A Place I Loathe

"What a loathsome place..."

Uchiha Obito silently appeared atop a tree on a mountain in Konoha.

He overlooked the entirety of Konoha, his voice exceptionally cold.

"Sure enough, this false world has no meaning in existing at all!"

"So, in order to shatter this false world and create a better new world..."

Just then, Black Zetsu appeared beside Obito with his cat tree.

However, there was a faint hint of concern in Black Zetsu's eyes as he couldn't help reminding him in a low voice.

"We need to ensure nothing goes wrong. Intelligence on that Mysterious Person is what matters most."

"That's right, that's right. That guy is terrifying."

White Zetsu nodded along at the side, a strange smile appearing on his face.

"But Obito, why was it that the moment you heard Kakashi's name, you couldn't help coming over in person..."

"Shut up!"

Before White Zetsu could finish, Obito had already shot him a murderous glare, making White Zetsu shudder.

"Such a scary look. You aren't really going to kill me, are you, Obito?"

"Hmph, someone who couldn't protect the person he was supposed to protect will always be trash!"

Obito snorted coldly.

He couldn't be bothered with White Zetsu and simply continued on his own.

"I know what I need to do, and I came here personally for another reason as well."

"Another reason?"

Black Zetsu froze for a moment before quickly realizing something.

"You mean Uchiha Itachi?"

"That's right."

Obito nodded, speaking indifferently.

"Back then, I killed his teammate and accidentally discovered that he had awakened the Sharingan."

"That was why I spared his life. After observing him for so long, it was time to see the results."

"That guy, he seemed to awaken a Two-Tomoe Sharingan just like you did."

White Zetsu blinked and giggled at the side.

"But why was he first in the Ninja Academy while you were dead last?"

"..."

Obito's fists hardened. He truly wanted to strangle this bastard to death!

Fortunately, Black Zetsu noticed Obito's anger and immediately tried to smooth things over.

"It really is time to see the results. Especially since Uchiha Shisui was said to have committed suicide, which must have dealt him a huge blow. Perhaps..."

"Yes, perhaps he might possess the Mangekyo."

Obito took a deep breath and nodded only after suppressing his inner displeasure.

"Besides, there is something else I am curious about."

"Uchiha Shisui's suicide?"

Black Zetsu more or less understood what Obito meant. He stroked his chin and said gravely.

"We really should look into it. There might even be some unexpected surprise."

Although the Uchiha had all kinds of crazy tendencies, it was still confusing for a perfectly healthy person to choose suicide.

Who knew whether there were other factors involved? If they found something, it might help them in the future!

"Then it's settled. We'll act separately."

Obito couldn't be bothered to say more, and his figure slowly began to warp.

In truth, there was one even more important matter for him!

He really hadn't expected Kakashi to get caught up in Orochimaru's affairs with that Mysterious Person.

Yet it was precisely because of Kakashi that he realized he hadn't come to see Rin for quite some time...

"Huh? Why did he leave?"

White Zetsu looked at the vanished Obito and couldn't help counting on his fingers.

"He has to steal Anbu information, investigate Uchiha Shisui, and observe Uchiha Itachi. That really is hard work."

"Stop rambling. Just do what we're supposed to do."

Black Zetsu glared at his other half, though he couldn't help glancing around.

He had the distinct feeling that someone was watching him!

But before he could say anything, White Zetsu started up again.

"Hey, black one, why do you think Uchiha Shisui committed suicide?"

"How would I know?"

"Huh? Didn't you say you understood the Uchiha very well?"

"You said you could tell what the Uchiha were thinking with a single glance!"

"..."

"You also told me not to tell Obito."

"..."

"So why did he commit suicide?"

"..."

Black Zetsu nearly laughed from sheer anger at those words!

He understood those crazy Uchiha, but he wasn't one of those crazy Uchiha himself...

"Bastard, you woke me up early in the morning just to buy books children aren't allowed to buy?"

"Come on, I'm a ninja, and I'll give you extra money."

"No means no. You're underage..."

"Double price. Are you selling it or not? If not, I'll find someone els—"

"Thank you for your patronage!"

"..."

Early in the morning, the door of a Konoha bookstore was gently pushed open.

Hyuga Makoto poked his head out and looked around before straightening his clothes and slowly walking outside.

His expression was somewhat awkward. He really hadn't known that trashy book Icha Icha Paradise wasn't sold to minors!

"If I'd known, I would've had Shisui buy it for me..."

Hyuga Makoto rubbed his brow. Unfortunately, Shisui had already left the village last night.

Konoha did have barrier defenses, but as an Anbu, Hyuga Makoto naturally possessed the techniques needed to pass through them.

Moreover, he had the Tenseigan, which allowed him to see the blind spots in the barrier.

Shisui had gone out to buy equipment for him and happened to take on some Black Market missions along the way to supplement their funds.

However, even he hadn't expected to run into something like this!

"Forget it. I'll get it back from Jiraiya when I have the chance..."

Hyuga Makoto shook his head and headed directly toward Konoha's cemetery.

He had bought Icha Icha Paradise early in the morning specifically for Kakashi, since he had seen Uchiha Obito enter Konoha yesterday!

Still, he didn't find it strange, since that guy had always been observing Uchiha Itachi.

Now that he had caught him, he naturally needed to make good use of the opportunity.

"As long as I handle this properly..."

The progress of his main quest would definitely advance by a huge step!

As for Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Obito, those two Madness Filial Twin Heroes, he truly had no favorable impression of them.

Therefore, he had absolutely no psychological burden about setting those two up!

"Too bad Uchiha Obito has already left. Otherwise, I could have caught him red-handed, but..."

If Uchiha Obito hid near the Uchiha Clan Compound, the effect seemed like it would be even better!

As he pondered, he entered the cemetery and spotted Kakashi in the distance.

"Captain Kakashi, as expected, you're here."

"Makoto?"

Kakashi was rather surprised to see Hyuga Makoto. He couldn't help scratching his white hair as he asked.

"Why did you come here? Is there another mission?"

"Not at all. Just a small token of appreciation. Thank you for taking such good care of me lately."

Hyuga Makoto smiled and slowly walked to Kakashi's side, handing him the bag.

"I used to see you come here often, Captain, so I couldn't help coming over today."

"A book?"

Kakashi looked utterly puzzled, but he still accepted it.

"Thanks, but you said you often saw me before?"

"Yes. I happened to see you while practicing my Byakugan when I was little."

Hyuga Makoto nodded. He really wasn't lying; he truly had seen him!

Though at the time, he had wanted even more to see whether he could spot Uchiha Obito...

"I also heard some rumors about you back then, Captain, and they left me rather confused."

Hyuga Makoto smiled, placing the bouquet he had prepared earlier before the Memorial Stone before continuing.

"So I tried to learn about their stories. Though I only learned bits and pieces, I came to understand something."

"You..."

Kakashi looked at the Memorial Stone, but couldn't help asking curiously.

"What did you come to understand?"

"You all made me understand..."

Hyuga Makoto also looked at the Memorial Stone and spoke softly.

"Comrades are the ones most worth cherishing..."