Slash!
Kakashi cut down a Kirigakure shinobi who had tried to sneak up on Rin, then glanced at her anxiously.
Damn it.
Rin can barely keep running.
At this rate, we’re both going to die.
At the same time, another question kept bothering him.
Why hadn’t that mysterious person appeared yet?
Kakashi had no idea that everything happening around him was part of Madara’s plan.
Meanwhile, Obito was racing toward the battlefield with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
Rin!
Kakashi!
Hold on!
I’m coming to save you!
“Obito, don’t forget our agreement,” White Zetsu suddenly reminded him.
“I know.” Obito sounded annoyed.
“You’ve already told me a hundred times.
I won’t reveal who I am.” “Heh.
As long as you understand.” White Zetsu’s voice took on a faintly threatening edge.
“Madara being alive absolutely cannot become public knowledge.” “And no one can discover the Hashirama cells in your body either.” “If that happens…
I’ll have no choice but to silence them.” Obito frowned.
He didn’t like the threat, but said nothing.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
The sound of weapons colliding grew louder.
Knowing that Rin was just ahead made Obito’s heart pound even faster.
He burst out of the forest.
The battlefield finally came into view.
More than twenty Kirigakure shinobi were surrounding Kakashi and Rin.
Kakashi was protecting Rin while desperately holding them off.
He’s almost at his limit.
Obito’s expression darkened when he noticed Kakashi’s slowing movements.
There was no time to think.
He charged straight in.
Bang!
Obito suddenly appeared behind one of the Kirigakure shinobi attacking Kakashi and sent him flying with a powerful kick.
“Who are you?!” Kakashi immediately turned toward the newcomer.
He pulled Rin behind himself protectively.
The Kirigakure shinobi also stopped when Obito appeared.
Obito stood with his back toward Kakashi, fists clenched.
Under his breath, he muttered, “If I told that idiot Kakashi I was still alive right now, he’d probably lose his mind.” Then he gritted his teeth.
“Damn White Zetsu.” “Now I don’t even get to see Kakashi’s face when he realizes I survived.” One moment he was grinning foolishly.
The next, he looked irritated enough to bite someone.
Watching him, Kakashi’s expression darkened.
Don’t tell me this is the mysterious person I’ve been waiting for.
Why does he act like a lunatic?
This is the guy who saved me back then?
Kakashi stared at him warily.
“Who are you?” Under the mask, Obito curled his lip.
He deliberately lowered his voice into a rougher tone.
“Just a passerby who doesn’t like Kirigakure very much.” That part, at least, wasn’t a lie.
Anyone who dared hurt Rin immediately earned Obito’s hatred.
But while the two were exchanging words— Something changed.
A figure suddenly shot out from the distance.
Fast.
Far too fast.
Like a flash of light, the attacker rushed toward Rin with unmistakable killing intent.
“Watch out!” Obito’s face changed.
The attacker was already closing in on Rin.
So someone really did make a move.
Kakashi’s eye turned cold.
Almost as if he had been waiting for exactly this.
He vanished from where he stood and intercepted the attacker.
His blade flashed.
The enemy fell dead.
Cold sweat still ran down Kakashi’s back.
Good thing I learned from the last Scenario.
Otherwise Rin would’ve died right there.
Kakashi stared at the corpse.
The more this happened, the more certain he became that something was deeply wrong.
Far away, White Zetsu briefly revealed himself.
He watched the failed assassination attempt with disappointment.
“Failed.” Obito, meanwhile, breathed a sigh of relief.
Kakashi’s still dependable when it counts.
Then he turned toward the Kirigakure shinobi.
His expression became icy.
“You bastards…” “You deserve to die.” The Kirigakure shinobi erupted in anger.
“That bastard ruined everything!” “Kill him!” “Take him down too!” They drew their weapons and charged.
“We can talk after we deal with them.” Obito was already rushing toward the nearest enemy.
Kakashi glanced at him.
Something felt off.
This is really the person who saved me back then?
Why does he seem so weak?
Rin had been watching the masked stranger closely.
Suddenly, she spoke.
“Kakashi…” “Doesn’t his voice sound familiar?” Obito nearly tripped over his own feet.
His heart surged with equal parts panic and delight.
No way.
Rin recognized my voice?
Of course she did.
She really is amazing.
What Obito didn’t notice was Kakashi freezing in place behind him.
Rin’s words struck him like lightning.
Familiar?
Could it be…?
Kakashi swallowed hard.
He stared at the masked figure.
An impossible thought appeared in his mind.
Could that be Obito?
Is he really still alive?
If it was Obito…
Then why was he hiding his identity?
Goosebumps rose across Kakashi’s skin.
But he forced himself to remain calm.
“Really?” Kakashi answered Rin casually.
“You’re probably imagining it.” “How would we know someone this mysterious?” Obito nearly coughed up blood.
Damn you, Kakashi.
With nowhere else to vent his frustration, Obito took it out on the Kirigakure shinobi.
With Obito joining the battle, the pressure on Kakashi eased considerably.
The two fought side by side.
It didn’t take long to eliminate the remaining enemies.
When the final Kirigakure shinobi fell, an eerie silence settled over the battlefield.
Kakashi stared at the masked man standing a short distance away with his back turned.
Rin stood off to the side.
The three formed a loose triangle.
White Zetsu covered most of Obito’s body, leaving only one eye visible.
Obito carefully avoided facing Kakashi or Rin directly.
He couldn’t risk revealing himself.
Kakashi took a slow breath.
His emotions were becoming increasingly difficult to control.
During the battle, he had only caught a glimpse from the corner of his eye.
But he was certain of what he had seen.
A Sharingan.
And unless he was mistaken…
The masked stranger had also used a Wood Release technique.
If this really was Obito…
What in the world had happened to him?
“Obi—” Kakashi was about to test him when the ground suddenly exploded.
Boom!
The earth beside Rin shattered.
A figure burst upward from underground.
Another ambush.
And once again— The target was Nohara Rin.
“BASTARD!
RIN!” Obito’s expression changed completely.
He desperately rushed toward her.
“DIE!” Kakashi’s face turned ice-cold.
The anger he had been suppressing finally erupted.
Again.
And again.
Why did they keep targeting Rin?
He had had enough.
Kakashi raised one hand.
His voice was colder than the night around them.
“Hadō #4: Byakurai.” BOOM!
Lightning roared.
A blinding beam tore across more than ten meters of darkness.
It pierced directly through the attacker’s head.
Thud.
The corpse collapsed.
Kakashi didn’t relax.
He immediately moved to Rin’s side and guarded her.
Then he slowly turned toward Obito, who had stopped halfway through his charge.
That shout.
That name.
That voice.
There was no longer any doubt.
Kakashi stared at him.
“Obito…” His voice trembled.
“You’re alive?”