A Transmigrator’s Story in the Hyuga’s Main Branch

165. Whispers of Power: Obito’s Offer to Nagato (1)

Later that day, deep within the confines of an unspecified cave located in a territory unclaimed by any of the major shinobi nations, Obito, Zetsu, Konan, and Nagato finally had the opportunity to convene face-to-face.

This was after Nagato had awoken from a coma induced by the intense strain of using the Gedo Statue and his Rinnegan abilities.

Until Nagato's awakening, Konan had remained vigilantly by his side, her gaze fixed on him with a mix of concern and determination.

She rarely spoke, her attention undivided from Nagato's recuperating form, reflecting her deep loyalty and the anxiety that lingered after the day's harrowing events.

Meanwhile, Obito and Zetsu were also present, maintaining a watchful silence that matched the cave's somber atmosphere.

White Zetsu, however, occasionally broke the quiet with his usual nonsensical and light-hearted comments, attempting to ease the tension but mostly just adding a sense of oddity to the situation.

As Nagato regained consciousness, he quickly realized the severity of his condition. Unable to stand or walk due to the extensive damage sustained from using the Gedo Statue and his legs being targeted by explosives, he sighed deeply, a mixture of frustration and resignation evident in his voice.

Aware of his vulnerability and the presence of those around him, Nagato addressed the group with a direct and weary tone.

"I have no power to fight back in any way now.", He admitted, his voice reflecting his physical and emotional exhaustion, "So, what do you want from us?", His question was frank, cutting through the quiet tension in the cave.

Obito leaned forward slightly, locking eyes with Nagato, and responded with a calculated calmness, "Well then, I will also be very frank. We want to join your organization. Although we are very free-spirited, we would like to have significant autonomy within it.",

"And we'd like to give you a recommendation—no, a new purpose—that your organization could adopt to truly realize your dreams of building peace. We will show you the real method for achieving that, step by step over time..."

Nagato, still reeling from the recent events and his physical debilitation, listened warily. His expression remained guarded as he processed Obito's words, the weight of his own ideals and the recent betrayal fresh in his mind.

After a moment of contemplation, he responded cynically, "A new purpose, you say? After today, do you expect me to trust your 'real method'?" 

"We don't expect you to trust us right away, just as we can't fully trust you immediately either...", Obito continued, acknowledging the fragile nature of their newly forming relationship.

"But remember, we just saved you, and we're willing to assist in healing your body and restoring as much of your power as we can. We're not here to take your Rinnegan; we respect that it's your natural gift fate of this world has given you in order to accomplish great things for it.",

He paused for a moment to let his words sink in, then added, "What we offer is guidance in unlocking its true potential. Together, we can use it to create a better world, one where true peace isn't just a dream."

"How do you even know about me? Why did you even appear there at that time?" Nagato asked, his voice tinged with suspicion.

Obito responded smoothly, a hint of pride in his tone as he began to weave his narrative, "We previously didn't know much about you or your gift.",

"However, I currently operate what I believe is the largest underground real-time sensing formation in the entire world. You see this white half-guy here?",

He gestured towards White Zetsu, who stood quietly nearby, "His name is White Zetsu. He is one of my creations. He's an amazing natural-born sensory type. And there are potentially hundreds of thousands of similar beings waiting to be called upon."

He continued, detailing his intervention without hesitation, "We picked up on your large chakra signal when you used the Rinnegan.",

"Once we understood what was happening, White Zetsu was dispatched to the area to mark it for my teleportation. I teleported in as soon as we had a clear read on the situation.",

Obito's explanation, delivered with a calm and authoritative demeanor, was crafted to impress upon Nagato the extent of his resources and capabilities.

He portrayed himself as not only powerful but also well-prepared and informed, attributes he knew would appeal to someone like Nagato, who valued strategic advantage and control.

"But even if that was the case, your sudden appearance and intervention raise questions. Your actions suggest a level of interest and knowledge about my abilities and my goals that goes beyond casual observation.",

"What is it that you truly seek from this collaboration? And why should I believe that your goals align with mine?",

Nagato's question was direct, seeking to peel back the layers of the presented intentions to reveal any hidden agendas.

His experience with betrayal and manipulation had taught him to look beyond surface explanations, especially when dealing with individuals who possessed significant power and resources.

"I will be very direct once again, Nagato...", Obito began, ensuring his tone conveyed sincerity and openness.

"You are, what I believe, the reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths, a figure who yearned for peace and stability across the lands.",

"And for a long time, I have been searching for someone who could be the central figure in my vision—a vision to create a world where there are only victors, peace, and love."

He paused for a moment to let the weight of his words sink in before continuing, "I possess the means and the knowledge to help us accomplish this. With your incredible gift, the Rinnegan, we have a unique opportunity.",

"Consider the possibility of using the nine-tailed beasts to create a powerful deterrent—a weapon so formidable that the world would be forced to cease its fighting. Just think about the impact of such a concept. That is how a real peace is achieved."

Nagato listened intently, his expression a mix of intrigue and skepticism as Obito outlined a grandiose plan that echoed his own deepest yearnings for a peaceful world.

After a moment of reflection, he responded, carefully choosing his words to convey both his curiosity and his caution.

After a while, Nagato began, "How intriguing your vision is, Obito, I admit..." His tone was measured.

"A world without conflict, using the tailed beasts as a means to enforce peace—it's a bold strategy.",

"However, your detailed knowledge of seemingly many different things and these legends raises questions.",

"How do you come by this information? How do you know so much about the Sage and his intentions, and how do you know that I am his reincarnation?",

Nagato's eyes narrowed slightly as he posed the questions, seeking to understand not only the depth of Obito's knowledge but also the sources of his information. 

He needed to be sure of Obito's intentions and the origins of his claims before he could even consider aligning their paths toward such a monumental goal.

Obito maintained a composed demeanor as he began to weave a more intricate part of his fabricated narrative to Nagato and Konan.

"It is easy to explain...", He stated, his voice imbued with a gravity that lent credence to his words, "I happen to know about the Rinnegan and Sage of Six Paths because they were intimately connected to my own clan—the Uchiha. Once upon a time, I was a key figure within this clan. My name is Madara Uchiha."