Konoha's forests in the spring sunlight should have been beautiful. At least, they had been before.
The stream slipped over blue stones, babbling softly, while the breeze brushed the tender willows, turning their branches green.
But now, if someone could hover in the air, they would suddenly discover that at some unknown point, Konoha's training grounds had become riddled with holes—countless deep pits scattered through every corner of the forest.
"Since Root is hidden underground, I'll dig three feet deep if I have to, just to find you!"
Obito Uchiha gripped an iron shovel already caked in mud, flinging shovelfuls of earth out from the deep pit. Within the forest, all that could be seen was dirt flying out from some unknown place.
"Hiss..."
A blood blister on his hand suddenly burst against a sharp stone in the dirt, and blood mixed with murky fluid immediately ran over the shovel.
Obito stopped moving. His slightly lowered eyes carried a trace of desolation as he stared blankly at the blood on his hand, frowning.
After who knew how long, he let out a soft sigh. Looking somewhat dejected, he slowly sat down inside the pit.
Mud covered his clothes from head to toe, and almost all of his Chakra had been exhausted. Leaning against the cold, damp earth, Obito gazed up at the sky.
The sky framed by the pit like a well opening was a brilliant blue. A few wisps of cloud drifted past, soft and gentle, tranquil and quiet, yet still beautiful.
"Down in that dark underground place, he must have felt the same cold, yet longed for beauty too..."
Obito slowly closed his eyes. The light through the opening slanted down, but it was difficult for it to reach his face.
"Obito?"
"You're Obito, right?"
The forest's silence