. I need quiet."
Madara glanced at White Zetsu, then closed his eyes and ignored him.
White Zetsu had always been stupid. Madara was used to it, and it didn't surprise him in the least.
After all, he'd been created from Senju Hashirama's cells. It wasn't surprising that his intelligence was about the same as that old friend's.
"Rin... Rin..."
Madara wanted quiet, but he kept getting interrupted by unexpected things.
At last, he'd gotten White Zetsu to shut up, only for the unconscious Obito to start again.
"Stop calling her. Nobody cares about you."
Madara frowned and finally spoke impatiently.
His words seemed to have some effect. Obito paused and did stop calling Rin.
But the silence didn't last long before he spoke again.
And this time, what he said nearly made Madara lose it.
"Kakashi... Kakashi..."
"..."