Want to read ahead? Join my Patreon for only $7 to get early access to upcoming chapters!
> > Patreon.com/inkroxx<<
----------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 19: An Opportunity? Just Another Scheming Plot!
Before dawn, Oborotsuki opened his eyes.
"I'm heading out, Mayumi. Wait for me."
He gently kissed her forehead.
As he opened the door to leave, he noticed a slender figure sitting thinly dressed under the eaves.
"The morning mist is thick and the temperature is low."
"Dressing so lightly will make you catch a cold."
Oborotsuki walked over, picked up an outer coat, and gently draped it over Red.
"I… last night…"
Red's soft cheeks were flushed pink, as if she had applied rouge.
She stared blankly at the dew drops on a few flowers in the courtyard, looking dazed.
"Did I… do something really excessive to you last night?"
Red suddenly snapped awake, turning to look at Oborotsuki in surprise. "I'm really sorry… I drank too much and wasn't thinking clearly. I didn't mean to…"
"But please don't feel burdened, Oborotsuki."
"I'll take responsibility."
With that, Red stood up calmly, lightly patted his shoulder, returned the coat to him, and turned to walk back to her room.
"Oh, and next time you come back—don't forget the sake."
"Mission success!"
As she prepared to close the door, Red didn't forget to remind him with a cheerful wave.
Oborotsuki: "…??"
So the one who needs comforting isn't her… it's me?
…
Carrying a slightly chaotic mind, Oborotsuki returned to Amegakure and went back to his room for a quick nap, pushing all the miscellaneous thoughts aside.
At noon, as expected, Konan came knocking with lunch.
After spending so much time together, she had long figured out his habits: when he had no missions, he loved sleeping in and wouldn't get up until midday.
So she always brought food at this time.
At first, Konan would scold him lightly, reminding him not to slack off too much.
After all, this was Akatsuki—weaklings and those with poor attitudes couldn't stay.
But during this period, she had clearly witnessed his strength.
This kid's chakra reserves alone were terrifying—far beyond ordinary people.
He had even defeated the Fourth Mizukage, who could perfectly control a tailed beast.
In the entire ninja world, Konan estimated there were very few who could beat him.
She was certain that Oborotsuki must be secretly training hard when no one was watching!
Instead of worrying about him, she should worry about herself—whether she'd drag him down on future missions.
So now, she no longer commented on his seemingly lazy and carefree behavior.
Gradually, Konan began to realize something.
Compared to the stern, unsmiling members of Akatsuki, she actually preferred spending time with Oborotsuki. She felt an increasingly simple attachment toward him.
She wanted to care for him like an older sister forever.
The reason wasn't complicated: Oborotsuki always lived simply and freely, with an indescribable air of detachment that could even infect those around him.
And he always managed to make her laugh, making her feel relaxed and happy.
After they finished lunch together, as Konan was clearing the dishes, she suddenly felt a wave of nausea.
"What's wrong, Konan-senpai?"
Oborotsuki's heart stirred.
He had used the Pregnancy Card on her some time ago.
It seemed her body was now showing clear changes—this must be the legendary "morning sickness" or pregnancy reaction.
He immediately stood up. "Let me handle it, Konan-senpai."
"I'm fine, you don't need to—"
Konan looked a little flustered and disoriented, hurriedly speeding up.
"If you're not feeling well, just sit aside. Leave this small thing to me."
Oborotsuki insisted on taking everything from her hands and stuffed it all into the lunch box.
Seeing him so proactively concerned, Konan felt a warmth in her heart.
The shock, unease, and confusion inside her eased a little.
"Alright, alright—look at how clumsy you are."
"Oh, and remember to head to the meeting hall later. The Leader and the others are back."
Konan snatched the rag from his hand, wiped the table, picked up the lunch box, and as she turned to leave, she suddenly looked back and reminded him before hurrying away.
Watching her retreating figure, Oborotsuki's lips slowly curved upward.
…
When he arrived at the meeting hall, he saw that Pain's Deva Path, Orochimaru, Kakuzu, Sasori, and the others who had been out on missions had all returned.
The rest was the usual boring mission debrief—nothing different from before. Oborotsuki didn't bother listening seriously.
After the meeting ended, Konan walked over. "Madara wants to see you alone. Go now."
"Alone with me?"
Oborotsuki pointed at himself, eyes flickering.
Carrying a hint of doubt, he headed to the sealed chamber by himself.
"I heard from Konan that you've always wanted to become a core member of the organization. Now there's an opportunity for you."
Seeing Oborotsuki enter, Uchiha Obito folded his arms in a pretentious, authoritative pose.
"What opportunity?"
Oborotsuki immediately showed strong interest.
Finally here. Let's see what trick you're playing this time.
"This is a topographic map of the Land of Fire, along with detailed defense layouts of Konoha inside and out."
"In a while, you'll join me on an operation. I'll notify you of the exact date. Until then, memorize these materials thoroughly."
Obito spoke calmly.
Last time, he had sent Oborotsuki to assassinate the Land of Water daimyō, hoping Yagura would eliminate the kid.
He hadn't expected Oborotsuki to escape.
Originally, since Oborotsuki had unhesitatingly killed the daimyō, Obito had decided the kid was clean enough to keep alive.
But in the past few days, when Obito returned to Kirigakure, he discovered Yagura had broken free of the genjutsu during his Tailed Beast rampage.
Yagura had realized he'd been controlled and committed countless atrocities in the village.
Now he was reforming Kirigakure, selecting a successor Mizukage, and publicly apologizing to the entire Land of Water—admitting he had been under genjutsu control. He called for the missing strong shinobi to return and rebuild the village.
The move was achieving good results… but it infuriated Obito.
It also deepened his concerns.
If a powerhouse like Oborotsuki responded to the Fourth Mizukage's call and returned to Kirigakure…
With the kid's knowledge of Akatsuki, it would be entirely detrimental!
So Obito changed his mind.
Konoha's defenses were currently heightened. Since Oborotsuki's strength was Kage-level, he could be used to tie down Konoha's main forces.
Best case: pit him against his own teacher, Minato Namikaze—let them fight to mutual injury or death.
Either way, Obito would be the biggest winner!
A plan with multiple benefits!
Want to read ahead? Join my Patreon for only $7 to get early access to upcoming chapters!
> > Patreon.com/inkroxx<<
----------------------------------------------------------