Token of War

"Sake." Obito around, his voice coming through his mask, carrying a deliberate air of authority. "We meet again."

Neji knelt on one knee—the standard courtesy of Akatsuki members when meeting Madara Uchiha. "Lord Madara, your Haki... is even more pronounced now."

That was a perfect statement. A slight smile played on Obito's lips beneath his mask. He liked the word "domineering," and the description "outwardly expressive." It made him feel truly worthy of the name "Madara Uchiha."

"Get up." Obito raised his hand, his gaze lingering on Neji for a few seconds. "Sake, I have only one question: Why did you betray Akatsuki?"

This question was direct and dangerous. Zetsu stood to the side, his black and white face expressionless, but Neji could sense the silent scrutiny emanating from him.

Neji didn't answer immediately. He slowly rose, maintaining a respectful posture, his mind racing. Obito had asked "why did you betray me," not "did you betray me?" This meant Obito had already decided he was "Orochimaru's man." Denial was pointless, and explanations might only fuel more suspicion.

So he chose the most honest answer—partial honesty.

"Lord Madara, I have always been Lord Orochimaru's subordinate." Neji's voice came through the mask, as calm as stating the weather. "Lord Orochimaru arranged for me to join Akatsuki as an intelligence informant. But since joining Akatsuki, I have never betrayed the organization. The reason I saved Sasuke-kun last time was because... Lord Madara seems to value him highly, and I didn't want him to lose an important pawn."

This statement contains a mix of truth and falsehood. He was indeed placed in by Orochimaru, and he certainly never directly betrayed the Akatsuki —because his betrayal was indirect. His reasons for saving Sasuke are also half true and half false: Obito did value Sasuke, but Neji's real reasons for saving him were much more complex.

Obito listened silently. His Rinnegan and Sharingan locked onto Neji, analyzing his breathing, heartbeat, and Chakra fluctuations. Nothing unusual. Absolutely nothing.

After a long silence, Obito let out a soft, ambiguous laugh.

"A wise bird chooses its tree to perch on," he said, a hint of regret in his voice. "Sake, you are a capable person. But Orochimaru ... he's just a rat hiding in a burrow, forever eyeing the power of others. There's no future in following him."

Neji didn't respond. At this point, saying anything would likely be a mistake.

Without waiting for a response, Obito continued, "Has the order and timing of the declaration of war been decided?"

"It's confirmed, Lord Madara," Neji replied immediately. "The order is: Iwagakure, Kumogakure, Konohagakure, Sunagakure, Kirigakure. This is based on the current strength of each village and their perceived threat to the Eye of the Moon Plan. The timeline is set to be completed within fifteen days, instilling both fear and despair in them, while simultaneously making them understand that even given time to prepare, all resistance is futile against Lord Madara's absolute power."

These words were carefully crafted. They flattered Obito's strength, provided a reasonable logic, and hinted at the dramatic effect of "making the enemy despair amidst hope"—which perfectly struck at Obito's current state of mind.

As expected, Obito was quite satisfied. He didn't even bother to ask why Iwagakure was placed first—in his view, it might be because "Sake" thought Ōnoki's Dust Release was the most threatening, or something else entirely. It didn't matter. What mattered was that the order sounded reasonable and "classy."

"Very good." Obito nodded, walked to the side, and picked up two items from the stone platform.

One was a huge Gunbai with the Uchiha Clan crest on its surface. The other was an equally enormous scythe with a crescent-shaped blade and ancient sealing runes engraved on its handle.

Uchiha Gunbai and Uchiha Sickle. Madara Uchiha's signature weapons.

"The declaration of war is unnecessary." Obito two weapons to Neji. "Take these. When they see these two things, they will understand—the legendary Madara Uchiha has returned."

Neji respectfully accepted the weapons. They were heavy in his hands; the Gunbai ribs were made of some kind of special wood, and the scythe blade gleamed with the dark blue luster unique to cold iron. He could feel the residual Chakra on these two weapons—ancient, powerful, and full of fighting spirit.

"Lord Madara is wise." Neji sealed the weapon into a scroll he carried with him. "These two tokens alone are enough to shake the entire Shinobi World. After all, these are the weapons of a legendary being who was said to be on par with the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju."

He paused, then added, his voice filled with just the right amount of awe:

"Lord Madara's strength is extraordinary; even the legendary Sage of Six Paths is probably only about as powerful as you."

These words caused Obito to pause slightly. His eyes flickered beneath the mask.

"The Sage of Six Paths..." Obito repeated softly, a complex light flashing in his Rinnegan. "Soon, I'll reach that level."

Neji pretended not to hear and respectfully inquired, "Lord Madara, if there are no other instructions, I will take my leave. I will arrive at Iwagakure, my first stop, within three days."

Obito his hand, indicating that he could leave.

Neji bowed, turned around, and activated the Flying Thunder God. Space distorted, and his figure disappeared into the cave.

Only after confirming that Neji had completely left did Zetsu slowly speak. His voice was soft, but every word carried weight:

"My lord, this man... used to be taciturn, capable but never boastful. Now he's become glib and obsequious. I always feel... he has ulterior motives."

Obito turned around, his Rinnegan coldly fixed on Zetsu. That look made Zetsu instinctively feel danger.

"Something on your mind?" Obito's voice turned cold. "Zetsu, do you think that everyone who expresses loyalty to me must have ulterior motives?"

Jue immediately lowered her head. "I wouldn't dare. It's just..."

"But what?" Obito interrupted him. "Isn't what he said true? Am I not strong enough to rival the Sage of Six Paths? Isn't the Eye of the Moon Plan the most perfect peace solution? Every word he said was the truth."

Zetsu remained silent. He knew that saying anything now would be useless. Obito was enjoying this feeling of being "recognized," enjoying the ritualistic sense of "the king's return." Any questioning would be seen as jealousy or disloyalty.

"Mind your own business," Obito said finally, his displeasure undisguised. "Are you sure you can deploy the 100,000 White Zetsu army at any moment?"

"It's confirmed," Jue replied respectfully. "We await your command, sir."

"That's good." Obito walked to the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and placed his hand on its cold shell. "Once the declaration of war is over, once fear has spread throughout the Shinobi World... we will begin the final performance."

Zetsu lowered his head, his black and white face expressionless. But deep down, Black Zetsu was sneering.

Go ahead and act, Obito. When you become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, when you think you have everything under control... you'll see who the real director is.