Obito's Future

A drop of blood seeped from beneath Kakashi's mask. He still tried to struggle, but as the brambles tightened, he seemed to resign himself to defeat.

"Damn it, Brother. I never expected your Bloodline Limit to help you this much."

Envy showed in Kakashi's eyes. Though they were both children of the Hatake Household, he did not possess a powerful Bloodline Limit. After steadying himself, he faced Muzan directly.

"Don't get cocky, Brother. I'll master the Hatake Sword Technique even better. Next time, I'll cut through these brambles!"

"Hahaha, good!"

The harmonious scene between the brothers was interrupted by a voice from behind. Sakumo Hatake had heard the fighting in the yard and assumed the two little brats were merely blasting each other with Fireball Jutsu.

But when he arrived, why had his courtyard become such a wreck? Even the cherry tree he had swiped from the Hokage's home had been stripped bare!

"You two little bastards! What did you do?!"

A dignified Kage Level expert now had to tidy the house and clean the courtyard. With a dark expression, Sakumo pointed at them and roared:

"Get over here and clean up the yard!"

"Sumimasen!"

After learning that this was the ability of Muzan's Bloodline Limit, Sakumo put away his anger. He stared gravely at Muzan's body and had him demonstrate Black Blood Brambles once more.

"A very powerful Bloodline Limit. If a Genin fails to dodge in time, you could kill them instantly."

"From now on, Muzan and Kakashi will learn ninjutsu and the Hatake Sword Technique together."

With a Kage Level expert personally teaching them, their strength improved rapidly.

The two developed in different directions. In his spare time, Kakashi sparred with Might Guy to improve his taijutsu. He remained Konoha's publicly acknowledged number one genius and had countless admirers. For a time, Muzan wondered why the future Kakashi could not find a wife. Could it have been those dead-fish eyes of his?

Compared to his dazzling younger brother, Muzan remained an invisible figure at the Ninja Academy. He spent more time reading and studying medical knowledge from the Konoha Library.

After a year of practice, his medical knowledge and Will of Fire theory grades were both first in the class. Muzan gained a nickname among the ninja students.

"Bookworm Muzan, the whole school says Kakashi is strong enough to become a Genin already. Doesn't having a younger brother like that bother you?"

Obito looked at Muzan, who was still reading beneath a tree. Ever since he had lifted Muzan's clothes last time, Kakashi had given him a beating. Later, Obito learned about Muzan's skin condition.

Feeling deeply apologetic, he came to chat with Muzan every day. After all, as a bottom-ranked student like him, he could only talk to the class's invisible boy. Even Rin liked geniuses like Kakashi.

Hmph! Damn Kakashi!

Muzan closed his textbook and leaned half-reclined against the tree. Looking at Obito, who had fallen into self-doubt, he explained.

"Why would it bother me? My younger brother is so strong, which means I have more time to study."

"But..."

Obito could not find a reason to refute him. To be fair, Kakashi's genius left everyone else in the shadows. As his older brother, Muzan was so ordinary that Obito had thought he had simply given up on himself. Obito stood and struck an encouraging pose.

"Once I awaken my eyes, I'll definitely surpass Kakashi! When that happens, I'll take you on as my little brother!"

"Pfft! That's a pretty good idea, but you'd better work hard, Obito! If Kakashi surpasses you, I'll follow my little brother instead."

Muzan looked awkwardly at Obito. Become Obito's little brother? Did that mean that in the future, he would be the man standing behind Madara? However, when he turned to look at the tree behind Obito, he sensed a faint presence.

Chakra blended into nature itself. If not for the difference in smell, even Muzan would have overlooked that thing.

"I didn't expect Madara Uchiha to have already set his sights on Obito. White Zetsu is being rather brazen, daring to infiltrate Konoha."

Konoha was not yet as decayed as it would become in later generations. Aside from veteran powerhouses such as the Hokage, many Kage Level experts were stationed in the village.

Muzan had no intention of stopping Madara's plan. The moment old Madara pulled out his tubes, he would go reunite with Hashirama. Muzan himself was just a little kid. As long as Madara did not plot against Kakashi, they could all live in peace.

"Since White Zetsu has come to Konoha, I should also see whether devouring White Zetsu can strengthen me."

One must not forget Muzan's bloodline's true nature. He could not eat people, but White Zetsu was a type of artificial human. It was worth trying.

After finding an excuse to send Obito away, Muzan casually walked beneath the tree. His harmless appearance, coupled with the complete absence of killing intent, successfully fooled the White Zetsu hidden inside it. Who would have thought that a child could kill him?

In an instant, Muzan transformed his arm into a twisted, gigantic mass of flesh. A huge mouth opened, devouring every living thing.

"Blood Demon Art! Flesh-Eating Devour!"

The White Zetsu hiding within did not even realize what was happening. By the time it sensed the danger, it was already too late. The terrifying giant maw swallowed both it and the tree whole.

White Zetsu was not actually very strong overall. Its strange powers lay more in its spores and copying abilities. Muzan's strength was enough to earn him the title of Genin. If he went all out, he could fight a Chunin to the death.

However, Muzan's body was extremely difficult to kill. In terms of healing, it was even more terrifying than Hashirama's.

"Crunch, crunch!"

Several chewing sounds rang out. Muzan felt a surge of power merging with his body, and he could not help lifting his head and making a strange sound.

"Ah~ That feels good. If I can devour more White Zetsu, my strength will improve rapidly."

In an underground cave somewhere, White Zetsu suddenly felt its Konoha clone disappear. Its stunned expression was noticed by old Madara.

"What happened?"

"My clone was killed. Since when did Konoha have such a powerful sensory ninja?"

Old Madara slowly raised his head. The tubes connected to his body rattled as he frowned deeply in thought. He had not paid attention to Konoha's situation for a long time. Recently, he had focused more of his attention on Rain Village.

"The Uchiha boy in Konoha is a crucial part of my plan. Find a way to replace that old woman and let Obito experience the darkness of this world!"

"Yes."

Poor Obito had no idea that his ancestor had set his sights on him. He had barely left when a loud boom came from the training ground.

Nobi Wei hurried over. He saw the broken tree, its severed section looking as though something had forcibly torn it apart, then noticed Muzan standing beside it.

"This kid really never gives me a moment's peace."

As Muzan's instructor, Nobi Wei had personally witnessed Muzan's terrifying talent: precise chakra control and a frightening amount of chakra. If Muzan had not wanted to remain unnoticed, his reputation would likely have surpassed even Kakashi's.

After learning who was responsible, Nobi Wei waved the students away to avoid exposing Muzan's secret.

"At this rate, you'll tear down the Ninja Academy. As for the hospital matter you asked me about, I've found a lead."