"You should still remember your promise from before, right? Or do I need to help you recall it?"
Noticing that after Mōryō's soul was released, he didn't speak and instead stared at him wide-eyed, seemingly intending to renege, Obito's tone became somewhat unpleasant.
This time, he had gone through considerable effort to rescue the other from Furina and the others' siege. If Mōryō still didn't appreciate it, then he wouldn't mind continuing what Furina had been about to do.
He did need helpers, but if they couldn't actually help him, then there was no point.
"No, since you helped me earlier, I will naturally keep my promise and join you. I was just thinking that the world now seems much stronger than before, and I felt a bit emotional."
Whether he sensed the danger in Obito's words or truly felt something, this time Mōryō didn't act as arrogantly as before but tactfully agreed.
"Heh, don't worry. The world has always been like this; nothing has changed. You were just unlucky enough to run into the rare few who can defeat you."
After getting a satisfactory answer, a glint flashed in Obito's narrowed eyes. At the same time, his tone was no longer as sharp as before, and he smiled as he reassured the other.
Obito didn't care why Mōryō agreed to join. As long as he joined, that was enough. He also wasn't afraid that the other was just placating him now and would go back on his word after recovering.
After all, he understood the habits of monsters like Mōryō all too well. Though capable of communication, its essence was still a monster filled with all sorts of negative emotions, one unacceptable to the world.
And the Akatsuki organization was the most suitable home for him.
Moreover, even setting that aside, the priestess Mōryō was so obsessed with was no longer someone he could covet alone. After all, neither Furina nor that unassuming Uchiha was easy to deal with.
Recalling the recent message White Zetsu had transmitted to him, a smile unconsciously appeared on Obito's face beneath the mask.
Mōryō-san, you wouldn't want to keep drifting around as just a soul forever, right... Hahahaha.
"You seem very happy. Is there something going on?"
Although Obito barely managed to hold back from laughing out loud, and the mask covered his face, perhaps because Mōryō was very sensitive to emotions, he still detected something "off" about Obito.
"Heh, I just thought of something pleasant. After all, with a powerful helper like you joining, it's hard for me not to be happy, right?"
"Of course. Earlier I only nearly failed because I was surrounded. Next time, I won't give them any chances."
Although he could sense Obito wasn't telling the truth, Mōryō didn't mind. Just as Obito thought, his mind was now entirely on the priestess. As long as he devoured her and fused good and evil, he could...
Looking at Mōryō's eager expression, although Obito also wanted to see the other make a fool of himself again—and it would let him test that Uchiha's Mangekyō abilities to prepare for future encounters—but well...
The Mangekyō ability was unknown, and Furina clearly still had strength to spare at the time. Obito didn't want to lose a helper he had finally recruited. Even if he could rescue him, it would increase the risk of his abilities being exposed.
In Obito's view, Furina was undoubtedly a genius without question. What Minato Namikaze could do, she very likely could as well.
So probing and such could be left to others. With White Zetsu around, as long as the other side acted, he wouldn't lack intelligence.
"I know you want revenge right now, but there's one thing I need to tell you in advance..."
...
"Where should we go next? Are we going to chase those two bad guys?"
"You're clearly about the same age as me, but you're really amazing. Even Mōryō wasn't your match. I want to be like you too. Can you teach me ninjutsu?"
"Please, please, teach me~"
"ε=(´ο｀*))) Sigh." Looking at Shion clinging to her arm and chattering nonstop, Furina couldn't help but sigh.
Since Mōryō's issue hadn't been resolved in one go, it was foreseeable that the other side would definitely target Priestess Shion again later.
On a larger scale, if Mōryō devoured the priestess, his strength would surely increase dramatically, becoming a major problem. On a smaller scale, after getting somewhat familiar with Shion, Furina also didn't want her to die.
Therefore, whether for public or personal reasons, she couldn't just leave it alone. Combined with the uniqueness of Shion's status, it wasn't suitable to bring her back to the village for protection. In the end, she could only temporarily protect her herself.
The only thing she hadn't expected was that Shion had been quite aloof before, like a stoic girl, but now she had suddenly changed so much—feeling somewhat... lively...?
"Sure, sure, of course I can. So that we can better handle Mōryō if we encounter him later, I'll be your first teacher. But let me say this upfront:
Training with me won't be like your previous life. It'll be very tiring. You can't back out halfway, okay."
Although somewhat puzzled by the change in the other, Furina didn't refuse the request. In terms of strength alone, teaching her was absolutely no problem.
Aside from the few ninjutsu Tsunade had taught her, most of Furina's other abilities had no issue being passed on. If someone wanted to learn, she would teach.