Set Up by Capital

Thud.

Seeing Namikaze Minato eliminate all the enemies, the taut string in his heart finally loosened.

Exhaustion washed over Kakashi like a tide, engulfing body and mind, and he immediately collapsed.

"Kakashi!"

Nohara Rin cried out.

She hurriedly checked on Kakashi. Only after discovering that he had merely overexerted himself did she breathe a sigh of relief.

"Genma, carry Kakashi."

Namikaze Minato said.

It was inconvenient for the two girls, Nohara Rin and Kurenai Yuhi, while Kiyohara had exerted himself the most and was severely drained.

Thus, the heavy responsibility of carrying Kakashi fell upon Genma Shiranui.

"Yes, Lord Minato."

Genma Shiranui nodded and went to carry Kakashi.

"Are we leaving now?"

Kiyohara asked once Kakashi had been lifted onto Genma's back.

"It's too late tonight. We'll rest for the night and destroy the bridge tomorrow."

Namikaze Minato said.

"Is that so..."

Kiyohara thought it over but ultimately did not voice the doubt in his heart.

Why was no one going back to retrieve Obito's body?

Neither Kakashi, Nohara Rin, nor Namikaze Minato had mentioned it.

Even in Kakashi Gaiden, Namikaze Minato had been just like this, sweeping away all the enemies at the scene, which showed they were not pressed for time.

If Namikaze Minato had arrived immediately, cleared away the rubble burying Obito, and brought Obito's "body" back for burial, there probably would not have been so much trouble later.

Even if he encountered Uchiha Madara, Namikaze Minato had the Flying Thunder God Technique. Escaping would not have been difficult.

Uchiha Madara was powerful, but he was far too old now and was only clinging to life through the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.

Even if some forbidden technique temporarily restored his strength, he could not possibly pursue Namikaze Minato over a great distance.

The Flying Thunder God Technique did not have as long a startup as Kamui.

In the end, Kiyohara still kept his mouth shut.

This matter could not bring him any benefits anyway.

If a fight truly broke out, Namikaze Minato could leave, but Kiyohara might not be able to.

Before leaving, Kiyoshi did not forget to loot the bodies.

After searching every Iwagakure ninja corpse, Kiyohara did not have time to count his gains and could only follow the others away.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Madara slowly opened his eyes below, his Three Tomoe Sharingan seemingly peering through the darkness at something.

Sure enough, where his gaze rested, the wall rippled like water. White Zetsu emerged, carrying an Obito with only half a body remaining.

A thin layer of white flesh covered his cross-section, stopping the bleeding.

"I've brought him here, Lord Madara."

One White Zetsu was followed by another, smaller White Zetsu whose build was roughly similar to Obito's.

"Begin the operation."

Uchiha Madara's voice was aged, his pale white hair hanging loose behind his waist.

"Yes, Lord Madara."

The White Zetsu in front cut half the body off the smaller White Zetsu behind him. Its size happened to match the portion Obito was missing.

Soon, the suturing began, fusing Obito's ribs and internal organs with those of the other White Zetsu.

White Zetsu contained a large amount of Hashirama Cells, rapidly restoring the joined areas. It seemed highly compatible with Obito.

"This brat..."

Uchiha Madara found Obito's ability somewhat interesting. He had not been crushed to pulp by the rocks, but had instead fallen through them as if passing straight through them.

"Lord Madara, why must you insist on the Uchiha clan? Isn't that ninja named Kiyohara also outstanding?"

White Zetsu was somewhat puzzled.

Ever since the Third Shinobi World War began, Uchiha Madara had dispatched them to monitor a great many members of the Uchiha clan.

All to select a suitable candidate.

Yet today, White Zetsu had discovered that the Sharingan could be transplanted into outsiders as well. That brat Kakashi had successfully received Obito's left eye.

Then couldn't Kiyohara, or someone as talented as Kiyohara, be fitted with a Sharingan and used as an Uchiha?

After all, both possessed the same ability to wield the Sharingan.

"You do not understand the power of the Uchiha."

Uchiha Madara gave White Zetsu an indifferent glance.

Beyond the Three Tomoe lay the realm of the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Unfortunately, none of those disappointing descendants could awaken it anymore.

Only after awakening the Mangekyō could one be said to have truly mastered the power of the Uchiha.

"Still, that brat Kiyohara..."

Uchiha Madara also knew that Kiyohara was quite gifted. He could hold his own against numerous Iwagakure ninja and was improving rapidly.

Unfortunately, he was not an Uchiha.

"He is excellent, but he is ultimately an outsider."

Uchiha Madara shook his head.

Those who were not Uchiha, even if transplanted with a Mangekyō, could not awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan through their own power.

Many of his later plans required the Sharingan. Transplanting it into an outsider would most likely produce nothing but negative results. Kiyohara was a commoner, and his shortcomings were far too obvious.

"If someone isn't an Uchiha, are they completely useless?"

White Zetsu nodded. He would follow that standard from now on.

"No. Kiyohara still has his uses. He is as important as Kakashi."

Uchiha Madara said meaningfully.

To awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, one also needed intense mental stimulation.

Based on the information passed back by White Zetsu's spies, Uchiha Madara knew that Obito had feelings for Nohara Rin.

That included the time Kiyohara touched Nohara Rin's hand and Obito had flown into a rage.

So long as Obito permanently lost Nohara Rin, he would surely suffer the most intense mental stimulation.

That was death.

"They can draw out the darkness in Obito's heart and let him taste the utmost pain."

Uchiha Madara said.

"I see."

The simple-minded White Zetsu only half understood.

Did Lord Madara mean that Kiyohara should take Nohara Rin away, allowing Obito to experience the pain of losing the one he loved?

As expected of Lord Madara. White Zetsu admired him inwardly. He had effortlessly devised a plan they never could have imagined.

The night grew deeper.

On a grassy plain, Kakashi lay atop a rock beneath a huge boulder.

His eyelashes trembled lightly as he opened his eyes in confusion.

"Where am I... Am I dead?"

That was Kakashi's first thought.

"You're awake, Kakashi."

The operation was a success. You're a girl now.

Kiyohara did not say the latter half of the joke. He merely looked at Kakashi.

Kakashi's face was filled with grief. Remembering his time with Obito, tears welled up despite himself.

Men did not cry easily, unless they had reached the depths of sorrow.

Kiyohara slowly shook his head. This was the unique "bond" between Konoha men.

"It's all my fault."

Kakashi blamed himself inwardly.

"No, you've already done very well."

Kiyohara patted Kakashi on the shoulder.

There was nothing to be done. He had been set up by capital.

Uchiha Madara had been watching the Land of Grass at all times, keeping an eye out for suitable candidates. All one could say was that Obito's fate had been sealed.