Uchiha Obito's expression turned solemn as he listened. In a deep voice, he said,
"Just implementing the first step of your plan will face resistance no less than the resistance Madara encountered with the Eye of the Moon Plan."
"Even if unification truly reduces large-scale conflicts and most disputes can be resolved through negotiation, not everyone has your perspective."
"Most people only see the immediate benefits in front of them. And the Five Great Shinobi Villages have fought each other for so many years—there's blood hatred between them."
"And the unity you're talking about isn't just territorial. It's ideological and political as well."
"How could something like that possibly be easy?"
The more Obito spoke, the more he shook his head. Achieving Uchiha Ren's vision felt nothing short of impossible.
Yet Uchiha Ren's expression remained completely unchanged.
"You're right. Achieving unification would indeed be extremely difficult," Ren said calmly. "But perhaps it isn't quite as difficult as you imagine."
"Take the founding of Konohagakure as an example. At the time, both the Uchiha Clan and the Senju Clan—who had been enemies for thousands of years—had many voices opposing the establishment of the village."
"Back then, Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju practically suppressed those voices through sheer personal authority."
"But only a few years later, when Madara tried to take the Uchiha Clan and leave Konoha, how many of those people who once opposed the village were willing to follow him?"
"Not a single one."
"Most people may indeed be short-sighted. But once they see tangible benefits, their resistance fades."
Obito pondered Ren's words for a moment and did not refute them.
After all, the historical precedent was right there.
Then Obito asked,
"Fine. Suppose you succeed in achieving unification. What will you do after that?"
Ren replied,
"There would be far too many things to do. Even if I talked for days and nights, it wouldn't be enough. And some policies must be adapted to local conditions—it's still too early to discuss them in detail."
"But overall, it can be summarized in one sentence."
"Eliminate internal contradictions—or better yet, transform internal contradictions into external ones."
"Turn internal conflicts into external ones?" Obito frowned. "How would that even work? If the world is unified, where would this 'external' enemy come from?"
Ren smiled slightly.
"Did you forget about the Ōtsutsuki Clan?"
Obito suddenly understood.
He had been so focused on the future of the shinobi world that he had almost forgotten about the alien clan secretly coveting it.
Ren continued,
"When there is a common enemy, internal conflicts tend to fade away. Many problems suddenly become easier to solve."
"And if the Ōtsutsuki can travel through the cosmos, why can't we?"
"Their existence proves that we are not alone in this universe. Countless resources await discovery among the stars."
"So why limit our vision to a single planet?"
"Our journey…"
"…is the sea of stars."
Obito stared at Ren in stunned silence, disbelief filling his eyes.
After awakening from the illusion of the Eye of the Moon Plan, Obito once thought that he and Madara had already reached the extreme edge of ideology.
But compared with Uchiha Ren—
He and Madara looked almost tame.
To put it bluntly: if he and Madara only intended to kill people, then Uchiha Ren intended not only to kill—but to break their spirit as well.
And Ren even wanted to leave this world, leave this planet—
—and march into the cosmos.
Ren's madness could no longer be described as merely extreme.
Yet one fact could not be denied:
If Ren's plan actually succeeded, it might create a world closest to perfection.
When the entire shinobi world faced outward as one…
When there were no longer divisions of region or class…
Most people in this world would live far better lives.
Perhaps at that time, the world might finally achieve true and lasting peace.
But…
But…
But even so—
Since Ren already knew Madara's plan, and already knew about Black Zetsu's conspiracy, why had he allowed events to unfold naturally?
Regardless of whether Ren's ideals were right or wrong…
Regardless of whether his plan would succeed…
Rin was already dead.
No matter how beautiful the world Ren envisioned might be—
Rin was already dead.
Without Rin, what meaning could such a world possibly have?
Obito's chakra began to fluctuate violently. His expression twisted with fury.
For some reason, the more he understood Ren's ideas—and the more he recognized the logic behind them—
The angrier he became.
If Rin could not live in that world…
Then what meaning did that world even have?
"I will never agree with you!" Obito suddenly glared at Ren viciously.
"The so-called Eye of the Moon Plan can disappear with the wind for all I care!"
"But from this moment on…"
"My entire life will be spent opposing you, Uchiha Ren!"
"I will destroy your plan—no matter the cost!"
Uchiha Ren blinked in confusion.
"???"
Feeling the resentment in Obito's voice, even Ren seemed momentarily at a loss.
They had been discussing things calmly just a moment ago—how had things suddenly escalated into madness?
Is this what it means to be an Uchiha?
Before Ren could even ask, Obito explained himself.
"Do you want to know why?" Obito snarled.
"It's because you stood by and watched Rin die!"
To Obito, the current Ren—who believed himself to control everything—was no different from the Ōtsutsuki, who viewed humans as mere insects.
The same arrogance.
Ren's indifferent attitude toward Rin's death filled Obito with overwhelming rage.
And Obito intended to make him pay the price.
"Oh… you mean Rin?"
At last, Ren understood the source of Obito's fury.
With a helpless shrug, he said,
"I only said that I didn't intervene in your fate."
"I never said I was indifferent to everyone else."
"You need to understand something."
"You are you. Rin is Rin."
"Just because I didn't pull you out of Madara's scheme doesn't mean I didn't save Rin."
"?!!"
Obito's single eye widened in shock.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what it sounds like," Ren replied calmly.
"Rin is still alive."
"I saved her."
"That's impossible!" Obito shouted, his entire body trembling.
"I confirmed it myself! Rin's heart was completely crushed!"
"There's no way she could still be alive!"
Ren responded calmly,
"Decades ago, Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju also confirmed that Madara Uchiha was dead."
"So tell me…"
"Why was Madara still alive?"
Obito froze.
"!!!"
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