Konohagakure.
Hokage's Office.
Kakashi stood before Minato, holding a stack of documents as he gave his report.
All three of his students had completed their training. His duties as a jonin instructor had long been fulfilled.
So, Minato had reassigned him to the Hokage's office as an assistant, which was both a form of training and a step toward promotion.
"...Yakushi Nono is highly skilled in medical ninjutsu. Personally, I believe she should be placed in a more suitable position."
Minato looked up at the name, pausing in thought before smiling.
"Ah, I remember her. She's the mother of that young recruit who recently joined the ANBU, isn't she?"
Kakashi nodded. "Yes. She previously worked for Root, but she has a kind nature and even runs an orphanage on her own."
"After conducting a thorough security review, the village transferred her to a standard combat unit. I believe that's a waste of her talents."
Minato pondered for a moment before nodding.
"The Third always said that people should be placed where they fit best. Let's do as you suggest, Kakashi."
"You've been doing great work lately. It seems this position suits you quite well, haha."
Kakashi shrugged, his usual lazy expression in place.
"I'm just doing my best to follow your orders, Minato-sensei. Personally, I'd prefer something more laid-back."
Minato chuckled, lightly tapping Kakashi with the stack of papers.
"You used to be so diligent as a kid—what happened?"
Kakashi adjusted his forehead protector, his tone thoughtful.
"I guess I was influenced by a certain unreliable someone."
Also, satisfying the wife is no easy task…
And Jiraiya-sama's books are simply too captivating…
Minato sighed and rubbed his forehead.
"You might as well just say Obito's name outright... Alright, keep going."
Kakashi smirked. "Then I'll continue, Minato-sensei."
"Mm. Take your time."
...
By the time he finally finished, it was already well past noon.
Kakashi walked out of the Hokage's office, looking utterly drained. Stretching lazily, he pulled a small book from his pocket, a contented smile spreading across his face.
"Ah, finally! Some well-earned free time."
During the day, he had to deal with Minato-sensei. At night, he had to handle the little wildcat at home…
For Kakashi, this brief midday break was the only time truly his own.
"Jiraiya-sama's writing is getting more detailed… It really makes you feel like you're there…"
As he read, an indecent grin crept onto his face. He wiped a bit of drool from his mask and was about to turn the page when—
His instincts flared. Looking up, he focused on a specific spot in the distance.
"Huh? That guy's back?"
Quickly and carefully, Kakashi tucked the book away. Then, in a flash of the Flying Thunder God Technique, he vanished toward his target.
Whenever that guy returned to the village, he had to go find him immediately!
Otherwise, who knew how long it would take to track him down again?
...
Konoha Barbecue House.
Obito hummed a cheerful tune as he grilled some snake meat, waiting for a certain someone to arrive.
"You eat dung, I eat sand~ Sticky, sticky, so hard to chew (roam the world)~"
Technically, Obito could have just used Kamui to teleport straight to Rin's house.
But he always took his time wandering through the village first, giving that certain someone a chance to catch up.
Hahaha, clearly, he was doing this out of friendship.
It wasn't because he was worried Kakashi might interrupt him doing… questionable things!
Whoosh!
A shadow flickered into existence, landing right on the seat opposite Obito.
"Obito, you—wait, huh?"
Kakashi finally realized where he was: a barbecue restaurant.
Obito grinned and placed a piece of grilled meat on Kakashi's plate.
"Hungry? If you've already eaten, have a little. If not, eat a lot."
The rich aroma of grilled meat filled the air, making Kakashi subconsciously swallow.
"I actually haven't eaten yet… What kind of meat is this? Smells amazing."
Obito's grin widened as he dropped two more hefty pieces onto Kakashi's plate.
"Then dig in! This is special—thousand-year-old snake meat, a rare delicacy!"
"Eat up, and you'll be galloping through life in no time!"
In a single swift motion, Kakashi pulled down his mask, took a bite, and pulled it back up.
His eye lit up. "This is really good! But thousand-year-old snake meat…? Give me a break."
Obito immediately scowled and snatched the meat back off Kakashi's plate.
Holding up a piece with his chopsticks, he said, "Who's making things up? Let me introduce you properly."
"What I'm holding right now is none other than the legendary White Snake Sage of Ryūchi Cave!"
Obito blew on the meat before taking a self-satisfied bite.
"That old snake had never seen the world properly."
With that, he devoured it in one bite. "Damn, so good!"
Kakashi's eye widened in shock. "Wait… what?! Are you telling me this is meat from one of the Three Great Sage Regions?! From the White Snake Sage itself?!"
Obito chuckled, stuffing another piece into his mouth. "Why are you just repeating what I said?"
Seeing the pile of grilled meat rapidly shrinking, Kakashi hurriedly grabbed more for himself.
"Stop eating! You don't need it—leave it all for me!"
"Uh… alright."
Obito met Kakashi's desperate gaze and seemed to understand something.
Kakashi hadn't said much, but at the same time, he had said everything…
...
Deep within Uchiha Madara's hideout.
After a night of calm reflection, Madara was no longer consumed by rage. Instead, he began rationalizing Obito's actions.
"At that time, Obito and I barely interacted. We were merely using each other, not nearly as close as we are now."
"For him to make moves behind my back makes sense. Didn't I secretly make my own preparations as well?"
"Besides, resurrecting Izuna may have been a way to restrain me, but it also shows a degree of concern for me."
After decades of solitude underground, Madara had spent years consumed by fury, resentment, and bitterness.
But over time, deep self-reflection had led him to accept some of Hashirama's ideals—even to understand his old rival's actions.
Both of them had fought for peace. The only difference was that Hashirama had taken the wrong path.
In other words, Madara was no longer the same extremist he had been decades ago.
(This was why Obito could gradually change Madara. In the end, they would have a happy ending.)
Otherwise, Madara would have long since activated his Susanoo and taken Obito for a 'dance.'
"Still…" Madara chuckled bitterly. "Even knowing all this, there's still a sting. Hahahaha!"
Izuna had been his sanctuary—something untouchable.
Obito's meddling had left a small crack between them.
"Maybe it's time for a real talk with Obito?" Madara muttered.
"…Forget it. The Eye of the Moon Plan is near completion. I'll wait until everything is settled."
But something kept gnawing at him.
Why had Obito impersonated him so long ago just to intimidate Orochimaru?
Back then, Obito had no way of knowing his plan.
Unless…
No. The way he acted… it was almost as if he had truly met me before!
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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