Chapter 35: Preparations for Defection, Meeting Obito
By the time he returned to Uchiha Izumi's house, it was already deep into the night.
A drowsy Uchiha Izumi helped Qianye remove his Anbu attire and warmed up his meal.
"Izumi, how are the military rations I asked you to prepare coming along?" Qianye picked up his bowl and chopsticks, taking a mouthful of rice.
"They're ready, enough for several months," Uchiha Izumi got up and retrieved the already prepared military rations from the cabinet.
Qianye casually put the military rations into his System Warehouse, closed his eyes, released his sensory perception, and after confirming that there were no Anbu monitoring them, he said seriously, "Izumi, you must have sensed the strangeness within the Uchiha Clan these past few days, haven't you?"
Uchiha Izumi nodded. Although she wasn't involved in the Uchiha Clan's coup, the unusual atmosphere within the clan was simply too strange; it was hard not to notice.
Qianye continued, "The Uchiha Clan will launch a coup during the celebration the day after tomorrow, and the Konoha higher-ups have already detected this. Danzo has given me a mission: to kill all Uchiha Clan members tomorrow night. The Third Hokage has also tacitly approved it."
"How could this be..." Uchiha Izumi's eyes instantly became hollow. She covered her red lips in horror, her face filled with disbelief.
"Don't worry, I won't do that," Qianye gently stroked Uchiha Izumi's forehead. "I'll take you away from Konoha tomorrow."
"But if that happens, you'll become a rogue Ninja. And if you take me with you..." Uchiha Izumi's eyes reddened, and tears streamed down her cheeks, unable to stop.
"Rest assured, I am very strong. Go to bed early tonight, and when you wake up, everything will be settled," Qianye comforted her.
The next day, as dawn was just breaking, Qianye used a pressure point technique on the still-sleeping Uchiha Izumi, putting her into a deep slumber, and placed her into his System Warehouse.
[Ding! A special Bloodline Limit and Sharingan have been detected in the System Warehouse. Does the host wish to extract them?]
"Extract your sister!"
Qianye cursed irritably, set up Mirror Flower Water Moon, summoned a crow, transformed it into Izumi's likeness, and walked out of the courtyard.
He wasn't in a hurry to find Obito.
Instead, he walked to the main street.
He simply bought some daily necessities, then secretly went to see Kurenai Yuhi, who was guiding Aili and Pangci in their training, little Hinata diligently practicing Gentle Fist, and Naruto chasing Sasuke, vying for attention.
Finally, on a high platform of a building near the Ninja Academy, he encountered Uchiha Itachi, who was also watching Sasuke.
"Aren't you going to say goodbye to Sasuke? After tonight, you two brothers will become enemies," Qianye appeared on the roof behind Itachi, at the highest point of the building.
Itachi glanced at Qianye, his eyes devoid of any emotional fluctuation.
Then, associating Qianye with Uchiha Izumi, knowing Qianye's objective, and knowing that Qianye was aware of Sasuke being his weakness and that he would be slaughtering the Uchiha tonight, Itachi's expression instantly turned cold.
He looked at Qianye as if he were looking at a dead man.
"Tonight at seven, meet at the Uchiha Clan Territory entrance. Don't be late." Leaving this sentence, Uchiha Itachi disappeared from Qianye's sight.
Although he knew this was Danzo's scheme.
Either to eliminate Qianye through his hands, or to eliminate him through Qianye's hands.
But if he didn't kill Qianye, once Qianye learned that Uchiha Izumi had died by his hand, he would undoubtedly try to target Sasuke.
He would never leave any hidden danger for Sasuke.
Therefore, Qianye had to die.
Qianye's lips curved slightly. He released Mirror Flower Water Moon and then followed him.
He knew that after leaving Danzo's residence last night, Danzo had sought out Obito.
Now, Itachi was going to meet Obito to finalize the details of the clan massacre tonight.
Qianye tracked Uchiha Itachi's Chakra, following him all the way to the forest behind the Uchiha Clan Territory.
"Tonight, during the operation, Fujiwara Chiye and I will eliminate all civilians in the Uchiha residential area. The Konoha Military Police Force will be entrusted to you," Uchiha Itachi said to Obito.
"Alright, as agreed, I will lend you a hand," Obito said calmly, crossing his arms. "However, that kid Fujiwara Chiye is not simple. Like you, he has also sensed my presence but hasn't reported it to the Konoha higher-ups. You should be careful."
"I understand. Then, let's proceed as planned." Uchiha Itachi paused, frowning, and replied coolly. As he turned to leave, he heard Uchiha Obito say, "The reason I'm helping you annihilate the Uchiha is not just for revenge; I have other objectives. You can just pretend you didn't see them."
"Are you telling me not to use my Sharingan to record your actions?" Uchiha Itachi turned back.
"That's right. This is also proof of leaving your brother alive. I don't need a child without the Sharingan," Obito said indifferently.
"You can rest assured about that." Uchiha Itachi turned, his back to Obito. "As things stand, I can only trust you."
"If you find yourself at a dead end, you can choose to join my organization," Uchiha Obito invited Itachi.
"Your organization?" A hint of surprise flashed in Uchiha Itachi's eyes.
"Its name is 'Akatsuki'," Obito replied.
"I understand." Uchiha Itachi nodded slightly and disappeared into the forest.
Watching Itachi's disappearing back, Qianye, who was hidden in the shadows, deliberately revealed a flaw, stepping on a branch.
Obito heard the movement, suddenly froze, and turned his head to look at a large tree tens of meters away. "Who's there? Come out!"
Qianye slowly walked out from behind the large tree, saying with an exaggerated tone, "Oh dear, oh dear, was I discovered? You truly live up to your reputation as the legendary Uchiha Madara."
"To be able to detect me and evade Itachi's Mangekyo's perception, trailing me all the way here, I must say you do have some skill." Obito crossed his arms, assuming a condescending posture, seemingly in no hurry to make a move. "Tell me, what is your objective?"
"It's simple. I'm very interested in that organization you mentioned, the Akatsuki," Qianye said calmly.
"Why should I let you?" Obito narrowed his eyes, his words filled with disdain.
He didn't even activate his Mangekyo.
Those qualified to join the Akatsuki were all S-rank rogue Ninja renowned throughout the Ninja World, possessing either Bloodline Limits, special abilities, or having been famous in the Ninja World for many years.
They were all powerful, almost without exception, existing at a level no less than a Kage.
Even Uchiha Itachi was only allowed to join because Obito valued his Mangekyo Sharingan.
What did Qianye have?
Just a few low-level genjutsu taught by Kurenai Yuhi?
"You'll know if you try." Qianye maintained his smile, drew the Mirror Flower Water Moon from his waist, and whispered in a voice only he could hear, "Shatter, Mirror Flower Water Moon!"
"Since you're looking for death, then I'll grant your wish. You were going to die sooner or later anyway, and killing you now won't affect my plan. Kid, today I'll show you the true ocular power of the Uchiha Clan."
Obito's right eye under the mask closed slightly, then opened again, now blood-red, revealing a Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
A powerful surge of Chakra suddenly erupted, engulfing Qianye.