Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!-Chapter 443: Madara’s Final Piece

Nawaki knew how to keep a low profile when reaping benefits, so he didn't return to the main Konoha group.

After all, he'd just squeezed some compensation out of Ōnoki, and if word got around among the Konoha ninja, it would only embarrass the old man.

He figured it was best to have a bit of conscience about these things.

As soon as he got back to his room, he couldn't wait to open the scroll.

Ōnoki had recorded everything in meticulous detail—the necessary hand seals, the key points to keep in mind.

Of course, it wasn't out of kindness. He simply wanted Nawaki to master the technique quickly and use it in the next battle.

Before Nawaki could fully immerse himself in studying, Ginji and the others barged in.

"What now?"

Nawaki stared at the little group in front of him, exasperated. Why were they so clingy?

"Hehe~ Uncle,"

"You look sneaky. What kind of shady benefit did you get?"

Ginji grinned mischievously as he plopped down beside Nawaki, his eyes immediately locking onto the scroll.

"You guys have sharp eyes."

Nawaki smacked Ginji on the back of the head. How was he being sneaky?

"Whoa~ Advanced Earth Release ninjutsu."

As Orochimaru's daughter, Satsuki had a sharp eye for these things.

"It's nothing special. That old man insisted on giving it to me, so I reluctantly accepted it."

Nawaki feigned indifference, playing it cool.

If someone overheard, they might actually believe Ōnoki had been the one begging him to take it.

"Uncle Nawaki, you're almost as thick-skinned as my dad."

Naruto had no intention of giving Nawaki any face.

After all, what kind of decent person would hang around with his dad like they were equals?

Shisui and Kai stood to the side, watching the fun, barely managing to keep their grins in check.

"What did you just say? When we get back, I'll have your dad deal with you."

Nawaki put on a stern face. These brats had no sense of tact.

Would it kill them to flatter him a little?

"I'm not scared."

"As long as my mom's around, my dad wouldn't dare."

Naruto remained fearless, which also said a lot about Jiraiya's standing at home.

"Alright, alright, get lost, all of you."

"When I've mastered this, if you want to learn, come find me."

Nawaki stood up and shooed the little troublemakers out, slamming the door behind them.

As their noisy footsteps faded, the room finally fell into silence.

"Not many people are as strong as I am and still this eager to learn."

Since no one else would praise him, Nawaki did it himself.

Shaking his head, he sat down at the table.

With no distractions, he quickly became absorbed in his studies.

...

In a dimly lit cave, Madara Uchiha sat on a stone bench, one hand idly stroking the handle of his massive scythe.

As time passed, Zetsu emerged from the ground, only his head visible.

"Lord Madara."

It was as if this schemer had an aversion to fully stepping onto solid ground.

"How is the battle progressing?"

Madara's voice, weak and aged, barely echoed in the cavern. He was a shadow of his former self.

"The Akatsuki, led by Nagato, is locked in a fierce struggle against the Iwa-Konoha alliance."

"Obito and that little girl are growing closer by the day."

As Zetsu reported the battlefield developments, he couldn't help but mock Ōnoki's stupidity.

Nagato was originally from Konoha, yet Ōnoki still turned to them for help.

Being aware of the bigger picture, Zetsu was certain that Konoha had a deeper scheme in play.

But it had nothing to do with him, and he couldn't be bothered to interfere.

Madara was the key piece in his plan to revive his mother.

"A fool, lost in the delusions of youthful love."

"Is it time to put the plan into motion?"

Madara cared even less about Konoha's motives.

Once his plan was complete and he returned to the world at full strength, all these conspiracies would crumble before him like paper.

He had no doubts—because he was Madara Uchiha.

"I believe the time is right."

"As long as that girl dies in front of Obito, everything will fall into place."

"Your final safeguard will take shape at that moment."

Between Shisui and Obito, Zetsu had chosen the latter.

Obito was easier to manipulate, easier to deceive.

Without Kakashi around to interfere, Obito and Rin's originally close relationship had only grown deeper.

"Good. Then proceed."

"First, bring that kid, Obito, to me."

"Once the girl dies, I'll persuade him to follow my plan."

"I'll arrange for him to return to Konoha. When the time comes, you will assist him in retrieving my Rinnegan."

Madara knew Nagato was aligned with Konoha, meaning Obito's Konoha identity had to remain intact.

As long as Obito was still considered one of their own, Madara believed the odds of success in taking back the Rinnegan were high.

With Kawakaze's interference, Madara's plan had already deviated significantly from the original.

He no longer relied on others to collect the Tailed Beasts.

All he needed was to dangle the right incentive in front of Obito, and he was confident the boy would walk the path he'd paved.

Once he had the Rinnegan, Zetsu could manipulate Obito into using it to resurrect him.

At that point, Madara would handle everything himself.

Envisioning his triumphant return, the dullness in his eyes flickered with renewed light.

"Understood."

Zetsu saw no major flaws in Madara's plan, though retrieving the Rinnegan wouldn't be an easy task. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

But so what?

After waiting for so many years, there was no turning back now.

As Zetsu withdrew, the cavern fell silent once more, leaving Madara alone, clinging to life.

Unbeknownst to him, a conspiracy was slowly closing in around him.

...

"Thanks."

Obito's right arm, wounded from battle, was wrapped in fresh bandages by Rin. He couldn't take his eyes off her.

"The wound isn't deep. It'll heal by tomorrow."

"Stop being so reckless."

Rin lightly patted the injury, her concern tinged with frustration.

Everyone else was fine—so why was he the only one hurt?

Didn't he know how much that worried her?

"Ow—okay, okay, I get it."

Obito sucked in a sharp breath from the pain but still grinned happily.

"You're still smiling?"

"If you get hurt again, I won't take care of you."

Rin's anger flared at his dismissive attitude.

Why were boys so obsessed with proving themselves?

"Don't be mad!"

"I won't compete with them anymore,"

Obito quickly apologized, making a promise he fully intended to keep.

He knew he'd been reckless.

If the Akatsuki weren't allies, he might not have survived the day.

Even staged fights had their limits—injuries had to happen when necessary, something both Nagato and Minato had tacitly agreed on.

"You better mean it."

"I'm leaving now."

Rin's tone softened as she got up to go.

"I'll walk you out."

Obito followed her, their shadows stretching long under the moonlight.

"Look at him, living the dream again,"

Guy nudged Kakashi, the two of them lounging in the open field.

"Fool, you've got time to watch other people's love lives?"

"Maybe worry about yourself first?"

Kakashi's words cut deep, striking Guy right in the heart.

"AHHHH!!!"

"Kakashi, I'm gonna kill you!"

Guy didn't care much about not having a girlfriend, but calling him a fool?

That crossed the line.

With a swift leap, he tackled Kakashi, and the two best friends engaged in a brutal wrestling match.