Convincing Obito!

"No..." Sasuke instinctively wanted to say no, but the thought of the Uchiha Clan suddenly crossed his mind, so he quickly changed his tune. "Yes! I actually want to ask you for a favor!"

"A favor?"

After Sasuke's words fell, Obito asked with a puzzled tone.

"Because the Konoha high-ups are planning to move against the Uchiha Clan, the clan just finished a meeting and decided to relocate out of Konoha. I'm worried there will be a massive number of pursuing ninja, so I want to ask you to step in and help us from the shadows!"

His expression growing increasingly solemn, Sasuke said slowly.

"Heh... the Konoha high-ups certainly won't let the Uchiha Clan leave so easily, so there will naturally be many ninja dispatched. Engaging in battle with ninja carries risks; this favor you're asking of me, I cannot agree to!"

Hearing this, Obito chuckled and then gave a clear refusal.

Sasuke wasn't overly disappointed by Obito's response; if it were him, he would have refused as well.

After all, who would risk their life to help a stranger they had known for less than a few minutes?

However, Sasuke didn't intend to give up just like that, so he continued, "I know your strength is immense and that dealing with a few ninja would be no problem for you. Besides, you are also a member of the Uchiha Clan. Now that the clan is in trouble, it is only right for you to lend a hand!"

"You don't need to try to sway me with clan ideology. Although I am a member of the Uchiha Clan, this clan has nothing to do with me anymore! Their life and death is none of my concern!"

Hearing this, Obito said coldly.

Obito's parents died early, and he had lived with his grandmother since he was young. He had never received any substantial help from the clan, so his emotional attachment to it was weak.

Furthermore, Obito was determined to complete the Eye of the Moon Plan to create a dream world. The current Uchiha Clan was naturally dispensable to him; even if they were wiped out, they could still be "resurrected" in the dream world!

Hearing these words, Sasuke couldn't help but frown. He knew that Obito wasn't just saying these things casually; in the Naruto storyline, Obito hadn't shown the slightest hesitation when he slaughtered the members of the Uchiha Clan.

"Since that's the case, then name your conditions! What will it take for you to help me?"

Knowing that other persuasive words would be meaningless, Sasuke said bluntly.

"And what do you have? That would be worth my while to help you?"

Obito didn't answer, but instead asked a question in return.

Sasuke activated his Sharingan, took a deep breath, and then said earnestly, "The most precious things I possess are these Sharingan. If you can help me, I can give one of them to you!"

Sasuke wasn't joking; compared to the safety of the Uchiha Clan, what was a single Sharingan?

Sasuke's words immediately plunged Obito into a state of silence. Staring at the former with shock in his eyes, Obito felt as if a stormy sea had been stirred up within his heart.

Everyone knew what the Sharingan meant to Sasuke. To preserve the clan, he was willing to give up his precious eyes—this approach was simply unbelievable!

"Heh... for the sake of a boring clan, is it worth it?"

With a thousand thoughts racing through his mind, after a long moment, Obito finally chuckled softly.

"It is worth it! In this world, the people I want to protect most are my mom, my dad, and my brother. And as the clan head, my father must naturally protect his clansmen, so helping my father protect the Uchiha Clan is also my responsibility!"

"Of course, the members of the Uchiha Clan are also my kin, fellow countrymen who share the same blood. I remember a teammate of Kakashi-sensei once said: those who break the rules and iron laws are trash, but those who don't know how to cherish their companions are even worse than trash! I think my kin and my companions are both worth cherishing!"

Responding to Obito with great conviction, Sasuke then explained sincerely.

"Companions..."

Upon hearing the phrase about those who don't know how to cherish their companions being worse than trash, Obito's body trembled noticeably, and he muttered to himself.

At the same time, he was reminded of his two former companions, Rin and Kakashi. Although many years had passed, the time they spent together was impossible to shake off.

Knowing that Obito might be lost in thought because of his words, Sasuke didn't continue to speak and disturb him.

Looking at Sasuke's somewhat youthful and handsome face, Obito remained silent for a moment before suddenly saying, "Sasuke, you're only six years old, right?"

"Yes!"

Sasuke didn't know why Obito suddenly asked this, but he nodded anyway.

"You are very much like I was when I was young, always thinking of others no matter what you do!"

Recalling his own past in his mind, Obito said in a low voice.

"Since that's the case, then please help me!"

His palms tightening slightly, Sasuke's expression was tense as he requested again.

"Tap, tap..."

Accompanied by the sound of footsteps, Obito didn't answer Sasuke, but turned and began to walk away.

"Sasuke, you will only truly have value once you have awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan! However, this time, I will help you fend off a portion of the pursuing ninja!"

"Consider it me getting some practice in!"

As the last syllable fell from Obito's lips, his figure slowly dissipated into the space between heaven and earth.

"That's great!"

Watching Obito's disappearing figure, Sasuke shouted excitedly. With the help of a master like Obito, the success rate of the Uchiha Clan leaving the village safely would increase significantly.

The worry that had been weighing on his heart finally lightened, and Sasuke placed his hands behind his head, walking slowly toward home.

When the first rays of morning light broke through the shackles of the clouds and cast upon the vast expanse of Konoha, the empty streets began to see the appearance of many people.

On the roof of the Hokage Office Building, Danzo, leaning on his cane, suddenly opened his left eye.

At this moment, in the space before Danzo, sixty or seventy masked ninjas knelt in silence; these were all elite ninjas from the Anbu and Root.

"Everyone, the mission to purge the Uchiha Clan is entrusted to you. Split into two teams and set up an ambush along the road!"

"Remember! Even if it means mutual destruction, you must not let a single member of the Uchiha Clan escape!"

The quiet atmosphere was suddenly shattered by Danzo's low, commanding voice.

"Yes!"

Hearing the chilling murderous intent in Danzo's words, they responded in haste, immediately transforming into several black shadows that streaked through the air before vanishing from sight.

As the others departed, Danzo's face twitched, a ferocious glint flashing in his eyes as he muttered grimly to himself: "Shisui! You made me waste a Sharingan for nothing, so I shall take the Sharingan of your entire clan as compensation!"

With that, Danzo's figure also vanished rapidly from the spot.

(Thank you to readers Yifanfengshun and AK Mo for the tips!

A quick report on last week's recommendation votes: Qidian had 180, which averages out to only 5 votes per day—to put it bluntly, only a dozen or so brothers cast their recommendation votes!

Results like these are very painful for me, and other authors would likely have given up by now, but I stand by what I said: I want to write the best Naruto fanfiction for all Naruto fans.)