Rin and Obito

"Lin, you... you've been watching me the whole time?"

Obito muttered blankly, then, as if he had just realized something, a look of sudden realization flashed in his eyes.

Oh, that makes sense.

If Rin had been watching him the whole time, it would be normal for her to know about what happened between him and Kou in Mist Village —what a load of rubbish!!

(That's really true.)

He subconsciously swallowed and cautiously asked the girl in front of him:

"That... Lin."

What did you mean when you said you were watching me?

It means exactly what it says.

From the moment I died until you came here, I have been... watching over you.

Lin said this matter-of-factly, giving Obito a gentle smile.

The smile was so natural, as if he were saying something completely ordinary, without any sense that there was anything wrong with what he was saying.

"... Ah, ah?!"

Obito was taken aback at first, then subconsciously began to analyze the structure of this unfamiliar space.

After his eyes were restored, his already exceptional mastery of space-time reached an even higher level, further enhanced by the newfound Power of All Creation had gained after transplanting the Rinnegan...

For him, discerning the true nature of this space was naturally not a difficult task at this moment.

"This is... the boundary between life and death."

Obito made a low judgment, his gaze returning to the girl in front of him, his eyes reddening:

"Lin, it really is you, Lin!!"

Obito instinctively took a step, but he suddenly stopped after taking just one step.

He stared blankly at the girl in front of him, his eyes filled with deep remorse.

The joy of reunion gradually faded in his heart, and reason slowly took over.

"Lin... has she been watching me here the whole time?"

Recalling Rin's words, Obito couldn't help but feel a bitter taste in his mouth.

Lin would never deceive herself.

If she's been watching him the whole time, then it means Lin knows everything he's done over the years.

At this moment, burdened with sin, do I truly still have the right to stand before Lin and tell her of the longing and remorse I've felt over the years?

"A thank-you gift...?"

Obito recalled Kō's meaningful look at the end and sighed helplessly in his heart.

"Damn, you've really given me a big problem."

"What's wrong, Obito? Is something on your mind?"

Rin seemed to understand something, her gaze falling on Obito's suddenly somber face, and she gently asked:

"If it's convenient, can we talk?"

Hearing Rin's words, Obito instantly snapped back to reality. Feeling Rin's concerned gaze, he guiltily looked away.

"I'm sorry, Lin."

I just... don't know how to face you.

At this point, Obito's voice lowered even further:

"After all... you know what I've been doing all these years..."

By the end, his voice had become so soft it was almost inaudible.

Seeing Obito's embarrassed appearance, Rin's gentle smile slowly faded.

"Ah, I know."

I know everything you did for that Infinite Tsukuyomi Plan.

She looked at Obito, who had his head bowed, and said softly with a bitter expression:

"That naturally includes... what you did to Minato-sensei, Sister Kushina, and the Uchiha Clan."

"You've really done a lot of really outrageous things, Obito."

Obito stiffened, lowered his head even further, and his eyes were filled with deep shame.

Even though he ultimately chose a different path from the Eye of the Moon, one that aimed to change the Ninja World, he never truly rejected the Eye of the Moon Plan in his heart.

He didn't have much regret about everything he had done for the Eye of the Moon Plan.

Even though... I've already prepared myself to atone for my sins with my death.

I have now become a completely different, utterly evil person from the one Lin knew.

It's perfectly understandable that Lin would question her current self.

And this is exactly what I've been hoping for.

"I'm sorry, Lin."

Obito raised his head, forcing himself to look directly at the girl in front of him:

"Not only did I fail to become Hokage as promised, but I also became a villain you would never approve of."

I know you will never forgive me as I am now. And I will never even hope for your forgiveness.

He paused, his tone becoming slightly more urgent:

But... I hope you can accept my atonement.

"You should know what I'm going to do next."

"... At the cost of your life, I will perform the Rinne Rebirth Technique."

Rin looked at Obito, softly picking up where he left off, her voice devoid of surprise, but she let out a bitter sigh:

"And to resurrect everyone you hurt, including me, and all those who died from the suffering of the Ninja World, right?"

"That's right."

Obito nodded solemnly, a heartfelt expectation flashing in his eyes, as if he were seeing the rising sun:

"Now, Koko has grown into an incredibly powerful guy capable of changing this Ninja World."

In the Ninja World he envisions, there will be no more suffering or war; all those who have endured hardship will find happiness in that future!

"That kind of future naturally includes you."

Obito looked at Rin, wanting to say something more, but Rin, unusually, interrupted him.

And what about you?

Rin looked intently at Obito, whose face was full of expectation, and said softly:

"Obito, is there a place for you in the future you envision for me?"

Obito instinctively opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he said nothing and simply lowered his head again.

Rin seemed to have anticipated Obito's reaction, and sighed helplessly, her words carrying a rare hint of reproach:

"You really are exactly as Kou said before, thinking completely according to your own ideas."

"I haven't even said anything to blame you yet..."

"I--"

Obito spoke guiltily, but halfway through his sentence, as if realizing something, he suddenly raised his head and said in surprise:

Wait, Lin!

You... don't you blame me at all?!

Of course.

Rin answered immediately, her gaze towards Obito very serious:

"I absolutely disagree with what you did for that Eye of the Moon Plan, and I'm extremely angry about it."

"Only..."

Rin glanced at Obito, who had instantly adopted a posture of willingly taking the blame, paused, and then sighed with feigned helplessness:

"The things I wanted to say to you, Kouhe has already said them all for me."

As she spoke, Lin couldn't help but look towards the boundless space in the distance, as if she were looking at a familiar figure who wasn't there, and a gentle smile curved her lips.

"Kou, he's really become quite amazing... although in my eyes, he's always been incredibly skilled."

"Yes."

Hearing Rin's words, Obito's tense expression gradually relaxed.

"After all, that guy made happiness possible for the person in the entire Ninja World who least believed he could ever be happy."

He looked at Lin in front of him and a bright smile appeared on his face.

That smile was bright and open, just like that carefree fool from many years ago when he was still in Konoha:

"I believe that Kou can definitely do it now."

"To transform this turbulent Ninja World into what he desires."

Rin stared at Obito's radiant smile, slightly taken aback, and a blush crept onto her face.

After a long pause, she couldn't help but chuckle.

"Puff..."

"Lin, what are you laughing at? Did I say anything strange?"

"No, I just feel nostalgic."

Lin waved her hand, her gaze lingering on his face for a moment, her tone softening considerably:

"Obito, you really do trust Kō as much as ever."

I feel like you've changed a lot, but this one thing is exactly the same as before, not changed at all.

Hearing Rin's slightly teasing words, Obito unusually remained silent.

He simply shifted his gaze slowly, looking into the boundless space, a subtle smile playing at the corners of his lips:

"... ah."

--

I was busy with my thesis in a meeting yesterday, so I didn't update. Sorry everyone, there will be two more chapters today.

Sigh, I haven't missed many classes, but I still have a ton of things to do. Senior year is really exhausting...