"Are you… Haori?"
"Thank you so much for everything you did. That damned Kari once killed my teammate."
"You're incredible. If not for you, who knows how long this war would've dragged on."
"Thank you."
Inside the Konoha camp, nearly every Konoha ninja who had stayed behind took the initiative to greet him when they saw Haori.
This level of enthusiasm—and such obvious goodwill—still caught him off guard, even though Rin had already warned him beforehand.
Even so, he maintained a smile and responded to each of them in turn.
Responding with a smile to those who show you kindness was basic human decency.
Before long, Haori more or less adapted to it—and also understood why this was happening.
The mission they carried out was classified, but now that the overall situation of the war had become clearer, and these achievements were capable of boosting morale, they were bound to be publicized on the front lines.
Even though the operation itself had deviated massively from its original plan, it would still be heavily promoted at the front.
As a war hero, even if Haori said nothing, there would naturally be plenty of learned scholars ready to argue his case for him.
It wasn't just him either—others were treated the same way.
Guy and Aoba, for example, seemed completely unable to handle this kind of attention and had already gone into hiding.
"Then again, that's to be expected. After all, the commander on the Grass Country front is Jiraiya."
Haori had always been very self-aware. Even if he wanted to "advance," he still had to consider under whose command such advancement would be possible.
Jiraiya was indeed outrageous at times, and he was also an idealist whose visions were often far too beautiful.
But there was no denying that when it came to serious matters, he truly delivered—and truly stepped up.
Most importantly, Jiraiya held no particular malice toward the Uchiha.
Everyone was a Konoha ninja, and he naturally handled matters impartially.
Of course, this was only within the camp. What things would be like after returning to Konoha was another story entirely.
"Haori, how does it feel?"
Only after Haori had finished greeting the other ninja did Nohara Rin smile and ask.
"This is treatment only heroes get."
"Heroes?" Haori shook his head with a smile. "Aren't you two the same?"
"No. If not for you, I'd probably be dead already."
Walking behind Haori and Rin, Kakashi shook his head.
"You saved me twice on the battlefield. And honestly, if you hadn't shown up, the mission probably wouldn't have succeeded at all.
But speaking of which… Haori, you've changed a lot. Your strength too—it's become incredible.
I remember back in the Academy, you weren't exactly a top student."
"You little—"
Haori nearly lost his composure at that. His Ninja Academy grades really had been awful.
"That was just at school. No matter how bad I was, I never dove straight into last place."
"Yeah, the one who was dead last back then was—"
Rin suddenly chuckled, but her words trailed off midway.
Not just her—Kakashi beside her also fell silent.
Clearly, both of them had thought of Obito.
Seeing their reaction, Haori couldn't help but shake his head.
He'd poured chicken soup down their throats in time—but now it seemed the soup still wasn't quite enough?
If Obito really were dead, then he truly would be a hero for the rest of time.
Even if not a hero of Konoha, he would still forever be a hero to Kakashi and Rin.
But unfortunately, Obito's selfish personality had already doomed him to tragedy.
Perhaps in his heart, he only truly cared about these two people.
And once he encountered Uchiha Madara, once that darkness was unleashed—
Unless hit with something on the level of Kotoamatsukami-tier Talk no Jutsu, no one would ever be able to "cleanse" him again.
"I'm sorry—I lost my composure."
Just as Haori was wondering what to say, Rin suddenly shook her head and spoke.
"Obito's situation hurts… but he was also a hero. He sacrificed himself for a better future for us.
Not just him—so many others did the same. Without their sacrifices, none of this would exist.
Haori, you once said that we should live on properly while carrying their will. I think… I finally understand what you meant."
"Yeah… that's right."
Kakashi also came back to himself. He raised a hand and touched his eye, letting out a quiet sigh.
"They're the real heroes. There are many heroes like Obito.
We shouldn't drown ourselves in sorrow. We should remember them—and strive to create a better future.
Just like you said, Haori. When we eventually reach the Pure Land, and Obito asks us about how the world changed, about what we accomplished…
We can't possibly say that we spent our entire lives trapped in guilt and grief.
That would be far too unfair to Obito—and to everyone who gave their lives."
…Did they just self-brainwash?
Haori was stunned for a moment.
He'd thought the chicken soup hadn't worked—but apparently it had worked extremely well.
"Haori, thank you."
As Haori's thoughts wandered, Rin suddenly turned and spoke to him sincerely.
"You've thanked me too many times."
Haori shook his head. He suddenly reached out, placing a hand on both Rin's and Kakashi's shoulders, then smiled.
"From the mission until now, the two of you have kept thanking me.
Did you forget? We're friends."
"Friends…"
Rin and Kakashi froze for a moment—then both smiled.
"Yeah. We're friends."
——
Land of Grass, underground laboratory.
Madara stared at Obito, now infused with White Zetsu cells and wrapped head to toe in bandages.
His emotions were complicated.
Haori's performance had far exceeded his expectations.
Especially when Madara saw that boy eliminate a troublesome enemy through sheer intelligence and tactics—
Then go on to wipe out more than a dozen enemies through sheer combat prowess.
That alone proved how well-rounded Haori was.
And especially that moment—dancing alone amid a sea of enemies—
Even Uchiha Madara himself had felt dazed.
Because in that instant… he seemed to see himself.
"So this is what it means to be an Uchiha."
Even someone as proud as him couldn't help but sigh.
By comparison, aside from awakening straight to two tomoe, Obito's performance in the Land of Grass was honestly unimpressive.
"Just… why did he have to be so smart?"
Madara let out a faint sigh.
Through prolonged observation, he had already fully confirmed just how intelligent Haori was.
Leaving aside his earlier feats—
Just the fact that he inferred Minato's intentions from the clash between Minato and the Five-Tails' jinchūriki, then decisively moved to provide support—
That alone was something Obito could never match.
And such intelligence… was precisely what Madara least wanted to see.
"Forget it. Regrettable, but some things can't be forced. Still… he can be put to use."
Madara calmed himself and stopped dwelling on it.
He had already injected Obito with White Zetsu cells—this was his decision.
Compared to the uncertainty surrounding Haori, Obito was far easier to control.
And Madara could much more clearly determine the direction of Obito's emotional awakening.
That direction was Nohara Rin.
Madara didn't understand why Obito was so obsessively attached to this girl.
But as an Uchiha himself, he wasn't inclined to judge.
Every Uchiha carried their own unique love deep in their heart.
Perhaps Obito's love simply rested with this girl.
Unfortunately, this girl clearly had a closer, more intimate relationship with Haori.
As long as things were handled properly—
Obito would never, ever be able to turn back.
And he would never want to turn back.
"Rin… Rin…"
As Madara pondered, he suddenly heard faint murmurs.
Turning his head, he saw that Obito—still unconscious on the bed—was repeatedly whispering that name.
Madara's emotions, which had just barely settled, grew complicated once again.
After a long while, he shook his head.
"So deep, huh… but perhaps that's for the best."
~~--------------------------------
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