The Uchiha Forgotten by the World

The Uchiha Forgotten by the World

Shisui was dead? The news surprised Obito, and he wanted to learn the truth behind it.

In Obito's view, Shisui was not someone who could die so easily. Even against a ninja on the level of the Five Kage, Shisui still had the strength to fight. That was the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan.

With that in mind, Obito began to suspect that this was a smokescreen Shisui had released to deceive the world.

But after Obito went to Konoha Village and lay low there for several weeks, he finally confirmed the truth of the news.

Shisui really was dead. To prevent a civil war between the Uchiha and Konoha, he had chosen to commit suicide.

After learning this, Obito found it somewhat laughable.

Shisui Uchiha, the powerful Uchiha he had feared ever since the Fourth Hokage's death, had neither died by his hand nor fallen on the battlefield. He had actually died in such a ridiculous manner.

Of course, as an enemy, Obito was very pleased.

With the threat of Shisui gone, he could act freely within Konoha Village and manipulate the Uchiha clan as he pleased, stirring up internal chaos in Konoha.

And for the person who would create that chaos, Obito chose a chess piece he had arranged long ago: Itachi Uchiha.

Taking advantage of the Uchiha clan holding a meeting, Obito found Itachi Uchiha at a training ground.

Itachi Uchiha's training was extremely intense. Even a Jonin would sigh at the sight, saying he was dancing on a blade's edge. Yet Itachi Uchiha had forcibly turned the training ground into a stage, putting on a dazzling performance for Obito.

After the performance ended, Obito silently appeared in front of Itachi.

Catching the incoming shuriken with one hand, Obito looked at the wary Itachi and said teasingly, "This isn't our first meeting. Why are you still so hostile?"

Itachi did not reply. After pulling away, he flung the shuriken in his hand and shouted, "Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"

In an instant, several fireballs formed and flew toward Obito.

The flames warped the air. Being struck by one of those fireballs would mean death or severe injury, but the true killing move was the shuriken hidden within the fireballs.

Obito stood still, allowing the fireballs and shuriken to pass through his body, a smile curling at his lips.

Itachi's pupils suddenly shrank at the sight, but this was not the first time he had seen Obito's ability, so he remained calm.

The mysterious masked man before him had clearly awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, but he possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan as well. His strength was no less than the other's.

Obito paid no mind to Itachi's scrutiny and said lightly, "After all these years, do you still care that I killed your teammate? If I hadn't killed him, you wouldn't have awakened the Sharingan either. In that sense, you should even thank me."

Itachi was not enraged by Obito. Long ago, he had realized that anger could solve nothing.

After pondering for a moment, Itachi looked at Obito and said calmly, "Why did you come to Konoha? It can't be just to visit me. I'm not worth your concern."

Obito smiled and shook his head. "No, I came for you. You are the Uchiha I came to see, someone qualified to leave Konoha and follow in my footsteps."

"Become a rogue ninja with you, then be hunted by the village? I'm sorry, but I can't agree. I still have family."

Itachi's refusal did not anger Obito. He gave Itachi a meaningful look and said, "I won't force you to leave, but sooner or later, you will see through this boring village and clan and leave Konoha of your own accord, rather than sink deeper into this mire."

"..."

Itachi stared deeply at Obito before asking, "I won't leave Konoha. And who exactly are you?"

After a moment of silence, Obito said, "Just an Uchiha forgotten by the world. You don't need to know my true identity. You only need to know that I can help you see the ninja world clearly. That is enough."

Obito had no intention of staying any longer. After leaving those final words behind, he slipped into a vortex.

"An Uchiha forgotten by the world..."

Watching the vortex in which Obito disappeared, Itachi began to speculate about the mysterious masked man's identity. But among the Uchiha, the only one with such strength was Madara Uchiha, who had defected from the village during the First Hokage's era.

But if Madara Uchiha were still alive, how old would he be now...?

Shaking away those stray thoughts, Itachi decided not to dwell on it. Compared to the mysterious masked man, the issue he needed to resolve most was the conflict between the clan and the village.

Shisui's death had only delayed the coup. Like a compressed spring, it would rebound sooner or later.

All it would take was one opportunity, and his father would lead the clan in a coup again. But the Uchiha's coup could never succeed.

After leaving the clan compound, Obito arrived at a corner of Konoha near the Heroes' Cemetery.

This place buried "Obito's" dreams, as well as the Rin Nohara he had longed for day and night.

Black Zetsu, who had been waiting there for some time, noticed Obito and said with a smile, "I knew you would come. But he really was worried about Shisui. He's already dead, yet you're still investigating his whereabouts."

Obito gently shook his head. "I came to guide Itachi Uchiha. Now that he has Shisui's eyes, he has become a qualified chess piece. Perhaps he can become part of Akatsuki's strength."

Black Zetsu said in confusion, "Nagato's strength is already enough to collect the Tailed Beasts. Why do you keep looking for new people?"

Obito gave Black Zetsu a meaningful glance. "Nagato isn't reliable. He only wants to gather the Tailed Beasts to intimidate the ninja world and has never considered carrying out the Moon Eye Plan. Once he creates the Ten-Tails, who will be able to defeat him? You or me?"

Black Zetsu chose to remain silent. Of course he had a way, but he could not say it.

Obito continued, "We must control enough combat power. Before Nagato finishes collecting the Tailed Beasts, we need to make a move against him first and take his Rinnegan."

Black Zetsu glanced at Obito. "So you chose Itachi. Aren't you afraid Nagato will win him over?"

"We'll deal with that when the time comes. When people are bored, they always need something to do. Besides, once he joins Akatsuki, it won't be up to him anymore."

Obito seemed to have lost interest in speaking with Black Zetsu and gazed distractedly into the distance.

Following Obito's gaze, Black Zetsu discovered that Obito was looking at the Heroes' Cemetery. At its entrance, Kakashi carried flowers and fruit, preparing to pay his respects.

Inside the Heroes' Cemetery.

Kakashi found the gravestone engraved with Obito and Rin's names. After arranging the flowers and fruit, he began talking to the gravestone.

After everyone Kakashi cared about had died, this had become his habit.

"Obito, Rin, I've come to see you again. I'm doing well now, so you don't need to worry about me."

"Let me tell you something. I've found Minato-sensei's son, but the Third Lord won't let us reveal Naruto's identity. The villagers treat him like the Demon Fox, and he's becoming more and more withdrawn."

"I can see it all, but I can't change anything. I can only watch helplessly as sensei's child is bullied..."

"Still, Naruto inherited Minato-sensei's talent. No matter how many setbacks he suffers now, he will definitely become someone like Minato-sensei in the future and earn the villagers' love."

After saying all that in one breath, Kakashi placed the flowers before their graves and prepared to pay respects to the others.

Just then, Kakashi suddenly felt as though someone was watching him and looked around.

After scanning his surroundings, Kakashi found nothing but dense trees. Obito and Black Zetsu, who had been secretly watching him, had already left Konoha.

Kakashi rubbed his eyes, thinking that he might have been too tired and was imagining things.

Konoha was not a place one could simply enter at will. Even if an intruder had infiltrated Konoha, they should have attacked somewhere more valuable, such as the Hokage Building.

This was the Heroes' Cemetery. Other than dead heroes, there was nothing here.

The visit did not last long. After speaking with his parents, friends, and teacher, Kakashi left the Heroes' Cemetery.

The people who cared about him had long since died. Visiting occasionally to remember them was enough. Life still had to move forward, and he had to strive to live each day well. That was what they would have wished for him.

As Kakashi walked to change shifts with the Anbu, he could not help thinking of Naruto and the Uchiha clan as they were now.

Naruto was his teacher's child. Ever since learning Naruto's true identity, he had always wanted to do something for him, but he did not know what identity he should use to approach Naruto.

And Naruto's life did not seem to need interference from a failure like him. There was nothing he could do.

He could only protect Naruto as much as possible during missions guarding the Jinchuriki, but who could possibly threaten Naruto?