"Stop joking. This world isn't something you can just change because you say so," Obito retorted mercilessly.
"The future is still uncertain, but we are striving in the present," Naruto said, clenching his fists.
"What our predecessors protected… the First Hokage, the Third Hokage, my father, and even Rin, they risked their lives to protect a reality, not a false world!!"
"What they wanted was the future of the real world, true peace!! Not self-deception trapped in an illusion!!"
Naruto's voice echoed for a long time in the mental space, leaving Obito momentarily hesitant…
In the silence.
Rin's figure appeared in the mental world.
She sobbed as she called out: "Obito… it's enough…"
"Your feelings back then, everything you've done all these years… it's enough."
"Obito, you should never have stood against the world."
"Back then, you were clumsy, but your whole being shone brightly."
Obito's body trembled slightly, and the next moment, he lifted his head, his eyes meeting Rin's with complex emotion…
Instantly, he felt a breeze mixed with the scent of grass and earth…
The scene shifted. Obito saw a moment from many years ago.
He and Kakashi were participating in a trial, and because he had gotten slightly injured, Rin carefully bandaged him and said seriously,
"Obito, I look forward to seeing you become Hokage, saving the world in style…"
In a daze, young Obito turned to look, meeting the gaze of the grown-up Obito before him!
"Rin wouldn't even want to look at you now."
"Rin protected and watched over the Obito Uchiha full of hope! Not you, this monster!"
After young Obito spoke, the scene in front of Obito shifted back to the mental world.
Obito remained silent for a long time.
At this moment, Rin in front of him said: "Obito, I still look forward to seeing you become Hokage and save the world."
These words hit Obito's heart like a heavy hammer!
"I…" he looked down at his hands, suddenly feeling unfamiliar!
"Have I… really… regretted… (*꒦ິ⌓꒦ີ)"
…
Outside the mental world.
Obito's mental defenses collapsed!
All the ninja alliance members exerted their strength together!
With a "whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—" sound!
The tailed beast chakra sealed within Obito was all torn out!!!
The Six Paths Mode faded!
Obito reverted to his original form, his body plummeting from high above…
"Ugh… I… lost…?"
…
Mount Myōboku.
Shinju, upon receiving the message from the small toad, teleported here using Flying Thunder God Technique.
He immediately met with Sage Fukasaku, who was leading him to the inner shrine of Mount Myōboku to meet Great Toad Sage.
Walking along the mountain path, Shinju asked seriously: "Has Great Toad Sage really come to his senses?"
Sage Fukasaku, leaning on Shinju's shoulder, nodded and replied: "Little Shinju, I wouldn't lie to you about something so serious."
"When Great Toad Sage woke up back then, I was right beside him. You didn't see what happened…"
"In all my years, I've never seen that expression on Great Toad Sage's face—confusion and shock mixed with unspeakable despair! (꒪⌓꒪)"
Shinju: "Is it still related to me?"
Sage Fukasaku nodded: "Of course! Otherwise, why would I have urgently sent the messenger to find you! (ー_ー)"
While chatting, Shinju's expression suddenly changed.
He sensed the latest situation on the battlefield!
"It actually worked. ( ˝ᗢ̈˝ )"
"I don't know if it's the effect of the transcribed sealing inside Rin."
"But even without that illusion, as long as Rin-sensei is there, the alliance has a huge chance of winning!"
Fukasaku: "What are you muttering about by yourself? We're at the front now."
Shinju immediately shared this news with Fukasaku beside him.
After listening, Fukasaku showed surprise: "So the alliance has basically won?"
Shinju nodded: "Clear the remaining battlefield, and the Fourth Great Ninja War can end! ( ˝ᗢ̈˝ )"
Sage Fukasaku: "You should have listened to Great Toad Sage and not acted, right?"
Shinju hesitated: "No… I just did some logistical work, and patched chakra for those lacking it."
"Good," Fukasaku nodded with satisfaction. "Don't take the Toad's dream lightly. Although Great Toad Sage is a bit senile, his dream is the most accurate."
"We've arrived at the temple. I won't go in with you."
…
Inside the temple.
Shinju met Great Toad Sage, who was now resting his head on his hands, unclear whether awake or asleep…
After hesitating, Shinju bowed: "Sage, did you summon me for something?"
Shinju's words immediately woke Great Toad Sage from his dream!
The toad's expression:ヽ( ຶ▮ ຶ)ﾉ!!!
Then, Great Toad Sage completely abandoned his usual confused image, cautiously surveying his surroundings!
Finally, he fixed his gaze on Shinju: "Shinju, you absolutely must not participate in the Fourth Great Ninja War!! (ŐдŐ๑)"
Shinju: "I know. The Fourth Great Ninja War is almost over, and the alliance is about to achieve victory…"
Great Toad Sage's expression remained grave: "Did you contribute?"
Shinju hesitated, then decided to tell the truth, explaining everything about researching seals, resurrecting Rin, revealing clones, and distributing chakra!
Great Toad Sage: --003d͟͟͞͞(꒪ᗜ꒪ ‧̣̥̇)
"You were one person away from overturning the entire Akatsuki, and you say you didn't participate?! Σ(っ °Д °;)っ"
Shinju felt guilty: "I didn't contribute on the battlefield, so maybe… it doesn't count…? (≖╻≖;)"
Great Toad Sage sighed and spoke earnestly: "Shinju, I will now tell you everything I dreamt. The rest is your choice."
"I dreamt of you… standing on the battlefield, surrounded by ninjas, raising your hand, triggering a large-scale explosion… how to describe it… that explosion felt strange…"
"Setting aside how many people in this world were affected, the important thing is, you attracted people from outside this world."
"I couldn't see them clearly… the toad's power is limited… their only feature is that their bodies are enveloped in white light."
"They will destroy this world, and the toad cannot escape either…"
After speaking, Great Toad Sage looked at Shinju: "You are influencing this world."
"…I understand… I won't interfere anymore." Shinju pondered. It was the first time he had heard Great Toad Sage speak so specifically.
After listening, he seemed to understand something.
"I don't truly belong to this world…"
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