On the screen, Kakashi had already recognized Obito. A pair of Mangekyō Sharingan were now split between the two men.
One in Kakashi's left eye socket, the other in Obito's right—they stood a few steps apart, quietly gazing at each other.
In that instant, time seemed to stand still.
"Is that you… Obito?" Kakashi said, cold sweat running down his face, his voice trembling.
Across from him, the unmasked Obito was now in full view.
"Is it really Obito?" Even though he had recognized him, Guy still seemed unsure.
"There's no mistake. He's Uchiha Obito," Kakashi said with absolute certainty.
Obito didn't deny it. "You can call me by that name if you want. It means nothing to me."
Kakashi narrowed his eyes. "So you're alive… But if you survived, why didn't you come forward sooner?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, his eyes twitched—clearly struggling to suppress his emotions.
"It's irrelevant whether I had survived or not."
"Alhough, I suppose… If you really want an answer…"
"It's because… you let Rin… die."
Stimulated by Obito's words, Kakashi's pupils widened to their maximum, sweat trickling down his forehead.
[Uchiha Obito is indeed a key figure in the world. The revelation of his identity is one of the greatest climaxes—who would have thought the two Kamui dimensions were actually linked?]
The screen's narration chimed in at just the right moment, with a hint of emotion.
[Of course, when Obito says Kakashi 'let Rin die' rather than 'killed Rin,' it shows he already knew the true cause of Nohara Rin's death. Yet he still chose to carry out the Eye of the Moon Plan—indicating that what he hated was not Kakashi, but the world itself.]
[Still, he deliberately framed it as 'Kakashi standing by and doing nothing'—solely to mess with Kakashi's head.]
---
[Konoha, Year 50. Hokage Office]
Minato sat behind his desk, hands crossed and resting on the table, his eyes filled with exhaustion.
He let out a soft sigh.
He had previously thought Obito's fall into darkness was solely due to Rin's death, and had considered ways to revive her.
Edo Tensei, Rinne Tensei, Life Rebirth… He had calculated countless times in his mind, even secretly sent people to gather information on these Forbidden Jutsu.
But now it seemed that Obito actually hated the entire world. So this wasn't a problem that could be solved just by resurrecting Rin.
He also wondered—who had influenced him so much?
That kid who once said, "Those who break the rules are trash, but those who abandon their comrades are worse than trash"—how had he become like this?
Since Obito had escaped last time, Minato had stationed barrier squads around Rin's grave and even placed his Flying Raijin marks there. But Obito seemed to no longer care—he had vanished from the Shinobi World entirely.
...And what kind of curse had befallen Minato's team in that destined timeline?
Rin died by Kakashi's hand. He himself died at Obito's hands. And in the future, Kakashi and Obito would fight to the death…
Minato closed his eyes, rubbing his temples.
'Sigh… Kakashi.'
He silently recited the name, his heart aching for the kid.
---
And as if responding to the Sky Screen's narration, Obito continued.
"Relax… Besides, what's with that look, Kakashi?"
Kakashi murmured softly, "…You're not going to blame me?"
Obito closed his eyes shut and spread his arms. "What would I gain from criticizing this absurd reality at this point?"
"I have no interest in the affairs of a world that shall soon cease to exist."
As the screen's perspective pulled back to its widest view—
The Shinobi World just before the Fourth Great Ninja War.
All the people were instantly stunned!
"What's going on? Why are there so many floating stones?"
"Where is everyone else?"
"This world looks terribly wrong?!"
They had initially assumed it was just the environment of the battle shown on the screen, but now they realized something was seriously off with the world itself.
Just then, a figure descended from the sky.
He landed at tremendous speed, striking the ground with a heavy impact—the shockwave spread outward, sending rocks flying and raising a massive cloud of dust.
Those watching the Sky Screen couldn't make out his face, but the red-and-white emblem on the back of his clothes was clearly visible.
"Looks like you're having fun over here."
"…Obito."
The screen didn't reveal the newcomer's identity, instead cutting back to the Kamui dimension.
But those familiar with that voice instantly remembered a legendary figure they could never forget.
---
[Konoha, Year 20. Hokage Office]
Even Tobirama, known for his composure, couldn't help but stand up.
His hands pressed against the desk, leaning forward, eyes locked on the blurry silhouette on the screen.
"Madara! …I knew it. That guy is still alive!"
When the Sky Screen had earlier explained the Izanagi of the Sharingan, he had already suspected that Madara might still be alive.
But now, having it confirmed still sent shockwaves through him.
Even more critically, it seemed the Fourth Great Ninja War was closely tied to Madara!
What exactly was this so-called Eye of the Moon Plan?
Hiruzen stood nearby, his expression equally grave. If Madara was still alive right now, Konoha had no one who could stand against him.
Even though the Sky Screen's revelations suggested Madara hadn't personally attacked Konoha—now that everything was in chaos, what if he did?
---
[Konoha, Year 60. Tsuchikage's Office]
Hearing that voice—one he would never forget—Ōnoki fell straight out of the air, hitting the ground with a dull thud.
But he didn't even register the pain. His voice trembled: "Uchiha… Madara…! He's still alive!!"
Kitsuchi rushed to help him up. "Father, are you alright?"
"Alright?" Ōnoki grabbed his son's arm, his expression ugly. "That man is still alive! Do you know what that means?"
Kitsuchi shook his head.
He didn't truly understand the significance of Uchiha Madara being alive, but wasn't his father's reaction a bit too exaggerated?
Ōnoki looked at his son's bewildered face and sighed inwardly.
This child had never lived through the Warring States period. He didn't know how terrifying that man was.
A man who alone could suppress the entire Shinobi World—his name alone struck fear into enemies.
Only the God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama, could match him.
"Forget it." Ōnoki waved his hand and floated back into the air. "Send people to step up surveillance on the Akatsuki."
"Although I don't know what Madara's scheme is, I'm sure it's extremely dangerous!"
---
[Konoha, Year One]
A much younger Tobirama muttered under his breath—loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.
"Madara, it seems it's not someone else using your name—it was you pulling the strings all along."
Hashirama quickly interjected: "Madara is not that kind of person. The situation is still unclear—he must have his reasons…"
"Reasons?" Madara snorted, cutting him off. "Hashirama, you don't need to speak for me."
He stood up, turning his back to everyone. "I'll tell you this now—if you ever betray our ideals… then I will absolutely seek peace in my own way, no matter what means I have to use."
Hashirama opened his mouth, his lips moving, but in the end, no words came out.
*****
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