Obito Uchiha Was a Changed Man

Zabuza got up and leaped straight out the window, hurrying off to find Mei Terumi.

Only when Zabuza reached the village gate and thought back over everything that had just happened did he understand.

Karatachi Yagura was acting far too strangely.

As if everything had suddenly clicked into place, Zabuza said with a bitter laugh, "Kirigakure as it is now..."

"Doesn't deserve my obedience."

"Heh."

"Since Lord Mizukage wants me to find Mei Terumi..."

Zabuza said in a low voice, "How could I disappoint him?"

"Hahaha."

"If Mei Terumi becomes that powerful in the future, then she's not a bad choice for me right now."

"It's about time I became Kirigakure's Mizukage."

His face dark, Zabuza slowly left Kirigakure.

At that moment, Zabuza felt no attachment to it. Once, all he had wanted was to protect Kirigakure.

But after seeing the crises that awaited it, Zabuza knew he could not go on as he had.

He had to keep growing stronger and claim the position of Mizukage. Only then could he protect Kirigakure.

The Mizukage's office.

A Black Spiral appeared behind Karatachi Yagura.

As the Black Spiral slowly faded, a masked man in a black Akatsuki Robe stepped out of it.

Obito Uchiha's grim voice sounded. "Have you carried out my orders?"

Karatachi Yagura hurriedly dropped to one knee and answered respectfully, "I have, Lord Madara."

"I've sent Zabuza to find Mei Terumi. He'll find her within a day."

"Good," Obito Uchiha said coldly.

"The moment you find that woman, report to me."

"There can be no mistakes."

"Otherwise!"

Murder in his eyes, Obito Uchiha walked up to Karatachi Yagura.

He shot out his right hand and clamped it around Karatachi Yagura's throat.

Karatachi Yagura instantly felt himself suffocating.

But!

He did not resist in the slightest.

He simply endured the crushing grip in silence.

His face soon turned red.

Obito Uchiha leaned close to his ear. "You die."

"Understood?"

Karatachi Yagura struggled to answer, "I... I understand."

"Lord Madara!"

Once Obito Uchiha had the answer he wanted, he smiled in satisfaction and flicked his right hand.

Without a trace of pity, Obito Uchiha hurled Karatachi Yagura away. He slammed heavily into the floor.

Bang...

When the pressure around Karatachi Yagura's throat vanished, he lay on the floor, mouth open, gulping down air.

He drew in breath after desperate breath.

Obito Uchiha did not spare him another glance.

He turned away coldly and used the Kamui Dimension to leave.

In a dark underground chamber, Obito Uchiha addressed the black stone wall behind him. "The plan's been exposed. We can't make our move on the day Kushina gives birth."

Just as he finished speaking...

A small, pitch-black figure slowly emerged from the wall.

Black Zetsu said helplessly, "Lord Madara, we can't touch that brat Naruto Uzumaki now, either."

"We'll have to set aside the plan to destroy Konoha."

Black Zetsu cautiously looked up at Obito Uchiha, who seemed lost in thought.

Afraid to say anything more, Black Zetsu fumed inwardly. Damn Obito Uchiha. Ever since that inexplicable glimpse of the future appeared in the sky...

He's changed completely.

Damn it! Damn it!

Is Obito Uchiha going to ruin my plan?

Black Zetsu stole another glance at the silent Obito Uchiha in the distance.

The more Black Zetsu thought about it, the angrier he became. This is all Madara Uchiha's fault for choosing a useless fool like Obito Uchiha.

Then, all at once...

Black Zetsu seemed to remember something. "Lord Madara, I've just thought of a good plan."

Obito Uchiha's low voice came back. "Speak."

Black Zetsu spoke with a faint smile. "Lord Madara, we already control Karatachi Yagura, Kirigakure's Mizukage."

"Why not take advantage of this opportunity?"

"Have Karatachi Yagura lead Kirigakure's ninja in an attack on Konoha."

Black Zetsu glanced at Obito Uchiha, then continued to coax him. "Think about it, Lord Madara. Minato Namikaze and Kushina both saw it."

"They saw how the villagers treated their future son. I'm sure they'll clash with the village leadership."

"Isn't that an opportunity?"

Black Zetsu continued unhurriedly, "Our plan may have been exposed ahead of time by that glimpse of the future."

"But it seems we haven't come away empty-handed."

Obito Uchiha said nothing, but gestured for Black Zetsu to go on.

Seeing no objection, Black Zetsu continued, "If Minato Namikaze and Kushina stay out of it—or even leave Konoha..."

"Then our chance will come."

"Lord Madara can control Karatachi Yagura and lead Kirigakure's people in an attack on Konoha."

"While you take on the Third Hokage, I'll have Kirigakure's ninja find ways to weaken Konoha."

"We may not be able to lay a hand on Sasuke Uchiha or Naruto Uzumaki."

"But amid the chaos, we only need to find a chance to abduct Sasuke Uchiha."

"Then we lock Sasuke away."

With a scheming look, Black Zetsu said, "Once Sasuke Uchiha is beyond the protection of whoever is up there..."

"We can kill Sasuke in an instant."

"That takes care of the terrifying Sasuke Uchiha of the future."

"Isn't that an excellent opportunity?"

"What do you think, Lord Madara?"

After hearing Black Zetsu's analysis, Obito Uchiha gave a dark smile.

"I have to admit..."

"You really are worthy of being my will."

Black Zetsu replied modestly, "My ideas are nothing you haven't already considered, Lord Madara."

"I would never presume to compare myself to you."

The corner of Obito Uchiha's mouth lifted. "Hmph!"

"I'm glad you understand. Still, I must admit..."

"The Sasuke Uchiha of the future is frighteningly strong."

"But!"

"A genius who never gets the chance to grow can hardly be called a genius."

"Hahaha..."

Obito Uchiha's face was filled with delight.

Without lingering, he turned and walked into the dark room.

Note: Special thanks to Little Poison for sending razor blades.

When the author saw the blades Little Poison had sent at four in the morning, the author sprang up without a moment's hesitation, grabbed a phone, and started hammering at the keyboard.

Working as fast as possible on an extra update...

And many thanks to everyone for the support.