Obito adjusted his mask, concealing his face, and pulled the hood low over his head. His eye gleamed cold and determined. Every step was meticulously planned - he wouldn't risk a single mistake. He had waited for this moment for too long; finally, the time for reckoning had come. Anger boiled within him, and he yearned to unleash it. He wanted to show them how powerful he truly was and how much fury drove him.
His resolve was firm, indifferent to the consequences of his actions. The village would be reduced to rubble, erasing all his painful feelings and memories along with it. In this world, he cared little for any lives that would be extinguished in the process. Whether it was his sensei, Kushina, Kakashi, or even his own clan - no one was safe from his vengeful wrath. Nothing and no one could deter him from executing his dark plans.
Today was the long-awaited day when he could finally set his plan in motion. The time for retribution had come, and Obito could feel the heat of his determination pulsing through his veins. His forehead furrowed as his gaze remained unwaveringly forward. He patiently awaited the perfect moment to strike. Soon, his opportunity would arise, and nothing could stop him from fulfilling his mission.
To him, they were all guilty of Rin's death. Mercy was a foreign concept in his realm of vengeance. They would experience the same suffering he had felt when he watched her die in his arms. Yet even amidst his rage, Obito found solace in the thought that he would see them again someday. For he was determined to create a perfect world where they could be reunited. The others would realize the hell they lived in - and he would be the one to shatter the chains of oppression.
In this pivotal moment, he took a deep breath and lifted his gaze to the sky. It was time to move forward, without looking back. And in the next moment, he was already gone.
%%%%%%%%%%
The last Anbu collapsed lifelessly to the ground. Obito stared expressionlessly at the motionless bodies. He allowed himself no hint of compassion – his goal was clear and unwavering: to free the Nine-Tails. Today, on the day of its birth, the perfect moment had arrived. The seal had weakened, making his plan easier. He lifted his gaze, fixing it on the entrance to the cave.
His eyebrows furrowed, and his gaze darkened. With determined steps, Obito set forth, ready to take the next step. But suddenly, he froze. A voice echoed through the silent surroundings, causing him to abruptly halt. This familiar voice brought him to a standstill.
"Obito!"
Why was he here? How did he know Obito was here? No one should know.
"Please, Obito! Wait!"
Obito whirled around, staring at him. Kakashi stood panting behind him, out of breath. He must have run – but why? Obito's mind raced as he tried to comprehend the situation. Of all people, Kakashi stood before him, looking directly into his remaining eye.
Kakashi took a step closer to Obito. "You don't have to do this," he said firmly.
Obito stared at Kakashi incredulously, overwhelmed by the fact that the silver-haired man was here and knew his true identity. For a moment, he didn't know how to react, what to say or do. He briefly looked away to conceal his surprise and regain his composure.
"What are you doing here?" he asked coolly, without averting his gaze from afar. Beneath the mask, his expression remained unmoved. "How do you know I'm here? And that I'm Obito?" It simply didn't make sense, no matter how much Obito tried to understand.
Kakashi took a deep breath, his expression softening. "Even if I were to explain it to you, you wouldn't believe me," he said calmly. "I'm here to stop you and take you home."
A slight twitch ran through Obito as he directed his gaze at Kakashi. The sight of Kakashi's peaceful eye and relaxed posture caused Obito to stare at him for a moment, collecting himself. But the longer he looked at Kakashi, the stronger the anger surged within him.
After a moment of silence, Kakashi gently broke it. "Please come with me, let's talk about everything." His words were gentle yet firm, radiating an aura of calm.
With a trembling finger, Obito pointed at Kakashi, and a murderous intent spread in his gaze. "Shut up!" he yelled, his anger boiling uncontrollably within him. With angry strides, he approached Kakashi, but the silver-haired man remained calm, steadfast and composed. "Stop it! You must not say anything, it's your fault that we're here!" he accused.
Kakashi slowly lowered his gaze. "I know," he whispered softly. As Obito now stood before him, grabbing him by the collar, Kakashi looked at him sternly. But Kakashi lifted his gaze again and looked at Obito with a sad expression in his uncovered eye. "I'm sorry."
For a moment, the world seemed to stand still around Obito as his grip on Kakashi tightened. But Kakashi showed no reaction, simply continuing to look up at Obito with a sad expression. The anger within Obito became uncontrollable – it was simply too overwhelming.
Obito flung Kakashi to the ground, knelt over him, and pressed him forcefully into the ground with unstoppable strength. "You have no right!" he screamed at him, his voice full of rage. "It was your fault! You didn't keep your promise, you killed her!" His grip tightened, his breathing heavier.
Kakashi remained calm and did not resist. "You have every reason to be angry with me. Seek revenge, kill me. But please, spare the village. Spare Minato-sensei and Kushina. Let Naruto keep his parents."
Obito's eye widened in surprise. How could Kakashi know his plan? It simply didn't make sense.
"Stop!" Obito shouted. "Just stop talking!" With his fist, he struck Kakashi and glared angrily down at him. Kakashi did not move, just looked up at Obito silently. The unbearable silence drove Obito to madness, and he continued to strike Kakashi. Kakashi endured it, not blocking a single blow. Obito's anger grew immeasurably. "Do something! Fight back, hit back!" Obito cried out desperately. He couldn't bear it – he wanted Kakashi to do something, anything, other than look at him with that understanding gaze.
After what felt like an eternity, Obito rolled off Kakashi exhaustedly and collapsed beside him in the grass. His gaze was fixed on the sky, his breathing frantic. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead, concealed beneath his mask.
Kakashi lay quietly beside him, blood seeping from his wounds, his breathing labored but shallow. Neither spoke a word; both gazed silently at the sky. The only sound was their mutual breathing piercing the silence.
To his own surprise, it was Obito who spoke first. "I loved her," his voice rang out, tinged with pain. "I can't live without her."
Kakashi's head slowly turned to Obito. "I know, Obito," he replied softly, his words like a gentle breeze in the stillness. "But you are not alone. We stand by your side," he reassured calmly.
Obito looked at Kakashi, who weakly smiled at him. "Why?" he asked, confused, searching.
"Because you're my friend!" Kakashi stated firmly, his gaze fixed on Obito. "And Rin would never have wanted you to do this. She would have wanted me to stop you." His tone was resolute. "She died for Konoha and would never have wanted it to be destroyed."
Obito's eye returned to the sky, slowly raising his hand and removing his mask. It fell softly to the ground beside him as he continued to stare at the sky. A sense of defeat washed over him, and he slowly closed his eye. "You've won," he muttered resignedly.
Kakashi let his gaze wander back to the sky. "No," he said calmly. "There are no winners or losers in this case." His words were carried by a quiet conviction.
They lay silent together for a moment until Obito looked back at Kakashi. "And now?" His voice sounded uncertain.
Kakashi returned Obito's gaze and smiled gently. "Let's go home."
%%%%%%%%%%
Obito stared at the locked door, his hand resting motionless on the handle. A heavy lump formed in his throat as his heart pounded wildly in his chest. Yet, he dared not open the door. The weight of his guilt and shame was simply too suffocating.
A reassuring hand landed on his shoulder, and Obito glanced sideways. Kakashi smiled at him encouragingly, his wounds tended to and bandaged. Obito turned his gaze back to the door. "They will hate me," he whispered with a hint of despair.
Kakashi shook his head beside him. "They won't. Don't be afraid, I'm with you!" he assured with calm determination.
Obito took a deep breath, but before he opened the door, one more question burned within him. "How did you know all that?" he asked without looking at Kakashi.
Kakashi smiled gently beside him. "That's a story for another time," he said mysteriously. "For now, let's just go inside."
Without further hesitation, Obito slowly opened the door, and they entered the hospital room together. As the door closed behind them and Obito directed his gaze into the room, he was already expected. The atmosphere was tense as their eyes met.
Minato and Kushina looked at him in disbelief. Kushina lay in bed, holding Naruto in her arms. "Obito!" she breathed, smiling at him with tears in her eyes. The emotions in her gaze spoke volumes about the warmth and relief she felt upon seeing him.
Before Obito could react, strong arms wrapped around him. For a moment, he froze before gently returning the hug. "I'm sorry, Minato-sensei," he whispered.
Minato shook his head and tightened his grip around him. "You have nothing to apologize for! We're just glad you're back," he said with a warm smile.
Obito glanced at Kakashi, who stood calmly beside him, returning his gaze with a gentle look. Minato seemed to have noticed Obito's gaze and also pulled the silver-haired man into his arms. "I'm so proud of you," he said to Kakashi, his voice filled with recognition and pride.
After a moment, they released each other, and Minato gently pushed Obito towards Kushina. Obito stepped cautiously beside her bed, and she took his hand to squeeze it. With a warm smile, she looked up at him. "Welcome home, Obito!" Her words were full of warmth and kindness.
Tears welled up in Obito's eye as he looked from Kushina to Naruto, then to Minato, and finally to Kakashi. Now he was no longer alone – he was with his family. The feeling of belonging and unity filled his heart with indescribable warmth and gratitude.
