Tobi, We Meet Again

After gaining the Third Hokage's support, Kakashi finally felt relieved.

Although he could search for Obito alone, going alone was ultimately inconvenient. He also lacked confidence that he could persuade—or even defeat—his former best friend.

With Youhu and Itachi's help, things would at least be easier.

After all, the combination of Wood Style and the Sharingan was enough to make ordinary ninjas feel despair.

It was also thanks to Youhu's reminder that Kakashi realized he actually possessed a Mangekyō Sharingan as well—the final gift Obito had once given him.

The only problem was that he still hadn't found a way to use the Mangekyō Sharingan.

"Captain Kakashi, where should we look for Brother Obito next?"

Faced with Kakashi's silence, Youhu grew impatient. He was currently Obito's devoted fanboy and wanted to meet this fallen idol as soon as possible.

If he could deceive Obito with a lie, that would be even better.

Itachi nodded as well. He had learned tracking techniques from Brother Shisui, but they were limited to ordinary ninjas. He had no idea how to track a Space-Time Ninja.

Hearing this, Kakashi found himself in a difficult position. He didn't know how to find Obito either.

After thinking for a while, Kakashi bit his finger and slapped his palm against the ground. As the Summoning Jutsu was completed, a cute, clumsy-looking Ninja Dog appeared before them.

"Pakkun, can you smell Obito's scent for me?"

Pakkun scratched his nose, then looked up at Kakashi with an expression that seemed to ask whether Kakashi was an idiot. "Kakashi, hasn't Obito been dead for years? You want me to smell a dead man?"

Kakashi felt embarrassed and hurriedly explained, "Obito seems to have come back to life. He even became the Village Attacking Masked Man..."

Pakkun didn't want to hear Kakashi's explanation. He raised a paw. "I'm not interested in the affairs between you two. Give me something belonging to Obito, and I'll track his location."

"..."

Kakashi suddenly realized that he didn't have anything belonging to Obito. Finding Obito by scent seemed impossible.

"Would a mask work?"

Youhu took out the Tattered Mask Obito had discarded and handed it to Pakkun.

Pakkun carefully sniffed the scent, then nodded. "There's a little of Obito's scent, but it mostly smells like grass and wood. Did that guy turn into a plant?"

"..."

Youhu felt that Pakkun's mockery made some sense.

Obito could use Wood Ninjutsu. Wasn't he basically a plant, then? Though saying that might be somewhat disrespectful to the First Hokage.

When he saw Youhu take out the mask, Kakashi wore a strange expression.

"Youhu, why were you collecting Obito's mask?"

Youhu carefully put the mask away and said with a serious expression:

"Brother Obito is a hero in my heart. I'm studying the meaning behind the mask's design to see if I can understand Brother Obito's inner world."

"My instincts tell me that Brother Obito must have been forced to start the Nine-Tails' Rampage."

"..."

Kakashi fell silent.

Compared to a person like Youhu, who loved Obito so much, Kakashi felt that the bond between himself and Obito was fragile beyond belief. At the very least, he had never tried to enter Obito's inner world.

Instead, it had been Obito who once awakened him from his belief in the ninja-as-tool doctrine.

Itachi felt that Youhu's behavior was somewhat exaggerated, but he could understand Youhu's thoughts.

When Itachi's life had fallen into confusion, it was Brother Shisui who had saved him. Shisui had told him that life still had meaning, and that Konoha still possessed a glimmer of hope.

Perhaps Obito's deeds played the same role for Youhu.

"Woof!"

Pakkun barked several times, snapping Kakashi and Itachi out of their memories. With a weary expression, he said, "Don't just stand around. I found Obito's location. He's in that direction!"

As he spoke, Pakkun began leading Kakashi Squad onward.

With Pakkun leading the way, Kakashi Squad's search target immediately became clear.

After crossing Konoha City, the three men and one dog soon arrived at a park on the other side of Konoha. The park was lush and verdant, and it had another name familiar to Konoha's ninjas: Hero Cemetery.

"Obito's scent ends here."

After arriving at Hero Cemetery, Pakkun yawned, then dispelled the Summoning Jutsu on his own and vanished where he stood.

"Captain Kakashi, come over here!"

Youhu searched Hero Cemetery and soon discovered that several bouquets of flowers had been placed before one of the gravestones. The name Nohara Rin was clearly written on it.

Near Nohara Rin's gravestone stood another one bearing the name Uchiha Obito.

It was a memorial tomb for Obito. After Nohara Rin's death, Kakashi had deliberately buried her beside Obito.

After hearing Youhu's call, Kakashi came to the grave and picked up the flowers. They still retained some warmth, clearly showing that Obito had visited not long ago and was currently nearby.

Kakashi placed the flowers back and issued an order:

"Obito is nearby. We'll split up and search for his trail, but don't stay away for too long. Once you find Obito, set off a signal flare."

"Yes."

Youhu and Itachi nodded. The three of them began searching in different directions.

Inside a tree trunk not far away.

Obito used his Phasing Ability to hide inside it, observing everything Kakashi and the others did.

After being driven back by Youhu and the others, Obito hadn't left Konoha. Instead, after waiting for the paralyzing poison in his body to wear off, he had come to Hero Cemetery to clear his mind.

He could look at Rin's grave and his own grave while also strengthening his resolve to carry out the Moon Eye Plan.

Everything in the Ninja World was false. Only Infinite Tsukuyomi could bring eternal happiness to the Ninja World. In the world of Infinite Tsukuyomi, everyone could have their wishes fulfilled, and no regrets would exist anymore.

However, he hadn't even stayed in Hero Cemetery for five minutes before Kakashi followed his scent there.

Obito even wondered whether Kakashi had a dog's nose... Well, forget it. That guy really did have a habit of keeping dogs. Obito had simply failed to consider that.

However, Kakashi and the others seemed to have split up, and there was no sign of that Wood Style ninja nearby.

This might be the best opportunity for him to strike.

Who should he attack first?

Obito fell into indecision, but his gaze involuntarily shifted toward where Youhu was.

This Uchiha boy who called him Brother Obito was the person who had hurt him most today. If Obito hadn't dodged that slash in time, he probably would have lost one of his Three Tomoe Sharingan.

Kamui!

Obito activated Kamui to change his position, appearing on a tree branch above Youhu. He took out his scythe, hesitating over whether he should attack Youhu.

That guy looked as if his entire body was full of openings. Could it be a trap meant to lure Obito into attacking?

Just as Obito hesitated, Youhu suddenly looked toward his position from below and said mysteriously:

"Brother Obito, I know you're nearby, waiting to ambush me."

"I don't want to fight you. I want to talk."