Ch. 21Uchiha You's Partner
Chapter Summary: “Uchiha You’s Partner”
Key Plot Points and Events
- After returning to Konoha, Uchiha You uses 1,000 Behind-the-Scenes Points to repair the damage to his eyes and restore his eye power.
- He reflects that intelligence, planning, deception, and understanding people are more important than raw strength in the Naruto world.
- The system offers four side quests aligned with You’s existing plans:
- Save Shisui Uchiha.
- Turn Itachi Uchiha to his side.
- Seize Danzo’s Root archives.
- Involve at least four Akatsuki core members in the Uchiha Massacre Night.
- You decides that the massacre must be used not only to save as many Uchiha as possible, but also to destroy Root and possibly remove the Third Hokage’s influence.
- Tobi informs You that Pain has temporarily accepted him into Akatsuki. Since Akatsuki members operate in pairs, You is assigned Kisame as his partner.
- Tobi demands reliable intelligence about Konoha, the Uchiha district, Root, and Danzo. You gives him a scroll containing patrol routes, ANBU surveillance locations, and possible Root entrances—but warns that some information is false.
- Tobi probes whether You truly hates Konoha. You explains that he does not hate the village itself, but the people who used Konoha’s name to destroy his clan. His goal is to remove the village’s “rotten roots,” not simply annihilate Konoha.
- After You and Kisame leave, Tobi and White Zetsu discuss how to investigate the information and uncover what You may be concealing.
Character Developments
- Uchiha You: Becomes increasingly strategic and self-controlled. He views the system as a tool rather than something to depend on and demonstrates his ability to manipulate information without openly opposing Akatsuki. His motives are revealed as political and reformist: he wants to purge Konoha’s corrupt leadership while preserving the village.
- Kisame: Is assigned as You’s partner and appears comfortable with the arrangement. He respects You’s cleverness and nearly laughs at the way You prevents Tobi from gaining complete trust.
- Tobi/Obito: Recognizes that You is difficult to control because he has independent goals rather than simple hatred. Tobi remains outwardly playful but becomes cautious and suspicious, planning to investigate the hidden meaning behind You’s intelligence.
- White Zetsu: Acts as Tobi’s confidant and reinforces the idea that You is difficult to deceive, though Tobi believes he can still manipulate him by presenting information You wants to believe.
- Pain and Akatsuki: Pain conditionally accepts You as a temporary member, allowing him to operate within Akatsuki while requiring useful intelligence in return.
Significant Themes
- Intelligence versus strength: The chapter emphasizes that survival and influence depend on planning, deception, and psychological insight more than combat ability.
- Manipulation and trust: Both You and Tobi attempt to use one another. You provides incomplete information, while Tobi tests You’s motives and searches for weaknesses.
- Loyalty and political reform: You distinguishes between Konoha as a village and the corrupt individuals who control it, presenting his coming actions as a purge rather than a rebellion against Konoha itself.
- Control and independence: You refuses to become a pawn of either the system or Akatsuki. Although he works with them, he maintains his own agenda.
- The danger of hidden motives: The chapter repeatedly suggests that every character is concealing plans, and that even apparently useful information may be deliberately misleading.
Character Interactions
- You and Kisame: Establish a practical partnership. Kisame accepts the arrangement and seems amused by You’s cautious, uncompromising nature.
- You and Tobi: Engage in a tense psychological exchange. Tobi demands information and tests You’s loyalty, while You answers honestly enough to appear cooperative but withholds certainty and openly acknowledges that Tobi is untrustworthy.
- Tobi and White Zetsu: Analyze You after his departure. Tobi concludes that You’s intelligence makes him harder to manipulate, but believes he can still guide him by exploiting his desires and assumptions.