Uchiha the Madman: He embodies truth and obliterates reality.

Obito chuckled, his words laced with sarcasm, "That guy really is still loyal to the village! A loyal dog of Konoha, huh?"

"It's alright. I originally wanted Konoha to know about the meteorite impact, but they already know, so it won't affect our plans."

Obito waved his hand, "As long as Sasuke's life is not guaranteed, Itachi will still obediently follow my orders."

"By the way, who were those people just now?" Obito asked, looking at Zetsu.

However, even without Black Zetsu and the others saying it, Obito knew perfectly well that all those members were rogue ninja he had requested to recruit.

But he's asking again now just to confirm whether it was Hibiki Juzo who recruited him.

"He's a new member recruited by Pipa Juzo. He's currently reporting the list of new members to Payne."

“Yes, yes, yes! Black Zetsu is right,” Black Zetsu and White Zetsu each said.

Obito nodded; it seemed the plan was proceeding smoothly without any unexpected incidents.

Then the next step is much simpler.

Chapter 41 Plotting Treachery

After learning that the plan was proceeding smoothly, Obito began to consider the relative strengths of himself and Nagato.

He was preparing to seize Nagato's Rinnegan before the meteorite impact crisis, and then, as Madara Uchiha, completely replace Nagato as the leader of Akatsuki. Therefore, he had to consider these matters.

Nagato's Rinnegan came from Madara Uchiha; it was secretly transplanted by White Zetsu when Nagato was still young. As for why Nagato was chosen, the reason is simple: Nagato possessed the bloodline of the Uzumaki clan.

Ordinary people cannot withstand Madara's Rinnegan; the Rinnegan possesses exceptionally powerful energy that is beyond the capacity of ordinary people to handle. However, Nagato, with the Uzumaki clan bloodline derived from the Sage of Six Paths, coupled with his innate talent, had no problem controlling the Rinnegan.

Although Nagato couldn't fully control the power of the Rinnegan, he could still utilize about 80-90% of its abilities. Therefore, the gap between his own strength and Nagato's was quite obvious.

However, it wouldn't be entirely true to say that he couldn't defeat Nagato.

Obito's lips curled into a smile as he thought to himself: Nagato possessed the Rinnegan, while he had retrieved Kakashi's other eye, giving him the complete Mangekyou Sharingan. Although he couldn't match Nagato's eye power, Madara's trump card had already erased that gap.

Moreover, with two Mangekyou Sharingan in hand, he should theoretically be able to use the "Susanoo" that is rumored in the history of the Uchiha clan. This would undoubtedly be a huge boost to his combat power.

As for Madara's trump card... When Nagato received the Rinnegan, he also took precautions; like himself, Madara placed a cursed seal on his heart.

However, unlike the naive Nagato, she already knew that Madara had placed a cursed mark on her heart, while Nagato was completely unaware and was still dreaming of becoming a god.

Obito couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Nagato: How naive! He still hadn't grasped the harshness of reality. Hmph, what a pitiful fellow. He'd been used by Madara, and now he'd be used by him. Once the Akatsuki members completed their mission, it would be time for Obito to turn against Nagato!

Judging from the current situation, breaking the agreement and taking back his own eye from Kakashi was the right move.

Obito pondered: Considering all the information above and all my current trump cards, defeating Nagato should not be a problem.

The problem lies with Konan. She doesn't usually show off in Akatsuki, but she's still a member and has some strength. She might be a variable.

The lesson he learned from the Uchiha clan massacre was still vivid in his mind. Obito knew he could never underestimate any opponent.

As the saying goes, "once bitten, twice shy," and you have to understand that Uchiha Shin was just an ordinary ninja in Konoha. Who would have thought that on that very night, he would suddenly awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan and suddenly gain terrifying ocular abilities, summoning a giant meteorite to strike Earth.

Then the world will be destroyed!

Who the hell can I complain to?! This is utterly absurd!!!

If the full story of this event were released when it was circulating on the black market, how many people in the world would believe it? Even he, as someone who experienced it firsthand, was skeptical before verifying the meteorite impact. Let alone others.

If Obito had known this would happen, he would have stopped Itachi from massacring the Uchiha clan at all costs. Why didn't he just let the Leaf Village discuss it amongst themselves or fight amongst themselves?! Instead, he brought trouble upon himself.

Originally, the mission was to eliminate many uncertainties in the future of the Uchiha clan. After all, the terrifying power of the Sharingan is well-known, and who knows how terrifying the Mangekyou Sharingan the Uchiha clan might awaken in the future.

But who knew that this would give rise to a monster like Uchiha Shin...

Thinking of this, Obito felt deep regret.

If it weren't for his appearance, I wouldn't have lost my composure and changed my plans so drastically. Such haste and impatience are not my style; a steady and gradual approach is the safest course of action.

But it's too late for regrets now. He can only proceed according to his newly devised savior plan.

It's ironic, really. I hate this hopeless world. But now I'm the one who has to save it... What's going on here?

Obito pondered seriously: Black and White are absolutely untrustworthy, and their combat strength is limited. But Itachi could be used. If he wanted his younger brother Sasuke to survive the meteorite impact, Sasuke would have to obey his orders. If he really fought Nagato, Itachi could help him restrain Konan.

Looking at the other Akatsuki members, they are all people who cherish their reputations and are unlikely to easily help Nagato. They will mostly observe from the sidelines.

Furthermore, the new members he recruited through Juzo Biwa, even if they remained neutral, would make former Akatsuki members like Sasori and Kakuzu wary, let alone stand by his side.

After killing Nagato and seizing the Rinnegan, he will then use Madara Uchiha's identity to solidify his status as Akatsuki's leader. At that point, the Akatsuki members will have no choice but to acknowledge his leadership.

Faced with the meteorite impact crisis, they had no choice but to rely on Akatsuki. Because the only way to truly protect a portion of the world's population from the meteorite lay in their own hands!

As Obito pondered this, he had to admit one thing: Madara Uchiha's name was indeed incredibly effective! The mere mention of that name inspired either awe or submission in others. It was a foolproof method.

After gaining control of the Akatsuki, he planned to use the name of Madara Uchiha as the leader of the organization to contact and cooperate with the various ninja villages of the Five Great Nations. He believed that having Madara Uchiha's identity would lend more credibility to his claim of saving the ninja world. After all, there were countless legends about Madara Uchiha in the ninja world; his fame was immense.

These are the things that Obito plans to do next.

For some reason, the words spoken by Makoto on the night of the massacre flashed through Obito's mind.

Were they manipulated by Madara and Black Zetsu? Obito was full of disdain for Uchiha Shin's words.

Even if you can destroy the world, so what! I can still find a way! But when it comes to manipulating and exploiting people, you can never match me.

Madara and Black Zetsu used me? What a joke!

It's a relic from an old era; I had no intention of reviving it! And you're using me? Who's using whom is still uncertain.

As for Black Zetsu and White Zetsu? They're just inferior creatures left behind by Madara. How could they possibly fight against me?

You're toying with me? So... what are you talking about?!

Right now, I'm in control of everyone. Because... I am the savior of this world!! Absolutely!!! Hey! Uchiha Shin!!!

The Savior Plan is going smoothly!!! No one in this world can take advantage of me.

At this moment, Obito was bursting with confidence, and that maniacal smile reappeared on his face.

Chapter 42 He was right

In the Kamui dimension, from Black Zetsu's perspective, Obito, after listening to what he had to say, would sometimes be in a daze, sometimes laughing, and sometimes looking serious.

He's acting like a complete idiot! Who could stand that? This Obito... has he lost his mind? Black Zetsu slowly typed a question mark in his mind.

Black Zetsu was baffled by Obito's behavior: In front of the new member, Obito had pulled him into this space, asked him some questions about the organization, and now he was just standing there dumbfounded.

What do you need so many for?

And what's the deal with this new eye on his left eye? When did he get this idea, this desire to take back his own eye? How come I didn't know?

If Obito had wanted to get his eyes back, he should have taken them back after seeing Rin killed by Kakashi's Chidori.

But not only did he not get his eyes back, he also spared Kakashi's life, claiming that he had figured things out and wanted to complete the Eye of the Moon Plan. He even said that Kakashi was an imposter and that he would create another Kakashi in his dreams.

But Black Zetsu understood that Obito simply still had feelings for Kakashi and couldn't bring himself to kill him! To give up his eyes, which could greatly enhance his strength, for the sake of such feelings was, in Black Zetsu's eyes, utterly foolish!

So now... why did Obito suddenly change his mind? Why is he willing to harm Kakashi?

A sense of unease rose in Black Zetsu's heart. He suddenly realized that it was not a good thing for a piece to have too many thoughts of its own, as it could easily slip out of his control.

Take the Uchiha clan massacre, for example; he was completely unaware of it.

Obito and Itachi slaughtered the entire Uchiha clan, ultimately unleashing the monster Uchiha Shin, which led to the meteorite crash.

However, Black Zetsu had considered it carefully. While the meteorite impact might be troublesome for humanity, it could be a huge boon for him. Since the crisis, progress had been greatly accelerated. But there were also risks involved.

In order for the plan to revive his mother Kaguya to proceed smoothly, Black Zetsu thought to himself that he should keep a close watch on Obito's actions from now on.

While Black Zetsu was still thinking, White Zetsu blurted out without thinking, "Hey Fei, what's with your smile? It's disgusting."

"Ok?"

Obito snapped back to reality and glared back fiercely at White Zetsu's words.

"Uh...you can laugh at Afei all you want, I won't bother you." Bai Jue slunk away sheepishly and chose to keep quiet.

Black Zetsu was already used to White Zetsu's utterly incompetent actions. There was nothing he could do; White Zetsu, created using Hashirama Senju's cells, were inherently of this level of intelligence. Was it a problem with the cells' original owner, Hashirama Senju, or with the White Zetsu themselves?

Meanwhile, Obito, looking at Black Zetsu and White Zetsu, thought to himself:

Before Akatsuki completes his mission, he doesn't intend to fall out with Nagato. Firstly, it would delay the mission's progress, and secondly, it would only cause trouble for himself.

Obito did not intend to share these thoughts with outsiders.

There's no other reason. He doesn't have a single person he can trust around him.

The time spent with Itachi and Sasuke was too short, and Itachi was threatening Sasuke with his life.

Black Zetsu is the incarnation of Madara Uchiha, while White Zetsu is a creature created by Madara using Hashirama Senju's cells, and it is also loyal to Madara. Madara left Black and White Zetsu behind not only to help him complete his plans, but also to monitor him. Moreover, he still has the cursed seal left by Madara Uchiha when he treated him, which Madara has always pretended not to know, but in fact, he has known about it for a long time.

Obito was fully aware of these things.

In the end, the only person I can truly trust is myself! But... it doesn't matter!

Obito believed that Rin, though dead, was still watching him, just as she had said before she died. She had always been watching him...

Meanwhile, on the other side...

Tick-tick-tick-

As always, heavy rain poured down from the sky. Pain stood atop a tower outside the Akatsuki base, tilting his head back and letting the rain lash against his expressionless face.

It has always been like this... The Rain Country has never stopped raining; this country has always been suffering, it has always been crying.