Uchiha Obito and His Friends

"Th-this can work?"

Uchiha Xuan hesitated. What Uchiha Makoto had proposed was simply too outrageous.

Stuff like Shimura Danzō obeying Hiruzen Sarutobi's every command and serving at his beck and call, only for worldly prejudice to tear the lovebirds apart...

Stuff like Biwako Sarutobi being nothing more than a cover, while his true love lay elsewhere...

Stuff like after the Second Hokage was killed by Kinkaku and Ginkaku, Danzo offering the Cloud ninja his ass to buy time...

"That's way too outrageous. The villagers won't believe it!"

Hearing Uchiha Xuan's words, Uchiha Makoto rolled his eyes and said indifferently.

"They won't care whether it's true or not. They'll only care whether it's worth talking about."

"The more explosive and outrageous it is to them, and the higher the status of the people involved, the better!"

A smile curled across Uchiha Makoto's lips, and a sly glint flashed through his eyes.

"Besides, don't you think stories like that are fun?"

He paused before continuing, "People always like hearing exciting, bizarre stories. The more exaggerated we make them, the more interested they'll be. As long as we catch their attention, everything after that will be easy."

Uchiha Xuan frowned slightly, seemingly still pondering it.

Uchiha Makoto patted him on the shoulder and encouraged him, "Relax, just follow my plan. In a few days, the entire village will be going crazy gossiping about them because of our stories!"

And by taking this opportunity, they could not only vent their anger, but also drag Shimura Danzō out of the shadows and damage Konoha's higher-ups' reputation.

Why not?

As noon drew near, the Uchiha who had finished paying respects to their ancestors began heading home in groups of two and three.

Uchiha Makoto and the others did the same, walking together.

But compared to before, there was one more kid with goggles and a lovesick brain—Uchiha Obito.

It was not only because they were headed the same way, but also because their families had some ties—they were all descendants of the Mangekyō Sharingan.

For that very reason, when Uchiha Makoto had been throwing himself into business these past few years and rapidly fattening his wallet, Obito's family had also ended up living far better than in the original story.

After all, once the clan became wealthier, subsidies increased, and the clansmen's lives improved as well.

Not to mention Uchiha Obito, who had family connections.

As they walked, Uchiha Makoto loudly questioned Uchiha Xuan about Uchiha Obito's life at the academy.

"Obito, do you have a girl you like at school?"

"Huh? Why are you asking that, Brother Makoto?!"

Seeing Uchiha Makoto's teasing expression, Uchiha Obito's face instantly flushed crimson. His stammering appearance made the others burst into laughter.

"Hahaha, then why are you blushing, Obito?"

Uchiha Makoto continued teasing him.

"Exactly, exactly. Obito, tell us. Maybe we can even give you some advice."

Uchiha Xuan joined in as well.

"I... I don't have a girl I like."

Uchiha Obito lowered his head, but his blazing red cheeks gave away his thoughts.

"Really? Then why is your face so red?"

Uchiha Makoto teased.

"I... I'm just hot!"

Uchiha Obito's face turned even redder.

The group broke into laughter again.

"Alright, alright, Makoto, stop teasing Obito. But if there's someone you like, Obito, go after her boldly. Don't drag your feet."

Uchiha Xuan said solemnly, though his words seemed to carry another meaning.

"Mm... got it." Uchiha Obito answered softly.

Uchiha Makoto was not about to give Uchiha Xuan a chance to lecture him. He stepped forward, draped an arm around Uchiha Obito's shoulders, and tempted the young boy's heart.

"Obito, look, this is our clan uniform. Don't you want to see the girl you love wearing it for you?"

Listening to Uchiha Makoto's temptation, Uchiha Obito could not help imagining what "Uchiha Rin" would look like.

"Uchiha Rin," dressed in the clan uniform, stood coldly at his side...

Oh ho!

Seeing Uchiha Obito's eyes light up, Uchiha Makoto raised his brows at Uchiha Xuan. This time, he had won again!

Uchiha Makoto's feelings toward Uchiha Obito had always been complicated.

Speaking of the original story, he had always believed that Obito should have died as a villain whose great ambition ended in failure. He should have died in his struggle for power with Madara, died amid everyone's condemnation, died when he was only one step away from creating the perfect illusory world—when one wrong move had cost him everything.

Then, in the final moments of his life, his memories would flash before his eyes. He would recall the despair and helplessness after losing Rin; recall the relief and trust he had felt at Kannabi Bridge when he pushed Kakashi away and was buried beneath the rocks himself; recall his inferiority and determination when Rin spoke of Kakashi's brilliance; recall the shouting and conflicts whenever he and Kakashi formed the Seal of Reconciliation; recall the flutter in his heart when Rin Nohara said, "I'll always be watching you"; recall that Uchiha Obito who helped old ladies cross the street and dreamed of becoming Hokage...

In the end, with everything only one step away and himself fallen before the finish line, he would face that helplessness, regret, and relief, mock himself once, and die with an open heart.

But things were different now. Uchiha Obito had practically grown up under his watch, and as his older clansman, he did not want this younger brother who called him "Brother Makoto" to face such a tragic life.

Before, he had wanted to help but lacked the strength. Now, he wanted to lend this younger clansman a hand too.

At the very least, he had to make sure he survived.

"Hehe, Obito, once you win her over, make sure you tell your big brothers!"

Uchiha Makoto smiled and patted Obito on the shoulder.

"Mm-hmm!"

Obito nodded excitedly, as though he could already see the light of success.

"But just thinking without taking action won't get you the girl!"

Uchiha Xuan reminded him.

"I know! We even agreed to go play together this afternoon!"

Obito said confidently. "I'll definitely succeed!"

Seeing Obito brimming with confidence, Uchiha Makoto and Uchiha Xuan exchanged a smile.

They believed Obito would definitely find the happiness that belonged to him.

As they walked, a clear young girl's voice rang out beside them, drawing their attention.

"Obito, we're over here!"

Everyone looked toward the voice and saw several boys and girls about Obito's age standing there.

Among them, a girl with paint smeared across her face was waving at them. Clearly, she had been the one calling out just now.

"Rin!"

Uchiha Obito cried out and hurried forward.

As soon as Obito approached, he greeted the others. They were all his classmates.

Among them, Uchiha Makoto spotted several familiar faces, all characters who had appeared in the original story.

For example, Anko Mitarashi, who would undergo a future super evolution from Anko into a sweet potato; Kurenai Yuhi, the mother of Mirai Sarutobi, who was jokingly called "Uchiha Mirai"; Asuma Sarutobi, one half of the unit-of-measure duo; Hatake Kakashi...

And...

Uchiha Makoto's gaze shifted toward the girl who had spoken earlier.

Rin Nohara.