Chapter 42: Who Would Replace Reality with Illusion? (Seeking Continuation)

Late at night, the moonlight sang.

Yuzhi stood in a forest, waiting quietly.

But he was still somewhat troubled, since Uchiha Guang's decision really gave him a headache.

There are actually many ways to bring someone out, after all leaving Leaf Village isn't as troublesome as entering it.

But the problem is, they still want to return to Leaf Village with me, which is indeed a bit troublesome.

"Fine, since they have to come out, let them come out. Leaving them alone in Leaf Village, I'm not comfortable with that myself."

He let out a slight sigh, and Yuzhi thought silently in his heart.

He actually wasn't worried about members of the Uchiha Clan discovering them, nor about people of Leaf Village noticing them.

The Uchiha Clan's population isn't small, and on top of the factional conflicts there's also the gulf between ninja and ordinary people.

This leads to many family members actually being unfamiliar with each other; as long as Guang hides a bit when returning home, it's fine.

And within the village, even fewer people would pay attention to an Uchiha.

Moreover, some members of the bloodline family don't attend ninja schools; they are trained directly by the family.

Therefore, not knowing each other isn't surprising; as long as one can confirm which family they belong to, it's fine.

However, Guang's aversion to the ninja system and to the Uchiha Clan, truly leaving them behind, no one knows what might happen.

"So, coming out is fine; although returning will be troublesome, it's still better than uncertainty."

Moreover, thinking carefully now, Yuzhi feels that having them follow him is also a good choice.

After all, his current mission is still quite dangerous.

Obito wants greater results at the negotiating table, so the conflict is unlikely to stop.

And Obito still has to face a group of mist ninja; especially since these mist ninja are backed by Madara, having Guang's Mangekyou Sharingan will probably make him much safer.

"Although, I think we shouldn't need them to act."

Thinking that, Yuzhi's mood instantly improved, but at that moment he suddenly noticed someone approaching him.

He turned his head immediately; the newcomer was Guang.

They had come out with a caravan, and this was their gathering point.

"No problem?" Yuzhi walked over proactively and then asked.

"No problem, those people didn't notice me."

Guang nodded, but then tilted their head curiously and asked.

"Did my decision cause you any trouble?"

"It's a bit troublesome, but nothing major."

Yuzhi smiled and said nonchalantly.

"Is that so?" Guang's gaze still rested on Yuzhi.

"Yes, and thinking carefully, my decision is also quite unreliable."

Having already come to terms, Yuzhi was very clear‑minded; he smiled and nodded.

"Leaving you alone in Leaf Village, in an environment you dislike, how is that any different from those who imprisoned you back then?"

"I'm sorry; as a friend I think I should have asked for your thoughts next time, instead of deciding for you outright."

Guang was startled by Yuzhi's words; they admitted their approach was a bit willful, even though they were 'caring for a friend'.

But they also thought Yuzhi probably wouldn't be pleased, though they didn't expect to receive such an answer.

"Do you really think so?"

"Or what?" Yuzhi's smile remained: "You also said we're friends, after all."

——

At the Underground Base in Grass Country, Obito was diligently undergoing rehabilitation training.

He had already accepted the wager with Madara; he would never believe that Kakashi and Rin couldn't recognize him.

They are friends, teammates, and also companions!

He believes that even while wearing a mask, they are so familiar with each other that such a failure to recognize would never occur.

"Even if Kakashi isn't wearing a mask, I could still recognize him."

Obito thought confidently, though he had never seen Kakashi remove his mask.

After all, from childhood to now, Kakashi has always been that ghostly figure.

But he still believes he can manage it, after all they are friends!

"Just what is that old guy after? What's his purpose in leaving me behind?"

Obito has always been curious about this, even if he's reluctant to admit it; he also knows he's just a nameless foot soldier.

At least before, without having awakened the Sharingan, he truly wasn't much.

But now that he has these eyes, he believes he certainly won't be worse than that bastard Yuzhi, perhaps even better!

"Could it be that old man is after my eyes?"

Obito couldn't help but ponder, but unfortunately beyond his own eyes he couldn't figure out anything else.

That old man is on the brink of death, and he also has a Sharingan.

Thus, normally his own eyes shouldn't be of interest to him, right?

"Hold on, this guy can't have some Sharingan‑collecting fetish, can he?"

Suddenly, Obito felt a chill, but he quickly shook his head.

Because that old man said that if he wants to leave he can do so at any time, but how does one leave this damned place?

"Yo, you're training again, your recovery is really fast; others would still be bedridden and barely alive."

At that moment, Xuanwo Lian's white figure suddenly emerged from the wall, looking at Obito and teasingly said.

"Tch, it's you."

Obito watched Xuanwo Lian's free, darting movements and felt envious; if he could do the same, he would leave this place.

Of course, he was also curious why his body recovered so quickly, but he thought it must be because he missed Kakashi and Lin.

"You've only just returned with intel, have you? Any news?"

"I have some, concerning the matters you care about."

Xuanwo Lian slipped out from the wall, then spoke slowly.

"Your two friends, Kakashi and Lin have already set out; they should arrive here in a little while."

"Is that so?"

Hearing the news, Obito's heart instantly surged with excitement; it was good news!

He now yearned even more to see the two soon, so he could fulfill his bet with Ban.

But at the thought of Ban, Obito grew curious about his motives again and, after a moment, tentatively asked.

"Speaking of it, what exactly is that old man's plan?"

"He wants to lock me here and make some kind of bet."

"Even though he's bound to lose, it's a waste of my time."

After asking, Obito sighed helplessly, doubting that Xuanwo Lian would know anything.

"Well, I think I know a bit about that."

What Obito didn't expect was that Xuanwo Lian, after thinking, actually spoke up.

"I don't know much, but I often hear Lord Ban say."

"The shinobi world is the source of chaos, and all sorrow is born here."

"He has given too much because of this shinobi world, yet is constantly betrayed."

"Now, he has been forgotten by everyone, becoming truly the forgotten one."

"So he devised a plan he calls Infinite Moon Reading."

"Infinite… Moon Reading?"

Obito listened, a bit stunned by Xuanwo Lian's words; he had no idea what it meant.

"Simply put, it's about creating a peaceful world within a dream—a world without pain, war, or betrayal."

Xuanwo Lian nodded and said with a smile.

"In a dream?" Obito frowned, thinking it sounded unreliable.

"Exactly, it's within a dream."

Xuanwo Lian shrugged; he plainly recounted everything he knew.

"Because it's in a dream, everything can become as one wishes; everyone can shape the world according to their own ideas.

Whether it's your friends, family, or even your dreams, they can all be realized, and even the dead can be revived."

Obito stared blankly at Xuanwo Lian's words, momentarily speechless.

The old man actually had such thoughts; it truly left him in awe.

How was he betrayed to cause such pain that he'd devise a self‑deceptive way to fulfill his dream?

Obito didn't know, but he suddenly felt the old man was rather pitiful.

"Tell me, isn't this a pretty good plan?"

Just as he was pondering, Xuanwo Lian leaned in with a curious expression and asked.

"That's utterly stupid; it's just fooling oneself!"

Obito immediately shook his head, thought for a moment, then laughed scornfully.

"Anyway, I'll definitely win this bet; who would replace reality with such an illusion?"

"Then you better give it your all."

Xuanwo Lian pulled his head back and then said leisurely.

"Obito."

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(End of chapter)