chapter 100 part 5
Tsukasa Kaede spread his hands. "What are your thoughts then? Are you looking for younger candidates? But that's true. At three to five years old, one can already discern a person's character."
A person's character is basically shaped in the womb. Even if the Shinobi World has chakra, an energy that blends body and spirit, it's normal for it to, in turn, affect a person's spirit. But as long as they aren't Asura and Indra Reincarnations, their character shouldn't undergo major changes.
Asura and Indra's chakra was too brutal, gradually changing the character of their Reincarnations.
Naruto was a typical example. Despite the hardships of his upbringing, a huge dark side had grown within the depths of his spirit—so much so that Karin could sense it and felt immense fear.
Yet this dark side was firmly suppressed by Asura's chakra, unable to raise its head or exert any influence on Naruto. It was ultimately discovered by Naruto at the Waterfall of Truth, and soon after, dealt with by him.
"Go bring a child back: Uchiha Obito."
"Hmph, so you already had a candidate?"
"Not exactly a candidate. I've been closely monitoring all Uchiha descendants with certain distinct characteristics... I won't place all my hopes on you. Kaedence you're so eager to take Hashirama's clone from me, then there's no other way. Go bring him back. He's the only one with a bit of potential; perhaps he can barely satisfy me."
Madara's favored candidate, to put it bluntly, would have emotions far more abundant than ordinary people and a personality that harbored immense love for others. This way, after losing everything under extreme stimulation, he might be able to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Other Uchiha besides Obito were even more worthless in Madara's eyes. Each one was good at showing off and acting cool. For such people to awaken the Sharingan was already incredibly lucky—the Sharingan, a bloodline limit within the Uchiha Clan, was possessed by only a very small number of people.
Tsukasa Kaede made hand signs with one hand, his figure instantly vanished, reappearing in the Hidden Leaf Village.
Obito, who was in the midst of grave-robbing, was startled, staring dumbfounded as the corpse transformed into a living person.
"Waaaahhh! So scary!!"
"It's Tsukasa Kaede-sama! He looks so terrible! He's going to turn us into corpses!"
A group of children, looking at Tsukasa Kaede, were scared stiff, various terrifying legends about the man before them replayed in their minds.
Originally, the corpse's hideous face had already terrified them. Now they scrambled away, crying all the way.
Only Obito stood frozen in place, trembling all over.
"Your name?"
"O-Obito... Uchiha Obito."
"As expected. Everything is fate. Kaedence you chose to approach me, you must pay the price," Tsukasa Kaede nodded knowingly.
In fact, even if Obito hadn't come here, he would have found a way to drag him out.
"What do you want to do?" Obito was almost in tears.
"You have extraordinary potential. You are special within the entire Uchiha Clan. It's just that you haven't met anyone who can unearth your potential," Tsukasa Kaede said, grabbing Obito in one hand.
At this, Obito's attention was indeed diverted. "Are you going to take me as your disciple? Just like Hidan?"
"No. Your talent doesn't suit me. Someone more suitable has taken an interest in your talent."
Obito was only four years old at this time, while Kakashi, whom he intensely disliked, would graduate from the Ninja Academy next year at the age of five, breaking the historical record of the Hidden Leaf Village.
Tsukasa Kaede had surveyed the current Uchiha Clan with his own eyes, and this clan currently had no remarkable talents to speak of. He couldn't exactly abduct Fugaku, the clan head, could he?
Below Fugaku were Setsuna, Yashiro, and a group of others whose values were fixed and whose talents were limited.
Further down, after much deliberation, there was only Obito. This guy was clearly not Asura's Reincarnation, and logically shouldn't have had his perception altered by Asura's chakra, yet he coincidentally possessed essentially the same personality as Naruto.
Compared to other Uchiha Clan members, he was a complete anomaly.
Tsukasa Kaede didn't want to wait anymore. Was he supposed to wait for Shisui, Itachi, and the others to be born, then abduct them and take them to Madara? He might as well just take Obito there now.
*Whoosh!* Tsukasa Kaede returned to the Mountain Graveyard with Obito.
Madara immediately looked over, staring at Obito intently.
"Woah, what is this place? It's so dark! What is that giant statue? Why is it built in such a confined place? And who's that old man...?"
Tsukasa Kaede said, "That is the Spirit of the Dead of the Uchiha Clan. He governs the destiny of people like you. If you wish, you can listen to what he has to say. If you find it useful, follow it; if not, listen to the voice within your heart."
"What is the voice within my heart?"
"If you can't figure it out, then just consider it my voice. Interpret it however you like; I don't care."
Tsukasa Kaede couldn't be bothered and looked at Madara opposite him.
Madara slowly said, "Then, our deal is concluded. You can take Hashirama's clone with you. From now on, it belongs to you."
"Your judgment is good, Madara. This kid doesn't seem to have much talent in ninjutsu. But I can roughly understand your selection criteria."
Tsukasa Kaede gave Obito a push.
In fact, he already understood why Madara wanted him to do this: White Zetsu could easily bring someone over. There was no need to deliberately make Tsukasa Kaede act; it couldn't possibly be just to save a bit of travel time.
That guy, Madara, wanted Obito to resent Tsukasa Kaede after his corruption. The more Obito suffered in the future, the more he would seek out the cause of his suffering. This world was the root cause, with Tsukasa Kaede being the key figure.
Because of hatred, he would instinctively be vigilant. Even if they cooperated, he would never fully trust.
But this had nothing to do with Tsukasa Kaede; that was a matter for many years later.
He raised his head, his gaze falling upon the sleeping Hashirama clone with closed eyes.
With this, the important puzzle piece was complete. Next was to await a crucial opportunity.
(end of chapter)