Madara's Plan

The aroma of wine Memorial Stone had not yet dissipated when Kakashi was already standing outside the Hokage Office Building. He looked up at the building, which had been hastily repaired after the war—the exterior walls still bore some scorch marks that had not been completely erased, scars left by Pain's attack, like wounds on Konoha that could never fully heal.

It was late at night, but the Hokage Office on the third floor was still lit. The dim yellow light shone through the window, appearing both warm and heavy in the night.

Kakashi took a deep breath and pushed open the door. The Chunin on duty Chunin the first floor looked up at him, nodded as a greeting, and did not stop him—as an elite Jonin and a strong candidate for the Sixth Hokage, Kakashi had the authority to meet the Hokage directly at any time.

He stepped onto the stairs, his footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. Reaching the third floor, he could hear conversations coming from the office, interspersed with Tsunade's slightly tired but still powerful voice.

"... The scale of the wedding does need to be controlled, but it can't be too shabby either. After all, Sand Village is an ally, Temari is the Kazekage's older sister; a low-key wedding wouldn't be appropriate..."

Kakashi walked to the door, hesitated for a moment, and then raised his hand to knock.

"Come in."

Gate of Opening, the scene inside the Hokage Office came into view. Tsunade sat behind a large desk, several documents spread out in front of her, one hand pressed against her temple, clearly having been working for a long time. Shikaku Nara stood beside the desk, holding a draft of the wedding program, his brows slightly furrowed, seemingly calculating something. Gaara sat in a guest chair, his back ramrod straight, his short red hair gleaming with a dull sheen under the light.

All three of them turned their gazes toward the doorway.

"Kakashi?" Tsunade somewhat surprised, but quickly regained her composure. "You're here at this hour, is there something you need?"

Kakashi nodded, entered the room, and closed the door behind him. His gaze briefly met Shikaku's and Gaara's —a knowing glint flashed in Shikaku's eyes, while Gaara nodded slightly. Both realized that Kakashi's visit at this time must be for something important.

"Then I'll take my leave." Gaara stood up, his voice calm. "Let's continue discussing the specific details of the wedding tomorrow. I'll talk to Shikamaru and Temari about that."

Shikaku closed the draft in his hand. "I'll head back first, Lady Tsunade. I'll have the finance department recalculate a more detailed report on these budget issues tomorrow."

Both of them were about to leave, leaving Kakashi and Tsunade some space for a private conversation. But Tsunade to stop them:

"Shikaku stay. Gaara 'm sorry, we'll continue with the wedding tomorrow. You should go home and rest tonight."

Gaara didn't ask any further questions, only gave Kakashi a deep look before turning and leaving. The door closed softly, leaving only the three of them in the room.

Tsunade leaned back in her chair, placed her hands clasped on the table, and her gaze was piercing. "Speak, what requires a report so late at night?"

Kakashi walked to the desk, took out the transparent glass bottle from the innermost part of his ninja tool bag, and gently placed it on the table. In the green nutrient solution, the scarlet Sharingan slowly rotated, the Mitsudomoe pattern gleaming eerily under the light.

Shikaku's pupils suddenly contracted. As a strategist who had participated in the entire planning of the Fourth Shinobi World War, he certainly recognized that eye— Obito Uchiha's right eye, the Kamui Mangekyo Sharingan.

Tsunade's expression froze for a moment, then she slowly stood up, walked to the table, and bent down to examine the eye closely. After a long while, she straightened up and looked at Kakashi:

"Explain."

Kakashi began his narration. It started with meeting Neji at the Memorial Stone that evening, then Neji placing his hand on Kakashi's left eye, altering the Sharingan's operating mechanism; from the Sharingan's ability to shut down on its own for the first time in seventeen years, to Neji suggesting he learn the Yin Seal: Strength of a Hundred; and finally, his journey to the Uchiha Old Residence, where he received the eye from Sasuke...

His narration was calm and detailed, without omitting any details or adding any personal emotions. However, Tsunade and Shikaku were both highly perceptive individuals. They could sense the turmoil within the man who always disguised himself with a mask of languor from Kakashi's slightly trembling voice and occasional pauses in his rhythm.

After Kakashi finished speaking, a brief silence fell over the room. Only the distant footsteps of patrolling ninjas and the occasional barking of dogs from the streets of Konoha could be heard outside the window.

Tsunade sat back down in her chair, crossed her hands and rested them under her chin, lost in thought. Shikaku walked to the window, gazing at the night outside, his fingers unconsciously tapping the windowsill—a habitual gesture when he was thinking.

"In other words," Tsunade finally spoke, her voice low, "Obito Uchiha is dead."

It's not a question, it's a statement.

Kakashi nodded. "Sasuke said that Obito 'went where he was supposed to go.' Although he didn't say it explicitly, considering this eye..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear— Obito was dead, likely killed by Neji. Otherwise, this eye wouldn't be here.

"But why did Sasuke give you the eyes?" Tsunade pressed, her gaze sharp. "If Neji killed Obito and got the eyes, why would he go through Sasuke? Wouldn't it have been simpler to just give them to you directly?"

This was precisely the question that Kakashi couldn't understand either. But before he could answer, Shikaku by the window turned around.

"Lady Tsunade," Shikaku spoke slowly, his voice carrying the calm analysis characteristic of a strategist, "Do you remember last night's dinner party? According to the Anbu's report, at the party, Sasuke Uchiha publicly declared that he would 'become Hokage and revolutionize the Shinobi World.'"

Tsunade nodded. "I heard about it. Naruto was there too, and the two even shook hands and made a pact to compete."

"So here's the question." Shikaku walked to his desk and tapped the surface lightly with his finger. "Why would someone who just announced he was going to revolutionize the Shinobi World and become Hokage give Obito Uchiha's eyes as a gift to Kakashi the very next day?"

He paused for a moment, then gave his answer, "Win them over. Or rather, seek their support."

Tsunade frowned. "You mean, Sasuke wants to win Kakashi over as an ally in his future political endeavors?"

"Not entirely." Shikaku shook his head. "You and I both know Sasuke's personality. He's proud, direct, and disdains playing these political games. If he wanted to win Kakashi over, the more likely way would be to directly challenge him, prove his strength, or persuade him with his ideals. Sending gifts... that's too subtle, not like him."

He glanced at the glass bottle on the table, a glint of shrewdness in his eyes. "So I think this idea wasn't Sasuke's, but Neji's. Neji killed Obito, got the eye, and then gave it to Sasuke then passed it on to Kakashi —this way, he could both win over Kakashi and leave Sasuke with the impression of a 'giver' in Kakashi's mind, killing two birds with one stone."

Kakashi remained silent. Shikaku's analysis made sense, but he still felt something was off. Neji... that boy who was once so calm as to be almost indifferent, now had a mind so deep that Kakashi couldn't understand him at all.

"There's one more thing," Shikaku continued, his tone growing increasingly serious. "We've all witnessed Obito's strength. He possesses a single Rinnegan, can control the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, and can use Kamui —can Sasuke kill such an opponent alone? Even with the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, his chances of winning aren't high. Therefore, it's highly likely that Neji was the one who killed Obito."

He paused, then lowered his voice. "But Neji gave this 'credit' to Sasuke, or rather, at least made Sasuke the middleman for handing over the eyes. What was the intention behind this? To help Sasuke accumulate political capital? Or... was there a deeper purpose?"

Tsunade's expression gradually darkened. She picked up the glass bottle on the table and examined it closely under the light. The Sharingan in the nutrient solution seemed to sense something, Mitsudomoe's spinning speed increased slightly.

"Shikaku, continue." Tsunade's voice turned serious.

"Yes." Shikaku took a deep breath. "Let's look at Neji's suggestion to Kakashi —to learn the Yin Seal: Strength of a Hundred. The suggestion itself is not problematic; it can indeed solve Kakashi's weakness of insufficient Chakra. But the problem is, why is Neji so concerned about improving Kakashi's strength?"

He looked at Kakashi: "If this is just to win you over and help Sasuke make a good future ally, isn't this going a bit too far? Modifying the Sharingan, suggesting he learn secret techniques, and now they've even sent him another eye... This goes beyond the scope of ordinary 'making friends'."

Shikaku's fingers traced invisible lines on the table, as if drawing a complex strategic map. "Therefore, I believe Neji's purpose goes beyond this. He's enhancing Konoha's fighting strength, preparing for an impending crisis. And this crisis might very well be... more terrifying than Obito Uchiha's."

"Boom--"

A distant rumble of thunder suddenly echoed outside the window. A summer downpour was imminent, and the air became humid and oppressive.

The temperature in the office seemed to drop several degrees. Tsunade put down the glass bottle, her hands pressing firmly on the desk, her knuckles turning slightly white from the pressure. Shikaku's reasoning was meticulous, each step pointing to that unsettling conclusion—

Obito is dead, but the crisis is not over. On the contrary, there may be an even more terrifying enemy lurking in the shadows, watching Konoha and the entire Shinobi World.

"The Akatsuki..." Tsunade whispered, "Besides Zetsu and the 100,000 White Zetsu, what else is there? Nagato is dead, Konan is dead, Obito is dead, Itachi Uchiha died long ago... Who's left?"

She seemed to be asking Shikaku and Kakashi, but also seemed to be asking herself.

The three fell silent. Outside the window, the thunder grew closer, and flashes of lightning occasionally pierced through the window, casting fleeting shadows on the office wall.

After a long silence, Kakashi raised his head and looked at Tsunade: "Lady Tsunade, I..."

"Do you want this eye?" Teuchi him, her gaze sharp as a knife. "With both Mangekyō Sharingan gathered, if you can activate Susanoo, your strength will leap to the Peak Kage Level, even touching the threshold of Super-Kage Tier. But the price is... you will forever bear the shadow of Obito Uchiha."

Kakashi didn't hesitate. He nodded, his voice firm. "I'll do it. No matter the cost."

This isn't about power, nor is it about revenge. It's about... responsibility. If Shikaku's deduction is correct, if an even more terrifying crisis is imminent, then Konoha needs stronger fighting power. And as Konoha's elite Jonin, as someone who could potentially become the Sixth Hokage, he must become stronger.

Tsunade stared at him for a long time, and finally, she sighed, "Alright. Come to the operating room at the hospital first thing tomorrow morning. I'll personally transplant this eye for you."

She paused, then added, "I will also give you the scroll of the Yin Seal: Strength of a Hundred. But you must understand that the technique is extremely difficult to master, requiring a long period of Chakra accumulation and precise control. Even with your talent, it would be difficult to achieve even a minor level of proficiency in less than a month."

"I understand," Kakashi said. "I will try my best."

Shikaku had been watching quietly, suddenly spoke up, "Lady Tsunade, if there really is an unknown enemy... we need to prepare in advance. The Anbu's reconnaissance range needs to be expanded, border security needs to be upgraded, and... intelligence sharing among the villages needs to be strengthened."

"You take care of these arrangements." Tsunade rubbed her temples, her exhaustion barely concealed. "Also, strengthen surveillance of the Sound Village Base. It might not be very effective, but... we should at least give it a try."

"Yes," Shikaku replied, then looked at Kakashi, "Kakashi, after the eye transplant, you need some time to adapt. During this time, try to take on fewer missions and focus on your training. Konoha... needs you to become stronger as soon as possible."

Kakashi nodded, picked up the glass bottle from the table, and carefully put it back into his ninja tool pouch. The eye, pressed against his chest through the fabric, seemed to still be able to feel a faint pulse.

"Then I'll take my leave," he said.

Tsunade waved her hand without looking up. Kakashi turned and left, gently closing the door behind him.

The office fell silent again. Shikaku walked to the window, gazing at the rain that had begun to fall outside, and suddenly whispered, "Lady Tsunade, which side do you think... Neji is really on?"

Tsunade didn't answer immediately. She opened a drawer, took out a bottle of wine, poured a small glass, and drank it all in one gulp.

"I don't know," she finally said, her voice filled with a deep sense of helplessness, "But I have a feeling... that we are all just pawns on his chessboard."

Outside the window, a torrential downpour was underway.

Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away, at an underground base located on the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Grass.

Madara Uchiha stood in the center of the cave, arms crossed, eyes closed in deep thought. He had already listened to Zetsu's two-hour-long report—from Obito's actions after his "death," to the establishment and development of the Akatsuki, from the progress of the Tailed Beast capture plan, to the outbreak of the Fourth Shinobi World War, and finally... how a Hyuga Branch Family boy named Neji Hyuga had disrupted the entire situation.

When Obito heard that Obito didn't actually want to revive him, but was forced to use the Reincarnation Heavenly Life Technique when he had no other choice, a cold smile appeared on Madara's lips.

"Useless." He spat out the two words, his voice echoing through the cave with a chilling edge. "I gave him a chance, I gave him power, I gave him a plan... and he still failed."

Zetsu knelt to one side, his Black Zetsu bowed, but inwardly he was overjoyed. That's how it was; the angrier Madara was, the more he looked down on Obito, the easier it was for him to manipulate him.

"Lord Madara, the situation is indeed dire," Black Zetsu said in a hoarse voice. "The Ten-Tails' Chakra is only one-third remaining, Demonic Statue of the Outer Path is in a semi-dormant state. To reactivate it, we need to replenish as much Tailed Beast Chakra as possible, especially... the Nine-Tails."

Madara opened his eyes. His Dual Rinnegan slowly rotated in the dim light, its deep purple color seemingly capable of devouring all light.

"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki... Uzumaki Naruto." Madara murmured the name. "Interesting."

He walked up to the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and reached out to stroke its rough, tree-bark-like surface. The statue seemed to sense his Chakra, emitting a low hum, and its roots twitched slightly, as if yearning for more life force.

"The Nine-Tails 'Chakra accounts for half of the Ten-Tails' total," Madara muttered to himself. "As long as we capture the Nine-Tails, even if the other Tailed Beast don't have enough Chakra, the Ten-Tails can regain most of its vitality. At that time, I will become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki and reach the Six Paths Tier..."

A fanatical light flashed in his eyes. The Six Paths Tier —that was a realm he had never truly reached in his lifetime. If he could truly reach that level, what Neji Hyuga, what would the Five Great Nations be but ants?

But the problem is --

"Konoha is currently under Neji Hyuga's command," Zetsu reminded him at the right moment. "That boy... no, that monster, has been confirmed to have reached the Six Paths Tier. It's almost impossible to capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki right under his nose."

Madara frowned. This was indeed a difficult problem. If he had become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, he might have been able to put up a fight, but now... he had just been resurrected, and although his body had returned to its peak condition, his Chakra reserves needed time to accumulate. More importantly, without the power of the Ten-Tails, he could not possibly fight against a true Six Paths Tier.

"Are there any other methods?" Madara asked. "Like... distracting him? Or waiting for him to leave Konoha?"

"According to intelligence, Neji will likely remain in Konoha soon," Zetsu said. "He seems to have some plans and is in contact with Sasuke Uchiha, Kakashi Hatake, and others. Furthermore... Tsunade disbanded the Shinobi World Allied Forces, which means Konoha will concentrate all its forces on defending against us."

Ban was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed. The laughter was cold and full of mockery.

"Precaution? They think that disbanding the coalition will allow them to concentrate their forces? Foolish. The disbandment of the coalition means that the Five Great Nations will return to fighting independently. Konoha does have Neji, but what about the other villages? Cloud Village, Iwagakure, Mist Village, Sand Village... They are currently severely weakened and at their weakest."

He turned to Zetsu: "Go spread the word. Say... Obito Uchiha is dead, but the Akatsuki is still alive and has gained even greater power. Our next target is all the ninja villages except Konoha. Konoha has Six Paths Tier experts, so the Akatsuki can't touch them. The other ninja villages should prepare for their annihilation."

Zetsu's eyes lit up. "Lord Madara means..."

"Let fear spread again." A cold light flashed in Rinnegan. "When the other ninja villages feel threatened again, they will regroup and pressure Konoha, demanding Neji's intervention and for Konoha to take responsibility. At that time... Konoha will be internally divided, Neji will be bogged down in various trivial matters. And then we will have our chance."

Jue bowed deeply. "Brilliant! I'll take care of it right away!"

"Wait," Madara called after him. "There's one more thing. Find out everything about Neji Hyuga —his abilities, his weaknesses, his goals. I don't believe a seventeen-year-old could reach Six Paths Tier without a reason. There must be some secret behind him."

"Yes!" Jue's figure merged into the rock wall and disappeared.

The cave fell silent again. Ban stood alone before the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, looking up at the enormous monster. Rain seeped in from the cracks in the cave ceiling, dripping onto the ground with a monotonous "drip-drip" sound.

"Neji Hyuga..." Madara murmured the name, killing intent gathering in his Rinnegan. "I'll let you live a few more days. Once I become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki and reach the Six Paths Tier... I'll show you what true power is."

Outside the window, the rain was pouring down.

Meanwhile, in the operating room of Konoha's hospital, Tsunade was making final preparations for the transplant surgery. Kakashi lay on the operating table, his right eye anesthetized, his left eye calmly staring at the ceiling.

Unbeknownst to him, Dual Rinnegan were watching his direction from afar.