But Obito could never truly stand on my side now.
Nor could I persuade him with just a few words. It might even have the opposite effect.
The plans after the Night of the Nine-Tails, Obito...
There shouldn't be any problems, right?
After all, if my future plans succeeded, Obito's knot in his heart would cease to exist as well.
Chiba drew a slight breath and watched the burning fireball slowly shift from pale blue-white to blazing white. The trace of melancholy in his eyes gradually faded, turning into contemplation before finally hardening into resolve.
Almost there...
The temperature has already dropped!
As his expression changed, Chiba's gaze began to move, sweeping over his surroundings.
At some point, the white vapor around him had begun to disperse. Only a thin veil of mist remained over the lake, barely obstructing his vision, while the previously churning surface had completely calmed.
Even the light had dimmed considerably. The surroundings, once bright as day, were gradually returning to darkness.
Other than the patch of withered yellow forest nearest the mountains, Chiba's visible range had shrunk considerably. His sight was now basically limited to this stretch of lake; beyond it lay nothing but darkness.
Clearly, Chiba's S-rank combined Fire Style Ninjutsu was nearly burned out.
Next came the moment of truth.
Whether Obito had survived or not would be determined within a dozen seconds, perhaps only a few.
I feel...
...a little nervous.
At this point, after noticing the changes around him, Chiba lightly wiped the droplets from his brow. The faint ease on his face gradually tightened.
As those thoughts passed through his mind, he subconsciously raised his head, preparing to look at the burning fireball ten meters overhead, its light having dimmed further.
Splash!
Yet in that instant, before his gaze could