In the distant Shikkotsu Forest, far removed from the chaos of the world, Obito had lost track of time since he arrived here. He had a routine in the forest, apart from daily training using natural energy and using the power of his Sharingan.
But Shiraishi had warned Obito about the potential risks of overusing the Mangekyou Sharingan, particularly the risk of blindness. However, he had also told him with the help of senjutsu chakra, it could reduce or even suppress this risk of using his Mangekyou Sharingan.
Obito was no longer a novice who just knew of the world. After unlocking the Mangekyou Sharingan, he had learned a wealth of knowledge from Shiraishi. For example, the Uchiha clan secrets, the revelation of of his Uchiha ancestor, Uchiha Madara, who had been plotting the fate of his eye's, and even information about the tailed beasts. Because of this Rin could no longer return to Konoha
Because the tailed beast within Rin's body, the Seven-Tails, belonged to Takigakure in the Land of Waterfalls. With the incident, Takigakure had engaged in multiple negotiations with Konoha, urging them to return the girl, who had stolen their tailed beast.
But the issue was Rin's unknown whereabouts within the intelligence networks of both Konoha and Taki, leaving Konoha unable to provide a suitable explanation to Taki. As a result, Takigakure officially severed ties with Konoha, and public opinion turned against Konoha.
Obito believed that once Rin's whereabouts were exposed, it wouldn't only draw the attention of attract, who needed to prove their innocence and mend their relationship with Takigakure, but also a reason tor them to capture the Rin and deliver her to Takigakure for resolution.
Obito couldn't help but sigh when he thought of Rin's predicament. He had no intentions against Konoha, understanding that circumstances sometimes forced such outcomes. He had made a new life here in the Land of Demons, embracing the existence of newly established Uchiha clan here. Still, he couldn't help but long for his former companions.
"Obito, the rice is ready." Rin's voice called from behind.
"Okay.."
Obito put aside his distracting thoughts, stood up from the ground, and headed toward the nearby wooden house.
Rin had prepared a delicious lunch, and Obito couldn't help but express his admiration, "Rin, your cooking is still as good as ever."
"I'm glad you like it, Obito."
Rin responded with a smile
"Life in this place is really carefree, unlike the outside where there was constant war, and we often usually eat cold and hard rice balls in the camp."
"Really?" Rin tilted her head, finding it difficult to understand the hardships he mentioned.
"Yes, when we were in the camp, Kakashi, Minato-sensei, and I use to eat the cold rice balls. During missions, we used ration pills to fill our stomach." Obito reminisced fondly, though it pained him.
"Kakashi... Minato-sensei?"
"Ahh... Rin it's alright. You don't have to worry about it."
He knew that Rin's memory was incomplete, so he didn't press her.
"Sorry, I wish I could remember more."
"It's okay. No need to apologize, Rin. It's a blessing that you can't remember."
"I see.... but.. I think the name Kakashi... sounds very familiar."
'Huh!' Obito's body stiffened at the table. He was confused by how Rin, who had lost her memory, still seemed to know Kakashi, while her memories of him remained missing. Even though he knew her first and had spent more time with her.
'Kakashi, you're really a b*stard' Obito thought, a mix of emotions flooding his heart.
"Well, Obito, what's wrong with you?. Is something bothering you?" Rin noticed Obito's pained expression.
"No, it's nothing. Just a mosquito bite."
"Then.. can you tell me more about this Kakashi?"
Rin put down her bowl and chopsticks in her hand, sat upright, and smiled with interest.
"...uh.. well... there really isn't much to say about that guy." Obito said reluctantly.
"Maybe it might help me recall my lost memories, Obito, please." Rin said with anticipation in her eyes.
Faced with Rin's gentle request, Obito couldn't bring himself to refuse. However, Rin had lost a large part of her memories from her past, and her recollection of Kakashi remained vague. It seemed safe for Obito to decorate a bit.
With that thought, Obito cleared his throat and responded seriously to Rin, "Well, you see. Kakashi was a troublemaker."
"Kakashi... troublemaker?" Rin blinked in confusion.
"Yes... yes, in the academy he was the kind of student who was always in the bottom of the class, his test scores was always a mess, and he has a very bad personality. He was always used as a negative example of not what to be like by our sensei." Obito maintained a straight expression, as if he was speaking the truth.
"I see....."
Seeing Rin nodding in apparent understanding made Obito bolder. Anyways, there was no turning back when you row the die. With the die cast, he proceeded further more.
"But I'm different. I was born from the famous Uchiha clan, I can use taijutsu, ninjutsu, and genjutsu at a glance. I graduated from the academy when i was five years old. At six years, I passed the Chunin exams, making me the youngest Uchiha genius in the village."
Lies flowed smoothly from his lips, and he couldn't help but exaggerate his self-praise.. He had completely brought himself into Kakashi's genius template.
"Now, I've even unlocked the ultimate eye of the Uchiha clan – the Mangekyou Sharingan. Compared to me, Kakashi is like night and day. And, unlike Bakashi, I'm full of love. During the academy, I used to help least a dozen elderly people every day. I'm a great ninja with exceptional talent and excellent morals."
Upon finishing his grandiose speech, Obito nodded with pride, as if applauding himself.
"Obito, you're truly wonderful."
Rin smiled with a hint of admiration in her eyes.
Obito blushed, cleared his throat, and replied, "Heh.., it's nothing. there's no way talented people can hide their dazzling brilliance. But, I still have a long way to go."
Basking in Rin's adoring gaze for the first time, Obito couldn't help but feel a little smug and his vanity was greatly satisfied.
'Kakashi, I'm sorry, but your life story now belongs to me. Why weren't you here to defend yourself?' Obito accepted all of it with peace of mind and began considering what other remarkable feats Kakashi had supposedly achieved.
Then, all those honors will belong to him, Uchiha Obito.
"Good, you both are here."
A sudden voice came from the side, as Shiraishi made his appearance.
"Ah!"
Obito was startled, his face changing through various expressions as he stuttered, "You- Wh-why are you here? When did you come here?"
"It's quite interesting that you're asking me when I came here." Shiraishi replied with an strange smile. "Actually, I just arrived not too long ago. And don't worry, I didn't hear your conversation just now."
'Liar! Absolute Liar!' When Obito saw the mocking smile on Shiraishi's face, he knew that Shiraishi had heard all the words he boasted to Rin just now. If exposed, Rin might regard him as a disgraceful liar, ignoring him forever.
"This b*stard!!! He's been here for a while, just eavesdropping on their conversation. What a despicable man." Obito thought, filled with resentment.
"Ah., I'm a bit hungry too. What should I do now?" Shiraishi touched his empty stomach and looked at Obito.
Obito's mouth twitched.
"I see. I'll go and get you bowls and chopsticks."
Obito went in, retrieved a brand new set of bowls and chopsticks, placed them on the dining table respectfully, and pulled out a chair for Shiraishi.
"I didn't expect you to be so diligent Obito."
"I've always been diligent."
"Help me serve the rice too, please."
"I—" Obito was about to protest but managed a forced smile, gritting his teeth. "Okay." He helped Shiraishi serve the rice.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. I'm full. You can enjoy your food."
Obito took a deep breath and left quickly. He was afraid he might lose control and punch that annoying smiling face.
Watching Obito leave, Rin sighed. "Shiraishi-senpai, your personality is still as terrible."
"Aren't you the same? You already knew i was there."
Rin already learned the applications Sage Mode, and he had also taught her sensory ninjutsu. So, only those who lacked the ability to sense remained unaware of his presence.
Rin blushed and turned her turned her face to the side.
"I actually didn't think too much about it, Shiraishi-senpai."
Shiraishi understood the difference between being called a senpai rather than a sensei. The excuse of amnesia could only fool someone as innocent as Obito.
"Your parents have been located. I've brought them here from Konoha. You can visit them whenever you like."
"Should I say thank you?" Rin smile wryly.
"That's not necessary, Rin. It's simply unfortunate that, due to the tailed beast sealed within you, you can't return to Konoha."
"I understand, and I can't help but feel I was somewhat selfish. I wish I had thought more about it. Obito was targeted because of me."
Hearing Rin's muttering, Shiraishi was left momentarily speechless. Obito had already declared that Rin's troubles had been caused by him. Now, Rin was saying that Obito was targeted because of her.
"In Shiraishi-senpai's eyes, am I stupid?" Rin looked up and asked.
"It is human nature to engage in stupid actions." Shiraishi responded solemnly.
Rin didn't respond but silently afreed with Shiraishi's statement. Humans are beings who often do stupid things.
"For Obito, your existence is special. Both of you have your own unique talents and need not belittle yourselves. But, there's something I must remind you of....." Shiraishi said, putting down his chopsticks.
"What is it?"
"Don't die. Otherwise, I might have to take matters into my own hands and kill Obito." Shiraishi looked directly at Rin, speaking in a tone more serious than ever before.
"Because without your influence, Obito becomes dangerously unpredictable. I can't control him. He may have shown remarkable potential when he unlocked the Mangekyou Sharingan at the age of twelve, but it also reveals the depth and weakness of his inner emotions. So, if you were to die, he would be a very dangerous existence. You should know this better than me.""
Rin fell silent for a moment before asking. "Because of the Mangekyou Sharingan?"
"That's correct. You, who awakened Obito's eyes, hold an undoubtedly special place in his heart. Obito can't restrain his emotions, and with the Uchiha blood running through his veins, his danger is obvious. The best-case scenario is for me to take away his Mangekyou Sharingan and lock him in a prison cell for the rest of his life."
Shiraishi wasn't joking. He genuinely believed this was a possible scenario. The reason Obito remained docile and had yet to be consumed by the power of the Sharingan was because Rin was still alive and able to suppress the darkness within him.
In the event of Rin's death, the darkness within Obito would reawaken, unleashing unpredictable horrors in addition to the pupil powers of the Mangekyou Sharingan. Hence, Shiraishi wished to caution Rin to protect herself.
He wanted her to learn Sage Mode, master medical ninjutsu, and even control the Seven-Tails sealed within her, to gain the power to defend herself. Shiraishi hoped Rin would understand the significance of these warnings.
No, Rin was indeed fully aware of the implications. In her mind, saving Obito was also her way of atoning for the past. She didn't want anyone to suffer because of her actions, and she was aware of the complexities of Obito's emotions.
"Shiraishi-senpai, I really am really stupid."
Even though she had secretly wished for death during those moments, as Shiraishi had pointed out, her desire to die at the hands of Obito had been quite selfish and ridiculous.
Initially, she had held some resentment towards Shiraishi, who had brought her back from the brink of death. Yet when she thought about it carefully, she realized it was her own poor thinking at fault.
In order to protect Konoha, she had harmed her most important comrade. Her actions were understandable from the perspective of Nohara Rin, the Konoha ninja.
However, once she had made that choice, the Konoha ninja Nohara Rin she used to be had already died. Her actions following her rebirth were not in service to Konoha. And so, if she were to be selfish, she would be selfish. For Obito and herself, there was no turning back; they were both bound to a darker path.
"In the grand scheme of things, Humans all do stupid things. Of course, I'm no exception."
"I thought Shiraishi-senpai was going to say some righteous speech." Hearing what Shiraishi said, Rin stroked her hair and smiled slightly.
"For those who have experienced death, such words may not be particularly useful. It's better to be realistic. If you ever find yourself struggling mentally, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. We already have a dedicated hospital for the mental health of ninjas."
It wasn't meant as a joke.
"So Shiraishi-senpai will be keeping an eye on both Obito and myself?" Rin smiled and looked straight at Shiraishi.
Shiraishi returned her smile and said, "Of course, I'm keeping a close watch on both of you. You both are after all my disciples, and unless it is absolutely necessary, I won't give up on you. In fact, it should be said that your best reward to me is your unwavering determination."
"What arrangements will be made for Obito after that?" Rin asked with concern.
"On that matter, I'll make my own arrangements later. I plan to place him where he can be of service."
"For?"
"Helping those grandma he loves so much. I believe he can can do well for the role."
"Guard duty?" Rin nodded in understanding.
"I hope to eliminate the darkness in his eyes. Without proper guidance for those eyes, the risk of becoming lost is a minor concern. Revenge on the world would be my true mistake. Therefore, my intention is to ensure his eyes are led down the right path."
As a matter of course, Shiraishi had already made arrangements for Obito after bringing him and Rin back. He believed it was his responsibility to do so. He was of the view that allowing Obito to overuse the power of the Mangekyou Sharingan, given his innocence and naivety, might not be the best course of action. It was clear to Shiraishi that Obito was still immature mentally.
Standing up from his sit, Shiraishi headed towards the location where Obito was training after his lunch.
"If possible, I hope Shiraishi-senpai can keep what happened just now a secret from Obito."
Shiraishi gestured with a wave without turning, indicating his understanding. He had a similar intention. For someone with immense power but still immature, it wasn't advisable to reveal everything. It might be wiser to let Obito mature and eventually discover these 'deceptions' on his own.
Considering Obito's personality as Rin's dog licker, Shiraishi couldn't think of a better approach.
Once Obito mastered Sage Mode, Shiraishi planned to have him work as a guard. He would help the old people within the country, with the hope of dispelling the darkness hidden in his eyes.
...
The disappearance of the Nohara couple had become a source of headache for Hiruzen, the Third Hokage.
Nohara Rin had stolen the Seven-Tails from Takigakure, and her current whereabouts remained unknown.
This incident had strained the relations between Takigakure and Konoha. Given Konoha's ongoing war with Kumogakure, there was a risk that Takigakure might use this situation to declare war on Konoha.
Even though Takigakure wasn't one of the five major ninja villages, it possessed considerable ninja strength. Hiruzen believed that time was the key to resolving these troubles, and it would likely blow over if they delayed matters.
Because with Nohara Rin's disappearance, Takigakure couldn't come up with any real evidence showing it was Nohara Rin who had stolen their tailed beast. It was just Takigakure's one-sided statement.
But Hiruzen wasn't keen on antagonizing Takigakure.
Moreover, the other ninja villages seemed to be fanning the flames secretly, so he had to provide a positive response to Takigakure's challenge. However, Hiruzen was unwilling to accept Takigakure's claims that Rin had stolen the tailed beast, as there was no solid evidence. It was Takigakure's assertion alone.
Hiruzen refused to acknowledge that it was Konoha who had taken it without definite evidence. The entire situation appeared highly suspicious.
According to Takigakure's timeline, the Seven-Tails had gone missing when Rin disappeared from the Land of Grass.
Kakashi had discovered remnants of Wood Release at a Taki battlefield, hinting at the presence of a mysterious ninja from the Land of Waterfalls.
Following that, Takigakure had accused a kunoichi from their village of stealing the tailed beast. Nevertheless, Rin's disappearance complicated the matter, and Hiruzen was cautious about accepting Takigakure's version of events.
If the accusation of stealing a tailed beast were confirmed, it would cast Konoha in a negative light, affecting its standing in the international community.
Furthermore, the incident raised puzzling questions. How could a chunin successfully locate a Jinchuriki from another village, quickly extracting the tailed beast, seal it into herself, and then escape from the village?
Takigakure's allegations only heightened Hiruzen's concerns, although he refused to admit to the theft of the tailed beast. Instead, he dispatched a team of ANBU to monitor Rin's parents all day and night hoping to uncover any clues.
Half a year later, the Nohara couple had behaved as usual. Their composure had taken some time to recover after learning of their daughter's disappearance. Throughout this period, they hadn't shown any suspicious behavior.
Rin, who had gone missing, hadn't returned to the village and had secretly contacted her parents. However, two days ago, the ANBU guarding the Nohara couple had an accident and fell into a coma on the spot. When they eventually woke up, the Nohara couple had mysteriously disappeared without a trace.
This turn of events drew Hiruzen's attention. He decided to withhold the news, especially from the Taki envoy stationed in Konoha, to prevent them from jumping to the conclusion that Konoha had stolen the tailed beast and that the Nohara couple's disappearance was related to their activities.
Hiruzen had been preoccupied with several issues recently. Konoha and Kumo were embroiled in a serious war, and he needed to find ways to resolve the problems concerning the Uchiha and Hyuga clans.
The election of the Fourth Hokage was also a matter of concern.
Hiruzen had to manage all these issues on his own, and the situation was becoming increasingly challenging. He realized that he might need to abdicate after the war ended. However, there was much he still needed to address before he could confidently hand over the position of Hokage.
There were numerous tasks ahead. Uchiha's problem had not yet been resolved, and the balance between the ninja and civilian populations was still weak.
Moreover, the large-scale defection incidents of the Uchiha and Hyuga clans years ago had added to the complications. It would require considerable time to prepare for these challenges.
"Time doesn't wait for anyone." Hiruzen thought.
In the blink of an eye, he was already in his fifties, and his energy wasn't what it used to be. He wouldn't feel at ease passing the Hokage position unless he had tackled these issues, achieved balance, and ensured a stable transition of power.
Whether Orochimaru or Minato, they were still too young in dealing with matters like these. More problems might arise with their lack of experience in communicating with ninjas.
Therefore, it wasn't yet possible to completely cut off the karma between himself and Hokage's position.
In his hands was a scroll with only two names written on it:
Orochimaru and Namikaze Minato.
The position of the Fourth Hokage would only be filled by one of them.
While he had a preference for his disciple, Orochimaru, he was aware that if Orochimaru became Hokage and joined forces with Danzo, he would become marginalized. After careful consideration, he found Minato more suitable for the role.
With Minato managing the daily tasks, Hiruzen could focus entirely on resolving the Uchiha matter and maintaining the balance between the ninja and civilian populations.
He needed to clear up the mess he'd left behind and ensure a stable transition to the next Hokage. However, he couldn't help but wonder if he had enough time to accomplish everything.
Hiruzen sighed and steeled himself to carry out the tasks that lay ahead. Under his leadership, Konoha had grown strong, but he was growing weaker.
As the demands of the village weighed on his shoulders, Hiruzen felt the weight of his years and the time he had spent as Hokage. He realized that he had to deal with the external issues first and set things in order internally.
Unlike other villages, Konoha boasted a number of prominent ninja clans, including the Uchiha, Hyuga, Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka, Aburame, Inuzuka, and more. Balancing and perfecting their relationships was no simple task.
It was precisely because of this intricate connection which had made him seek internal stability policies over the years. If he didn't deal with the internal problems, Konoha would only stagnate.
Hiruzen's first target had been decided.
Uchiha.
With the Uchiha clan being the primary concern, most other problems would resolve themselves. Hiruzen gazed out the window toward the Uchiha clan's location.
"... i haven't been there in a long time." He murmured to himself.
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