Obito: Rin Will Definitely Wait for Me!

"Is it Rin? Nohara Rin?"

Obito asked with anticipation.

"That's right, her name is Nohara Rin."

White Zetsu nodded, confirming that Obito was correct.

"Yes!"

Obito wore the expression of someone who had just hit the jackpot.

"Quick, tell me, what did you see?"

Obito asked hurriedly, eager to know more about Nohara Rin.

"They finished a mission and returned to their tent. Your companion, Nohara Rin, and another companion were in the tent discussing medical ninjutsu."

"Is it Kakashi?"

Obito frowned slightly.

But thinking back to how he had entrusted Nohara Rin to Kakashi, it was only natural for Kakashi to take extra care of her.

As long as he returned, everything could go back to the way it was.

"No, it's that guy named... Kiyo..."

"Kiyohara?!"

Obito exclaimed.

It was actually that guy Kiyohara!

Obito still remembered how Kiyohara had held Nohara Rin's hand right in front of him, claiming he was learning medical ninjutsu.

No, was that how you learned medical ninjutsu?

Now that the two of them were alone together, Obito didn't even dare to imagine what Kiyohara might be doing!

"I want to go back!"

Obito felt increasingly desperate.

He struck the massive boulder with his left hand, wanting to break through the rock and get out of here.

But every large movement tugged at the stitched wounds on the right side of his body, causing Obito unbearable pain.

Granulations were faintly growing there, as if a new arm were about to sprout.

"What good will going back do? Obito, don't you understand yet? In the time you have been 'dead,' your companions haven't stood still just because of your absence."

Uchiha Madara slowly opened his eyes, his scarlet Three Tomoe Sharingan fixed on Obito.

"Besides, isn't it perfectly normal for the living to be replaced by others?"

Uchiha Madara said slowly.

Just as Hashirama had that woman, Uzumaki Mito.

"Replace me? Impossible!"

Obito shook his head violently, the dim light refracting through his bandages, casting more and more shadows across his face.

Could it be that there is no place left for me?

"No one can replace me, Rin... she will definitely wait for me!"

Obito still clung to the words Nohara Rin had once said.

Rin had said she would always be watching over him!

"Wait for you?"

Uchiha Madara's face remained expressionless.

"According to Zetsu's observations, that Kiyohara has good talent, his strength is growing rapidly, and... he seems to know very well how to get along with others.

Right now, he is alone in a tent with the Rin you are so obsessed with. What do you think will happen as time goes by?"

Uchiha Madara had never been in love, but he knew that when a man and a woman were left alone, it was easy for sparks to fly.

"You're lying!"

Obito became agitated, his only remaining eye filled with disbelief.

"Rin is not that kind of person, and Kiyohara... how could Kiyohara possibly compare to me? He is just a commoner, while I am from the Uchiha clan!"

After speaking, Obito ignored the pain and weakness in his body, wanting to force himself to continue his rehabilitation training so his body's Chakra could return to its former health.

But this body, stitched together not long ago, ultimately needed time to adapt.

Obito eventually collapsed heavily to the ground due to exhaustion, his face full of unwillingness.

Watching Obito's stubborn and painful appearance, Uchiha Madara slowly shook his head, though a look of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

Just like that... doubt, pain, unwillingness, anger...

These negative emotions were the best nourishment for feeding the darkness.

When Obito discovered that reality ran contrary to everything he firmly believed in, and when everything he cherished seemed to be lost...

Only then would Obito truly fall into this abyss of despair and become his perfect pawn.

"A world with only victors..."

In the darkness, Uchiha Madara slowly closed his eyes once again.

Early the next morning, after reporting to Kakashi, Kiyohara left the base alone and headed toward a nearby town that served as a transit point.

The town was not large, but because it was located in the rear and had many Konoha ninja stationed there, it appeared quite lively, even featuring shops that catered to ninja.

Kiyohara navigated with familiarity to a shop that recycled and forged ninja tools.

The shopkeeper was a middle-aged man wearing a monocle with rough fingers, clearly an experienced craftsman at a glance.

Kiyohara didn't waste words, directly taking out the three ninja swords from the Sealing Scroll, along with other spoils of war he had no use for.

"Boss, give me an estimate. I want all cash."

The shopkeeper carefully inspected every item, especially the katana, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes before he quoted a fair price.

After a simple round of bargaining, Kiyohara successfully exchanged these spoils for a thick stack of bills, the total price far exceeding his expectations.

Immediately after, Kiyohara took several broken blade fragments from his pocket.

"Chakra Metal?"

Seeing this metal, the shopkeeper's expression became much more eager.

A rare metal like Chakra Metal was clearly a big deal.

"Is the customer looking to forge a ninja sword?"

"That's right."

Kiyohara nodded.

"Use this piece of Chakra Metal as the main material to integrate into the blade. Most importantly, the chakra conductivity must be optimized as much as possible. Use the money from earlier to cover the remaining scraps and costs; if it's not enough, I'll find a way to make up the difference."

The shopkeeper took the Chakra Metal, stroking it as if he couldn't put it down, and said confidently:

"No problem. You've come to the right person, customer. With this treasure, I am confident I can forge a sharp weapon with excellent conductivity."

The shopkeeper observed it for a moment and continued:

"Chakra Metal is very precious, and for craftsmen like us, it is a rare experience, so I'll give you a cheaper price: a flat 500,000 Ryo."

Upon hearing this, Kiyohara immediately agreed.

This shopkeeper was indeed honest; the price was much lower than elsewhere.

Kiyohara guessed that because this shopkeeper was a craftsman rather than purely a merchant, he was so accommodating.

After all, Chakra Metal was a very valuable experience for them.

The waiting time seemed exceptionally long.

Kiyohara wandered around the town briefly, replenishing some ninja tools and necessities, but his mind had already flown to the ninja sword currently being forged.

Finally, the evening of the next day arrived.

Kiyohara returned to the shop.

The shopkeeper looked exhausted, but his eyes held a glow of excitement and pride.

He solemnly handed a long sword case wrapped in thick cloth to Kiyohara.

"Customer, see if you are satisfied!"

Kiyohara took a deep breath and slowly opened the case.

A katana with smooth lines lay quietly inside.

The blade was long and narrow, and near the tsuba, there were faint wavy patterns—the natural markings formed by the Chakra Metal.

The hilt was wrapped in special anti-slip, sweat-absorbent bandages, providing an excellent grip.

At the sight of it, joy immediately appeared on Kiyohara's face.

The dying wish to forge a ninja sword had been fulfilled!

And at this moment, the young Kiyohara also drifted out from the Ash Box, looking at the ninja sword in Kiyohara's hand.