[Hidan: “There’s no way they can beat a jōnin.
If they do, I’ll eat my own words!”]
[Deidara: “Yeah!
Hidan’s right!
Hmm!”]
[Sasori: “Will you two idiots shut up already?”]
The video continued.
The air blurred with afterimages.
The constant clash of steel echoed through the cave.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Obito and Kakashi gripped their blades tightly and attacked in perfect succession.
But their opponent was no ordinary shinobi.
Every strike was anticipated and effortlessly avoided.
The enemy countered immediately, slashing with his kunai.
Clang!
Obito blocked every incoming attack with his own kunai, sending showers of sparks flying.
Meanwhile—
Seeing a short blade hurtling toward him, Kakashi ducked just in time.
The blade grazed his silver hair, severing a few strands as they drifted to the ground.
Gritting his teeth, Kakashi pressed the attack.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
More sparks exploded with every exchange.
Obito and Kakashi charged one after another, coordinating their attacks flawlessly.
Yet each time they were about to land a decisive blow, the enemy seemed to vanish like a phantom.
Whoosh!
A fierce gust swept through the cave.
Obito looked up just as the enemy swung his blade toward him.
He ducked instinctively.
Kakashi seized the opening and lunged forward.
But the enemy’s lips curled into a faint smile.
It had all been a trap.
Obito’s pupils shrank.
Without hesitation, he lunged forward and grabbed the enemy’s head with both hands, pinning him in place.
Kakashi descended from above, bringing his blade crashing down.
Then he planted a powerful kick onto the enemy’s shoulder.
Thud!
The Iwagakure shinobi slammed into the ground, his eyes rolling back as he lost consciousness.
Without wasting a second, Kakashi and Obito rushed over to Rin.
She was tied to a wooden post, her consciousness hazy.
“Release!”
Kakashi formed a one-handed seal.
Moments later, Rin slowly opened her eyes.
“Kakashi…
Obito…”
She looked at the two boys in surprise.
“We’re here to rescue you, Rin.”
“You’re safe now.”
Obito panted heavily.
“Let’s get out of here first.”
Kakashi untied the ropes binding Rin.
She staggered but managed to regain her footing.
“I see…”
“Excellent teamwork.”
The enemy slowly climbed back to his feet.
“But you’re still only children.”
“And now…”
“You’re trapped.”
The Iwagakure jōnin calmly formed another series of hand seals.
“Earth Release: Rock Lodging Destruction!”
He slammed his palm onto the ground.
The entire cave trembled violently.
Huge rocks rained down from above as the ceiling began collapsing.
“Damn it!”
“Run for the exit!”
Kakashi’s eyes widened.
The three of them sprinted toward the shrinking opening.
Dust and debris filled the air, making it impossible to see one another.
A small stone suddenly dropped from above.
Thud!
It struck Kakashi squarely on the head.
“Kakashi!”
Rin cried out in alarm.
Obito rushed over and caught Kakashi before he could fall.
But when he looked up—
Massive boulders were crashing down.
There was no time left.
Obito gritted his teeth.
With every ounce of strength he had, he hurled Kakashi toward the exit.
Boom!!
The cave collapsed.
Countless boulders buried everything inside.
“Hmph.”
“It’s a shame to lose such a valuable source of intelligence…”
“But it couldn’t be helped.”
The enemy smirked coldly.
[Tobirama Senju: “Obito is an admirable child.
He willingly sacrificed himself to save his comrades.
“]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi: “This is the true Will of Fire!
All of you should learn from Obito!”]
[Koharu Utatane: “Konoha should remember Obito’s heroism forever.”]
[Konoha Civilian: “So there really are normal people among the Uchiha Clan…”]
[Uchiha Tekka: “Obito is a role model for the entire Uchiha Clan!”]
[Uchiha Setsuna: “Hmph.
I always knew Obito was a good kid with a bright future.
What a pity…”]
[Sasuke Uchiha: “Obito, I’ll follow your example!
Don’t worry—I will kill Itachi and avenge our clan!”]
[Uchiha Obito: “…”]
Inside the Cave
Obito looked at the chat messages and fell into silence.
If this video keeps playing…
Won’t my plan with Madara be exposed?
Thinking of that, he sent Madara a private message.
[Uchiha Obito → Madara Uchiha (Private Message): “Madara…
what should we do now?”]
A reply arrived almost instantly.
[Madara Uchiha: “Nagato has the Rinnegan.
Have Black Zetsu control him and use him to revive me immediately.”]
Obito stared at the message, a cold glint flashing across his eyes.
Revive you?
You’re dreaming.
There was no way he intended to resurrect Madara.
After all, Madara had placed a cursed seal on his heart.
With a single thought, Madara could control him completely.
He had no intention of becoming anyone’s puppet.
“Looks like I’ll have to move the plan ahead of schedule…”
Obito walked out of the cave and gazed at the dark clouds overhead, his eyes icy.
The Pure Land
Madara watched Obito’s name in the chat.
No reply came.
Although puzzled, he didn’t dwell on it.
He’s probably busy carrying out the plan…
Hmph.
Just thinking about his imminent resurrection brought a faint smile to Madara’s face.
[Hatake Kakashi: “Obito…
why aren’t you saying anything?”]
[Nohara Rin: “Yeah…”]
[Uchiha Obito: “Hmph.
Scum Kakashi…
what is there to say?”]
[Minato Namikaze: “Let’s continue watching.”]
[Tobirama Senju: “Something isn’t right…
I have a bad feeling about this.”]
[Hashirama Senju: “Little brother, you’re overthinking it.”]
[Tobirama Senju: “Based on my instincts…
I think Obito might still be alive.”]
[Uchiha Tekka: “LOL.
If you hate the Uchiha so much, just say it outright.
There’s no need for the sarcasm!”]
[Uchiha Setsuna: “Looks like Tobirama has finally lost it.
“]
The video continued.
As the dust slowly settled—
Kakashi and Rin had survived.
“Are you two…
alright…?”
Obito’s weak voice came from beneath the rubble.
Kakashi slowly opened his eyes.
The moment he saw what lay before him—
His pupils contracted violently.
“OBITO!!”
Rin covered her mouth with both hands.
Her eyes filled with shock.
Kakashi forced himself to his feet and rushed over.
He desperately tried to push away the enormous boulder pinning Obito.
But it wouldn’t budge.
It was simply too heavy.
“Stop…”
“Kakashi.”
“I’m done for…”
Obito spoke weakly.
“The entire right side of my body…”
“It’s been crushed.”
“I can’t even feel it anymore…”
He looked at Kakashi struggling against the boulder and gave a bitter smile.
“So this…”
“is how it ends for me.”
“Damn it!”
Kakashi slammed his fist against the rock in frustration.
“Why…”
“Why did it have to end like this?!”
Rin stared at the dying Obito.
Her eyes reddened as tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Cough…”
A mouthful of blood spilled from Obito’s lips.
[Uchiha Setsuna: “Tobirama Senju, go tell your father this—what do you think now?”]
[Tobirama Senju: “Strange…
Was I simply overthinking it…?”]