Obito, who had been quietly observing Kushina, noticed her peaceful expression shift—softly fading into one of melancholy.
Kushina didn't realize he was watching her. Her thoughts had wandered… back to the tragedy that had befallen the Uchiha clan.
She had lost her best friend and every time she tried to approach Sasuke, to offer him comfort or guidance, she never knew where to begin.
Just like her, he was under constant surveillance… and that alone made her uneasy.
The way the village treated people sometimes—it didn't sit right with her.
Mikoto…
The woman who used to laugh and joke with her had left behind a son lonelier than Naruto himself. Fate truly loved to play cruel games.
"...Sigh."
She exhaled softly, eyes distant.
Curious, Obito tilted his head. "What are you thinking about?"
Kushina raised her gaze, meeting his eyes.
"You... must've heard what happened to the Uchiha clan, right?"
"...Of course I've heard," Obito replied smoothly, masking his expression. "Why do you ask?"
"I see…" she murmured. "After all, it's all over the ninja world now."
"There was a friend of mine… my best friend, actually." Her voice trembled slightly. "She was such a kind woman. On the surface, she looked so gentle—but sometimes, she'd make these jokes that made me so angry."
A faint, nostalgic smile crossed her lips. "We used to talk about everything… and now…"
Her voice cracked. The words refused to come out.
Obito reached out, brushing a hand through her long red hair. It was a small, quiet gesture—but it made her continue.
"Now, her son is suffering too. He's just a child, yet he faces nothing but cold eyes." Her tone softened with pain. "He didn't do anything wrong. He doesn't even understand why the world's turned on him. No child should have to endure that."
She paused. "I just… worry that all this might make him close his heart to everyone. And that would be—"
Obito's voice finished her thought, quiet yet heavy.
"...You're afraid he'll walk the same cold path his brother did."
Kushina looked slightly surprised at Obito's words, but then realization flickered in her eyes.
It was obvious—there was only one Uchiha left in the village now. Of course, he'd know who she was talking about.
Her lips pressed together as she hesitated, then she gave a small, reluctant nod.
Obito watched her quietly, then he asked her knowingly.
"Then… why didn't you try to meet him?"
Kushina lowered her gaze, fingers curling in her lap. "What would I even say? 'I knew your mother'? 'I'm sorry the world failed you'? Words feel so useless sometimes."
"Yeah… it really does," Obito said, leaning back slightly as his gaze looked at her gently.
"You aren't entirely wrong. Sometimes saying things like that could even backfire," he continued calmly.
"Not everyone who's lost something wants sympathy. Some people despise it—hate the feeling of being pitied."
Kushina looked at him silently, her eyes soft but thoughtful.
"Sasuke's mind might not be stable right now," Obito said, his tone quieter. "If you really approached him and said all that straight out… it probably wouldn't work."
He paused for a moment, then smiled faintly.
"But then again... you don't always comfort people with words. Sometimes, you just exist near them. Let them feel your presence, your warmth, the quiet rhythm of life around you."
His voice was calm and soothing.
"You talk about random things, let the air flow naturally, and over time… they start wanting to be part of that world again."
He glanced at Kushina, his tone softening. "They listen, they stay. Even if they never say a word."
Obito's gaze changed slightly for a moment.
He didn't think it was the right time to tell Kushina that Mikoto Uchiha was still alive.
Neither to her… nor to Sasuke.
As for worrying that Sasuke might grow up to be some terrorist like in the anime?
Well—he might.
But if he did, he'd be my terrorist.
A faint smirk tugged at Obito's lips as that thought passed through his mind.
He already had plans for his so-called stepson.
There was no way he'd let the kid walk the same doomed path again.
Times have changed, he mused silently, his Sharingan glinting faintly under the mask.
Kushina lowered her head slightly, then thought about it for a while and said, "Really… I'm such an idiot. I couldn't even figure something so simple."
She looked up with a soft smile. "But… thank you."
Her voice was gentle, warm — the kind that could melt even the coldest heart.
Obito was about to reply when her expression suddenly shifted.
"This… bastard village is full of crap!" she snapped out of nowhere, anger bubbling up again.
Before he could even react, she raised her fist and slammed it forward—straight into his chest.
Thud!
Obito blinked, staring down at her hand pressed against his chest, his expression confused.
"Uhhh… I didn't mean to," Kushina said quickly, her face turning red as embarrassment flooded in. She really had made a fool of herself.
"It doesn't matter," Obito said calmly as he reached out, gently pulling her hand toward him.
Their fingers interlocked naturally, his touch firm yet careful.
Then, without a word, he lifted their joined hands closer—until her lips were only a breath away.
He didn't say anything after that. Just watched her quietly.
'And he says he doesn't mind… what a liar,' Kushina thought to herself, half helpless, half amused by his reaction.
Her cheeks burned, but still—she leaned in and placed a quick kiss on the back of his hand before turning her head away in a fluster.
"Well," she mumbled, trying to change the subject, "I didn't get to ask about your sudden visit today…"
"Ohhh? Then should I take it as I shouldn't have come?" Obito said with a calm smile as he leaned forward, gently pushing her back onto the sofa.
Kushina let out a startled gasp as she fell against the cushions, her red hair fanning out beneath her like silk. Her hands lay on either side of her body, frozen for a moment as Obito's shadow loomed over her.
He leaned closer—close enough that she could feel his breath through the mask. Their eyes met, and for a second, time seemed to slow.
Her face turned bright red and she quickly turned her head to the side, but then she heard his low voice.
"Look at me, Kushina… and tell me."
She hesitated, her heart beating fast. Slowly, she turned back toward him, meeting his gaze for a few seconds before whispering, barely audible, "I don't mind."
"Hmmm… what did you say? I didn't hear," Obito teased, his gloved hand stroking her cheek as he cupped her face gently.
"I said I don't mind you coming here, okay?! Is that enough?" Kushina suddenly burst out, her voice louder than intended, trying to hide her embarrassment behind the volume.
"I see…" Obito replied simply, his tone indifferent, almost cold.
Kushina's eyes darted all over the place, but when she heard that tone, she immediately looked back at him, startled.
Then, seeing her reaction, Obito's voice softened.
"I'm happy to hear that, Kushina," he said this time with a teasing warmth that made her chest tighten.
Then he lowered his head toward the somewhat taken-aback Kushina, who finally realized she'd been tricked and before she could even react, his lips met hers.
Her eyes widened for an instant, breath catching in surprise. The world seemed to blur, the only thing she could feel was the warmth of his lips and the faint, steady beat of his heart against her chest.
'Why does he always like to play with me like this…' Kushina thought as she slowly kissed him back, her hands wrapping around his neck and pulling him closer.
Chuu… mwah…
Their lips met again, deeper this time — the world outside fading until there was nothing but the soft sound of their breaths.
Obito's hand rose almost instinctively, his fingers brushing along her side before resting gently against her chest and then moulding it as it's softness changed shape under his grip.
The warmth of his touch made her heart race, her mind a blur between confusion and something she couldn't name.
Finally, it was Obito who pulled back first, ending the kiss as his gaze lingered on Kushina's dazed and slightly confused expression.
"Living in the village all the time must be quite boring," Obito said suddenly, his tone calm as if the kiss hadn't even happened.
Kushina blinked, still trying to catch up. She thought for a moment he wanted something else entirely, but clearly, she couldn't keep up with his train of thought. Still, she smiled wryly.
"Over time, I got used to it… so it doesn't bother me that much," she said with a wary smile.
Obito looked at her for a moment, then stood up. "Why do you always wear such tasteless clothes?" he asked bluntly. "Here. Change into this and get ready. We're going out."
He reached into his Kamui space and pulled out a white dress, tossing it casually toward her.
Kushina caught it in reflex, blinking in surprise. Her fingers brushed over the soft fabric — and though she was baffled, she felt a small warmth bloom inside her chest.
She clutched the dress tightly and said softly, "The village would be suspicious if they couldn't sense my presence… and—"
She suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
Before her eyes, wood began sprouting from Obito's body, twisting and shaping itself rapidly — until another Obito stood before her.
Then, with a smooth hand sign, that wooden clone shifted form… turning into an exact replica of Kushina herself.
From her hair to her chakra signature, it was perfect.
"Wow… I didn't know you could use Wood Style to this extent," Kushina said in awe, her eyes sparkling as she looked at the "clone Kushina" in front of her.
Obito smirked under the mask. "There's a lot you don't know about me."
"... That's quite true." Kushina said as she looked at his mask.
Then she saw the other Kushina in front of her revealing a look of pure contempt toward her.
"Hey… what do you mean by that?" Kushina frowned, feeling oddly uncomfortable under her own glare.
"Okay, Kushina, if you waste time like this, the ninja academy classes will be over," Obito said calmly. Though her reaction amused him, this wasn't the time to play around.
"Ahhh, yes!" Kushina suddenly realized, bolting into her room.
As she ran, her expression lit up with a wide smile — full of happiness and excitement she couldn't quite hide.
Obito watched her disappear behind the door, a faint chuckle escaping beneath his mask.
--
After a while, she came downstairs — carefully dressed, her makeup done with surprising care.
A faint layer of lipstick colored her already flaming-red lips, making them even more alluring. Her cheeks carried a soft blush that only added to her charm.
She wore a white A-Line midi dress that suited her perfectly. The pure white contrasted beautifully with her vivid red hair and bright blue eyes, and with that slight blush on her face, she looked… breathtaking.
"S-So… how is it?" Kushina asked, tugging lightly at the edges of her dress, pretending not to care — though her voice betrayed a hint of nervousness.
Obito almost smiled under his mask. He knew her tsundere personality far too well.
"You look beautiful, Kushina," he said simply as he stepped closer.
His arm wrapped gently around her waist, pulling her into a soft embrace. Their chests pressed together, the warmth between them felt strangely natural.
"Then?" Obito murmured with a teasing lilt in his voice. "Shall we go and have Kushina's first outing ever?"
He said it in such a playful tone it was impossible to tell if he was joking or serious.
Kushina froze for a second, then her entire face turned bright red.
"W-Who are you calling first outing ever, huh?!" she shouted, lightly smacking his shoulder with both hands.
Obito chuckled under his breath. "Oh? So Lady Kushina has been sneaking out without permission then?"
"Of course not!" she said instantly, puffing her cheeks in irritation. "You just say the weirdest things sometimes, dattebane!"
Obito tilted his head slightly. "Hmm… but you did take extra time putting on makeup."
Kushina's blush deepened. "T-That's because you said we were going out! It's called being polite!"
"Polite," Obito repeated with amusement. "Right."
Then the two vanished from the room.
PS: Heads up for those who didn't know...that I had unlocked the last R-18 chapter yesterday so...
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