[Uzumaki Naruto: Wait…
does this mean everyone can actually talk in this chat?]
[Sasuke Uchiha: Idiot Naruto.
Stay alert.
This could easily be some enemy’s genjutsu…]
[Madara Uchiha: Hmm?
This Sasuke resembles Izuna quite a bit.]
[Uchiha Fugaku: Lord Madara, Sasuke is my son.]
[Madara Uchiha: Is that so?
Then tell me, how is the Uchiha Clan faring today?]
[Uchiha Fugaku: …]
[Hashirama Senju: Now that you mention it, Madara…
why are there so few Uchiha participating in this chat?]
[Mei Terumī: Hiruzen Sarutobi, would you mind explaining that?]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi: …]
[Ōnoki: Hmph.
I’d wager this entire chat is another one of Konoha’s schemes.]
[A (Fourth Raikage): Has Konoha developed yet another strange ninjutsu?]
[Senju Tobirama: Monkey, what happened to the Uchiha Clan?]
Konoha
Hiruzen watched the messages continue scrolling across the screen as cold sweat gathered on his forehead.
“Hiruzen…
what are you planning to do?”
Standing beside him, Danzō clenched his cane so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
“Stay calm, Danzō.”
Homura Mitokado stepped closer and spoke quietly.
“We’ll figure something out.
Itachi shouldn’t expose the truth.”
[Uchiha Shisui: Itachi…
why is no one from the clan saying anything?]
[Itachi Uchiha: .]
[Sasuke Uchiha: Um…]
[Uchiha Fugaku: SASUKE!!!]
[Uchiha Mikoto: Does it truly have to end like this…?]
The Pure Land
Fugaku looked anxiously toward Sasuke.
As the former patriarch of the Uchiha Clan, he already had a rough idea of what had taken place.
If Sasuke blurted out everything…
Hiruzen certainly wouldn’t escape blame.
But more importantly…
Where was Itachi?
[System: Ahem.
Everyone, please remain quiet.
The first featured video is about to begin.]
The chat was instantly muted.
No matter how hard they tried, nobody could send another message.
Soon afterward, the giant black screen began displaying moving images.
“Obito, Rin has come to walk with you.”
An elderly grandmother greeted him with a kind smile.
“Sorry, Rin!”
A child’s voice called from inside.
Moments later, a young Obito rushed outside while hurriedly slipping on his shoes.
His grandmother laughed softly.
“I hope I get to hold my great-grandchildren one day, Obito.”
“Grandma…”
Obito sighed helplessly.
“I’m only five.”
Konoha
Kakashi’s eyes widened.
“…Obito.”
[Hashirama Senju: Oh!
We can speak again!]
[Senju Tobirama: Brother, can you please stop getting excited over every little thing?]
[Nohara Rin: It’s Obito!
I’m so happy the first one is him!]
[Minato Namikaze: It appears Obito is today’s featured person.]
[Uzumaki Naruto: Uh…
who’s Obito?
Was he someone famous?]
Inside the Shinigami’s Stomach
Seeing Naruto’s message, Minato’s expression softened.
Joy welled up inside him.
But after only a moment, he forced himself to calm down.
His identity was far too delicate.
If Naruto learned the truth now, it could place him in unnecessary danger.
I hope Lord Third has looked after Naruto properly…
Thinking of his son, Minato smiled faintly.
[Minato Namikaze: Little guy, Obito was once my student.
He sacrificed his life protecting his comrades.
He was a true hero.]
[Kushina Uzumaki: My husband is absolutely right!
Little guy, would you mind sending us a picture of yourself?
We’re only curious.]
The Pure Land
Kushina gazed eagerly at Naruto’s messages.
“So wonderful…”
“I never thought I’d get another chance to talk to Naruto.”
Still, she held herself back.
She understood Minato’s concerns all too well.
Chūnin Exam Arena
Naruto stared at the conversation with the two strangers.
For reasons he couldn’t explain…
Their words filled him with warmth.
Despite the fact that they had never met before.
[Hiruzen Sarutobi: Ahem…
Minato, Kushina…
Naruto’s circumstances are rather unique.
Let’s not ask for a photo.]
[Minato Namikaze: Understood.]
[Kakashi Hatake: Obito…
are you here as well?]
Akatsuki Hideout
The man wearing the orange spiral mask stiffened briefly.
Not far away, Nagato sat weakly atop the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path while watching him closely.
“Madara…”
“What do you think that screen is?”
Nagato never took his eyes off the masked man.
If the real Madara Uchiha was already chatting…
Then who exactly was standing here?
In truth, Nagato had stopped believing this man was Madara long ago.
“Hmph.”
“You should concern yourself instead.”
The masked man noticed the suspicion in Nagato’s gaze.
His lone Sharingan glinted through the eyehole of the mask.
An instant later—
His body spiraled into a vortex before disappearing with Kamui.
Once he had gone, Konan quietly emerged.
“Nagato…”
“Can we still place our trust in him?”
“He’s clearly not Madara Uchiha.”
Nagato answered calmly despite his weakened condition.
“Our relationship has always been based on mutual interests.”
“Who he truly is doesn’t matter.”
“Besides…”
“With these eyes…”
“I’m not necessarily inferior to him.”
The video continued playing.
“Obito!
Hurry!
The contest is about to begin!”
Holding Rin’s hand, Obito hurried into the venue.
“So that’s the prize…”
“A kunai!”
His eyes immediately lit up.
Soon afterward, he climbed onto the stage.
“Contestant Number Seven!”
“Uchiha Obito!”
the announcer declared.
Standing below, Rin smiled brightly and waved.
“Do your best, Obito!”
The judge smiled.
“So then, Obito, what will you be performing?”
“I’m going to use Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!”
Obito proudly replied with his hands resting on his hips.
“Very well.”
“You may begin.”
“Watch carefully!”
He rapidly formed a series of hand seals.
“Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!”
…
A tiny wisp of flame barely escaped his mouth.
Silence filled the venue.
The next second, laughter erupted throughout the crowd.
Mockery echoed from every direction.
Only one person applauded without hesitation.
Rin.
Obito stood frozen.
His eyes remained fixed on the girl who continued clapping for him.
Warmth quietly spread through his heart.
Just as I thought…
Rin really is the best.
[Zabuza Momochi: Heh.
Looks like another dead last.]
[Uzumaki Naruto: Huh?
Zabuza, weren’t you already dead?]
[Haruno Sakura: Idiot Naruto!
Didn’t you read the announcement?
Even the dead were invited into the chat.]
[Sasuke Uchiha: Hmph.
That loser reminds me of you.]
[Hashirama Senju: Obito seems like a genuinely kind child.
Cheerful too—not quite like the Uchiha I’m used to.]
[Senju Tobirama: Hmph.
Brother, don’t forget he’s still an Uchiha.
If you ask me, he’ll probably become a rogue ninja someday.]
A Cave in the Land of Rain
Obito silently looked toward the floating chat.
His heartbeat quickened.
Could it be…
Has this mysterious system already uncovered my plans?
[Minato Namikaze: Lord Second Hokage, Obito was once my student.
He gave his life protecting his comrades.]
[Senju Tobirama: So you’re Uchiha Obito.
Then I owe you an apology.
You were an admirable shinobi.]
[Uchiha Obito: .]
[Nohara Rin: Obito, where are you in the Pure Land?
I’ve been looking everywhere and can’t find you.]
[Hanzō of the Salamander: Something tells me this situation isn’t nearly as simple as it appears.]
[Deidara: Hah!
That’s rich!
You lost to our leader, yet you’re acting all important!
Yeah!]
[Sasori: Deidara, quit embarrassing yourself and stay quiet.]
[Ōnoki: Deidara, you ungrateful brat!
Return to Iwagakure immediately!]
Iwagakure
The moment Ōnoki saw his former disciple’s message, he quickly sent a response.
[Mei Terumī: Oh my.
So Iwagakure raised an S-rank missing-nin?
Ōnoki, shouldn’t you explain yourself?]
[Chiyo: Hmph.
Maybe Iwagakure ought to compensate everyone by handing over some territory.]
Chiyo immediately joined Mei in teasing the old Tsuchikage.
Although…
She wasn’t especially fond of Mei either.
[A (Fourth Raikage): As though Kirigakure has any shortage of missing-nin.]
[Hashirama Senju: Huh?
Why did everyone suddenly start arguing?]
[Madara Uchiha: Hashirama, do you understand now?
The peace you envisioned was never possible.]
The Pure Land
Madara was about to continue debating with Hashirama—
When a notification suddenly appeared.
Friend Request: Uchiha Obito
Madara narrowed his eyes.
Why would Obito contact me now?
Seeing Izuna completely focused on the video, Madara quietly walked away.
After all…
Certain secrets couldn’t be exposed.
[Private Chat — Uchiha Obito: Madara, stop saying so much…
Nagato is already starting to doubt me.]
Madara read the message before giving a faint nod.
[Private Chat — Madara Uchiha: Nagato isn’t an issue.
He suspected your identity from the very beginning.
Continue controlling the Land of Water.
Also, how goes the collection of the Tailed Beasts?]
Madara waited for a response.
Nothing arrived.
He frowned slightly.
“…Why is Obito taking so long to reply?”