The flames on the blade burned ever brighter.
In the night sky, the last golden mote left by Obito's dissolution was swept away by the cold wind, vanishing completely into the darkness.
Not a single trace remained.
Just like his turbulent, obsessive life, it had all come to nothing in the end.
The grudges, hatred, and conflicts of the old era came to a close at that moment, with Obito's complete disappearance.
Beneath the rock wall, Kakashi leaned against the cold stone and closed his eyes.
Tears kept sliding down his cheeks, striking the snow and melting tiny hollows into it.
His bond with Obito had begun with their first meeting at the Ninja Academy. They had argued, fought, and hated for a lifetime, only to reach the end like this.
Rin was gone. Minato-sensei was gone. Now Obito was gone too.
The people around him had left, one after another.
Only he remained, keeping their old promises and watching over this devastated shinobi world.
Kakashi's chest heaved once, and he slowly opened his eyes.
The crimson Mangekyō Sharingan slowly lit up in both eyes.
The ocular power of Dual Kamui flowed slowly through his blood.
This was the last thing Obito had left him, and the final recompense Obito owed both him and the entire shinobi world.
Kakashi drew a deep breath and activated Kamui.
His body instantly entered Hollowfication, and the Black Rods pinning him passed straight through his intangible form.
He stumbled down from the rock wall, his feet landing in the snow. His badly injured body swayed slightly.
The damage the Black Rods had done to his chakra pathways still sent waves of agony through him. Every step felt as though countless needles were piercing those pathways.
But he did not stop.
Step by step, he