Popsicle

If the one standing before him had been the real Uchiha Madara, then Sasuke's basic training naturally would not have needed anyone else's involvement.

Uchiha Madara would surely have guided him personally and meticulously.

Unfortunately, the one before him was Obito...

On one hand, Obito was not very good at teaching. On the other, he had no interest in taking on a student.

So Obito directly dumped the tedious task of training Sasuke onto the most suitable candidate before him, Orochimaru.

However, to make the disguise more convincing, Obito still seriously spoke in Uchiha Madara's tone...

"Orochimaru can help you solidify your foundation. Once your abilities meet my standards, I will personally teach you how to completely unleash the Sharingan's true power."

He spoke with immense authority, as though he truly were Uchiha Madara, the Asura of the Shinobi World.

Hearing Madara's personal promise, Sasuke's originally cold and distant expression finally changed slightly.

He nodded faintly, his gaze slowly settling on Orochimaru beside him, who wore a smile.

At that moment, Orochimaru was studying the boy before him with great interest.

He had seen many young shinobi, but Uchiha Sasuke seemed especially different.

The stubbornness and coldness on the boy's face, those deep obsidian-like eyes...

This undoubtedly piqued Orochimaru's intense interest and stirred even more questions within him.

"How interesting..."

From Orochimaru's initial observations, it was still impossible to tell whether Uchiha Sasuke had been contaminated...

If he truly had not been affected by Yuan's ability, then there had to be some undiscovered flaw in that ocular technique.

Thus, the smile on Orochimaru's face grew increasingly kind as he spoke softly and gently...

"Sasuke-kun, don't worry. I will certainly help you properly and make you stronger than anyone else."

Orochimaru's tone was extremely sincere, carrying a hint of affection, as though he genuinely cared about the young man's growth.

Sasuke raised his head to look at him. There was not the slightest fear or resistance in his eyes; they still carried their usual arrogance and coldness.

He did not say much, merely nodding lightly before replying in a low voice, "Then let's start quickly."

With that, Sasuke stepped toward the depths of the base, his stride straight and resolute.

Under the moonlight...

Obito had also quietly left the Land of Fields base.

The night was as black as ink.

Obito stood silently beneath an ancient tree, looking up at the unusual Sharingan lying quietly in his hand...

It belonged to Uchiha Yuan.

That scarlet eye exuded an intensely eerie aura.

Ever since Kakashi had read Withered Wood Style's memories, Obito had received everything happening in Konoha through his connection with the Sharingan.

At this moment, Konoha had already fallen into unprecedented chaos and despair because of that bizarre Withered Wood Style power.

Recalling the devastation caused by those withered wood flames, a trace of excitement and greed quietly rose in Obito's heart.

He knew well that this power belonged neither purely to the Uchiha nor purely to the Senju. It was a fused power that surpassed conventional understanding.

"Withered Wood Style..."

Obito murmured softly, his voice low and filled with eerie excitement.

His gaze gradually became deep and focused, as though he were exploring some unknown domain.

The next instant, the Wood Release Cells in his body that had once belonged to the First Hokage began undergoing a strange mutation...

The change was swift and violent, far beyond even Obito's expectations.

The once lush, vibrant Wood Release had now, under the influence of Obito's powerful Sharingan, completely become a terrifying existence unlike anything before.

Obito slowly extended his palm. From its center, a twisted branch gradually grew.

The branch looked ordinary, but it was saturated with the aura of death and decay. Its surface was covered in crisscrossing cracks, as though it had endured the erosion of countless years.

Once the branch had grown to a certain extent, it suddenly began to burn on its own... a chilling sight.

Feeling the rapid transformation of his chakra nature, a powerful fervor and ambition immediately surged within Obito.

At that thought, he once again lowered his gaze to Uchiha Yuan's Sharingan in his hand...

"Uchiha Yuan, just how many possibilities are hidden within your Sharingan..."

The next moment, Obito no longer hesitated. The power of Kamui erupted, and two White Zetsu he had prepared beforehand immediately appeared before him.

Obito extended his hand and seized one of the White Zetsu with an exceptionally cold yet impatient motion.

In an instant, the Wood Release Cells in his body mutated violently again. Countless rotten, sinister branches poured from his body, wrapping tightly around the White Zetsu like the tentacles of a hungry Demon.

The White Zetsu struggled in terror, but it could not resist the devouring of that wicked power at all. It was soon completely wrapped up and swallowed by the withered wood.

In only moments, the White Zetsu's originally tough body completely collapsed, turning into a mass of pure, immense chakra that those bizarre withered trees greedily absorbed into Obito's body.

Feeling chakra continuously pour into his body, an almost crazed look of satisfaction appeared on Obito's face.

He burst into laughter...

In the temporary relief area outside Konoha, voices rang out everywhere, and the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.

Naruto Uzumaki sat quietly in a corner, his small body curled into a ball, looking especially lonely.

When the fire broke out, most of the villagers, including Naruto, had been evacuated here in time...

Yet at this moment, the surrounding children were all nestled beside their parents, leaning on one another in warmth and security.

Only Naruto seemed utterly out of place, sitting there helplessly as though isolated from the entire world.

What hurt Naruto even more was that many villagers deliberately avoided him the moment they saw him, even openly displaying looks of disgust and hostility.

"Demon Fox, get lost! You're not welcome here!"

"Don't come near us! Who knows who you'll get killed next!"

Those low curses and expulsions kept reaching Naruto's ears, stabbing fiercely into his heart.

Little Naruto curled up even tighter. His eyes gradually dimmed, tears welling in them, yet he stubbornly refused to let them fall.

He truly could not understand why he had to endure such malice and rejection when he had done nothing wrong.

Just as he felt he had fallen completely into despair, a gentle, familiar voice suddenly sounded, cutting through all the noise and reaching his ears directly...

"Do you not have anywhere to stay right now?"

Naruto froze slightly and looked up, only to see a face he had met just yesterday...

A silver-haired young man wearing a black forehead protector. His eyes looked somewhat tired, but there was no trace of malice in them.

Kakashi stood quietly before Naruto, looking down at him with a gentle, concerned gaze.

Naruto's heart trembled slightly. He hesitated, his voice filled with undisguisable fear and unease as he softly asked, "Y-you... aren't you afraid of me?"

Kakashi was slightly surprised, but then he smiled gently. He slowly crouched down, bringing himself to Naruto's eye level.

He reached out and gently ruffled Naruto's messy golden hair, his tone tender yet firm. "Why would I be afraid of you? You're just an ordinary child."

Hearing that, Naruto immediately felt a warm current surge through his heart.

Looking into Kakashi's gentle, open eyes, the unease and fear in his heart gradually dispersed. A warmth and peace he had never experienced before slowly took root within him.

"If you have nowhere to stay, then come rest in my tent..."

Kakashi said softly, "Don't worry. I'll protect you."

Naruto stared blankly at the silver-haired young man before him. Tears gradually welled in his eyes, but they were tears of joy and warmth.

He nodded forcefully, his voice brimming with trust and happiness. "Mm!"

Kakashi smiled faintly, took Naruto's small hand, and slowly walked toward his own tent in the distance.

"Oh, right. Have a popsicle..."

Kakashi snapped a popsicle in half...

Then handed Naruto the other half...

At that moment, Naruto experienced for the first time what it felt like to be accepted and cared for...

His once lonely and helpless heart finally kindled a trace of warm hope...