White Fang Falls

He waved behind him again.

"Since that's how it is, come on out. Let's give Lord Sakumo a proper send-off."

Figures cloaked in black emerged silently from the shadows and watched Sakumo without a word.

With their fearsome masks and gleaming blades, they looked like a band of Death Gods come to reap lives.

Sakumo sighed softly once more.

He knew he probably wouldn't make it home today.

He had barely survived his mission, only to die at the hands of his own people...

"Heh."

Sakumo tightened his grip on White Fang and walked toward the black-clad ninja.

No one spoke.

Only the clear ring of clashing metal filled the air, almost pleasant to the ear.

It was as though they were performing a silent play.

Blades flashed and figures crossed, displaying the art of strength and speed in full.

As the hero darted across the stage, black-clad extras fell one after another, becoming part of the scenery.

But one man could only fight so many, and even a hero's strength could run out.

After a breathtaking display of movement,

the quickening clang of metal carried the play toward its final act.

A broken blade flew through the air and struck the ground with a heavy thud, as if foretelling the hero's fate.

The figure at the center of the crowd suddenly fell, unable to rise again.

And with that, the play was over.

One man stepped out of the crowd and bowed slightly, taking his final curtain call.

"Lord Sakumo, Konoha will remember you as a hero. Please rest in peace."

Lying on the ground, Sakumo asked calmly, "Why?"

He, Hatake Sakumo, had devoted his life to the village. Why had it come to this?

The leader sighed.

"Because you stood in Lord Danzo's way. In Root's way... in Konoha's way!"

"For the greater good, some sacrifices are necessary!"

Sakumo gave a low laugh, and blood spilled from his mouth.

"You don't speak for Konoha."

"I'm afraid you're mistaken, Lord Sakumo."

The leader's expression turned solemn. He raised his right arm diagonally across his chest.

The ninja behind him all made the same gesture in perfect unison.

Together, they recited,

"No names, no feelings. No past, no future."

"We are the roots buried deep in the earth, supporting the great tree of Konoha. Because of us, Konoha grows strong and prospers!"

Sakumo closed his eyes.

They're just brainwashed pawns. Why am I wasting my breath on them...?

His son's face appeared in his mind.

Kakashi will be devastated when I die.

But at least little Obito should stay by his side...

Danzo, you bastard. When you get down here, I'll cut you to pieces!

The leader straightened his robe.

Looking at the lifeless Sakumo, he waved a hand and said,

"Target dead. Mission complete. Start arranging the scene."

"Finish quickly so I can report back to Lord Danzo."

The others stepped forward and methodically arranged the scene to look the way they wanted.

Obito's face twisted with rage, and he lunged at them with a roar.

"You bastards! I'll kill you! Aaaah!"

But just then, the scene before his eyes froze, as though someone had pressed pause.

Everything around him shattered into specks of light and vanished.

Obito found himself back where he had started.

His clenched nails dug deep into his palms.

"Damn it! Damn it all!"

Obito fell to his knees and pounded the ground again and again.

The gentle man who never acted like some lofty master, who cooked for him and taught him swordsmanship, was gone!

He had pulled Sakumo out of despair. He had changed the tragedy that was supposed to happen.

But those inhuman bastards... how dare they?!

Rage, despair, hatred, the urge to kill...

Every dark emotion battered Obito's mind and tore through his heart.

Crack.

Something seemed to break inside his mind, as if a shackle had snapped open.

The moment it broke, a strange power surged forth and entered Obito's optic nerves.

His vision flooded with crimson.

Amid the Kurenai, a black Tomoe appeared.

Driven by that power, a second Tomoe slowly began to form.

But Obito's young body seemed unable to bear such power.

The second Tomoe gradually faded, settling once more within Obito's mind to await another chance to emerge.

"So this is the Sharingan..." Obito murmured.

He felt no joy, only grief.

Since coming to this world, this was the first time he had experienced losing someone close to him.

Ding!

The system's emotionless voice sounded.

[The backstory video has finished playing. Host, please make your choice.]

[Important: This choice will affect the main storyline. Until the chosen option is completed, the system will issue no further choices. Host, choose carefully!!!]

Three Kurenai exclamation marks stood out starkly.

Obito frowned.

No other tasks until I complete this option?!

He had never seen a choice like this before.

Obito steadied himself a little and looked at the options.

[Option One: Avenge White Fang by beheading Danzo. Reward: White Fang Swordsmanship.]

[Option Two: Avenge White Fang by exposing Danzo's shameless deeds to the public. Reward: Titanium-alloy tombstone ×1.]

[Option Three: Forget White Fang and sever your attachments. Reward: Byakugan ×2.]

[Option Four: Join Root and become a traitor. Reward: Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal ×1.]

[Option Five: Endure in silence and wait for an opportunity. Reward: Unknown.]

This...

Obito's frown deepened.

At his young age, he had somehow managed to crease his forehead.

Sakumo had treated him well, and Obito had come to see him as an elder.

So he would remember this grudge!

But at his current strength, there was no way he could kill Danzo. Going after him now would be suicide.

He had planned to use the system to grow stronger as quickly as possible.

...But the system apparently had other ideas.

Damn it!

After weighing his choices, option five seemed to be the only one he could pick.

But the system gave him no clue how long he would have to endure, or when an opportunity might come.

Even the reward was unknown...

To hell with it!

So what if I don't have the system?

I'm Obito Uchiha!

What's there to be afraid of? I'll do what I have to!

With that, he selected option five with all the force of his will.

"Danzo, just you wait."

"Ten years. At most, ten years. I'll take your head!"

Obito walked home with a heavy heart.

He brushed the dust from his clothes before going inside.

Grandmother heard the sound, hurried out of the house, and asked anxiously,

"Little Obito, why are you home so late? Did something happen?"

Obito forced a smile, hoping Grandmother wouldn't worry.

But as he tried to smile, tears welled up.

"Grandmother, I... I'm so sad..."

Grandmother pulled him into her arms and gently patted his back.

"My dear boy, what happened?"

Her voice turned indignant.

"Who bullied my little Obito? Grandmother will go have a word with him!"

Obito spoke through his sobs.

"Grandmother, you can't beat the person who bullied me."

Grandmother's eyes widened, and she declared stoutly,

"Then we'll get help! If Grandmother can't beat him, I'll have Ogawa teach him a lesson!"

"Even the Hokage doesn't get to bully my precious grandson!"

Obito hugged her tighter.

"Grandmother, I'm so glad I have you!"

Grandmother stroked Obito's head fondly.

She said nothing more and simply let her grandson rest against her.