A/N: Boy, has this chapter been tough to get through. A much shorter chapter than usual, I'm afraid. I'm struggling to get back into the swing of this story, if I'm honest.

We're talking about something that goes further than writer's block. I've made this story so complicated, with so many connections and pathways, that trying to remind myself of them all is proving tricky. But, I'll get there sooner or later.

In the meantime, I think it'd be easier to try and get a oneshot or two out to re-familiarize myself with these characters. So, in the A/N at the end of this chapter, I've left a kind of poll for you guys to choose between the most popular requests from the oneshot collection.

Enjoy the chapter!

Say something,

I'm giving up on you.

I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you.

- Say Something by A Great Big World

Say Something

"Where's Obito?" Was Itachi's first demand, the very moment he marched into Floor 37's Senior office. He was wearing a new suit- one truly worthy of a CEO- but his expression wasn't fitting of a man who had just successfully taken over one of the greatest companies of Konoha. His face was tight and tense, lips pursed into a subtle scowl, and it was all too obvious that he was suppressing an unbelievable amount of stress.

"It's only 8.30." Aoba pointed out simply, confused. He'd, naturally, been informed about Itachi's promotion, so he was baffled why the man looked so uptight.

"Precisely." Itachi retorted. "Half an hour before we start work and half an hour after he should have been here."

"Itachi, I need to t-" Zetsu started, glancing nervously at Aoba. He hadn't had the chance to tell anyone else about what he'd found during his search, but it really wasn't something he could talk freely about in front of an ordinary Junior Manager.

"The moment Obito Uchiha steps foot in this building, I want him running to my office without any delay." Itachi interjected simply, turning on the spot to leave. Aoba frowned. Zetsu jumped to his feet and jogged to catch up.

"Wanna tell me what's going on?" Zetsu whispered, falling into the brisk and worry-filled pace of the new CEO as soon as he could. Itachi, thankfully, was polite even when under pressure. Something the assistant could appreciate after so long at Obito's side.

"We've just lost several major clients." Itachi shot back, careful to keep it under his breath. "And our contract with the Senju Corporation has been declared void."

"How?"

"Tsunade is claiming that we broke the terms of the contract." The young man sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he walked. "The eighth clause, 'if either company is found to have committed unlawful, or bad faith, business transactions- proven beyond reasonable doubt- then the contract will immediately be declared null and void without the need of any legal proceedings.'"

"But we haven't…?"

"Firing Kagami wasn't just thuggish," Itachi seethed, "it's been deemed unlawful termination by an independent law review."

"By who?" Zetsu demanded, gaping. He was at a complete loss. He'd been so focussed on what he'd discovered the night before that something so immeasurable had happened right under his nose. It was no wonder Itachi was so stressed out. Without their deal with the Senju Corporation, a huge chunk of their money was gone. Not only that, but if Kagami's termination had been deemed unlawful, that was yet another suit against them. "Who'd be so determined to…?"

"The Akatsuki." Itachi hissed, a slither of bitterness seeping into his usual, carefree tone.

Zetsu groaned, rolling his eyes.

He should have known.

"Madara." He muttered. "He's cut us off at the knees right off the bat."

"Cut me off at the knees." Itachi corrected. "You and Obito are running off to join him any day now, aren't you?"

"About that…" Zetsu chewed on his lip nervously. "We found some stuff out about Madara- really bad stuff- and Tobi needs some time to take care of it."

"Absolutely n-"

"Please." Zetsu pleaded, voice morphing into a desperate whine that sounded so off and alien coming from his lips. It caught Itachi's attention immediately, silencing his objections and causing doubt to flash across his stoic features. "Itachi, this is serious. And I don't just mean in a business-y kinda way. Just trust me."

Itachi frowned, lips pursing as he studied the face of a man he couldn't help but want to believe.

CEO or not, he was still human…

Obito couldn't describe the feeling in his heart as he made his way through the offices of the Akatsuki. In fact, he might even go as far as to say that there was no feeling in his heart at all.

He felt as cold and empty as the moment he found out Rin had died.

It was like his heart had sunk into a void of nothingness once more. Like everything he'd achieved, and how far he'd come with Naruto, was instantly made worthless. It all seemed to lose meaning. And the scars within him were reopened with far more ferocity than when they'd first been carved.

He couldn't feel. He couldn't think.

All he could do was find Madara.

He had to face Madara.

No matter what.

And when he finally came face to face with him again…he found himself unable to do anything but stare…

"Obito." The older Uchiha greeted, with that smirk etched into his face. And, in that one moment, Madara Uchiha looked so different. Different from how Obito remembered him as a child, but even more different from the old man he'd come to know.

Madara was smartly dressed in one of the nicest, best-fitting suits Obito had ever seen. His white hair was neatly arranged and properly groomed for the first time in years. His face looked younger somehow- possibly the results of refined personal care. He wasn't a cynical, worthless old man anymore. Nor was he a cocky, inexperienced and all-too-young CEO either.

He was the best of both.

Stood there with the wisdom he'd acquired over years of living and grafting, but with the confidence and elegance he had carried in his youth. He'd reinvented his image to fit with his reappearance in the public light. And Obito didn't know what to do…

"Welcome to the Akatsuki." Madara murmured softly- almost seductively.

Obito's jaw clenched as those words snapped him back to reality.

His eyes filled with hatred.

"I'm not joining you, Madara." He hissed, his voice coming out raspier and younger than it usual did. Madara lifted his head, lip twitching slightly.

"Oh?" And, damn him, he didn't even seem surprised in the slightest. Like he'd been expecting it.

"You've been sabotaging Uchiha Enterprises for months now." Obito declared coldly, eyes narrowing, "Setting up obstacle and challenge again and again to try and damage the company. You sent Hebi after us. You've torn apart our agreement with the Senju. Even liaising with the Hyῡga Company."

"Zetsu caught on to all that, did he?" Madara chuckled lowly, shaking his head. "I should have known he'd be the one to notice it. He really is the best at what he does. It's a shame you stole him away from me. If you hadn't, I doubt anyone would have ever figured it out."

"Why would you…?"

"What?" Madara intercepted, lifting out his arms to present himself boldly, that smirk still there. "Why would I go to all this effort to take down a rival company? Is it really that baffling to you? This is business, isn't it, Obito? We do whatever we can to get ahead. No matter what the risk. That's just how it goes."

"No." Obito muttered darkly, able to see through the bullshit almost immediately- it was the same crap he'd pretended to believe in. On the surface, it sounded cruel and genuine enough to be true, but he knew better. He knew there was more to it. "It's more than that. You orchestrated an entire court case against me."

Madara shrugged.

Obito scowled.

"No, more than that. You manipulated me into creating a case against myself." He amended, as all the pieces starting fitting together, one by one. "That speech you gave me, the ideas you planted in my head after Rin died…you knew I'd end up doing the things I did. You were counting on it."

"I wanted to discredit Uchiha Enterprises- to make a stain on its image that would last forever." Madara retorted. "What better way to do that than the corruption of its most beloved and popular Senior Manager? A scandal the kind that you caused would drag the company through the dirt if a conviction were secured. Then, when you finally got out of jail, you'd have nowhere to turn…but me…"

"You?"

"I needed you to join the Akatsuki. I planned to kill two birds with one stone, as it were." Madara lowered his arms, tilting his head slightly with a gleam in his eye. "Use you to destroy Uchiha Enterprises and isolate you to ensure that you'd join me later down the line. But, you're even more amazing than I thought. I never imagined you'd actually win the case."

"And yet you invited me into the Akatsuki anyway." Obito hissed, struggling to keep his composure under that merciless glare.

"Things don't always go the way you want." Madara recited. "That's reality. I hoped I'd be able to draw you in either way. Uchiha Enterprises is on its last legs, after all. I doubt it can hold out much longer. Especially with the Akatsuki making its move."

"But, why…?" Obito muttered bitterly, his heart slowly finding its life and its feeling again. "Don't tell me this is all because you failed…"

"Failed?" Madara chuckled. "You have no idea why I set up Uchiha Enterprises in the first place, do you? If anything, it's the company that's truly failed."

"…"

"Hashirama, the founder and original CEO of the Senju Corporation, and I both shared the same dream once. We wanted change. A way to change the whole world, if possible." He held a fond smile on his face, the kind that came with distant reminiscence. "But our methods differed. So, we set up our individual companies to pursue the same dream."

"What the hell are you babbling about?" Obito demanded, his patience wearing thin.

Madara had always been the kind to rant and talk beyond necessity.

This time, though, Obito wasn't in the mood to hear it.

"You think this is about business?" Madara said with a mocking spite to his voice. "Our two companies were originally set up with the intention of gaining recognition and power- to become the driving forces of Konoha's economy. But that wasn't the overall goal, merely the means to achieve what we really wanted. Once we gained enough power and influence over Konoha, we planned to find our place on the political playing field, to find footing at the very root of this city."

"What?"

"Just imagine it, Obito." The elder said, full of wonder. "Imagine what a company with that kind of power could do with political control over an entire city. We could change Konoha and make it into the place we want it to be. We could rebuild this rotten hell into a paradise. Uchiha Enterprises would have become the very center of Konoha. The greatest political network in the world."

"…" Obito stared, silently.

What Madara was suggesting went beyond anything he'd ever heard before. Business was simply about personal success and financial gain. But Madara…he wasn't after anything as human as that…

He was a sick idealist with a far darker goal.

He was talking about political corruption on a disturbing scale.

"Hashirama had the same dream but he wasn't willing to do whatever it took to achieve it. That's why he failed." Madara shrugged again. "Admittedly, I was young and cocky at the time. I tried to rush things and got caught out before I could really achieve anything either. Now I understand that true success comes from those who bide their time and plan ahead. I won't make the same mistake with the Akatsuki."

"You're wrong." Obito retorted. "I'm not joining you anymore and I won't be manipulated by you anymore either. You've failed again, Madara." He spat, lip curling in rage. But Madara…he just chuckled again…

"You actually did exactly what I wanted." Madara mused, with a smile. "No, even more. By winning your case, you successfully discredited both the Senju Corporation and the Hyῡga Company- that's even more than I originally hoped for. And now Uchiha Enterprises is crumbling, with an inexperienced CEO trying to hold it together. These are all circumstances that you created. Don't you get it, Obito?"

Obito's eyes widened, lips parting in realization.

"You're an even better tool than I could have imagined. Thanks to you, there isn't a company in this city that can compete with the Akatsuki. It won't be long before I achieve my original dream and gain enough influence to infiltrate the political system of Konoha and finally create the paradise I've envisioned all these years."

"Bastard…"

"And, to think, all it took was the killing of a single girl."

Obito froze, the emptiness grasping his heart in its cruel clutches once more. His blood turned to ice as it slithered through his veins, filling him with a cold that would never warm again. Sweat began to form on his skin, his palms becoming clammy within his clenched fists. His face contorted into one of horror, eyes widening into an almost childlike grief.

"Rin…"

"Yes." Madara admitted casually, like it meant nothing to him at all. "That fire wasn't just a cruel coincidence fuelled by this reality. I had Orochimaru take care of it for me. It's not the first person I've had killed to further my ambitions. And having you find Kakashi there was also part of the plan…"

"Kakas…?"

"All to make you lose faith in everything and fall into darkness." Obito shuddered, grinding his teeth as his body trembled with anger and pain and hatred. "There was nothing going on between him and that girl. They never betrayed you. You've rejected the one person who could have comforted you all this time for no reason at all. All just so I could use you. You've done well, Obito. I'm proud."

"…"

"I then planted the false evidence against you and guided the Hyῡga so that they'd find it. I stole money from Uchiha Enterprises and left a trail that pointed directly to you. I made it so that Kakashi would be assigned the case and even made sure that Shisui, the most morally-driven of the Uchiha, found all the evidence himself." Madara announced, like he was pleased to finally admit it all. "I continued to push you into a corner. Pressuring you again and again to test you. Wasn't it a bit presumptuous to think they were all coincidences?"

"Why…?" Obito demanded, voice shaking from the emotion bursting within him. "Why me?!"

"Because of the kindness you showed to others and the strong feelings you carried in the bottom of your heart." Madara answered in amusement. "You never felt anything with only half of your heart. All of your feelings were so strong. It's because people like you are the easiest to use in the way I wanted."

Madara grinned.

"I'll kill you." Obito snarled, body already preparing to lunge forward and act of its own accord.

But, before he could do anything, he was pinned by two unknown figures behind him.

And Madara was still grinning.

"No, Obito." He murmured gently. "You're not in control here. Security, escort our friend off the premises. He's no longer welcome in the Akatsuki."

…

Obito felt true hopelessness and despair once again…

~A Week Later~

"Hey, the Akatsuki's really something, isn't it?"

"I don't understand how they climbed the ladder so fast. They literally came out of nowhere a week ago- now their stock is worth more than most of Konoha's businesses put together!"

"Well, it's not like some kid's building a company from the ground up. This is Madara Uchiha we're talking about."

"Did you say Madara?"

"I heard Madara was only involved in the legal side of things. He ain't got anything to do with the running of the company."

"And you seriously believe that?"

"Yeah, it's pretty obvious who's pulling the strings. And, really, it's no wonder the Akatsuki is doing so well. The rate they're going, Uchiha Enterprises will be old news soon."

"You really think so?"

"Don't tell anyone, but a few have transferred from here to the Akatsuki already."

"You're shitting me!"

"I shit you not. Word is, Madara even helped some of them get out of their non-compete."

"You reckon he'd do the same for me?"

"Don't even joke about that, man."

"I'm not joking. If Uchiha Enterprises is a sinking ship, then I want off!"

"Me too!"

Zetsu scowled, abandoning his latte in the staffroom of Floor 37. He was sick and tired of overhearing the conversations of his co-workers. Sick of their fear, or excitement, or amazement.

All for the sake of the Akatsuki…

What a joke.

"The Akatsuki made its public debut a week ago, much to the surprise and, let's be honest, scepticism of everyone. When CEO, Nagato Rikudo, and his Board of Directors made the official announcement, most of us here didn't really take much notice. In fact, it was the rumor that the Madara Uchiha was heading up the Akatsuki's legal department that really got us interested.

But, what started as mild curiosity for us here at the station, has turned into full-blown obsession! We're Akatsuki mad, people! In just one week, the hot new company has completely buried both the recently discredited Hyῡga Company and the struggling Senju Corporation. And we're predicting that Uchiha Enterprises won't be long to fall to mediocrity either.

For those of you interested in all the ins and outs of the Akatsuki's success, stay tuned for our full business analysis at the end of the programme. For the more casual viewer, all you need to know is that the Akatsuki has only just begun! Nagato Rikudo and Madara Uchiha are due to meet with the leaders of Konoha's biggest political parties next week. They've been rather hush about it, but our guess here is that they're after some serious investments- not that they need it!

Stay tuned, folks!"

"The Akatsuki really has surpassed all expectations, hasn't it?"

"With all of the instability surrounding these top companies lately, I'm not sure whether the Akatsuki is a blessing or just another pain in the ass to worry about." One of the more cynical MPs spoke up, not really interested in holding his tongue or filtering his language. "I mean, everyone knows Madara Uchiha as the focus of the biggest scandal this city's ever known. Are you all really okay with him spearheading another company after what happened the last time?"

"Madara was found innocent in a court of law," Came the retort from across the room, "and no one here has the authority to reject or ignore that ruling. We must respect the judicial process. In our unbiased eyes, he must be viewed as a man whose name was cleared."

"Besides, the public is going crazy for the Akatsuki." A woman cut in with a smile. "When the redheaded kid made the announcement on a live broadcast, everyone thought he was mad. Watching the underdog succeed has really stirred things up. He's quite the charismatic young man, that Nagato."

"I'd say the brat is rather bold, wouldn't you?" One of the older men in the room snapped. "Demanding a meeting with Konoha's political leaders just a week after his debut? He's got nerve."

"He's well within his legal right."

"Speaking of which, what do we think the purpose of the meeting is?"

"Probably to snap up some investments from the big boys like the media says. All this flashiness must be costing the company quite a bit. They must've spent a great deal of funding on all these theatrics."

"Hm. Probably."

"I think there's more to it than that…"

"I don't think you're really appreciating the position we're in." One of the suits hissed, his tone nasally and irritating in every possible manner. It was pathetic really, that such a whiny brat was part of Uchiha Enterprises' Board. All credentials and no worth. "The Akatsuki is stealing clients, employees. Already, we've lost the best Treasurer in the business! It's no secret that we're struggling. At this rate, we're going to have to cut our losses and-"

"Run away with your tail between your legs?" Obito cut in, lifting his head to glare at the spoilt, privileged morons. He himself had been allowed to attend the meetings between the CEO and the Board of Directors, and had taken his usual position behind Itachi, leaned against the wall with his arms folded. He'd never really liked the Board- all people hand chosen by Fugaku, of course. In his opinion, the company needed an overhaul. Not that they could afford it.

"Judge us all you like!" Another Board member snapped. "There comes a time when, while stood on a sinking ship, you have to accept things as they are, grab what you can and jump off before it's too late!"

"We've put everything into this company, and we refuse to come out with nothing to show for it."

"You, of all people, have no right to look down on us, Obito!"

"Step closer and say that," Obito muttered darkly, "I dare you."

"Enough." Itachi intercepted, glancing over his shoulder as a silent warning. He knew Obito was on edge. He knew he was at breaking point. He knew everything and he was truly sympathetic. But, as CEO, he had to be professional. How he dealt with the Akatsuki would define the kind of leader he turned out to be. He couldn't let Obito's pain and hatred smoulder everything around it. "Those of you who want to protect your own investments and leave; I suggest you do so before the end of the day."

"What?" The nasally man demanded.

"We will not lower our heads to the Akatsuki. We will continue business as normal. The company will remain tall and strong." Itachi explained calmly. "In the meantime, Obito and I will deal with the situation ourselves. We accept full responsibility for this and will act accordingly. And that's final."

…

"The Board of Directors, hanging their heads like the pathetic dogs they are." Obito snarled, watching the men and women shuffle out of the boardroom with an angry scowl on his face. How Itachi had remained so calm during the meeting was beyond him.

"I know that this is personal for you," Itachi acknowledged quietly, neither of them having to directly mention Rin, "but, primarily, this is a matter of business. You can't use the company as a tool of revenge against Madara."

"So, you're telling me that the only reason you're opposing the Akatsuki is because they're competition for the company?" Obito retorted, cocking a sceptical eyebrow. Not even Itachi could blag that one.

"While it's true that I want Madara to pay for what he did to you," Itachi admitted, "the fact is, we can't let the Akatsuki succeed. Madara can't gain political control over Konoha. He mustn't."

"Hm." Obito hummed in agreement, folding his arms across his chest. "Just imagine an entire city under his control. That man should have been locked up a long time ago. Konoha's justice system is an absolute joke."

"Which is the only reason you're not in prison right now." Itachi reminded him solemnly. "You can't have it both ways, Obito. Every establishment has its contradictions and inadequacies. Perfection doesn't exist in this world. But, that said, there is a right way of doing things."

"Which is why you've put me on the backburner like some damn rookie." Obito scoffed coldly.

"The alternative being letting you run wild to do something stupid?" Was Itachi's response. "You go after Madara in cold blood, he wins. Now isn't the time to get emotional about this."

"Imagine if he killed Sasuke."

"…"

That certainly shut Itachi up.

As calm and strategic as Itachi tried to be when approaching the situation, there was no denying that even the very thought of having Sasuke taken from him was enough to shake him up a little. At the end of the day, whether they tried to ignore it or not, Madara was a murderer. It might not feel real. It may seem like a nightmare. But that was reality.

"I know you're upset, Obito, but-"

"I'm not upset." Obito snarled, moving to leave. "I'm angry."

"All the evidence is totally circumstantial." Zetsu sighed, the sound of a file slapping onto a table echoing throughout the apartment.

"Well, there's gotta be something." Naruto whined, desperately clinging to hope the way he always did. Obito smiled slightly as he heard it- so typical. "Come on, Zetsu. This is you we're talking about. You've gotta have an answer."

"All I can prove is that Madara has been in contact with Hebi. The evidence that he was involved with the case against Obito and the falsified paper trail won't hold up in court."

"Why not?" Naruto demanded in frustration.

"Because this is Madara Uchiha." Obito announced, stepping into his living room to find Zetsu and Naruto sprawled on his couch, bent over mountains of files and documents. They looked tired. Suit jackets discarded, ties undone and shirts loosened. The bags under their eyes were dead giveaways of just how hard they'd been working.

"What d'ya mean?"

"Madara is possibly the best legal mind you'll ever come across." Obito explained, slipping out of his own jacket with a shrug. "Even if we somehow come up with a solid case, he'll still manage to blow it wide open."

"So, what about the leak?" Zetsu chimed in with a dejected sigh. "Someone's been leaking our client lists to Hebi and the Akatsuki. If we can't go after Madara or Orochimaru, it makes sense to nail that bastard instead, right?"

"But we don't know who it is." Naruto said, a little uncertain when he caught sight of the stone-cold determination on Obito's face. "Do we?"

"There's an obvious suspect." Obito muttered thoughtfully. "One who has connections with Hebi. One who specifically requested to join my floor."

A/N: So, the most requested oneshots from the collection are now here for you to choose between.

Pick one and let me know in your reviews. The choice are:

- Obito teaching Naruto how to drive

- Smut involving daddy kink

- Zetsu's life outside the company

Well, those are the three that have been mentioned or suggested by you guys the most.

Until next time!