"Isn't that kind of... wrong?"
Obito looked conflicted. "That Sharingan was a gift I gave Kakashi when I thought I was dying. Taking it back now just feels... I don't know, kind of messed up."
"What are you talking about? Fifty-fifty Kakashi... cough, cough... I mean, Kakashi's chakra reserves are pitiful. Your Sharingan is a burden to him more than anything."
"Honestly, without it, he might even get stronger. It's possible. And besides, you're not dead. Who gives away a Sharingan as a gift? That's just reckless." Uha rolled his eyes.
For Kakashi, that eye really wasn't all that beneficial. Without the chakra drain, he could fully focus on mastering the Hatake sword style and a wider range of jutsu.
The original fifty-fifty Hatake might even become sixty-forty.
Obito fell into thought after hearing Uha's logic. "I'll think about it."
"Good," Uha nodded.
A few minutes passed.
"I've made up my mind," Obito said.
"So, what's your choice?"
"I'm taking back the Sharingan but on one condition."
"And that is?"
Obito's eyes gleamed. "I want to go to Konoha with you."
"No problem." Uha smiled in agreement.
With that settled, Uha turned to the Deva Path and Konan. "It's about time we start recruiting members for the Akatsuki. Konan, you'll head to the Land of Wind for Sasori of the Red Sand. Nagato, you'll go after Kakuzu in the Land of Rivers. White Zetsu will help track them down. Understood?"
"Understood."
Both Konan and Nagato nodded.
Ever since Black Zetsu was abandoned, White Zetsu wasted no time switching sides, happily pledging loyalty to Uha.
Though White Zetsu wasn't strong in combat, his Mayfly Technique allowed him to merge with the terrain and vegetation, letting him travel swiftly across the ninja world and deliver information faster than anyone.
Still, Uha warned them with a serious tone. "If things get dangerous, don't try to act tough. Have White Zetsu notify me immediately. Obito and I will come to back you up."
"Got it, Uha-senpai."
Nagato and Konan felt a warm surge in their hearts.
Before long, White Zetsu emerged from the ground to report the locations of Sasori and Kakuzu. The group prepared to move.
Just then, Konan smiled and said, "Since this is the Akatsuki's first coordinated operation, shouldn't we wear a standard uniform? I just finished designing one. Want to give it a try?"
She brought out several outfits.
Black cloaks, adorned with striking red clouds.
Obito's eyes lit up. "This is a pretty cool design. I like it."
"Not bad," said Nagato succinctly.
Konan turned to Uha, who remained silent.
Uha cleared his throat. "The design is fine. But I don't like the color. You all wear them. I'll stick to white."
Oh, come on...
This was the infamous Akatsuki cloak rumored on Earth to carry the "death-by-undressing" curse!
Even if that was just a meme, who knew? Superstition wasn't something to mess with.
So no thanks. Anyone who wanted to wear it could go ahead.
But Uha? Not a chance.
Konan pouted, clearly disappointed. "(?﹏?)"
Seeing her unhappy, Uha didn't have the heart to say more.
With their outfits settled, the four set out.
Land of Fire – Konohagakure
On top of a telephone pole, Uha stood with his white robes flowing in the wind, a picture of ease and grace.
Obito stood beside him, cloaked in the red-cloud uniform and wearing his signature whirl-patterned mask.
It was Year 47 of the Hidden Leaf, near the end of the Third Great Ninja War. Minato Namikaze had just taken office as the Fourth Hokage.
Uha glanced at the silent Obito and thought to himself, "With my involvement, the Nine-Tails incident probably won't happen like it did in the original timeline. That means Minato and Kushina will survive, and Naruto will grow up with a loving family."
As for collecting the Nine-Tails? There was no rush.
He didn't need to extract it. As long as the Jinchuriki was under his control and out of Black Zetsu's reach, that was enough.
Obito, meanwhile, looked at the bustling village with a dazed expression.
Once upon a time...
He had been part of this world too.
He was the kind of kid who showed up late because he was busy helping old ladies cross the street.
"What? Feeling the urge to help some grannies again?" Uha teased.
"I did not. That was just me being naïve." Obito replied, sounding ancient and wise.
"You're still a kid yourself. Cut the old man act."
Uha sighed. "You're not fooling anyone."
"Ahem. Anyway, let's get back to the point," Obito said, clearing his throat. "Should we retrieve the Sharingan now? Are you going, or should I?"
Uha gave him a sidelong glance. "You go. Isn't that the whole reason you came? Afraid I'd steal it or something? Heh... I'm going to take a stroll. Find me after you're done."
Before Obito could respond, Uha disappeared with a Flash Step.
Obito wasn't like Nagato or Konan. He didn't open up easily.
After discovering the truth about Rin's death, he had locked his emotions away and become unreadable.
Put simply...
The kid had a touch of paranoia.
He was always wary of others having ulterior motives, Uha included.
But Uha didn't mind.
He wasn't here for Kakashi's eye anyway.
His real goal was a side mission the system had issued a few days ago one that could help him significantly boost his foundational strength.
Village Streets
After walking for a bit, Uha spotted a ramen shop.
He stepped inside and said to the owner, "One bowl of ramen, please."
"Coming right up. Just a moment, sir."
The man turned around, revealing a plain, friendly face. But what stood out were his constantly squinted eyes.
This was none other than the famously mysterious Teuchi, the ramen chef from the original story.
Uha glanced at him casually and chuckled inwardly. "Yeah... definitely just a regular guy. That whole secret backstory stuff was pure fan nonsense."
"Your ramen, sir. Careful, it's hot."
Teuchi placed the bowl in front of him and turned back to the kitchen.
Slurp! Slurp!
In a few quick bites, Uha devoured the bowl and let out a satisfied burp.
"Now that's good stuff. No wonder Naruto could eat this every day and never get tired of it."
Ding! System Alert: Side Mission Complete!
Side Mission: Eat a bowl of ramen made by Teuchi in person
Reward (Unclaimed): Hadō #63, Hadō #78, Bakudō #73, +500 Spiritual Pressure EXP
"Seriously? Even such a simple mission comes with spiritual pressure rewards? The system's getting generous. If it had been this kind in the Bleach world, would I have needed to train for a hundred damn years?"
Uha couldn't help but grumble.
This was how a cheat system was supposed to work!
With spiritual pressure EXP, his power could skyrocket.
Spending a hundred years grinding? Who had time for that?
Just as he was preparing to leave, the door curtain rustled.
Two young voices echoed from outside.
"Itachi, I practiced kunai throwing all day today. Let me treat you to some ramen."
"You didn't have to, Shisui."
"It's okay. I've still got some money left."
The curtain lifted.
Two boys stepped inside, one tall and one short.
The taller one wore a forehead protector and had large, expressive eyes.
The shorter boy had short black hair and a quieter demeanor.
Both wore shirts with the Uchiha clan crest a fan, red on top, white on the bottom.
Seeing them, Uha paused and sat back down.
With a curious look in his eyes, he thought, "Who would've guessed... I came here for a bowl of ramen and ended up running into the Uchiha clan's two youngest prodigies?"