After listening to Obito's explanation, Lin Nan was utterly stunned.
It wasn't just that he had lost his memory; the entire world seemed to have changed.
Obito's explanation was thorough, covering their relationship from the very beginning. He likely assumed Lin Nan was truly out of his mind and decided to provide a refresher course. With this explanation, Lin Nan finally understood.
In this world, Lin Nan had joined the Akatsuki organization very early on.
However, the Akatsuki here was not a terrorist organization but a mercenary group. Doesn't this setup sound familiar?
The Akatsuki consistently ranked number one in the mercenary world. Their strength was undeniable, but their excellent reputation was the key. Consequently, most villages and nations preferred to cooperate with them.
Based on these past collaborations, most ninjas from various villages recognized the Akatsuki and held them in high regard.
For example, the Leaf Village ninjas encountered earlier didn't panic or draw their weapons upon seeing the Akatsuki; instead, they asked for autographs.
It was utterly insane.
Yet, if one followed the narrative of this world, everything made perfect sense.
In Lin Nan's previous life, people idolized those with attractive appearances, leading to fervent adoration for handsome and beautiful individuals—the legendary fan culture.
In this world, people revered strength. Therefore, seeking an autograph from someone as renowned throughout the ninja world as the Akatsuki was perfectly normal. If they had mobile phones, people would have been clamoring for selfies.
It was essentially the equivalent of celebrities in this world.
They were all handsome, powerful, and frequently appeared in public view.
Weren't they just idols? (Manual emoji!)
Mercenaries?
Lin Nan felt a pang of emotion. Wasn't this the Akatsuki Yahiko had envisioned?
It was just a pity...
In his previous life, Lin Nan had heard a saying: You can guarantee you are a good person, positive and full of sunshine, but you cannot guarantee that everyone you meet will be the same!
When you step into society with full anticipation and hope, there will always be those lurking in dark, murky swamps, plotting to drag you down!
By the time Obito finished his explanation, Lin Nan had a general understanding of this world.
The Infinite Tsukuyomi.
In the original plot, it was presented as a movie. Initially, Naruto and Sakura were caught in the Infinite Tsukuyomi, entering this world full of twists and surprises.
He hadn't expected this technique to be used on him now.
Lin Nan only knew about this movie and didn't have a deep understanding of it.
He mostly recalled that in the world of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, everything was essentially the opposite of the outside world.
The Akatsuki, feared and reviled as an evil organization, had become a revered mercenary group, essentially acting as the protagonists. Otherwise, they wouldn't have cooperative relationships with so many major villages.
The distinct characteristics of other individuals were also flipped.
For instance, the most straightforward example: Rock Lee, who was a straight man in the original world, was a complete pervert here.
The Crown Princess Hinata, a shy and introverted girl, had become a bold and straightforward "big sister" type.
So, what kind of reversal had happened to him?
Lin Nan was considered an elder member of the Akatsuki before Obito joined, which was why Obito called him "senior."
As for Lin Nan's past identity, Obito only knew he came from the Leaf Village. He rarely went on missions, usually handling negotiations with those assigning tasks.
He had mysteriously disappeared for a period a year ago and had only recently reappeared, now accompanying Obito on this mission.
"That's it?" Lin Nan blinked in surprise.
Obito nodded, "That's right, senior. Your identity within the organization is quite mysterious. Apart from the Leader and Commander Itachi, very few people know much!"
"Commander Itachi? What the heck is that?" Lin Nan's expression stiffened.
Obito shook his head, "It seems senior's mind is really scrambled. Commander Itachi is responsible for all combat command during external operations. Even the Leader listens to him!"
"As expected of Itachi, even in this mirror world, he's in the spotlight!"
However, if the Infinite Tsukuyomi reversed a person's most prominent personality traits, what would Itachi become?
In the original, he was outwardly loyal but inwardly conflicted. Now, was he outwardly conflicted but inwardly loyal?
In the original plot, Naruto would have replaced the original owner upon entering this world. Therefore, his disappearance should be related to this.
Did that mean there was another "him" in this world?
Looking at Obito, who so openly revealed his identity, it was clear he was no longer the great villain from the original world.
"What about you?" Lin Nan asked.
Obito blinked, "Me? Senior, you've even forgotten me..."
He then put on a look as if he was about to cry.
"..."
This personality was quite similar to Tobi's.
Lin Nan recalled a piece of trivia: Obito Uchiha (the Tobi persona) and the voice actor for Tobi were actually the same person!
Obito composed himself and continued, "I was originally from the Hidden Leaf Village. Later, I was injured in war and earned military merits. At that time, my teacher, the Fourth Hokage, allowed me to join the Akatsuki for training. You must understand, senior, our organization is not something just anyone can join. So, my teacher must have intended to train me as the next Hokage. Ha..."
This plotline?
If Rin hadn't died, Obito might have actually followed this path?
But there didn't seem to be an Obito in the original plot.
Had some changes occurred because of him?
Lin Nan nodded and then said, "Didn't you say we were here for a mission? What's the mission?"
"The mission is already complete, senior. Such minor matters wouldn't require your intervention!" Obito chuckled obsequiously.
"Then what are we doing now?" Lin Nan asked.
Obito scratched his head, "Senior, you truly are forgetful. Didn't we have a big job to take on with the Leaf Village earlier? We are already very close to the Leaf Village now. That previous mission was just on the way!"
"Oh!"
Lin Nan nodded, no wonder he had seen Leaf Village ninjas just now.
So, they were heading back to the Leaf Village again?
But this time, his identity was different!
Lin Nan had watched the movie for entertainment in his previous life, but after watching it, a question lingered in his mind.
Were the people in the mirror world real?
Was this world of the Infinite Tsukuyomi real?
At least from the movie's portrayal, it felt like a parallel universe.
Different from the main world, but that didn't mean this world didn't exist.
Compared to the Infinite Tsukuyomi, which only existed in a virtual dream, the Infinite Tsukuyomi seemed much better.
If Obito and Madara of the main world truly desired peace, perhaps giving everyone an Infinite Tsukuyomi wouldn't be a bad idea.
It was just a pity that such a scenario was impossible.
With such immense power, capable of altering the minds of the entire world in an instant, wouldn't "Izanagi" be a more logical option?