As Minato Namikaze celebrated his wedding,
Obito Uchiha, once Minato's student, was mercilessly slaughtering people across Kiri.
Within just a few days, Obito manipulated Yagura Karatachi to lead ninja forces in exterminating the bloodline-limit clans of Kiri.
It wasn't because Obito wanted to rush—it was because he had to.
Because eliminating these clans required speed—and lots of it.
Otherwise, if they realized what was happening, the clans would surely unite in resistance.
Days of slaughter had turned Kiri's rivers crimson, and the air reeked of blood.
Now, Obito decided it was time to slow things down.
The fact that the elimination of the clans had gone so smoothly was due entirely to surprise attacks.
Now, the remaining clans had become alert. It would be hard to maintain such momentum, so they needed to proceed more carefully.
At the same time during these days, Obito had noticed a suitable candidate who could join Akatsuki.
At this moment, Mist ninja Kisame Hoshigaki took advantage of the night, killing several guarding ninjas before slipping into a building.
Kisame arrived at a door bound with chains.
He pulled out a Kunai and forcefully cut through them.
Then, Kisame shoved the door open and stepped inside.
Inside the room, on a weapon rack, rested several weapons—
some of the Seven Legendary Ninja Swords, currently unclaimed.
Kisame went straight for one of them—the same blade wielded by Fuguki Hozan, whom Chinya had killed on the battlefield.
Samehada—the Shark-Skin Greatsword.
Kisame yanked Samehada from the rack and slung it across his back.
Just as Kisame turned to leave, a voice cut through the silence from behind him.
"Quite impressive, Kisame."
Instantly spinning around, Kisame's right hand gripped Samehada's hilt.
"I figured you'd take advantage of our operations against the clans to sneak in here. According to today's survival-of-the-fittest policy, since you've successfully claimed Samehada, from now on you are its master—and my subordinate."
From the shadows stepped Yagura Karatachi.
Kisame gave a mocking smile. "Until I'm next on your hit list too? Fourth Mizukage?"
Yagura replied, "I know your character—which is why I trust you. You've carried out countless dirty missions for the village, betrayed others more times than you can count. You understand better than anyone else—this world is nothing but an illusion."
Staring into Yagura's eyes, Kisame said gravely, "I understood that truth the very first time I killed my own comrades. As a Mist ninja forced to kill other Mist shinobi—who am I really? Friend or enemy? What is my purpose? Where do I stand? Where exactly am I heading? And where can I even hope to find peace?
The only reality I truly feel… is my own falsehood!"
Kisame stretched out both hands, staring at his palms.
These hands were stained with the blood of comrades.
Obito Uchiha appeared behind Yagura Karatachi.
"Then allow me to free you from this illusionary suffering. I shall build a world where you can truly belong."
Kisame Hoshigaki warily gripped his sword hilt again. "Who are you?!"
Obito invited, "Let's start with this country. Until now, you've always fought to kill your comrades, but from today onward, fight as my ally."
Kisame frowned in confusion. "You seem to trust me easily, yet I don't even know who you are..."
Suddenly, Kisame saw those crimson eyes.
"Those eyes shining through darkness... I see. The figure I regarded as the Fourth Mizukage all along was actually you. Never would I have guessed that you were manipulating the Fourth with your Sharingan all this time. Hmph, this world is indeed nothing but illusion.
However, possessing ocular power capable of controlling the Fourth, a Jinchuriki of the Three-Tails—just who exactly are you?"
Obito declared, "Uchiha... Madara!"
Kisame's small eyes widened dramatically, disbelief clearly written across his face.
Yet Kisame quickly regained his composure. "That legendary figure has been dead for centuries. I cannot trust you—show me your true form!"
"Fine then, it's your choice whether to believe me or not."
Obito stepped forward and removed his mask.
But what Kisame saw wasn't Obito's true face—it was Madara Uchiha's visage.
Afterward, Obito pulled his mask back on and began explaining [Moon's Eye Plan] to Kisame.
Upon hearing about [Moon's Eye Plan], Kisame's first thought was that Obito must be insane.
Kisame couldn't help asking, "Are you still sane?"
"Ah, that is my goal! The Moon's Eye Plan! That will be the only genuine, completely authentic world! A world without war or pain—only happiness!"
A trace of madness flickered within Kisame's small eyes as he smiled. "Now that you mention it, I actually want to see this world you describe."
"Then welcome aboard, Kisame!"
With Kisame's recruitment, Obito's actions within Kiri didn't change significantly—he continued killing, though now with Kisame assisting him.
...
Meanwhile, Yahiko had fallen into a serious crisis.
Namely—they'd run out of money again!
Just after receiving 2 million ryo from Chinya on Tonton Street, Yahiko, Pakura, and Raiga Kurosuki indulged themselves for several days.
There's nothing wrong with living it up every now and then.
However, Raiga unexpectedly proposed returning to the gambling house to win back the 1000 ryo he previously lost.
Unfortunately, once they went back, there proved no turning back.
Initially, the trio won quite a bit at the casino, but gradually luck abandoned them. Their luck turned bad fast, and they lost it all except 50,000 ryo.
In a last-ditch gamble, the three put their remaining 50,000 ryo on the line.
Predictably, they lost everything.
Filled with profound regret and unwillingness, the trio slunk away from Tonton Street in shame.
Since they had just received two million gold pieces from Chinya not long ago, they felt too embarrassed to ask again, so they could only go around diligently seeking missions to earn commissions.
If Chinya found out, he wouldn't stand idly by—he might even scold the three of them severely.
Who would have thought that Yahiko and the others would become so lackadaisical about their duties.
But in a way, this was an odd road to redemption—for once broke, the three finally started thinking about doing something useful.
On the same night after Minato Namikaze's wedding.
Inside the estate of the Hyuga Clan.
Hiashi Hyuga summoned Hizashi Hyuga for a private meeting.
The two brothers sat across from each other at the table, yet it felt as if an invisible chasm divided them.
Blood relatives, yet clearly having nothing to say to each other.
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