Obito!?
Kakashi shuddered, his body reacting instinctively. Retreating a step, his hands swiftly formed seals in one fluid motion. As his foot stomped onto the ground, his palms slammed down as well.
The Earth-Style Wall rumbled upward, a barrier meant to block the gaze that was both hesitant and yearning. But no wall could obstruct the longing of someone who sees beyond it!
Staring at the figure emerging slowly through the Earth-Style Wall, Kakashi's gaze flickered with disbelief. Obito, you were supposed to be dead... Have you been resurrected through Edo Tensei?
Obito's eyes gleamed with an air of nonchalance. "As expected of the famed Copy Ninja Kakashi. Though your intelligence may be outdated, your agility and analytical skills remain as sharp as ever."
"Sharingan?" Kakashi clenched his fists, his voice tinged with confusion. "Didn't you already take it? That eye… along with that name!"
"Your occasional absentmindedness hasn't changed a bit," Obito replied, his tone equally enigmatic. But before Kakashi could respond, a kunai hurtled toward his face!
At such close range, dodging was nearly impossible—reacting in time was a feat in itself!
Yet, not only did Kakashi react, but his body instinctively shifted to the side. His eyes followed the kunai as it whizzed past, his muscles tensing until a sudden spasm in his waist nearly threw him off balance.
This familiar sensation—it was unmistakable. It was just like the first time he had used the Sharingan.
In Kakashi's pupils, a pair of bright Sharingan eyes gleamed unmistakably!
It was Obito who had replaced Kakashi's eyes while he was unconscious.
"Wood-Style: Thorn Bind Technique!"
Obito formed seals with a single hand, and wooden tendrils rose from the ground beneath Kakashi, binding his arms and legs!
With a wicked grin, Obito raised his right hand, where fierce lightning began to crackle and condense.
Kakashi's pupils shrank. "Raikiri!?"
With a sharp crack, Obito lunged forward in a flash, aiming to pierce Kakashi's chest!
The instinct for survival overrode all thought. Kakashi's Sharingan spun wildly, the three tomoe merging into the intricate pattern of the Mangekyo Sharingan!
Crack!
Obito's Raikiri passed through Kakashi's body, piercing only the wooden bindings.
Thud!
Kakashi collapsed onto the ground, clutching his eyes. His expression was a mix of shock and turmoil. "This power… these eyes… Obito, you—"
The lightning in Obito's hand dissipated with a faint crackle. He glanced at Kakashi out of the corner of his eye. "Once, I gave you one of my eyes, and you failed to protect Rin."
Turning fully toward Kakashi, Obito's gaze was steady. "This time, I've given you both of my eyes. Will the outcome be any different?"
Kakashi struggled to comprehend. "What is going on? Why are you doing this again?"
Obito finally revealed the truth. "The corpse found outside Konoha was part of my plan. I used it to fake my death and shed my past. After gaining even greater power, I fought Naruto—and I lost. After much deliberation, I decided to let go of the past and join Naruto's side."
"Let go of the past?" Kakashi echoed.
"Yes," Obito affirmed. "I've chosen to live as an Edo Tensei entity until I fulfill certain wishes."
Kakashi pressed further. "Then what did you mean earlier about a 'different outcome'? Rin is already dead, isn't she?"
Obito slowly raised a finger.
Kakashi followed his gaze—and his eyes widened in shock!
There, standing on the riverbank slope under the setting sun, was a familiar silhouette.
"Rin!"
Kakashi was absolutely certain—it was Rin, alive and breathing, not an Edo Tensei reanimated corpse!
He demanded, "Obito, what is the meaning of this!?"
Obito's expression was complex. "I had Naruto imbue Rin's body with a soul. The soul was crafted to mirror Rin's essence in life. She is Rin, and yet not entirely Rin. From this moment on, she will stay by your side."
After a long silence, Kakashi murmured, "Is this your way of punishing me?"
"Punishment? Perhaps," Obito replied, his gaze lowering. "Or maybe… it's a chance for both of us—to prove that we're not trash. I will protect this world. You will protect Rin. Even if it's a half-true world, even if she's a half-true Rin."
When Obito raised his eyes again, the resentment within them had vanished. With a hopeful and calm tone, he asked, "Can you do it, Kakashi?"
Kakashi closed his eyes. Memories replayed in his mind, old regrets, sorrow, and guilt surfacing and then transforming into resolve.
Perhaps, this was what it truly meant to let go of the past.
When Kakashi opened his eyes once more, there was clarity. "If you're sincere about turning over a new leaf, I'll stake my life on it and stand by you to the very end!"
Obito smiled, extending a hand to pull Kakashi to his feet. With a solemn expression, he declared, "It's a deal, Kakashi!"
The breeze rippled across the lake's surface. Under the glow of the setting sun, Rin stood with her hands clasped behind her back, a faint smile gracing her lips.
As the sun set, Obito bid farewell to Kakashi, vanishing into the vortex of Kamui.
Though Kakashi now possessed the same eyes as Obito, he couldn't wield them with the same ease. After all, he lacked the body of an Uchiha and the enhancement of Senju cells.
He was, at his core, nothing more than an extraordinary genius.
Gazing at the setting sun on the horizon, his dual Sharingan reflected the fiery glow as he murmured, "Vacation's over. Time to head back to the village."
And so, the renowned Copy Ninja Kakashi returned!
Three Days Earlier—A Conspiracy in Konoha
At a secret meeting between Konoha's two elder advisors and Ryoma Aburame:
"Very well," Ryoma said. "I'll act according to your arrangements. But neutralizing Hinata Hyuga is only the first step in sidelining Tsunade's faction. What are your thoughts on the next Hokage?"
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane exchanged glances, their expressions hesitant.
Ryoma pressed, "I mean no disrespect. If we're to collaborate, I hope you'll be forthright and not withhold anything."
Homura finally spoke. "In terms of reputation and experience, no one is more suitable for the Sixth Hokage than Kakashi Hatake. Unlike Tsunade, he isn't stubbornly self-willed, making him easier to oversee."
"But Kakashi is also a staunch supporter of Tsunade," Koharu countered. "If he learns the truth, he'll never accept the position. Fortunately, he's currently on leave outside the village."
Homura nodded. "Which is why we intend to discreetly resolve everything before his return, allowing him to naturally assume the role of Hokage."
Koharu added, "Time is of the essence, Ryoma. Organize your personnel quickly. We'll provide support within Konoha."
Ryoma's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Kakashi Hatake, eh? He was once favored by Lord Danzo—a ninja with the potential for darkness. Having him as Hokage aligns with the will of Root. Thank you for your honesty. I'll make arrangements immediately."
"Then we're counting on you, Ryoma," the elders said, rising to leave.
But as they departed, Ryoma's smirk deepened. Fools. They plan to place another of the Third Hokage's direct disciples in power? Haven't they learned their lesson? No matter. Whoever becomes Hokage is irrelevant—they'll all be my puppets. In fact, Kakashi Hatake might be even easier to control.
According to intelligence, he's already lost that troublesome Sharingan. Taking him down will be child's play.
As Ryoma pondered, his thoughts turned to Root operatives stationed in the Land of Water. Who should lead this mission? Ah, Shinrakuri. He still holds Lord Danzo's trump card, the Ox-Headed King. Perfect for this task.
The shadow of Root loomed ever closer over Kakashi Hatake!
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