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Obito's cell remained unchanged: cold, dark, and silent. Five years had passed since his imprisonment, and though time had transformed the outside world, for him, each day blurred into the next. Blindfolded, sealed, and shackled, Obito had grown accustomed to prison's monotony. Yet in his mind, memories of those five years remained vivid—fragments of a life that no longer belonged to him.
In the early months, Obito battled despair. The weight of chains and his inability to use chakra made him feel like a ghost trapped in a body that wasn't wholly his.
"How are you today, Obito?" Kakashi asked during one of his frequent visits.
"Same as always," Obito replied bitterly. "Shackled, sealed, with nothing to do but dwell on everything I've done."
Kakashi sat outside the cell, his mask obscuring part of his expression—yet Obito sensed the concern in his voice.
"Konoha is rebuilding," Kakashi said, shifting topics. "People are returning home. The village is recovering."
Obito didn't respond immediately. He knew Kakashi meant to distract him, but news of Konoha only emphasized how removed he was from it all.
"I'm glad," he finally murmured, though the words rang hollow.
Over time, Kakashi's visits grew more frequent. The newly appointed Hokage always found moments to see Obito, despite his responsibilities.
"We opened a new market district today," Kakashi mentioned during one visit. "People are happy. Konoha is thriving."
Obito listened silently, reconstructing images of the village he'd once called home through Kakashi's descriptions.
"And you?" Obito suddenly asked. "What's it like—being Hokage?"
A pause. Then Kakashi answered:
"It's... difficult work. But it's what I've always wanted—protecting the village and its people."
Obito nodded slowly, pride and sorrow intertwining.
"You're a good Hokage, Kakashi."
One day, a new visitor arrived: Ino Yamanaka, who'd insisted on meeting Obito after hearing of his wartime redemption.
"So you're Obito Uchiha," Ino said, arms crossed. "The man who caused so much pain... yet helped save the world."
Obito hesitated. Her voice was firm but not hostile.
"...Yes. That's me."
Ino sat opposite his cell, her gaze piercing.
"My father died in the war," she said abruptly, voice trembling with anger. "Because of people like you."
Obito's stomach twisted. Knowing he'd caused deaths was one thing—hearing it from a grieving daughter was another.
"I'm sorry," he murmured. "Words mean little, but I am."
Ino sprang up, fists clenched.
"You're SORRY?" she shouted, tears mixing with fury. "Does that bring him back? He's DEAD, and you're alive! How dare you ask for forgiveness?"
Obito stayed silent. No words could mend this.
After a long glare, Ino stormed away—but to Obito's surprise, she returned weeks later. Gradually, her visits became routine.
"Why do you keep coming?" Obito finally asked.
Ino exhaled, her earlier rage softened to weary resolve.
"I don't know. Maybe... because I need to understand. My father said hatred breeds more hatred. I refuse to live like that."
Obito bowed his head.
"Your father was wise."
A faint smile touched Ino's lips.
"He was. And though it hurts, I know he wouldn't want me drowning in resentment."
With each visit, Ino shared more: her intelligence work, missions, Konoha's progress. Obito listened, starved for connection.
One night, Ino arrived with red-rimmed eyes.
"Today's the anniversary of his death," she whispered. "Sometimes... it feels like yesterday."
Obito clenched his shackled hands.
"I can't undo the past," he said hoarsely. "But if I could—"
"My father believed in redemption," Ino interrupted, her gaze no longer hateful—just grieving. "Maybe that's why I come. To see if change is possible."
Obito's chains clinked as he leaned forward.
"I don't know if I can atone. But I'll spend my life trying."
Five years later, Obito remained imprisoned—but the man seething with bitterness had faded. Through Kakashi, Ino, and Naruto's visits, he'd found fragile peace.
"Obito," Ino said during one visit, "the village thrives, but there's still work to do. And you... you're still part of this."
Obito's breath caught.
"Thank you. For never giving up on me."
Ino's smile was invisible to his blindfolded eyes, but her voice warmed.
"I never will. My father would've been proud of your change."
Then came the day Kakashi arrived with solemn hope.
"Obito," he said firmly, "it's time."
Obito stiffened.
"Time for what?"
Behind his mask, Kakashi smiled.
"For your freedom."
Silence. After five years, the word "freedom" felt foreign.
"...Why now?"