The two of them charged into the Iwagakure camp one after another, breaking through the outer defenses with seamless coordination.
But just as they were about to reach Rin Nohara, an Iwagakure ninja hidden in the shadows launched a sneak attack, thrusting a short blade toward Uchiha Obito's back.
"Watch out!"
Kakashi Hatake's pupils shrank. Without hesitation, he lunged forward and used his own body to shield Obito.
Puchi!
The blade slashed across Kakashi's left eye.
Blood gushed out instantly, staining half his face red.
That moment—
Triggered Obito completely.
Unknowingly, two tomoe appeared in his eyes, spinning rapidly.
The two-tomoe Sharingan had awakened.
With it, Obito's perception surged. The movements of every enemy became clear. He immediately struck down the hidden attacker who had used the Hiding in Camouflage Technique.
With his newfound power, Obito and Kakashi quickly broke through the enemy's defenses and successfully rescued Rin from the genjutsu.
But as they began to retreat—
The Iwagakure jonin roared in fury.
"You think you can escape?!"
His hands flashed through seals.
"Earth Release: Rock Lodging Destruction!"
The cave trembled violently.
Rocks fell from the ceiling like a storm.
"Oh no—the cave is collapsing!" Obito shouted.
The three sprinted toward the exit.
But in the chaos—
Kakashi, blinded in one eye, failed to notice a massive rock flying toward him.
"Watch out!"
Obito saw it—but too late.
Bang!
Kakashi was struck and slammed to the ground.
"Kakashi!" Obito and Rin shouted together.
The cave continued collapsing.
Obito looked at Kakashi—
Then at Rin—
And made his decision instantly.
He turned and rushed back, pushing Kakashi away with all his strength.
"Go! Now!"
Kakashi rolled to safety.
But Obito—
Was too late.
A massive boulder crashed down, pinning the right half of his body.
Pfft—
Blood spilled from his mouth.
The entire right side of his body was crushed.
Hidden in the shadows, *Asuka* watched everything unfold.
In the original timeline, Obito would give his Sharingan to Kakashi here, creating the future "Copy Ninja."
But Asuka had no intention of letting that happen.
He wanted to see—
What kind of chaos an Obito with both eyes would bring to the world.
At this moment, Obito was on the brink of death.
He looked at Kakashi and Rin, forcing a weak smile.
"Kakashi… I'll give you my Sharingan… protect Rin… for me…"
Rin knelt beside him, sobbing uncontrollably.
At that exact moment—
Asuka moved.
A trace of chakra slipped from his fingertip, precisely striking a massive rock above.
Crack!
A larger chunk of rock broke loose—
And fell.
"Watch out!" Kakashi shouted.
Without hesitation, he grabbed Rin and retreated.
"Obito—!" Rin's scream echoed.
Boom!
The falling boulder buried Obito completely.
No trace remained.
---
White Zetsu Appears
Asuka acted without hesitation because he had already detected something:
A strange chakra beneath the cave.
White Zetsu.
Even without interference, Obito would have been taken.
Asuka simply sped things up.
Sure enough—
The ground shifted.
White Zetsu emerged silently, brushing aside the rubble and revealing Obito's mangled body.
Without delay, he lifted Obito—
And sank back into the earth.
Asuka smiled faintly.
Activating his ability, his body turned ethereal as he followed underground like a ghost.
Moving silently through the soil, he trailed White Zetsu deep beneath the earth.
---
The Underground World
After several minutes—
They arrived.
A vast underground cavern.
The ceiling was embedded with glowing minerals, illuminating the space like a hidden world.
At the center—
A massive stone throne.
Seated upon it—
An old man.
White hair.
Wrinkled face.
Eyes closed.
Like a statue frozen in time.
It was—
Uchiha Madara.
White Zetsu approached respectfully, holding Obito.
Madara slowly opened his eyes.
The red glow of his Sharingan flickered in the darkness.
There was no surprise in his expression.
As if everything had gone exactly as planned.
But—
His gaze didn't stop on Obito.
Instead—
He looked past White Zetsu.
Toward the darkness behind him.
"You brought back a tail, White Zetsu."
White Zetsu froze, confused, and turned around.
Behind him—
A figure emerged from the earth.
Step by step, it solidified.
Black robe.
Black hair.
A bone mask.
It was—
*Asuka*.
He stepped forward calmly, meeting Madara's gaze with a faint smile.
"Uchiha Madara… I've heard a lot about you."