Chapter 22: Kakashi, Do You Remember Me?
Land of Hot Water, Violet Spring.
Light smoke drifted over the water, mingling with warm steam and a faint scent of violets filling the air. Soaking in the hot spring, all the tension in the body naturally eased.
"This is amazing!"
"I didn't realize how relaxing and enjoyable hot springs could be!"
This first experience completely hooked Uchiha Yi, who decided he'd visit hot springs whenever he could in the future.
However, this rare moment of relaxation was fleeting, like fireworks in the night. His shadow clone, responsible for keeping watch, relayed a message that Konoha shinobi were approaching.
Using his special ability, Insight, which could see through illusions, he identified them: Hatake Kakashi, Uzuki Yugao, and another face he didn't recognize, likely a disposable character not from the original story.
This made Uchiha Yi curious—how did they know he was here?
Could it be that his masked alias, the one who killed Konohamaru, had been exposed?
Despite his uncertainty, it was clear they were after him.
Might as well see what they were planning.
Perhaps he could even use this as an opportunity to throw a wrench in Tobi's plans; the guy needed something else to focus on rather than constantly watching him.
A few moments later, Uchiha Yi chuckled as if he'd thought of something entertaining.
Elsewhere, as Kakashi and his team approached Uchiha Yi's location, they suddenly stopped, looking into the depths of the forest. There, a man wearing an orange mask with tiger stripes was sitting on a tree stump.
The other two quickly drew their blades, sensing the danger this man posed.
At that moment, disguised as the masked man, Uchiha Yi noticed their approach and began preparing himself emotionally.
The shinobi world held a strange and powerful force called bonds, and even the deeply corrupted Tobi was still entangled by them.
Since Tobi had been "so caring" toward him, it was only polite to return the gesture.
People must face reality sooner or later.
Let me help you with that, Tobi.
"Who are you?"
"What are you doing here?"
"Or are you the cultist behind the string of murders?"
Kakashi asked sternly.
"Me? I'm just someone who's been forgotten."
"This used to be my home, my land."
"Sadly, everything has changed. The person I cared for is gone."
"I didn't expect to see an old friend here."
With that, Uchiha Yi revealed his right Sharingan eye, looking at Kakashi with a calm intensity.
An inexplicable feeling of familiarity washed over Kakashi, and memories long buried began to resurface. A sense of dread crept into his heart as he feared the worst.
How could this be?
No, it can't be possible!
He had seen this person crushed under a rock with his own eyes!
Who is this man?
"Senpai, what's wrong?"
Uzuki Yugao noticed Kakashi's reaction and asked, concerned.
"...I'm fine."
Kakashi replied unconvincingly, trying to reassure his teammates. He showed no signs of being under a genjutsu, which helped to ease their worries.
After steadying himself, Kakashi looked at Uchiha Yi again, focusing on that three-tomoe Sharingan. In that eye, he saw a complex mix of emotions—familiarity, nostalgia, anger, hatred, darkness…
All of it directed at him.
Why did this person harbor such strong emotions toward him?
The more he thought about it, the more unsettled he felt. In a swift motion, he drew his sword and pointed it at Uchiha Yi.
"Let's see who you really are behind that mask!"
Kakashi, driven by the need for answers, prepared to strike and unmask the stranger.
"So, you've chosen to draw your sword, Kakashi," Uchiha Yi said.
"Just like the way you killed Rin without hesitation back then!"
Ignoring Kakashi's move, Uchiha Yi touched his mask, his voice turning from calm to intense, tinged with pain and anger.
The words struck Kakashi like a bolt of lightning, leaving his mind blank, his body frozen as if lifeless.
In that moment, he couldn't help but remember the painful image of Rin dying under his Chidori, her body drenched in blood.
I failed to protect her… I broke my promise to my friend.
"You're lying! Kakashi-senpai would never do that!"
Seeing Kakashi's devastated expression, Uzuki Yugao jumped to his defense.
"Is that so, Kakashi?"
At that, Uchiha Yi slowly removed his mask, revealing a face that was half-intact, half scarred and twisted.
It was Uchiha Obito.
"Kakashi, do you recognize me?"
"Is Rin, the one you promised to protect, still alive?"
Each painful word stabbed into Kakashi's heart, making it hard for him to breathe.
He wanted to deny what he was seeing, but the pain made it impossible to turn away from the truth.
Despite the years that had passed and the changes to Obito's face, Kakashi could still recognize his former friend.
"Are you… really Obito?"
Kakashi's voice was dry and shaky, the question escaping him almost involuntarily.
"Hahaha!"
"Who would've thought that the genius Kakashi would still remember a loser like me?"
Uchiha Yi laughed, mocking him.
"Kakashi-senpai, is this the same Obito from the memorial stone, the Konoha hero? If he's alive, why didn't he return to Konoha?"
Uzuki Yugao, who knew a bit about Kakashi's past, asked in disbelief.
"…"
Kakashi's mind was spinning, too overwhelmed to answer. He had his suspicions about why Obito hadn't returned.
Was it because of Rin?
"Enough, Kakashi!"
"Our reunion ends here."
"I've learned the truth about what happened back then!"
"Rin's death wasn't only your fault; Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura are also to blame."
"I will take revenge on everyone involved!"
"Oh, and one more thing…"
"I was the one who released the Nine-Tails that night!"
"Goodbye."
With that, Uchiha Yi mimicked Obito's Kamui technique, his body twisting and spiraling as he used Fire Release to vanish before their eyes.
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