Chapter 75. I'll Come Clean
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At this moment, in Konoha:
"I'm back!"
Uchiha Obito cheerfully announced his long-awaited return to the village, practically skipping all the way home.
Since clearing up his misunderstanding with Rin, he couldn't help but feel he had misunderstood her again.
She wasn't rejecting me that time. She must've just been full from barbecue, so she didn't want ramen. That's on me!
This was his fault—Uchiha Obito's fault—for failing to figure out what Rin wanted to eat!
It wasn't Rin's fault at all!
She must like me, right? Why else would she comfort me when I was down, help me cheat on exams, tend to my wounds when I was injured, and even tearfully urge me to stay safe?
The problem wasn't Rin—it was him.
He, Uchiha Obito, had failed her by doubting her feelings.
At the entryway, Obito swapped his shoes and muttered, "Looks like Grandma went dancing again. Honestly... I'm starving. Maybe I should..." His eyes lit up. "...invite Rin for ramen?"
Taking a deep breath, his expression grew determined.
"This time, I'll take the opportunity to confess properly!"
He had meant to confess during their last misunderstanding but had been interrupted by that bastard. Not this time.
This time, he would succeed!
He wasn't the same Uchiha Obito as before. He was now a genius, creator of powerful jutsu that made enemies wail, and a standout presence on the battlefield.
He was even stronger than Kakashi!
Soon, I'll become a Jonin, marry a beautiful and wealthy wife, earn the village's admiration, become Hokage, and reach the pinnacle of ninja life.
Obito grinned as he fantasized about the future, imagining himself and Rin with three sons and two daughters.
"Obito, you're back?"
A warm voice interrupted his daydream.
Startled, Obito turned to see his grandmother, who was wearing an apron. He lit up. "Grandma, you're here!"
"Of course I'm here. Where else would I be?"
"Didn't you go dancing today? You don't have to worry about me. I'm really strong now!" Obito laughed, noting how good his grandmother looked. "As long as you're happy, that's all that matters."
"I'm not going dancing anymore," his grandmother replied, her eyes briefly cold but her expression still kind. "All I want now is to see you get married and have a great-grandchild. That's enough for me."
"Grandma, what are you talking about!" Obito scratched his head, laughing awkwardly. "Rin and I are just... just friends."
"Are you blushing, Obito?"
"Of course not!"
"Alright, come eat. There's a new dance hall in the village where boys take girls to dance. You could take Rin there, you know."
"A dance hall?"
"Yes, a place where men and women dance together. Many young people have successfully confessed there."
Obito froze, then broke into a sly grin. His mind wandered for a moment before he coughed and said, "I'll... I'll give it my best shot!"
Determination burned anew in his eyes.
He'd made up his mind: he'd confess to Rin at the dance hall, then dance with her—right in front of Kakashi!
That'll show him!
...
Meanwhile, Kakashi was walking along the street when he suddenly shivered.
Why do I feel like something bad is about to happen?
But back in the village, what could possibly go wrong?
It must just be the colder weather.
He glanced at Rin, who had been silent ever since Minato-sensei left and Kakashi suggested they grab some ramen. She seemed distracted, which made him frown slightly.
"Not happy?" he asked after a moment of hesitation.
Rin blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. She smiled warmly and shook her head. "No, it's just..." Her gaze dimmed slightly, and she fell silent again.
The atmosphere grew awkward.
Just as Kakashi was about to press further, Rin suddenly brightened and said, "Minato-sensei mentioned you and Obito might both become Jonin this time. Congratulations! You're both amazing!"
Then she pouted. "I wanted to bring Obito along too, but he said he wanted to surprise someone and just ran off. I have no idea what kind of surprise he's planning, but it must be really urgent!"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow at her cheerful tone, a faint understanding dawning on him.
They were a team. It must sting a little for Rin, knowing that both he and Obito were advancing to Jonin while she remained behind.
He hadn't expected Obito to catch up so quickly, either.
Obito, once the "dead last," had turned out to be a genius after all, someone who had found his own ninja path—even if that path was...
Kakashi sighed inwardly at the thought, his gaze falling on the colorful lights of the "Yuto Dance Hall" that Ichiraku's owner had mentioned earlier.
A place to relax, he'd said, where many ninjas went to unwind after missions.
Kakashi hesitated, torn between going in and walking away.
"I'll head back now," Rin suddenly said, bowing slightly. She raised a fist, smiling resolutely. "I'll work hard too! I won't fall too far behind you and Obito. If Obito's giving it his all, I can't lose either!"
Yet deep down, she felt distant from them—like during their missions when the two of them would bond over ninja techniques while she could only stand by and watch.
Am I... unnecessary?
Will I always be the one who needs protection?
After finishing her pep talk, Rin turned to leave, trying to mask her sadness with renewed determination.
"Wait," Kakashi called out.
"Hm?" Rin turned back, puzzled.
"I..." Kakashi hesitated, then pointed to the bright lights of the dance hall. "Want to check it out? Ichiraku's owner said it's a good way to unwind. It might help us train better afterward."
Rin blinked in surprise but quickly realized he was trying to cheer her up. She smiled gently and nodded. "Okay!"
And so, while Obito was having dinner with his grandmother, Rin and Kakashi, curious and hesitant, stepped into the dance hall together.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side.
After the unexpected initial success with explosive tags, the Iwa ninjas became more vigilant. As a result, the effectiveness of the tags started to decline.
As expected, you can't predict ninja behavior with common sense!
The same tactic never works twice on a ninja.
Unless, of course, you're willing to blow yourself up along with them.
Thus, they had no choice but to engage directly.
After failing to pick off the Iwa ninjas individually and seeing them regroup despite suffering significant losses, the attackers resorted to combining explosive tags with ninjutsu.
However—
It wasn't long before the Iwa ninjas found themselves at a disadvantage again.
They hadn't expected to need their Elite Jonin for what was supposed to be a simple mission to capture a businessman.
Facing this increasingly dangerous foe, their initial plan crumbled.
The remaining Iwa ninjas panted heavily, warily eyeing the black-haired youth before them—
their mission target.
But—
How could a mere businessman possess such strength?!
Jonin-level?
Elite Jonin-level?!
"Impossible!" one of the Iwa ninjas shouted, his face dark and tense as he glared at Yuto. "Who are you really? A businessman?!"
What kind of village would send such a young Jonin to pose as a businessman?!
And that terrifying Fire Release technique and chakra just now!
There was no way this was an ordinary businessman!
The Iwa ninja's eyes were locked on Yuto. "No way! Absolutely impossible!"
But—
"I originally wanted to roam the ninja world as a wealthy businessman," Yuto sighed, casting a subtle glance at Yakushi Nono, who was hidden among the group. He discreetly gave her a slight nod before exhaling again, his tone tinged with melancholy. "But greed is all I've encountered."
He paused, then straightened, his tone turning sharp.
"Fine. I won't hide anymore. I'll come clean. I am... Uchiha Madara!"
The declaration fell like a thunderclap.
"??!"
Uchiha Madara?
Everyone: ???
White Zetsu: …
If you're Uchiha Madara, then who's is Madara-sama? This has to be a joke!
Suddenly—
A kunai pierced through his chest.
"Huh?"
White Zetsu froze, realizing he had fallen into a trap!
Behind him, his ally, "Uto," who had thrown the kunai, stared coldly at him.
For a moment, White Zetsu didn't know what to say.
Beside him... there are actually undercover agents?