Sasuke looked up at Tobi, his voice heavy. "What exactly do you want me to do!?"

  Hmph, finally giving in, are you...

  Tobi's expression softened under his mask. He sat down, his tone a mix of firmness and gentleness. "Well, as fellow survivors of the Uchiha clan, I don't want to force you. I just hope we can continue to benefit each other."

  Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "Benefit each other."

  Tobi continued, "Your goal is to avenge the Uchiha by destroying Konoha and reviving the clan. My goal is to gather the power of all the Tailed Beasts and declare war on the entire world..."

  "..." Sasuke's gaze darkened.

  Tobi said, "But you can't achieve your revenge on Konoha alone. You felt it when you fought me, didn't you?"

  "I, Uchiha Madara, am far past my prime. What remains is just an empty shell. Even at my peak, I was defeated by Konoha's founder, Hashirama Senju!"

  Sasuke retorted, "Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage, is dead...!"

  "But the will and power of the Senju era have been passed down!" Tobi's eyes were deep. "Sasuke, how much do you know about Konoha?"

  "..." Sasuke fell into thought.

  Tobi said, "Sasuke, you compared yourself to Nagato to gauge your chances against Konoha. Let me be clear: even without Naruto, Nagato couldn't challenge all of Konoha!"

  "If Nagato had fought Konoha to the death, the village's casualties might have been greater, but the result would still be Nagato's defeat, even without Naruto's intervention..."

  "So, attacking Konoha with Taka is a path to death!"

  "..." Sasuke gripped the edge of his stone chair, his eyes filled with frustration.

  Tobi shifted his tone. "But if Akatsuki helps you, the outcome will be different."

  "Heh heh heh..." Sasuke suddenly laughed.

  Tobi frowned. "What's so funny?"

  Sasuke coldly replied, "You belittle yourself and praise Konoha so highly. What's so great about Akatsuki? Besides you, it's just a bunch of white guys!"

  White Zetsu protested, "Hey, Sasuke, there's a limit to underestimating people, you know?"

  Tobi stared deeply at Sasuke. "Fine, it's time you learned Akatsuki's true strength..."

  Sasuke's eyes flashed. "True strength?"

  "Follow me..." Tobi stood and led the way.

  "..." Sasuke followed, skeptical.

  When they reached the depths of the hideout and saw the vast army of White Zetsu, Sasuke's eyes widened. "What is this...!?"

  Tobi explained, "Did you think Akatsuki was just playing around collecting Tailed Beasts? Using the Tailed Beast chakra we've gathered so far and the Gedo Statue as a catalyst, I've cultivated White Zetsu, the white guys you mentioned. There are about 100,000 of them..."

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  Sasuke was stunned. "100,000...!?"

  White Zetsu added, "More than the number of ninjas capable of fighting in the current ninja world~. By the way, our individual combat ability ranges from Chunin to Jonin level, with the top ones even reaching Kage level~. We're also more versatile than ninjas, perfect for army combat~"

  Tobi continued, "I intended to use this as my leverage to declare war on the ninja world. But since the Five Great Ninja Villages haven't united through the Five Kage Summit, and I already have the Eight-Tails, there's no need to create unnecessary enemies..."

  "Sasuke, I can use these 100,000 White Zetsu to help you attack Konoha!"

  Sasuke's eyes gleamed. "Naruto has already betrayed Konoha. What do you gain from helping me declare war on Konoha? Why not just declare war on Naruto directly?"

  Tobi saw through it more clearly. "Naruto has mastered the Fourth Hokage's Flying Raijin Jutsu, making his movements unpredictable. Without a way to pin him down, we can't engage him directly!"

  Sasuke turned his gaze. "So Konoha is the bait?"

  Tobi smiled. "Naruto told you himself, didn't he? If you attack Konoha, he'll stop you! That will draw Naruto out, and we can trap him, giving us a chance to confront him!"

  Sasuke looked away, clenching his fist. "And once this confrontation happens, how do we divide the spoils?"

  Tobi said, "We'll handle Naruto! You complete your revenge. The White Zetsu army will still assist you..."

  "..." Sasuke's eyes darkened, hesitating.

  Hmph, Sasuke, are you hesitating because you don't want to see the only person who considers you a friend being manipulated, or do you simply not trust me?

  Tobi remained expressionless. "Well... you don't need to worry. From a practical standpoint, your large-scale attack on Konoha will also distract Naruto, increasing our chances of success. Our interests are still aligned. The decision is yours."

  He and White Zetsu waited silently for Sasuke's response.

  Uchiha Sasuke closed his eyes.

  Memories flashed through his mind... former comrades, village elders, clan members, parents, Naruto, but finally... Itachi's smile before his death.

  The fire of revenge ultimately consumed everything!

  Snap!

  His eyes opened, revealing the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, cold and resolute!

  Sasuke declared, "I will avenge Konoha!!"

  Hmph, as expected, hope is an illusion. No one can escape the chain of hatred. The Infinite Tsukuyomi is the world's salvation...

  Tobi's lips curled. "Good. Akatsuki will fully support your actions. This war isn't Akatsuki against the entire ninja world, just Akatsuki against Konoha. The outcome is already decided!"

  "Hmm?" White Zetsu's expression changed.

  Tobi asked, "What is it?"

  White Zetsu said, "A unit stationed at an abandoned base reported that Jugo and Suigetsu have arrived there to meet Sasuke!"

  Tobi pondered for a moment. "Their abilities are still useful. Bring them here..."

  ...

  About half an hour later, Jugo and Suigetsu, guided by White Zetsu, arrived at Akatsuki's new hideout.

  Seeing Sasuke, Suigetsu complained about their experiences since parting in the Land of Iron.

  Sasuke sat on the stone chair, listening coldly. When he heard the key part, his eyes flickered. "You said... you and Naruto attacked the Hidden Cloud Village together? And he took you to the Hidden Rain?"

  Swish! Tobi appeared in front of Jugo.

  "Don't move!"

  The Sharingan under his mask glowed with genjutsu, immobilizing Jugo!

  Tobi then lifted Jugo's shirt, revealing the Flying Raijin marks on his shoulders!

  "Hmph."

  Tobi snorted and, without hesitation, grabbed Jugo's arms and tore them off!

  "Argh...!!!" The pain broke Jugo free from the genjutsu. He screamed, collapsing to the ground, blood and sweat pooling around him!

  Whoosh!

  The Kamui vortex sucked Jugo's arms into Tobi's right eye.

  "Stop the bleeding..." Tobi said coldly, turning away.

  Even Suigetsu couldn't stand it. He shouted at Sasuke, "Hey!! Sasuke!! Are you just going to watch him treat our people like this without saying anything!?"

  "..." Sasuke's gaze remained low, silent.

  "Huff, huff, huff, it doesn't matter. Eliminating the threat of enemy infiltration is the right move!"

  Jugo gritted his teeth, enduring the pain. With Suigetsu's help, he stood and looked at Sasuke. "Sasuke, Naruto asked me to tell you something!"

  Sasuke, supporting his chin with his hand, his eyes flickered. "What is it?"

  Jugo said, "He said Danzo isn't in Konoha. He's with Kabuto, seeking a comeback. You should strike first... I think it's the right call!"

  Sasuke clenched his fists, his gaze cold. "I don't need him to tell me how to avenge myself! No matter how Danzo borrows power, ugly, ridiculous, and pathetic, trying to approach the Uchiha's strength! My hatred will consume him completely!!!"

  "As for Naruto..."

  Sasuke's gaze paused, a complex emotion flashing through.

  "He has his own problems to deal with. He should take care of himself..."