"Obito, haven't you misunderstood something?"
Yanbai felt he really needed to clear this up, even though the legends about him had already grown wildly outlandish.
Obito had a peculiar knack for getting along with old people, and Yanbai kept running into him. If he did not straighten out the boy's strange ideas soon, they might cause trouble.
Obito looked at Yanbai in bewilderment and scratched his head.
Yanbai let out a soft sigh. "I'm an observer of this mortal world. I've lived far too many years to take an interest in romance, but I've seen plenty of people ruined by love. Some ended up paralyzed; others died for it. They thought their love was grand and passionate, but to everyone else, it looked utterly ridiculous."
"So, you and Grandpa Madara?" Obito asked hesitantly.
Yanbai lowered his eyes. "There are far too many things I have to let go of in my life. Agelessness and longevity make for a lonely road. Some people accompany me for a stretch, but none are my final destination."
"For me, losing them is the norm. A lifetime seems long to you, but to me, it's just another cycle. Years later, when the people are gone and the warmth has faded, it all amounts to nothing more than a beautiful dream."
Obito pouted and blurted out, "You really are pitiful. I guess living forever isn't such a good thing after all."
"Indeed." Yanbai wholeheartedly agreed.
"Do you shut yourself away in your own world because you're afraid of saying goodbye?" Obito looked at Yanbai.
"I don't think I've deliberately done that..." Yanbai said uncertainly.
Looking as though he might burst into tears, Obito declared passionately, "Granny Hokage, don't worry! I'll always stay with you. I'll definitely marry Rin, and even after I die someday, our children,