Everyone turned around.
Obito was walking over from a distance.
He was in terrible shape.
He was covered in wounds. The spot where his left eye had been was empty, leaving only a bloody hole.
"You're still alive?" Sasuke asked in surprise.
"Barely," Obito said. "The side effects of the Eye of Sacrifice are worse than I imagined."
"I probably only have a few hours left."
"A few hours?" Sakura rushed over. "Let me take a look!"
"Don't bother." Obito waved her off. "This is the price of a forbidden technique. It can't be healed."
"How could..."
"It's all right," Obito said. "I was supposed to die anyway."
"I've already been lucky to live this long."
He looked at Naruto.
"Kid, I have one last favor to ask."
"What is it?"
"When I die, bury me next to Rin," Obito said. "I want... to be with her."
Naruto nodded.
"I promise."
"Thanks." Obito smiled. "That puts my mind at ease."
He turned and slowly walked away.
"Where are you going?" Kakashi asked.
"Somewhere quiet," Obito said. "I don't want to die in front of everyone."
"That'd be embarrassing."
His figure gradually receded.
Then disappeared among the ruins.
Kakashi wanted to follow him.
But Shikamaru stopped him.
"Let him go," Shikamaru said. "It's the last bit of dignity he has."
Kakashi stopped.
He stared silently in the direction Obito had disappeared for a long time.
"Teacher Kakashi," Naruto suddenly said.
"Yeah?"
"Do you think Obito was a good person or a bad person?"
Kakashi fell silent.
"I don't know," he said. "But I know he was my comrade."
"He was then, and he still is now."
Naruto nodded.
"I understand."
He looked up at the sky.
The sun was rising.
Golden sunlight spilled over the ruins.
"A new day has begun,"