Chapter 140: Obito's Secret—Not My Secret

Biwa Jūzō ran a hand along the cold back of the interrogation chair, his eyes flickering with unease between Jiraiya, then Uchiha Iizumi, and finally the Ninja Cat perched silently beside him.

Huh…

It felt almost surreal—like Uchiha Iizumi was the real member of the Akatsuki Organization, while he, Biwa Jūzō, was just a disposable outsider.

A twitch curled at the corner of his lips. He, a seasoned operative of the Akatsuki, knew less than this Uchiha kid. That realization stirred a strange, unfamiliar sense of defeat.

Worst of all, it left him unable to trade any useful intel from within Akatsuki in exchange for information about Madara Uchiha. Instead, he’d accidentally overheard things he shouldn’t have—secrets that now made his head ache.

Then—Uchiha Iizumi’s gaze locked onto him.

He heard the man speak again. This time, the Molten Release Beast didn’t ask for a trade. He bypassed Konan and Nagato entirely, cutting straight to the heart of the matter with cold, detached clarity:

> “The ‘Madara Uchiha’ within Akatsuki isn’t the real Madara. The true Madara died years ago.”

Just as Uchiha Iizumi had no obligation to protect Nagato and Konan’s secrets, he certainly had no reason to shield Uchiha Obito.

His tone was casual, almost conversational:

> “The man calling himself Madara Uchiha is actually Uchiha Obito. A criminal of the worst kind. A villain Justice must eliminate.”

> “He’s merely using Madara’s name to manipulate Nagato and Konan. Or rather—he’s exploiting them, using Akatsuki as a tool to achieve his own twisted goals.”

Tachibana Jiro chimed in, tail flicking:

> “Meow. That sneaky little rat, Uchiha Obito, has a weird Mangekyō Sharingan. Lets him phase through things—makes him untouchable.”

> “Iizumi-sama even called it a cheap trick. Meow… what was the name again…?”

> “…Kamui Phasing?!”

Biwa Jūzō: “!!”

Gah! So the woman—Konan—had been lied to all along? The so-called Madara was a fraud. She’d been kept in the dark.

No. That couldn’t be right. She must have sensed something was off. That’s why she’d sent him here—to Leaf Village—to probe Uchiha Iizumi, to extract any intel about Madara.

It all clicked.

But now—he’d heard too much.

If this got out, Konan would turn on him without hesitation. And Obito? He’d want him dead. Too many secrets. Too many witnesses.

Uchiha Iizumi remained impassive.

> “It’s indeed a cheap ability. Not without flaws. The phasing only lasts five minutes. After that, there’s a cooldown period before it can be used again. How long that is? Unknown for now.”

Biwa Jūzō exhaled sharply, expression clouded with complexity.

> “You just… laid all this out. Without asking for anything in return?”

He wasn’t sure whether to call this generosity—or if Uchiha Iizumi was trying to get him killed. The more he knew, the faster he’d die.

Uchiha Iizumi’s voice was flat.

> “Because in my eyes, this isn’t secret. Not real intelligence. It’s simply stating the facts about a criminal Justice is already targeting. Would you call the details on a Wanted Poster a secret?”

> “On the contrary,” he continued, “the Investigation Corps wants as many people to know about the criminal’s crimes as possible. The more awareness, the better.”

Biwa Jūzō opened his mouth, then closed it.

His mind felt like it was on a different wavelength than Uchiha Iizumi’s.

Or perhaps… Uchiha Iizumi’s perspective was simply far broader.

He wasn’t just a ninja. He was something beyond that.

Jiraiya, still flustered, suddenly froze.

> “Wait… Obito? That name… isn’t that—”

A spark flashed in his mind.

> “—Naruto’s teacher? Kakashi’s classmate?”

Uchiha Iizumi glanced at him.

> “Jiraiya. Your first Chosen One is now spreading suffering across the Ninja World. Your second Chosen One—his student, Uchiha Obito—has become one of the world’s greatest evils. He’s sitting at the same table as Orochimaru and Danzō.”

> “You’re still searching for a third? I wonder… will you end up training another criminal?”

> “Maybe… you’re the real source of all this evil. Perhaps Tachibana Jiro was right.”

Jiraiya: …

He had no reply.

For the first time, even he was lost.

---

Meanwhile…

“Rain Village emissary? The rogue Swordsmen of Kirigakure, Biwa Jūzō?” Fugaku stood motionless, eyes narrowed, struggling to connect the name with the man he’d just been told was in custody.

An Anbu Ninja clarified:

> “Biwa Jūzō is believed to have joined Rain Village. He’s now a Rain ninja. But due to his emissary status, he’s special. The Hokage wants the Investigation Corps to release him as soon as possible.”

Fugaku nodded slowly.

> “Understood.”

He rose from his seat, face stern—but inwardly, he exhaled. Relief washed over him.

Because when the Hokage needed the Investigation Corps, it meant the clan still had value in the eyes of the village leadership.

And as long as they were useful, the elders wouldn’t push for drastic measures against the Uchiha.

This fragile balance was what Fugaku had fought to maintain.

He believed he was the one holding it together.

And perhaps… things weren’t as bleak as he and Itachi had feared.

He hurried to the underground interrogation room.

He couldn’t afford to be late. Not if Biwa Jūzō was still alive.

But when he arrived, the room was empty.

He asked the guard.

> “Biwa Jūzō was released two minutes ago.”

Fugaku blinked.

> “Iizumi… let him go?”

He hadn’t expected that.

So the intel was obtained… through an unexpected route.

Back outside, Biwa Jūzō adjusted the massive execution blade on his back, expression unreadable.

> “So… was it the right choice? To pass this information to her?”

> “This mission? It’s a death sentence. She handed it to me with no good intentions. She wanted me to make enemies.”

> “And now I’ve pissed off Uchiha Obito.”

He was torn.

He didn’t notice the dense foliage of a street tree nearby—where, hidden among the leaves, a strange, pale White Zetsu Clone lay utterly still, nearly invisible.

Shiro Zetsu had slipped into the Uchiha Compound. It watched Biwa Jūzō as he left the Investigation Corps building.

Its eyes narrowed.

> “He walked out alive… did he trade intel with Uchiha Iizumi? Did he learn too much?”

Just as it sent its report, a faint shush echoed behind it.

It turned—too late.

A hand clamped around its neck, twisting with brutal force. The head spun a full 360 degrees.

Then the palm ignited—molten lava erupting from the fingers, consuming the clone in an instant.

> “Too many rats.” Uchiha Iizumi stepped down from the branch, expression blank.

> “Another one of these odd creatures.” Tachibana Jiro leapt down beside him, ears twitching.

> “The last time we saw these… it was near the Leaf Village cemetery. They’re linked to Uchiha Obito.”

> “Iizumi-sama… could it mean Obito is nearby? Or even inside Leaf Village? He came back after being scared off before?”

Uchiha Iizumi nodded.

> “It was watching Biwa Jūzō. Most likely, Obito targeted him.”

> “Konan’s attempt to get intel from me? Obito must’ve already sensed it.”

Tachibana Jiro mused:

> “Obito’s a coward. He doesn’t want anyone else knowing his secrets. He’ll want Biwa Jūzō silenced.”

> “So you let him go… to be a trap. A lure for a criminal.”

Uchiha Iizumi’s voice was quiet.

> “Exactly.”

---

Far beyond Leaf Village.

> “Obito. New intel.” Zetsu followed close behind.

> “Biwa Jūzō was captured by the Investigation Corps. Uchiha Iizumi went in. They likely met.”

> “Half an hour later, Jūzō walked out unharmed. He may have struck a deal.”

> “He probably knows about you… about me.”

Zetsu hesitated. A flicker of doubt.

If that Uchiha Iizumi knows Obito’s secrets… could he also know mine?

No. Impossible.

His true secrets? Even Madara Uchiha couldn’t pierce them.

And Uchiha Iizumi? Just a descendant. A lesser tool.

> “Hmph.” Obito’s cold voice cut through.

> “If he knows too much… he’s not walking back.”

> “He might send word through the ring… or a Summon Beast.” Zetsu added.

> “Even killing him won’t stop the leak.”

Obito froze.

> “Shut up!”

He spun, eyes dark.

> “You’re just a fragment of Madara’s will. He made you my assistant. You obey. You don’t think. I have my own plans. My own mind. Stop interfering.”

Zetsu gave a slow, ambiguous nod.

> “Of course.”

But silently, in the back of his mind, he thought:

> If Madara had lived longer… you wouldn’t even exist.

---

Mount Myōgaku.

In the mist-laden depths of the mountain, a flash of white smoke erupted.

Pffft.

Jiraiya reappeared, his face grim. He hesitated, then walked toward the ancient stone shrine, its walls carved with time.

Inside, a massive orange Great Toad Sage sat on a dais, eyes half-lidded, appearing half-asleep.

> “Who dares enter?”

Jiraiya’s lips twitched. Again?

Even after knowing who he was, the old sage still asked.

> “It’s little Jiraiya…” The voice came from the shadows, muffled, like it was underwater.

> “You’re here with your doubts again. This time… about Uchiha Iizumi?”

Jiraiya clenched his fists, knuckles white.

> “Great Toad Sage… I learned from Uchiha Iizumi that Nagato is alive.”

> “And the boy I once believed to be my Chosen One… he’s become someone I barely recognize. He founded Akatsuki. He cries out for the world to suffer.”

> “He wants to use fear… to reshape the world.”

He told everything—every word he’d heard.

Shin’zaku and Shima, the two ancient sages of Mount Myōgaku, silently appeared at his sides. They looked at Jiraiya—deeply, silently.

They didn’t know what to say.

Jiraiya looked up, voice breaking.

> “Great Toad Sage… was finding a Chosen One… really meant to bring peace to the Ninja World?”

> “I… I taught Nagato. I guided Konan. And now… I feel like I failed. I’m not fit to teach another.”

He was filled with guilt.

The Great Toad Sage slowly turned his milky eyes.

> “Little Jiraiya…”

> “I told you once—Chosen Ones bring either unprecedented peace… or utter destruction. The choice is theirs.”

Jiraiya stiffened.

> “So… Nagato chose destruction?”

He bit his lip, guilt tightening.

> “Little Jiraiya… you said Uchiha Iizumi claimed the true Chosen One is already among us. That means Nagato wasn’t the real one.”

> “You planted the wrong seed. The sprout grew in the storm—and bent the wrong way.”

> “He wasn’t the Chosen One. He just happened to endure the trials meant for one. He failed. That’s natural.”

> “Now that you see he’s wrong… don’t waste time regretting. Find the real Chosen One. Let him make the right choice. Let him show Nagato what the future could be.”

The sage coughed, dry and rasping.

> “I haven’t spoken this much in ages… my throat’s sore.”

Jiraiya exhaled deeply. The weight on his chest lifted.

> “Great Toad Sage… I will find the true changemaker. If he’s in Leaf Village… if he’s near Iizumi… I’ll find him.”

He turned to leave.

> “Wait.”

The single word stopped him.

The Great Toad Sage looked at Shin’zaku and Shima.

> “You two go with Jiraiya. Visit Uchiha Iizumi. Gauge him. See if those eyes truly see beyond my dreams.”

> “And search the village. Find the one who can save the Ninja World.”

Shin’zaku and Shima exchanged glances.

They hadn’t known Jiraiya believed Iizumi had prophetic powers.

And now, for the first time in a thousand years—someone in Leaf Village… a Uchiha… might possess a vision like the Great Toad Sage’s.

They bowed.

> “Yes, Great One.”

---

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end