Asuka's fulfilling days began once again.
Ever since helping Obito recover from his injuries, he had designed a full set of rehabilitation training programs specifically for him.
Considering Obito was still technically a patient, Asuka had been quite "merciful"—his training intensity was a full third lighter than what he had once imposed on Utakata.
Unfortunately, this kindness earned him no gratitude.
Every time Obito saw Asuka, he would instinctively hide behind White Zetsu like a mouse spotting a cat. It wasn't that he hadn't protested—but every attempt was ruthlessly suppressed by Asuka's overwhelming strength.
---
Aside from supervising Obito's training, Asuka also had to balance his joint research with Hiruko on the Ghost Bud Technique.
With Asuka's involvement, the project progressed at a far faster pace than before. Even Hiruko couldn't help but marvel at his capabilities.
"Unfair… the heavens are truly unfair…" Hiruko muttered more than once, seeing Asuka's overwhelming strength paired with terrifying research talent.
---
Days passed quickly in this rhythm.
One day, Asuka arrived at the underground cave as usual—
But the moment he stepped inside, he noticed something was off.
Obito was confronting Uchiha Madara, and the atmosphere was tense, as if a heated argument had just erupted.
---
Asuka quietly moved to the side of a special White Zetsu—Tobi—and nudged the strange creature, who was squatting on the ground drawing circles… or something worse… with a twig.
Tobi looked up blankly.
Before it could say anything weird, Asuka cut in:
"Tobi, what's going on? Since when did Obito get the guts to argue with Madara?"
Tobi tilted its head.
"Not sure… another White Zetsu brought news. It seems Obito's old teammates are in danger. He wants to go save them, but Madara won't allow it. So… they started arguing."
---
That was enough.
Asuka immediately understood.
"So we've reached this stage already…" he thought.
His expression subtly changed.
"Rin becoming the Three-Tails' Jinchūriki… but that shouldn't happen yet. Not unless…"
His gaze shifted toward Madara.
A faint suspicion formed.
"If that old man isn't pulling strings behind the scenes, I'll eat my words."
With the current battlefield situation favoring the Hidden Mist, there was no logical reason for such a desperate move—unless someone was manipulating events from the shadows.
"Looks like Madara's infiltration into Kirigakure has gone deeper than expected… maybe even the Third Mizukage is already under his influence."
---
Shaking off the thought, Asuka turned his attention back to the confrontation.
At that moment, Obito, overwhelmed with anger, called for Tobi to possess him, smashed a rock with a punch—
And ran out of the cave.
---
Clapping lightly, Asuka walked forward.
"What a show. Really entertaining."
Madara said nothing, only watching him with cold eyes.
Asuka shrugged and followed after Obito.
Behind him, Madara narrowed his eyes slightly.
This man… was becoming harder and harder to understand.
---
Obito rushed forward under Tobi's guidance, heading toward Kakashi and Rin.
Far behind him, Asuka followed calmly, his Byakugan tracking everything.
After some time—
Two familiar figures appeared in his vision.
Before Obito could even see them—
Rin was begging Kakashi to kill her.
Kakashi stood frozen, trembling, tears streaming down his face as he struggled with the decision.
---
Then—
Obito arrived.
And in that very moment—
Kakashi moved.
With a burst of speed, he drew his short sword and drove it straight into Rin's heart.
---
The world went silent.
Obito stood frozen.
Sound disappeared.
Color faded.
Everything turned gray.
---
A roar tore from his throat.
The two tomoe in his Sharingan spun wildly—merging—
Transforming into the Mangekyō Sharingan.
A pattern like three scythes formed in his eyes.
---
At the same time, Kakashi collapsed, unable to endure the combined toll of Chakra exhaustion and emotional devastation.
Moments later—
Kirigakure's assassination squad arrived.
---
Obito charged.
Like a madman.
Their attacks passed through him as if he didn't exist.
He appeared before one of them—
Wood erupted from his arm, piercing through the enemy's body.
Branches exploded outward from within.
Wood Release: Cutting Technique!
---
The massacre began.
Obito moved like a ghost.
Untouchable.
Unstoppable.
Branches erupted wildly, tearing through enemies—
Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees!
---
Blood soaked the ground.
Under the crimson moonlight—
Everything looked like hell.
---
Obito walked slowly back to Rin's body.
Kneeling, he lifted her into his arms.
"…This world… is hell…"
---
Then—
A voice came from behind him.
"Hey. If you keep holding her like that, she really will die."
---
Obito froze.
He turned around instantly.
"You—! You mean… Rin… can still be saved?!"
---
Asuka walked over calmly.
"Of course. But not if you keep wasting time."
---
Before he could finish—
Obito immediately handed Rin over.
"Please! I'm begging you—save her! I'll do anything!"
---
Asuka said nothing.
He simply took out a test tube.
Inside—
A single drop of golden liquid.
High-purity Angel Blood.
---
He poured it gently into Rin's mouth.
Instantly—
Her heart began to regenerate.
Flesh reformed.
Wounds vanished.
Within moments—
Her body was completely restored.
---
Obito stepped forward in excitement—
But Asuka stopped him.
"She's stable. Not dying anymore."
"But after that kind of shock… waking up will take time."
---
Obito froze, then nodded silently.
---
"Let's head back," Asuka said. "You know the way."
Without waiting—
He teleported away with Rin.
---
Left alone, Obito stood in silence.
Then slowly walked toward Kakashi.
A wooden spike formed in his hand—
Aimed at Kakashi's heart.
---
He hesitated.
For a long time.
---
In the end—
He lowered his hand.
"Kakashi… I'll spare you this time."
"But next time…"
"I'll kill you myself."
---
His Mangekyō spun.
Space twisted.
A vortex formed—
Pulling him in.
---
When everything settled—
Only Kakashi remained.
Unconscious.
Surrounded by corpses…
And a forest of twisted wood.