Akechi's words inspired a smile in Onamuji. If he wasn't so sure he had no family at all, the sage would almost be certain that he and the Uchiha were related. Although, rumors abound liked to link the Sharingan and Byakugan to the Rinnegan. Perhaps, in a time lost to records, they really were related - or even derived from the same clan. It was hard to say. What could be said, was that the Uchiha's insight was spot on. Without so much as a nudge, they came to the same conclusion.
Back when he and Koa first decided to embark upon the path of revolution, Muji hoped that all could be done as equals - no king, no Kage, no patriarch. With Koa's departure, and the minor setbacks already falling through, it became clear that this was not possible. To maintain order and direction, there had to be a solitary person to keep the group together. As Akechi said, a strategist, an organizer, and a leader. This was no barbarian tribe, and strength alone wasn't what held a civilization together and allowed them to achieve great things. It was foresight and wisdom.
"In a peaceful world, princes and daimyo aren't entirely necessary. In a time of war...a chain of command is necessary to prevent decay and chaos,"<i></i> the sage admitted, "The various Kage of the Hidden Villages took their power from claimed divine right or a perceived war. With this power, which of their villages has flourished? The Sunahoshi who once ruled as Kazekage are now all but extinct, the land rebels against the Sunans, and they are forced to live away from the light like mice. Kirigakure has frozen over, the once lush land filled with giant trees now a wasteland of ice and snow. Konohagakure, one of history's proudest villages, is utterly destroyed, its people scattered to the winds."<i></i>
Raising an eyebrow, the Rikudo Sennin asked rhetorically, "By what right do they rule now? The world is falling into chaos and decay, and all they do is linger on, and decay along with it. It is their charge to maintain order and prosperity within their village and country, yet the world dies a little more each day."<i></i>
"My Hyuuga friend, what we're trying to accomplish is nothing short of a world revolution. We are the outcasts and the independent thinkers, the free warriors and the open-minded. We are those who will not sit back and watch the world crumble, we are the ones who will risk everything to change it,"<i></i> Muji explained, looking into the white Byakugan with his own amethyst doujutsu, "We meet in a hidden cavern now, but not for long. Once our numbers are gathered here, and all is made clear, we will begin. And soon enough, we won't be hiding any longer..."<i></i>
He admired the Hyuuga's ability to remain calm and direct. The more insecure individuals of the world would feel threatened or dislike it, but Muji valued such a straightforward nature. The details of what Kagemaru asked about, however, was best delved into later. It was a touchy subject, of course. The auburn-haired strategist didn't want to give all the surprises away so soon, especially with everyone still on their way. However, one thing was better mentioned beforehand...
Looking toward Akechi, Onamuji said, "This started when I turned away from my past life, and I'm willing to see this through to the end. However, this isn't just my dream. There is no room for selfishness or egotism, and rank and caste mean nothing within our number. Every person, no matter what their intention or personal desire, is equal in the risk this will bring. But we will, just as you said, need a leader. During this war to come, I feel I can be that leader. Not out of powerlust or personal want, but because I'm willing to finish this and use every resource at our disposal, myself included, to achieve the end we're all willing to risk our lives for. More importantly, I don't intend to be a king, or a Kage...and when we achieve this dream and the world is made anew, such things will no longer be required."<i></i>
"Would you support me in this role, or do you have other designs?"<i></i> the sage asked bluntly. His voice was calm as ever, and there was not even a hint of malice or threat. Were he a despot or power mad, this would be the time for it, but it was notably missing. It would seem that, before all else were to take place, the Rikudo Sennin wanted to gauge the Uchiha's thoughts.
He was all the things that their leadership would require. He was one of Sunagakure's greatest strategists, his plans were already underway, but there was one requisite to leadership that wasn't a natural trait or a learned discipline: support. Clashing egos, differing motives, conflicting paths...all these things were a death sentence to a movement. However, this - as it was said - was not a barbarian clan. If there wasn't a clear choice, they could settle it in the way of the new world, by selecting one through the majority decision of the group.
[OOC: Rambly!]
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