Shinichi knew nothing of Obito Uchiha's turmoil that night. Even if he had known, he probably would not have cared.
His final remarks that afternoon had, in part, been made with Obito in mind.
Especially since he had more or less guessed that Uchiha Madara had chosen Obito as his Narayana Boy.
But whether Obito Uchiha eventually fell as he had in the original timeline or not, Shinichi's attitude remained the same: some things were beyond his control. Obito could make his own choice.
As Shinichi had said before, everything had two sides. The world held light and darkness, good and evil, white and black. One day, Obito Uchiha would see its other side.
When that day came, only he could decide what to do. No one else could take that step for him or talk him out of a conviction he had formed.
After all, Shinichi had said everything he could and done everything he could.
Over the next few years, Obito would see the work of the Ninja Way Origins Research Society and watch so many companions strive for the same belief day after day. If a moment's pain still broke him, if a moment's despair blinded him, if seeing darkness made him decide darkness was all there was, and encountering cruelty made him declare cruelty the world's true nature, then that road would be his own choice.
Besides, Shinichi had always kept Obito Uchiha at arm's length. He did not want to become too deeply involved in Obito's life, much less plant expectations in him that might make him unconsciously treat his happiness and safety as Shinichi's responsibility.
Otherwise, if Obito suffered something that shattered him one day, he might turn around and blame Shinichi. Why hadn't Shinichi been there? Why had he left Obito to bear