So… Kakashi won't even blame Obito?
Figures. With Kakashi's personality, he'll always blame himself first. He thinks it was his failure to protect Rin that pushed Obito into darkness.
As for the deaths of his teacher and sensei's wife… Kakashi probably feels it isn't his place to judge.
Whether to forgive—ultimately, that's up to Naruto.
Naruto is the truly innocent victim. He should've grown up as the child of the Hokage—not necessarily with a silver spoon, but at least carefree, like Menma in that other world. Because of Obito's breakdown, he not only lost both parents from the start; he also lived a childhood shunned by the whole village.
So Naruto has the most right to blame—and the most right to hate.
It's just… with Naruto's saintlike heart, his parents' deaths will pass like clouds, and once he learns Obito's old dream he'll probably say, "The Obito who wanted to be Hokage is the coolest—no one's allowed to mock him."
Natsuki could only be speechless at how people in the shinobi world think.
Still, whether they forgive or not isn't the point. First, solve the problem and keep the shinobi world from collapsing.
Natsuki plans to marry a rich lady and have kids, then enjoy a life of daily bliss and zero worries. If the world ends, what a waste would that be?
But… did Kakashi call him out here just to vent?
No way, right?
"Kakashi-senpai, did you bring me along just to talk?" Natsuki asked bluntly.
"Ma… that's part of it." Kakashi didn't forget the real business. "You fought Obito before. I want the details."
Ah, that's it.
Sure, the basics were on the big scroll earlier, but Kakashi must have felt it wasn't specific enough. He wanted more granularity to find a way to crack it.
After all, Kakashi doesn't think he can persuade Obito with words alone. First you beat him, then you persuade. And Obito's Kamui (Divine Authority) phasing is a pain. Kakashi doesn't have Natsuki's Ranton (Storm Release), so beating Obito on his own seems unlikely.
Natsuki understood and recounted the earlier fight when he rescued Fū and crossed blades with Obito.
Honestly, there wasn't much to tell: Natsuki got a sneak hit in, then forced Obito to hide in the Kamui (Divine Authority) dimension with Ranton (Storm Release). Not very reproducible for others.
When Kakashi finished listening, the crease between his brows could crush a mosquito.
Fortunately, Natsuki still had an actual suggestion: "Kakashi-senpai, remember this—use Kamui (Divine Authority) to beat Kamui (Divine Authority)."
Use Kamui to beat Kamui?
Kakashi's hand went to the protector over his right eye. He seemed to understand.
He nodded firmly. "Alright. Thanks. I might know how to defeat Obito."
"Good. Then keep paying your respects here. I'm off to see my girlfriend! Man, I envy your single life's leisure, Kakashi-senpai. I'm so 'unlucky!'"
Natsuki waved without looking back.
Kakashi's dead-fish eyes practically turned into Hyuga white eyes.
Sometimes that brat goes too far. Is Kakashi single because he can't find anyone?
He just finds romance a hassle. Why cuddle every day when there's such great literature to read? Young people, honestly—too young. Once they marry, they'll learn how annoying rice-oil-salt and family stuff can be… Oh right, that guy's marrying a rich lady. Never mind, then.
"Hmph! Brat! I hope you and Tenten have eight kids and drown in chores!"
Back in Konoha, the village was under full lockdown.
Civilians had all been escorted to shelters guarded by squads of genin—but this battle would not allow genin to fight, because genin would only become casualties. Even mid-level ninja whose strength wasn't enough—like Iruka—stayed to protect the genin.
All Jinchuriki halted training, keeping themselves in peak condition to face Akatsuki's invasion. This concerned the village's survival—no one could afford carelessness.
Natsuki went nowhere. He raised a tall stone pillar at the village's very center and stood on its peak, sweeping his gaze over everything. The moment there was the slightest disturbance, he could flash over instantly.
Every other shinobi kept gear on, ready to deploy at any time.
That day, even the air felt heavy, the palpable hush before a storm.
Naruto, Gaara, and Fū—the three Jinchuriki—were in the Hokage building with Tsunade personally accompanying them. Tsunade wouldn't join the first clash; she was the final line.
"Hey hey hey, Tsunade-bāchan, why won't you let the three of us fight?!"
Naruto started up again. "We've been training like crazy for this day! We finally developed our super moves—why won't you let us use them?!"
Tsunade rubbed her temples; the noise was brutal. "Akatsuki's target is you three. If you jump in and get grabbed right away, what was the point of everyone else's work? Naruto, listen. No one thinks you're weak—we just can't allow any risk. Got it?"
But Naruto wasn't so easily convinced. "Then why does Sasuke get to fight?! Isn't he a Jinchuriki too?!"
Tsunade honestly didn't know how to explain that one.
Why couldn't this brat sit still and be sensible for once? [014704013飞卢024282560]
Gaara spoke up instead. "Naruto, Tsunade-sama has her reasons. Don't hassle her. And Sasuke is very strong—he even defeated Itachi. His strength against Akatsuki isn't a concern."
"But I'm strong too, dattebayo…"
Naruto muttered, clearly lacking confidence.
Fū, unusually, offered, "Naruto, if you can't sit still, let's play cards. I'm a beast at Ninja Kill. Even Natsuki—the guy who invented the deck—lost to me!"
Naruto's attention snapped over. "You're that good, Fū? I don't buy it! Come on, I'll take you on, dattebayo!"
Seeing Naruto finally calm down, Tsunade let out a breath—but worry lingered in her eyes.
The Rinnegan (Rinnegan)… wouldn't be easy to deal with.
As for Jiraiya's grand "truth-spoiling" operation—likely not so simple either. Nagato and Konan had resolved to use the Bijuu as a threat to force peace. Even if they learned they were being used, they might not abandon the plan—for them it could be enough to kill Obito and Black Zetsu and prevent Madara's revival.
This battle's outcome was anyone's guess.
Meanwhile, atop the central pillar, Tenten climbed up and sat across from Natsuki.
Worried, she asked, "Natsuki… we're going to win, right?"
Natsuki sighed. "Tenten, have you read any novels? In novels, you never ask that right before a war. That's how you set a FLAG. If I say 'we'll definitely win, and after it ends we'll get married,' then by FLAG logic I'm probably doomed."
"W-what kind of ridiculous logic is that?! O-okay, I won't ask!"
Tenten clapped a hand over her mouth, genuinely afraid the FLAG would come true.
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