(Afei was the name of the spiral-faced White Zetsu that once possessed Obito. Later, Obito himself often used the name "Afei." Please do not confuse the two.)
"Back then, to prevent Afei from dying when Infinite Tsukuyomi was undone, I revealed myself and froze its time. Yamato, who was wrapped inside Afei, became a witness. Killing him would've been excessive, so I froze him as well."
"After the timing was right, I unfroze Afei and used Kotoamatsukami on Yamato. Of course, I only adjusted his 'Will of Fire' into a 'Will of Shadow.'"
"That kind of thing doesn't matter anymore."
Obito vanished in a flash, rushing straight toward Afei.
"Uncle Madara, aren't you going over?" Akira asked.
Madara shook his head.
"No need. To me, Afei was always just another pawn, like the other White Zetsu—though it did have a fuller personality and better combat ability."
He added silently in his heart:
Fortunately, I never noticed that Afei once felt sympathy for Obito. Otherwise, I would've disposed of it long ago. Then Obito would've lost one of the few friends he could talk to.
On the rooftop, Obito and Afei finally stood face to face.
"Long time no see. You're still alive, huh."
"Long time no see. But you're dead."
"…These years, been doing well?"
"Pretty well. I still don't understand what 'needing to poop' feels like, though."
"You're still as frivolous as ever. Haven't you studied something serious?"
"Does watching Yamato poop count?" Afei thought for a moment.
Obito's mouth twitched.
"That's… way too heavy, man."
"Actually, I wanted to watch Konan poop. But she's too cautious. I never succeeded. Want to ambush her with me tonight? You're immortal now anyway!"
"…I'll pass. I'm really not interested in excrement. Especially hers."
Afei shrugged.
"Alright then…"
"Afei."
Obito looked at him with unprecedented seriousness.
"This isn't really something that fits our atmosphere… but let me say it just once."
"Mm. Go ahead." Afei's tone grew more sincere.
Warmth finally appeared in Obito's ashen eyes.
"Being able to see you again… I'm really glad."
Afei fell silent for a long time.
From within the vine-wrapped head came a low voice that never truly belonged to it.
"Then let me say this too, Obito… I'm sorry about back then. I treated you as a friend, but I couldn't help you. I couldn't resist the will of the Demonic Statue controlled by Madara."
A breeze passed, smoothing some of the wrinkles on its face.
"Thank you. Hearing that from you… makes this trip worthwhile."
Afei raised a finger.
"So… how about reconsidering my proposal?"
Obito waved his hand.
"Still can't agree to that~."
—
The grade evaluation ended.
"Big sis~ Over here, over here~~!!"
Yue waved excitedly.
"Dad! Mom!"
Yuki beamed with joy, nearly jumping on the spot.
"Wow, that's Yuki's parents? First time seeing them!"
"I heard they're really high-status in the village!"
"They must be amazing ninjas!"
"No way they're stronger than Lord Shadow! I bet they're his right and left hands—like Lady Angel!"
The uninformed children chattered endlessly.
Most of them were war orphans from Rain Village, taken in by Akira and given quality education.
"Key cultivation" wasn't based on closeness alone, but on aptitude. Kansuke, Yamato's son, was a perfect example.
Bloodlines mattered. It was cruel, but true. Geniuses among ordinary families were rare.
Akira's identity as "Shadow" was known only to a few core members. This was Konan's idea, modeled after Pain's past rule—mystery bred reverence.
Akira welcomed it. He disliked being in the spotlight unless absolutely necessary.
"Ah!"
Yuki realized her teachers and classmates were watching. She quickly composed herself and walked forward.
"When did you get here?"
She leaned forward affectionately.
"Just in time to see you shine~. Your dad said you really look like a ninja now."
Meeting Akira's smiling gaze, Yuki's cheeks flushed.
"He's just flattering me! I'm still far from good enough!"
Feng and Hua stepped forward respectfully.
"Uncle! Uncle!"
It wasn't distance, but habit. Their late father had been strict, even at home.
Akira treated them like his own children and respected their upbringing.
He smiled gently.
"Tonight, your aunt and I, along with Grandpa Madara and Uncle Obito, will stay in the village. You three take Yue and go watch the fireworks."
Feng and Hua, born after the war, knew nothing of the plan.
They examined Madara and said in unison:
"Hello, Uncle Obito!"
"Pfft—"
The area fell silent. Kaori burst out laughing.
She bent down patiently.
"Xiao Feng, Xiao Hua, this is Grandpa Madara. The one on the rooftop talking to Principal Afei is Uncle Obito."
"Ah…!"
They were mortified.
Especially Madara, whose face could scare children into silence.
Hua reacted quickly.
"Sorry, Grandpa Madara! You look too young and handsome—not like a grandpa at all! Sorry, hehe!"
She pushed Feng's head down too.
"Y-Yeah! That's right, Grandpa!"
"…It's fine."
Madara thought:
Obito pretended to be me for years. Now I've pretended to be him once. Fair enough.
Grandpa Madara…
Yuki knew the plan.
This was the legendary ancestor of the Uchiha—Madara Uchiha.
An indispensable ally of her father.
She slowly raised her gaze and met his.
What overwhelming presence…
Even a glance carried crushing pressure.
"Zzzt—"
Madara smiled slightly. His Sharingan shimmered.
"Eh…?"
"Big sis! Big sis!"
Yue's voice snapped Yuki back.
Her parents had already walked ahead.
What was that just now…?
Madara's words echoed in her mind:
"Girl, if you master the forbidden technique I showed you in that illusion before we return next time, I'll officially take you as my disciple."
Why teach me forbidden techniques?
Why take me as his student?
Dad must know… so he approved?
"…Alright. Then I'll have to work even harder."
Uchiha Yuki resolved to live up to her father's expectations.
—
After leaving the school, they continued touring the village.
Madara asked, "Akira, do you expect those kids to go to war someday?"
"No."
Akira answered calmly.
"In the future, only top-tier fighters will matter. Army battles will just be suicide."
"I built Hidden Shadow to give those I care about a safe place, where they can grow into whoever they want. Nothing more."
"As long as they're safe, I can fight without hesitation. Even if I die… even if this land falls… they'll still have somewhere to live."
Madara thought:
You're more responsible than I imagined… and more bound as well.
At a corner, he asked quietly:
"So what you really want… is stability?"
Akira smiled inwardly.
Testing my deepest desire?
Fine. No need to hide it.
"No. Stability is just compromise for survival."
"What I truly want is something more extravagant."
"What?"
Akira clenched his fist beneath his sleeve and gazed at the distant sky.
"Freedom."
"Absolute freedom—unrestrained by anything, never forced to compromise."
"That is my ultimate goal."
—
That evening, Akira and Kaori hosted a lavish welcome feast at a tavern.
Afterward, they went to the hot spring inn Samui had reserved.
Drip… drip…
Steam rose as warm water cascaded over skin.
Naked honesty, without barriers—nothing strengthened bonds more.
So… let's start with the women's bath.
Kaori's ripe, graceful body glowed under the water.
"Mmm~ So comfy~~~!"
Suddenly—
"Plap!"
Two even warmer, fuller mounds pressed against her back.
Samui slid in from behind, arms sneaking under her armpits.
"W-Wait—Samui! What are you doing all of a sudden~!"
Kaori cried out.
Samui poked her teasingly, her sultry voice whispering:
"Kaori… you've gotten more… womanly here since last time. All thanks to Akira, right?"
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