Onamuji led Akechi down the long pathway that led into the central chamber within the mountain. It was dimly lit by similar torches as those that lined the meeting hall, allowing the two to find their way without much trouble. After a moment of silent walking, the two arrived at the planning hall. It was an open chamber, with a great round earthen table in the center to allow maps and figures to be placed upon it for reference. Aside from that, there wasn't much to the room. It clearly had a single purpose.
Once the duo had entered and a few paces had put them past the entryway, the Rikudo Sennin waved a hand and sent a thick layer of stone sliding down and closing them in. He wanted to speak to Akechi privately, and he didn't know most of the others well enough to trust them to leave well enough alone. It wasn't personal...just cautious.
"The tension in that room was visible. Almost literally. You could see their chakra...Akkuma was practically bristling,"<i></i> the sage commented, breaking the silence, "I imagine he's one of a few people who might want to take my head at this point."<i></i>
Looking to Akechi with his Rinnegan eyes, the sage added, "That's part of what I wanted to talk to you about in private."<i></i>
Taking a few more steps, Muji moved to the stone table, sitting on the surface and crossing his arms. Taking a deep breath, the auburn-haired man pondered how best to say what he wanted to say. It would sound strange, regardless, but...well, there was no real way to sugar coat it or make it sound any less insane.
"When I told you that I was a tool for this purpose, and that you were the key to the future, I meant it. That is why I am confident in my position, and it is why I held no debate over choosing you as my second. You are wise beyond your years, and a capable strategist. When we are done burning the world in order to cleanse it, I am hoping that by declaring myself the leader of the group, responsibility will be attached to my name. All the hatred and ill will associated with our actions will hopefully be targeted at me,"<i></i> Onamuji explained, looking strangely mortal for once, "The likelihood of this is obviously low. I have the gift of insight, but even I can't predict the world's perspective on what's to come...but if we succeed, and if I manage to be seen as a monster for orchestrating the bloodshed and war to come, I ask one favor from you."<i></i>
The Rikudo Sennin's amethyst gaze stared directly into the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan of the Uchiha, filled with intent.
"I want you to kill me,"<i></i> he requested.
Firmly, and without any sign that he was joking or setting Akechi up for some ulterior motive, Muji went on to say, "I am a figure of the past: broken, born from chaos, and built for this sole purpose. You are a symbol of the future: determined, ready for hope, and capable of guiding this world and our people when the chaos has been cleansed and the world awakens from the darkness it's been stuck in. Most of the world won't understand what we're doing. To a great many, there is only light and dark...no gray in between. If there must be a focal point for their distrust and their malice, I have to be it. If we succeed, and I'm able to be seen as this devil responsible, I want you to kill me. Then, in the world's eyes, the last remnant from this chaotic era will be defeated, and they will see you as the man who was able to do it."<i></i>
Naive, he knew, and it relied on a lot of variables. Only in the most ideal outcome would they not only succeed, but enable Muji to be viewed by the world as the ultimate enemy - the warlord responsible for promoting all the death and destruction necessary to enable the shift into a new era. In that scenario, however, the sage was convinced that it had to be Akechi who took his life. It would grant the Uchiha the legitimacy and public opinion necessary to be the leader the world would need in the aftermath of their revolution.
Once the duo had entered and a few paces had put them past the entryway, the Rikudo Sennin waved a hand and sent a thick layer of stone sliding down and closing them in. He wanted to speak to Akechi privately, and he didn't know most of the others well enough to trust them to leave well enough alone. It wasn't personal...just cautious.
"The tension in that room was visible. Almost literally. You could see their chakra...Akkuma was practically bristling,"<i></i> the sage commented, breaking the silence, "I imagine he's one of a few people who might want to take my head at this point."<i></i>
Looking to Akechi with his Rinnegan eyes, the sage added, "That's part of what I wanted to talk to you about in private."<i></i>
Taking a few more steps, Muji moved to the stone table, sitting on the surface and crossing his arms. Taking a deep breath, the auburn-haired man pondered how best to say what he wanted to say. It would sound strange, regardless, but...well, there was no real way to sugar coat it or make it sound any less insane.
"When I told you that I was a tool for this purpose, and that you were the key to the future, I meant it. That is why I am confident in my position, and it is why I held no debate over choosing you as my second. You are wise beyond your years, and a capable strategist. When we are done burning the world in order to cleanse it, I am hoping that by declaring myself the leader of the group, responsibility will be attached to my name. All the hatred and ill will associated with our actions will hopefully be targeted at me,"<i></i> Onamuji explained, looking strangely mortal for once, "The likelihood of this is obviously low. I have the gift of insight, but even I can't predict the world's perspective on what's to come...but if we succeed, and if I manage to be seen as a monster for orchestrating the bloodshed and war to come, I ask one favor from you."<i></i>
The Rikudo Sennin's amethyst gaze stared directly into the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan of the Uchiha, filled with intent.
"I want you to kill me,"<i></i> he requested.
Firmly, and without any sign that he was joking or setting Akechi up for some ulterior motive, Muji went on to say, "I am a figure of the past: broken, born from chaos, and built for this sole purpose. You are a symbol of the future: determined, ready for hope, and capable of guiding this world and our people when the chaos has been cleansed and the world awakens from the darkness it's been stuck in. Most of the world won't understand what we're doing. To a great many, there is only light and dark...no gray in between. If there must be a focal point for their distrust and their malice, I have to be it. If we succeed, and I'm able to be seen as this devil responsible, I want you to kill me. Then, in the world's eyes, the last remnant from this chaotic era will be defeated, and they will see you as the man who was able to do it."<i></i>
Naive, he knew, and it relied on a lot of variables. Only in the most ideal outcome would they not only succeed, but enable Muji to be viewed by the world as the ultimate enemy - the warlord responsible for promoting all the death and destruction necessary to enable the shift into a new era. In that scenario, however, the sage was convinced that it had to be Akechi who took his life. It would grant the Uchiha the legitimacy and public opinion necessary to be the leader the world would need in the aftermath of their revolution.