The diamond ring had been sold out.
Obito turned the simple yet dazzling ring in his palm and let out a soft giggle, his single visible eye brimming with warmth. For a brief moment, it was as though he could already picture himself placing it on Rin's hand.
Naruto noticed his expression and frowned. "Obito, don't be silly. We need to focus. Right now, we're supposed to find Captain Yamato."
Kakashi, standing slightly behind, furrowed his brow in thought. "Now that you mention it, I haven't seen Yamato in quite some time. After the Fourth Great Ninja War… where exactly did he go?"
Obito looked at Naruto, the faintest smile tugging at his lips. "I already knew before the war ended. Yamato was captured by Kabuto. He wanted to use him to suppress and control White Zetsu. Naruto, you should know this by now."
Naruto nodded firmly. He placed his hands on Kakashi and Obito's shoulders. "Perfect timing, then. We'll take you both along. Let's go."
Without wasting another second, Naruto activated the Flying Thunder God Technique.
In a flash, the three of them vanished, reappearing instantly within one of Orochimaru's hidden laboratories.
"Fufufu… well, well, Naruto-kun. You've brought me some rare visitors," Orochimaru said with a snake-like grin as he slithered closer. His golden, slit-pupil eyes gleamed as they fell on Obito's body.
He tilted his head and chuckled darkly. "Obito… you've become quite the specimen. Hashirama's cells, dual Mangekyō Sharingan granting you double Kamui, and even the ability to wield Wood Release. Truly remarkable… tsk, tsk, tsk. Your power is almost overwhelming."
Obito's tone was indifferent, though his eye softened. "Even if I've obtained strength that could reach the heavens, it doesn't matter anymore. I've finally found something… someone worth protecting."
Orochimaru's tongue flicked as he chuckled, clearly entertained. "Interesting… very interesting indeed. Hahaha."
Kakashi glanced at the endless rows of test tubes and equipment surrounding them, his face tightening. "Orochimaru… your obsession with research really hasn't changed at all."
Orochimaru's grin widened. "Naturally. As long as one draws breath, they must find something to devote themselves to."
Turning toward Naruto, his voice shifted to curiosity. "So, Naruto-kun, you wouldn't have come here with these two unless you had business with me. What is it you need?"
Naruto exhaled. "Uncle Snake… I need you to help us. I want you to take over Kabuto's position temporarily, to coordinate and maintain control of White Zetsu. That way, I can bring Kabuto back with me. Remember what I told you before? About helping Sasuke restore what's left of the Uchiha clan."
For a moment, even Orochimaru looked slightly impressed. Then he gave a slow nod. "Very well. I'll accompany you."
He scribbled something onto a parchment, left it on the desk, then turned and followed Naruto.
Naruto grabbed Orochimaru's arm with one hand, Kakashi with the other. Kakashi, in turn, steadied Obito. In the blink of an eye, the Flying Thunder God Technique carried them all away.
Deep underground, within the old Akatsuki base, Kabuto and Yamato sat cross-legged before a vast sealing formation.
Kabuto wiped the sweat from his brow. "At last… the sealing formation is perfected. You've worked hard, Yamato."
Yamato released his technique, loosening the restraint on the White Zetsu army beneath them. As expected, the creatures remained perfectly suppressed by the formation, standing silently and unmoving.
Letting out a long sigh, Yamato collapsed back onto the ground. "I'm exhausted…"
Kabuto chuckled faintly. "But it was worth it. These past days of effort weren't in vain."
Yamato nodded. "True. Now, I can finally return to the village."
Just as he said this, Naruto and the others arrived in a flash of light.
Kabuto was the first to sense their chakra. When he recognized Naruto, he relaxed. But then, sensing both Orochimaru and Obito, his lips curled into a sly, knowing smile.
Naruto stepped forward. "Kabuto!"
"Ah, Naruto. You've arrived," Kabuto greeted warmly before moving toward Orochimaru. "Lord Orochimaru, it seems you've been doing well lately."
Orochimaru chuckled. "I manage, I manage."
Yamato's eyes lit up as he spotted his comrades. "Naruto! Kakashi!"
"Yamato," Kakashi said, concern lacing his tone. "Where have you been all this time? After the war, I couldn't find any trace of you."
Yamato gave a tired smile. "After the war ended, I was initially restrained… then released. Naruto asked me to remain here, to guard against the possibility of the White Zetsu army going berserk."
Kakashi stepped forward, looking down at the massive chamber where countless White Zetsu soldiers stood dormant. His eye widened in shock. He had believed they had all been destroyed during the war, yet here they were—an entire army.
"...Naruto, what is this?" Kakashi asked gravely.
Naruto smiled faintly. "Preparation for the future. Don't worry, Kakashi-sensei. Everything is under control."
Though troubled, Kakashi trusted Naruto enough to say no more.
Kabuto shifted his gaze to Obito, smirking. "So, Obito… how does it feel? Returning to the village you once betrayed? Isn't it far better than the world of Infinite Tsukuyomi you once dreamed of?"
Obito's expression hardened. "We're both people who lost ourselves in illusions. So tell me—why laugh when our sins are the same?"
Kabuto gave a soft, amused hum, but chose not to push further. Instead, he turned to Naruto. "Naruto, Yamato and I have successfully stabilized the seal here. As long as someone remains to watch over it and continuously infuses chakra, the formation will hold indefinitely."
Naruto's grin spread. "Perfect. That's exactly why we came. We're taking you and Yamato back with us."
Yamato's relief was immediate, his shoulders slumping. He was finally going home.
Naruto then looked at Orochimaru. "Uncle Snake… I'll have to trouble you to remain here for a while, to guard the formation."
Orochimaru smiled slyly. "Not a problem. In fact, it suits me perfectly. A quiet place to conduct research is always welcome."
Kabuto quickly reassured him. "Don't worry, Lord Orochimaru. I've already built a laboratory adjacent to this chamber. Full equipment, living facilities—everything you'll need has been prepared."
Orochimaru's brows rose in pleasant surprise. "Oh? How thoughtful. Then I shall make myself comfortable."
Naruto clapped his hands. "Alright then. Kabuto, explain the formation's workings to Orochimaru, and once you're done, we'll depart. We have another mission waiting—sorting through the Uchiha clan's graves. After that, we'll begin the process of resurrecting them."
Kabuto nodded and immediately began explaining to Orochimaru.
Meanwhile, Naruto turned toward Yamato, tugging him over to where Obito stood.
"Captain Yamato, this here is Obito—the man who instigated the Fourth Great Ninja War."
Yamato's warm expression immediately darkened. His eyes narrowed as he glared at Obito. "So it's him… Naruto, why haven't you dealt with him already?"
Naruto scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Well… he's already been punished in his own way. He's changed. He's chosen to walk a different path now. Besides, during the war's final battle, he fought alongside us. Without him, we wouldn't have achieved victory."
Yamato studied Obito skeptically, clearly unconvinced, but he trusted Naruto enough to remain silent.
Kakashi stepped in. "Yamato, Obito has already confessed his crimes. The Five Kage granted him amnesty, and Naruto himself has guaranteed his redemption. For now, think of him as an ally."
After a long pause, Yamato gave a short nod. "...If that's the case, then I'll hold my tongue."
Obito rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment, averting his gaze.
Then Naruto spoke again, this time with a mischievous smile. "Captain Yamato, we actually came to ask a favor of you… We need your help with Obito's proposal."
Yamato blinked in disbelief. "...What?"
Naruto quickly explained Obito's intentions—his desire to finally confess his heart properly, to honor Rin's memory, and to prove he was no longer the man who once turned his back on everything.
For a moment, Yamato stood frozen, dumbfounded. Then he glanced between Naruto and Kakashi. Both gave him serious nods. Realizing he couldn't easily refuse, Yamato let out a resigned sigh.
"Fine. I'll help."
Naruto grinned widely. "Thanks, Captain! In that case, let's get going."
By then, Kabuto had finished handing matters over to Orochimaru.
Naruto gave a final wave. "Uncle Snake, we'll leave things to you. I'll be back once everything's ready."
Orochimaru waved lazily in return, his smirk never fading.
In a flash of golden light, Naruto activated the Flying Thunder God Technique once more. In the blink of an eye, he and his companions reappeared near the Uchiha compound.
Konoha was peaceful, but at its most important points, the marks of the Flying Thunder God ensured Naruto could return instantly whenever he needed.
The journey to resurrect the Uchiha clan was about to begin.
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