"Eternal... Eternal Mangekyō?"
Obito felt like someone had taken his entire worldview, shredded it into tiny pieces, and set it on fire for dramatic effect.
"After Madara, who lost all his family members, awakened the Eternal Mangekyō, he aimed to lead the Uchiha and sweep across the ninja world with the power of a literal final boss."
"But naturally, his eternal rival, Senju Hashirama, just happened to be as overpowered as he was."
"The two of them clashed in a battle that could've leveled small countries—and in the end, Madara lost. The Uchiha surrendered."
"Having lost everything, Madara was ready to throw in the towel, but his old buddy Hashirama reminded him of their childhood dream."
"When they were kids, they sat on a mountaintop talking about building a village—a peaceful ninja sanctuary with zero paperwork and minimal emotional trauma."
"In the end, Hashirama's sincerity touched Madara—possibly the only thing stronger than wood-style jutsu—and the two joined forces to build the ninja village: Konohagakure."
"And just to impress you further, the name Konoha? That was Madara's idea. Guy had branding skills."
"So that's how it is..." Rin, who had been listening quietly, was completely drawn in.
"When the village was founded, Hashirama even offered the Hokage position to Madara, saying that since he'd lost his family, he could treat the village as his new one."
"And Madara actually agreed."
Obito's head shot up like a startled cat. "Wait... are you saying the First Hokage could have been Madara Uchiha?!"
"Yup. Plot twist of the century, right?"
"But then... remember how I said the Uchiha gain power from deep emotional bonds and even deeper emotional damage?"
"Well, not everyone in the village was thrilled about that kind of power dynamic. Especially not Hashirama's little brother, Senju Tobirama."
"Tobirama had... let's say... trust issues. He believed the Uchiha were inherently dangerous."
"And to be fair, some Uchiha did awaken power through tragic means. Which, you know, didn't help their reputation."
"Tobirama ended up as the Second Hokage. And surprise surprise—he booted the Uchiha out of the village center."
"Madara, realizing his clan's future in Konoha was basically a dumpster fire, tried to lead a rebellion."
"His clan said 'nah, we like indoor plumbing' and stayed. So Madara left alone."
"Years later, he returned, fought Hashirama again, and died in battle. Hashirama also died not long after—burned out from too many wars and probably emotional whiplash."
"Then Tobirama took over as the Second Hokage. And from there, the name 'Madara' became the Voldemort of the Leaf Village. Total taboo."
"And the Uchiha? Well, their power was something the village elders started watching with suspicion."
Kakashi looked at Obito, who was still trying to reboot his brain from all this.
"So tell me, Obito. After all that, do you think the Uchiha are an evil clan?"
"Of course not!" Obito blurted, almost offended.
"Yeah! Obito has always been kind!" Rin added quickly.
Obito, despite being a clumsy goofball with mid-tier grades and a talent for getting yelled at by teachers, was a genuinely kind kid. The kind who'd help old ladies carry groceries just because.
That's what Rin liked about him—he was sincere.
...Even if he was technically older than both Kakashi and Rin. Just emotionally stuck in toddler mode.
"Oh? Then how do you explain the Uchiha's... let's call it 'clan pride' and the cold stares they give everyone in the village?"
"That's because... uh..." Obito choked, grasping at air.
"That doesn't make them evil, Kakashi! You don't really think that, do you?" Rin interrupted, frowning.
"Relax. I don't." Kakashi suddenly smiled, tone softening.
"The Uchiha aren't evil. In fact, they're probably the most emotionally intense clan around."
"Because the deeper the love, the harder the fall. When an Uchiha loses someone they love, that grief turns into raw, terrifying power."
"The problem? That kind of power—grief-fueled rage—is unpredictable."
"Tobirama wasn't entirely wrong to be cautious. But paranoia isn't a leadership style."
"If Hashirama's plan had worked—if Madara had become Hokage and earned everyone's trust—things might've been different."
"They could've balanced each other. Hashirama with his optimism, Madara with his passion."
"Maybe, just maybe, the ninja world would've stayed peaceful for a hundred years."
Kakashi sighed. Idealism—it was great until reality punched you in the face.
"Unfortunately, people fear what they don't understand. And prejudice... well, it's like a weed. Hard to kill."
"Even if you get rid of it, there's always someone new ready to spread the seeds."
"And that's without even bringing up the Ōtsutsuki clan lurking out there like some cosmic-level boss battle waiting to happen."
"But anyway, Obito... this is what I wanted to say."
"If you really want to become Hokage, then know this—Konoha's current leadership? They're more Tobirama than Hashirama."
"They inherited the same distrust, especially the Third Hokage and the elders."
"They'll never let an Uchiha become Hokage easily."
"What will you do then?"
"I... I don't know," Obito admitted. "But I believe one thing: only someone acknowledged by the villagers deserves to be Hokage. If they don't recognize me now, I'll work hard until they do!"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Well said."
"Then you have two missions, starting today."
"One: train hard. Like, aggressively hard. Get strong enough to protect everyone."
"Two: build relationships at the Academy. Friends. Bonds. Future allies."
"Not because you're trying to manipulate anyone—just be yourself. Be sincere. Win hearts the Obito way."
"Because Hokage isn't about power—it's about trust."
Obito nodded, face serious. This was the most he'd ever thought about politics without falling asleep.
"And one more thing—don't tell anyone you awakened your Sharingan."
"Unlocking two tomoe at age seven? That screams 'prodigy' loud enough to give the clan elders a migraine."
"If they find out, they'll probably fast-track you to graduation."
"Sounds cool, but trust me—school is the best place to make lifelong bonds with future clan heirs."
"Take it slow. Let your reputation build naturally."
Obito nodded again, absorbing everything.
Kakashi leaned forward slightly.
"And think carefully about this—if everything that happened earlier today actually happened one day..."
"If Rin and I really died right in front of you..."
"Could you still protect the village? Could you stay the course?"
Obito froze.
He couldn't answer.
Because in his heart, that scene was still burned into him like a bad dream he couldn't shake.
He didn't want to answer.
Kakashi didn't press. He knew. He'd asked himself that same question before.
As a time-traveler with one foot in another world, Kakashi had no innate loyalty to this one.
If not for Rin, Obito, and Guy… he probably would've gone full hermit in some remote mountain by now.
Those three were his anchor. His reason to stay.
And if he ever lost them…
He wouldn't destroy the world or anything, but someone would pay. Blood for blood.
After a moment, Kakashi relaxed and changed the topic.
"Alright, Obito. Just remember the reason you awakened your Sharingan."
"Today, I used Rin to trick you into unlocking it."
"But in the future, a real enemy might do the same thing—but for real."
"And if that day ever comes..."
"Don't let them weaponize your pain."
Obito didn't fully understand, but he nodded slowly, memorizing every word.
Kakashi exhaled. Mission accomplished.
Mentoring was exhausting. Emotional labor should count as chakra drain.
No wonder the Third always looked tired.
"Oh, right—Rin."
Kakashi turned to her.
"While Tsunade-sama is still in Konoha, we need to learn as much as we can."
"She's got a few techniques that'd fit your chakra style perfectly. You've got to convince her to teach you."
"Got it! I'll do my best!" Rin said, eyes shining.
She had taken mental notes of everything Kakashi had said.
And for the first time, she felt like she saw the weight Kakashi carried.
Like something—or someone—was always pushing him forward, keeping him awake at night.
Kakashi... I don't know what's chasing you.
But I'll walk beside you until we face it together.
"Alright then! From today onward, we're officially teammates."
"Let's train together. Grow together. And most importantly—survive together."
Kakashi didn't say the last part out loud.
But it echoed just the same.
"Yeah! Let's give it our all!"
"Yosh! Let's go!"