The Protagonist Kept His Cool, but the Uchiha Got Carried Away

This silence lasted a long time. Obito Uchiha's expression changed again and again, but in the end, he still said nothing.

Black Zetsu watched him. No expression could be read from that sharply divided black-and-white face, but scrutiny was unmistakable in his eyes.

"You were too impulsive this time."

Black Zetsu's voice was quiet, without any apparent reproach. He merely stated a fact.

Yet to Obito Uchiha, it felt humiliating.

Especially when he thought of Genkawa Uchiha, that guy who was the same age as him, practically even from the same generation.

Just thinking about it filled him with rage.

"From now on, you absolutely cannot show yourself in Konoha again," Black Zetsu added.

Obito Uchiha's expression darkened.

His fist was still braced against the tree trunk, his fingertips embedded in its shattered bark.

"I know. I was careless this time. There won't be a next time."

His voice was low, thick with suppressed fury.

He turned and glanced in Konoha's direction.

The village lay several miles away. From this angle, he could only make out a vague outline and a few lingering wisps of smoke.

Unwillingness churned in his eyes.

He had been so close.

If that eye's ability had not happened to counter Kamui, if he had possessed a little more chakra, if he had not arrogantly come alone—

There were no so many ifs.

A loss was a loss.

Gritting his teeth, he withdrew his gaze from Konoha.

Black Zetsu watched him like this and felt utterly speechless.

Of course, he had no heart or lungs, but that did not stop him from feeling disdain for the pawn before him.

Can anyone understand this? Chengkun Otsutsuki had devoted himself to throwing the Ninja World into chaos, yet he had never encountered such a stupid pawn.

To be fair, even among the entire Uchiha Clan, this guy was remarkably purebred.

If he had truly had any other choice, he would never have wanted to use Obito Uchiha as a pawn.

This man had no brains at all.

And he was stupid without realizing it.

He clearly possessed Hashirama Cells, the Mangekyō Sharingan, and a heaven-defying Space-Time ninjutsu like Kamui, yet he had still been beaten into such a state.

Being beaten would have been one thing, but his mask had even been shattered in public, thoroughly exposing his true identity.

If Madara Uchiha learned that someone like this had taken up his name, he would probably crawl out of his grave.

"Let's go."

Black Zetsu said only those two words. He truly had no spirit left to waste on Obito Uchiha.

Obito Uchiha gave Konoha one final look, then turned and headed into the depths of the forest. His figure was quickly obscured by the trees, leaving only the rustle of footsteps among the woods.

Zetsu's body slowly sank into the ground, as though merging with the soil.

A moment later, silence returned to the forest clearing, as though no one had ever been there.

Inside Konoha.

Fugaku Uchiha led the clan members along the road back to their territory.

His steps were quicker than usual, and his chest was held straighter than usual.

"Today was truly satisfying."

An Uchiha clansman could not help speaking, his tone full of excitement.

"Yeah, did you see those two advisors' faces? They looked like they'd swallowed flies."

Another chimed in, laughter in his voice.

"Lord Genkawa's Susanoo Armor—damn, I still can't forget it. Golden, with that kind of pressure. That impostor's blue Susanoo was nothing by comparison."

"What impostor? That was Obito Uchiha. But that isn't important anymore. What matters is that someone from the Uchiha Clan has finally awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan again, and at such a young age."

Several people spoke over one another, growing more animated with every word.

Listening to them, the lines of Fugaku Uchiha's face softened considerably.

He turned his head and looked at Genkawa Uchiha walking beside him.

"Genkawa, you did very well."

His voice was earnest.

"As expected of a genius of the Uchiha Clan."

Genkawa Uchiha carried the Ninja Blade he had just picked up. Hearing that, he merely gave a quiet hum and did not respond.

He had originally wanted to have a proper argument with Hiruzen Sarutobi. Kakashi Hatake had interrupted him back on the battlefield, allowing Utatane Koharu to escape punishment. Thinking it over now, he felt he had lost out somewhat.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi was an old fox too. He had taken the opportunity to slip away, not giving him another chance to speak.

Still, an old fox was an old fox. He had to admit that much.

Fortunately, Genkawa Uchiha was not too bothered. Given those people's nature, there would always be chances to deal with them harshly in the future.

At that moment, another clansman stepped forward with a broad smile. "Lord Genkawa, today you finally made those higher-ups lower their heads. The Third Hokage personally ordered that woman Utatane Koharu suspended from duty. That has never happened before!"

"That's right. Even the Hokage gave in. Let's see who dares look down on the Uchiha now."

Genkawa Uchiha's expression became somewhat strange.

Come on, brother, I haven't even gotten carried away yet. How many drinks did you people have to get this full of yourselves?

He looked at the man speaking, then at the several Uchiha clansmen walking ahead, and found their faces all wore the same exhilarated look of vindication.

As though the entire Uchiha Clan had won today.

He said nothing, though the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

Got it. The Uchiha pride sickness is acting up again—and this time, it's the kind that catches from other people.

The group arrived at a fork in the road.

To the left lay the Uchiha's Old Clan Grounds, where Genkawa Uchiha lived.

To the right lay the Uchiha's new territory, where Fugaku Uchiha and the other clansmen lived together.

Genkawa Uchiha did not stop. Naturally, he headed left.

After taking a few steps, he seemed to remember something and turned back.

"Aren't you coming in?"

His tone was casual.

Fugaku Uchiha stopped in his tracks.

The clansmen who had just been speaking so excitedly also froze.

They stood at the fork, looking at the road leading to the Old Clan Grounds on the left. The expressions on their faces gradually turned awkward.

The Old Clan Grounds.

That was where Genkawa Uchiha lived, not where they lived.

They lived in the new territory.

The new territory assigned by the village, watched by the Anbu, and enclosed by high walls.

From the beginning, Genkawa Uchiha had refused to move there. He lived alone in the Old Clan Grounds, and no one could do anything about it.

No one in the entire Uchiha Clan could criticize that resolve.

And what about them? They spoke of clan honor, but when the crucial moment came, they had still chosen compromise.

Just moments ago, they had believed today was a resounding victory. They had believed the higher-ups had bowed their heads. They had believed the Uchiha had finally held their heads high.

All of it had been brought about by Genkawa Uchiha.

And in the past, they had been angry with Genkawa Uchiha. They had despised him.

But now... standing at this fork in the road, they suddenly understood.

The strong one was Genkawa Uchiha, not them.

No matter how much they agreed with him, how excited they were, or how proud they were of him, they still lived in the new territory.

And Genkawa Uchiha was still Genkawa Uchiha.

They were not walking the same path.

Fugaku Uchiha's lips moved. He wanted to say something, but found that he could not say anything at all.

Genkawa Uchiha looked at their expressions as though he had expected this all along.

He smiled, turned around, and continued toward the Old Clan Grounds with the blade in hand.

No one followed him.

Only then did Fugaku Uchiha truly feel that Genkawa Uchiha had no sense of belonging to the Uchiha Clan whatsoever.

As that thought arose, he felt utterly terrible.