"Uchiha Madara, huh? I've remembered you. You should also be one of the people who helped unseal me, right? What do you want from me?"
Mōryō was no fool. It easily guessed that Obito had come here with some purpose. And after what just happened, it also knew Obito was not a subservient follower like Yomi.
"I come for cooperation. My assistance in helping them unseal you is my show of goodwill. Join us, conquer the world together with us. After success, the world will belong to us jointly."
Assuming the identity of Uchiha Madara, Obito spared no effort in painting grand promises. After all, he had no intention of fulfilling any commitments to a demon like Mōryō, so making big claims came easily.
When the plan succeeded and the Eye of the Moon Plan proceeded smoothly, the first thing he would eliminate would be a demon like Mōryō, full of nothing but negative emotions. The other had no right to live in that world full of beauty.
"Oh? 'Us'? So you're not alone, but part of an organization, correct?"
"Indeed. Our organization is called Akatsuki. Our goal is world peace—or conquering the world, if you prefer. I am the true leader of Akatsuki, and its members are all powerhouses no weaker than you."
"The true leader? So there's a figurehead leader in your organization as well? Interesting."
Mōryō was not led by Obito's words. It directly pointed out the key part. Hearing this, Obito's gaze sharpened slightly as he inwardly sighed that the other was indeed not easy to deal with.
But since he wanted to bring the other to his side, Obito had intended to mention this anyway.
"You're right. The Akatsuki has another leader. We two are in a cooperative relationship. His goal is to bring peace to the ninja world, while mine is to make the ninja world submit."
Given Mōryō's demonic nature, Obito naturally knew which side the other leaned toward. He then continued with verbal guidance, hinting that joining his camp was the best choice for it.
"To cooperate with you, and to have so many powerful subordinates obey him, the other leader must also be a very strong existence."
"Of course. He possesses a pair of eyes that exist only in legend. You'll understand more when you meet him. Alright, I've said enough. You still haven't answered my initial question."
Seeing Mōryō keep dodging his original question as if it could go on forever, Obito had to bring it up again, forcing the other to decide quickly.
"Heh heh, I just wanted to learn more about the organization I'm joining. Conquering the world does suit my taste quite well. I agree to join. However, before that,
I need to first retrieve my body. Only then can I better display my strength and provide more assistance in our conquest of the world."
As Obito steered the topic back, Mōryō finally revealed its true intentions. After all that talk, it had no real interest in joining some Akatsuki. It only wanted to use the person in front of it to regain its body.
As for conquering the world, yes, it was very interested—but one Mōryō was enough for that. It had no desire to share the world with others.
"Of course. I'm in no rush for such a short time. I'll wait for you. And while you retrieve your body, let me see whether you have the strength to join the Akatsuki."
Faced with Mōryō's hint, Obito acted as if he had reverted to his usual oblivious self, completely missing the implication that Mōryō wanted his help to retrieve its body.
"Good, Leader. Then watch closely—my power."
Although Obito's feigned ignorance annoyed Mōryō somewhat, it did not show it. In truth, whether the other helped or not did not matter. Regaining its body with its own power would be easy.
What it feared was this masked person interfering and causing trouble. With the other's bizarre ability focused on obstruction, it would be hard to handle. Pretending to agree to join the Akatsuki earlier was also to keep the other in check.
"Then I will await with anticipation."
Watching Obito's body vanish on the spot as Kamui activated, Mōryō's gaze grew heavier once more. After the other disappeared, it could not sense anything at all. This Akatsuki was truly not simple.
But none of that mattered. Once it regained its body, no one would pose a threat. Just watch—its power, its immortal army.
As Mōryō's power stirred, the nearby terracotta warriors—which had been mere lifeless objects—slowly began to move. Their movements grew larger until they all gathered uniformly around Mōryō.
"And you all—seeing your loyalty, I grant you power."
As it spoke, four streaks of black-purple energy flew from Mōryō toward the four who had accompanied Yomi. After the energy entered their bodies, each underwent changes large or small.
But without exception, they all became far stronger than before.
"Marvel at this power. Then go bring the shrine maiden to me."
Looking at the few whose faces could not hide their excitement, Mōryō also showed a slight smile. Once its body returned and it devoured the portion of power from the shrine maiden, ruling the world would be effortless.
As for that masked man and whatever Akatsuki—daring to act against it—when the time came, it would eliminate them first.
.....