Shisui is dead?
The news came as a surprise to Obito. He wanted to uncover the truth behind it.
In Obito's mind, Shisui wasn't someone who could die so easily. Even against Kage-level opponents, Shisui still had the strength to fight. That was the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
With this in mind, Obito began to suspect that this was just a smokescreen—perhaps Shisui had faked his death to deceive the world.
But after sneaking into Konohagakure and hiding there for a few weeks, Obito finally confirmed the news was true.
Shisui was really dead—and he had taken his own life to prevent a civil war between the Uchiha and the village.
After learning this, Obito found it somewhat laughable.
Uchiha Shisui, a powerful ninja whom Obito had always regarded with caution ever since the Fourth Hokage died—he hadn't perished at Obito's hands, nor had he fallen in battle. Instead, he died in such a ridiculous way.
Of course, as his enemy, Obito felt nothing but joy.
With Shisui no longer a threat, he could now move freely within Konoha, manipulate the Uchiha Clan from the shadows, and ignite the civil conflict that would tear the village apart.
And for that plan, he had the perfect pawn—one he had long since prepared: Uchiha Itachi.
---
Taking advantage of an ongoing clan meeting, Obito found Itachi alone at a training ground.
Itachi was engaged in intense training. Even elite jōnin would have admired his skill, calling it akin to dancing on a razor's edge. Yet Itachi had turned the training ground into his stage, performing an elegant, deadly dance for Obito.
Once the session ended, Obito appeared silently in front of him.
Catching a flying shuriken in his hand, Obito smirked at the wary Itachi and said mockingly,
"This isn't the first time we've met. Why so hostile?"
Itachi didn't respond. Instead, he created distance and threw more shuriken, shouting:
"Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Jutsu!"
In an instant, multiple fireballs formed and shot toward Obito.
The flames distorted the air with their heat—being hit by one would be devastating. But the true danger lay within: hidden shuriken embedded in the fireballs.
Obito stood motionless. The fireballs and shuriken passed through his body as if he were a ghost, a smile curling at his lips.
Itachi's pupils contracted sharply at the sight, though he remained calm—this wasn't the first time he'd seen Obito's ability.
The masked man clearly possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan. But so did Itachi. He wasn't inferior to his opponent.
Obito ignored Itachi's stare and said casually,
"All these years, and you're still upset I killed your teammate? If I hadn't, you wouldn't have awakened your Sharingan. In a way, you should be thanking me."
Itachi wasn't provoked. He had long understood that anger solved nothing.
After a brief silence, he looked at Obito and asked calmly,
"Why are you here in Konoha? It's not just to visit me—I'm not someone worth your attention."
Obito chuckled and shook his head,
"No, I came precisely for you. You're the only Uchiha I care to visit—the one worthy of leaving Konoha and following in my footsteps."
"Join you as a rogue ninja, hunted by the village? Sorry, I can't. I still have a family."
Itachi's rejection didn't anger Obito. He gave him a long, meaningful look and said,
"I won't force you to leave. But one day, you'll see the truth about this foolish village and your clan. And when that day comes, you'll walk away from this quagmire on your own."
"…"
Itachi gazed at Obito, then asked,
"I won't leave Konoha. But who are you, really?"
After a pause, Obito answered,
"Just an Uchiha the world has forgotten. You don't need to know who I really am. All you need to know is—I can show you the truth about the shinobi world."
With that final remark, Obito disappeared into a swirling vortex.
"The Uchiha forgotten by the world…"
Watching the vortex vanish, Itachi began speculating about the masked man's true identity. Among the Uchiha, only one person from the clan's early days had defected and possessed such power—Uchiha Madara.
But if Madara were still alive… just how old would he be by now?
Pushing those distracting thoughts aside, Itachi focused on what truly mattered: the growing rift between the Uchiha and the village.
Shisui's death may have delayed the coup, but like a compressed spring, the tension would inevitably rebound.
All it would take was a spark—and then his father would lead the clan into rebellion.
But a coup by the Uchiha could never succeed.
---
After leaving the Uchiha compound, Obito headed to a quiet corner of Konoha near the Hero's Memorial.
Here lay not only "Obito's" dreams, but also the one person he still yearned for: Rin Nohara.
Already waiting there was Black Zetsu, who greeted him with a smile.
"I knew you'd come. You're still hung up on Shisui, huh? He's already dead, yet you're still tracking his trail."
Obito shook his head lightly.
"I came to guide Uchiha Itachi. Now that he has Shisui's eye, he's become a worthy pawn. He might even become an asset to Akatsuki."
Black Zetsu asked, puzzled:
"Nagato's power is enough to gather the Tailed Beasts. Why do you keep looking for new recruits?"
Obito gave Black Zetsu a long, meaningful look.
"Nagato isn't reliable. He only wants to use the Tailed Beasts to intimidate the shinobi world—he never planned to actually carry out the Eye of the Moon Plan. Once he creates the Ten-Tails, who among us can stop him? You? Me?"
Black Zetsu fell silent. He could stop Nagato—but he wasn't about to say how.
Obito continued,
"We need more strength. Before Nagato finishes gathering the Tailed Beasts, we must make our move and seize his Rinnegan."
Black Zetsu glanced at Obito.
"So you're choosing Itachi? Aren't you afraid Nagato will sway him?"
"We'll deal with that if it happens. People need something to do when they're bored. And once Itachi joins Akatsuki, his fate is no longer his own."
Losing interest in the conversation, Obito stared into the distance.
Black Zetsu followed his gaze—to the Hero's Memorial entrance.
There, Kakashi Hatake approached, carrying flowers and fruit, preparing to pay his respects.
---
Inside the Hero's Memorial
Kakashi found the gravestone engraved with Obito and Rin's names. He placed the flowers and fruit, then began talking to the grave, as he always did when visiting the people he cared about.
"Obito, Rin—I've come to see you again. I'm doing fine now, so you don't have to worry about me."
"Let me tell you something. I've found Minato-sensei's son. But the Third Hokage won't let us reveal Naruto's identity. The villagers treat him like the Nine-Tails, and he's becoming more and more withdrawn."
"I see it happening, but I can't do anything about it. All I can do is watch as Sensei's child gets bullied…"
"But Naruto inherited Minato-sensei's talent. No matter how many setbacks he faces now, I believe he'll grow into someone like Minato—someone loved by the village."
Finishing his words, Kakashi placed the flowers before the gravestone and moved on to visit others.
But at that moment, he suddenly felt like someone was watching him. He looked around warily.
All he saw were dense trees.
Obito and Black Zetsu, who had been secretly observing him, had already slipped away from the village.
Kakashi rubbed his eyes, thinking perhaps he was just exhausted and imagining things.
After all, Konoha wasn't a place one could just stroll into. And if someone had infiltrated the village, they would target something important—like the Hokage's office—not a place like the Hero's Memorial.
There were only the dead here. Nothing more.
His visit didn't last long. After a few words with his family, friends, and teacher, Kakashi left the Hero's Memorial.
The ones who cared about him were long gone. An occasional visit was enough.
Life had to move forward. Living each day to the fullest—that's what they would have wanted for him.
---
As Kakashi walked toward his ANBU shift, his thoughts kept drifting—to Naruto, and to the Uchiha.
Naruto was Minato-sensei's son. Ever since learning the truth, Kakashi had wanted to do something for him—but he didn't know in what capacity he could approach Naruto.
And maybe Naruto didn't need someone like him—someone who had failed so many times.
All Kakashi could do was protect him during missions involving the Jinchūriki.
But who would even be capable of threatening Naruto now?
(End of Chapter)
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