Clack!
The shattered mask fell to the ground with a crisp sound.
Obito Uchiha froze, then his expression twisted with rage.
For the first time, his face was exposed to the world.
"If Kakashi saw you like this, he would be heartbroken."
"Obito!"
River sighed softly and withdrew the Bone Whip.
"Shut up!"
"What do you know?"
"It was him! He killed Rin with his own hands!"
Obito roared in fury, lunging forward to attack River.
River's eyes flickered. He let the chain and kunai pass through his body, shook his head, and spoke softly.
"Then do you know who controlled Rin from behind the scenes and orchestrated her death?"
"Or do you believe the Kakashi you knew would kill his own comrade for no reason?"
Obito Uchiha stiffened and stood frozen.
"What... exactly do you know?"
River turned to face the man before him.
"I know everything!"
Then he moved, a golden flash streaking through the air.
Before Obito Uchiha's pupils could finish contracting, a kunai was already pressed against his neck.
"But wouldn't it be best to ask Kakashi yourself about the truth?"
River spoke calmly.
Obito stood rigid. That almost instantaneous movement made River seem like another Minato Namikaze. No, his speed surpassed even Obito's teacher.
Was this guy a human or a monster?
Only after a long silence did he ask in a low voice.
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
"The Akatsuki's mission here is to eliminate the Uchiha Clan."
River smiled faintly. Seeing that Obito had chosen to stop fighting, he withdrew his kunai. "What I intend to do is the exact opposite."
"Help the Uchiha Clan claim the Hokage's seat."
Obito Uchiha froze. "An Uchiha becoming Hokage?"
As a child, he had heard the clan's elders complain bitterly. The Uchiha Clan had