From the moment Obito donned the mask and accepted everything Madara had given him, he had resolved to completely sever his ties with the name Uchiha Obito.
He descended into madness, rejecting the world, condemning it, and declaring it hopeless—unworthy of nostalgia or redemption.
Over time, he began to believe his own lies.
But the Naruto standing before him, a Naruto reborn with knowledge of two lives, saw through it all. He understood that Obito was only deceiving himself.
Obito's heart was sealed away. Deep down, he had never truly changed. He was still that same boy—Obito—the one who wanted to become Hokage, to earn the recognition of his teacher Minato, to win the admiration of the village, and to surpass Kakashi… to make Kakashi envy him, just once.
Did Obito know his own heart?
Yes—he did.
But he refused to admit it.
That was why he had kept Rin's body preserved all these years, never willing to bring her back, not even using Edo Tensei (Impure World Reincarnation).
Because he was afraid.
If the real Obito still existed somewhere deep within his heart, then Rin was the key to unlocking it. And once she appeared—truly appeared—that part of him would surge back uncontrollably.
So when Rin gently reached out, touched Obito's masked face, and said:
"You… must be very tired."
Obito could no longer suppress it.
People had cursed him, accused him, reviled him—but not a single soul had ever asked: Are you tired?
And now, with Rin standing before him, he couldn't destroy her, even though his mind told him to. He simply couldn't.
Instead, he dropped to one knee, arms trembling as he clutched her like the wounded, broken child he used to be.
"Rin, I…"
Rin raised her hand again, gently wiping away his tears. She shook her head softly.
"You don't have to explain. I saw it all. But Obito… people can take the wrong path—but they mustn't keep walking it blindly."
"The person who started this war… that's not the Obito I knew. My Obito was the boy who said he wanted to become Hokage—to chase his dreams. Have you really forgotten the promise you made me?"
"You forgot that I said I would keep watching you… until you became Hokage."
Her words pierced deep into Obito's soul.
From a distance, Madara's Rinnegan gleamed as he sensed the shift. He rushed forward with fury, thrusting out his arm.
"Obito! Have you forgotten how this girl died? This weak, pitiful world killed her!" he roared. "She's nothing but a fake now. Let me destroy her seal before she weakens your resolve!"
Madara raised his hand, chakra roaring to life—but before he could reach her, a black Gudōdama (Truth-Seeking Ball) shot through the air with a sharp whoosh.
BOOM!
The blast sent Madara flying.
"Kuh—Obito! How dare you attack me!" he spat, coughing up blood.
He couldn't believe it. Obito had actually dared to strike him—for a woman. For her. This betrayal could endanger the entire Eye of the Moon Plan.
Madara glanced at the Shinju (God Tree). Fifteen minutes remained before it would bloom.
He narrowed his eyes. If this continued, he would be forced to act personally. Obito was slipping out of his grasp.
Obito stood firm, eyes cold, voice unwavering.
"I won't let anyone touch her in front of me. Anyone who tries… will die. That includes you, Madara."
Madara snorted but did not advance.
Naruto stepped forward calmly and looked Obito in the eye.
"You've always denied this world, Obito. Denied bonds, denied love. But then what are you doing now?"
"Even though Rin is gone, even now—when you stand in front of her reincarnation—you can't hide who you truly are. You still love her."
Obito's face twisted with conflict.
"Shut up, Naruto!" he barked.
But Rin looked at him tenderly.
"Obito… do you… like me?" she asked.
The question made him freeze.
Kakashi stepped forward.
"Rin… you know how Obito felt," he said softly. "When he was dying… he asked me to protect you. I failed him."
"No," Rin said, shaking her head. "My death… it wasn't Kakashi's fault. I ran into his Raikiri myself."
Obito nodded slowly.
"I know."
Minato appeared then, guilt etched across his face.
"I was on a mission… I didn't get there in time to save you two. I'm sorry, truly."
"It's not your fault, sensei," Kakashi said quickly.
"Minato-sensei, you did your best. Please don't blame yourself," Rin added.
Then she turned back to Obito.
"Obito… do you really like me?" she asked again.
Obito remained frozen, staring at her as if seeing her for the first time. A few seconds passed. Then he nodded, slowly, stiffly—like a boy caught in a dream.
Rin smiled warmly.
Obito averted his eyes, mumbling:
"But didn't you… always like Kakashi?"
Rin turned to Kakashi, and Kakashi met her gaze. Yes, she had always watched him—during their Academy years, during missions—but...
"No," Rin said softly. "I admired Kakashi. He was skilled, a prodigy. But I didn't like him. The one I truly cared for… was you, Obito."
Obito's eyes widened in shock.
Rin flushed slightly and said:
"I told you I'd always be watching over you. You idiot… you still don't understand what that meant?"
Obito's heart stuttered. He remembered. She had always said that—after he failed a mission, after he was injured, when he doubted himself—she had always encouraged him, always watched him.
So that was it.
He wasn't some pathetic fool chasing after her. She had truly cared all along.
Naruto stepped in again, voice soft but steady.
"Obito… you've been torturing yourself for too long. But can't you see? The reality you want isn't unreachable."
"You said you wanted to abandon this false world—but what about Rin? What about your memories with her? Were those lies too?"
Naruto's tone became more passionate.
"Did you ever imagine what your life would've been like… if you hadn't been crushed under that boulder? If Madara never got to you?"
"You'd be a hero. Rin wouldn't be taken by Kirigakure. She wouldn't die. You, Kakashi, and Rin would still be Team Minato—thriving, growing under my father's guidance."
"You'd become Hokage. Rin would be your wife. Kakashi your right-hand man. I'd be born later and grow up admiring your face on the Hokage Rock."
"Obito, haven't you ever dreamed of that?"
Naruto modified the idealized memory he had once seen—an image from Obito's subconscious—and painted it for him, more vivid and perfect than ever.
Obito trembled. The image was like fine wine—beautiful, intoxicating. Something the Infinite Tsukuyomi could never truly replicate.
Naruto smiled.
"Obito, it's enough. Stop torturing yourself."
"We can't change the past, but Rin is right here. Look at Itachi and Shisui—I brought them back. Why not Rin too?"
"You two can leave everything behind. Go live somewhere far away. Become gods in your own world, free and unburdened."
"Have a family—raise kids. You farm, she weaves. No war, no death. Only peace."
"You'll miss the village? With your Kamui, you could be here in an instant."
Naruto stepped closer, extending his hand.
"Come, Obito. No more suffering. Take my hand, and let's change the world."
"Rin is right in front of you. Are you really going to throw away that happiness again? Will you waste this chance and live in regret for the rest of your life?"
Obito stared at Naruto's outstretched hand.
Then at Rin.
She smiled at him—softly, lovingly.
Obito's expression faltered.
He stood still.
Confused.
Torn.
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