The evening sky over Konoha was painted in shades of amber and violet when Obito reached the Uchiha compound.
Most of the houses stood silent — abandoned shells of what once was a proud clan. The empty streets carried echoes of laughter long gone, and even the air seemed heavier here, like the place remembered.
He walked slowly, boots tapping against stone, until he reached the last standing home. The faint light spilling from one of the windows told him the kid was back.
Inside, Sasuke sat at a small table beside the window. His tiny hands rested over a half-finished notebook, but the pencil hadn't moved in minutes. His dark eyes stared blankly at the paper, lost somewhere far beyond it.
He was only a child. But his silence made him seem older.
--
Sasuke, lost in thought, didn't even realize the pencil in his hand had snapped until the sound echoed softly through the room.
He stared at the broken tip, his small fingers trembling. A deep ache rose inside his chest, suffocating and his expression twisted.
Just as the tears threatened to fall, something made him freeze.
He turned toward the window.
Someone was sitting there... a figure cloaked in black, face hidden behind an orange mask, one hand resting lazily against his cheek.
Sasuke's eyes widened. He instantly jumped from his chair, forming hand seals on instinct.
"Oh?" Obito tilted his head slightly, amused. "It seems I scared you. Forgive me — I didn't want to step in with my shoes on, so…"
His tone was casual, almost teasing, as if this intrusion were completely normal.
"Damn it!" Sasuke snapped, anger rising to cover his fear. His mood, already on edge, darkened further. This strange masked man had appeared in his home, and he had no idea why.
But before he could finish his jutsu, his entire body froze mid-seal.
The masked man's single visible eye gleamed crimson beneath the moonlight.
The Sharingan.
"That eye…" Sasuke's breath hitched. "The Sharingan… how is this possible!?"
He gritted his teeth, rage breaking through confusion. "Tell me...how did you get those eyes!?"
Without thinking, he lunged forward.
"So disappointing, Sasuke," Obito sighed, catching his wrist effortlessly. "Your performance is pathetic. You don't even realize the gap between yourself and your opponent. Charging in without a plan, without thinking whether I'm an enemy or a friend…"
He twisted lightly, and Sasuke's body went still — his anger burning uselessly in his eyes.
"Let me go! I'll kill you!" the boy shouted, thrashing in his grip.
Obito stared at him for a long moment, silent. Then, with a faint exhale, his Sharingan spun again.
In an instant, Sasuke's world shifted.
When the illusion finally faded, Sasuke's breathing was ragged. Sweat dripped down his temple. Yet… he was calmer. Not by peace — but by exhaustion.
He looked at the masked figure again, his expression torn between suspicion and fragile hope.
"What you showed me… is that true?" His voice trembled.
Obito's gaze narrowed behind the mask. "Do you want it to be true, Sasuke? That's the question I should be asking."
"I…" Sasuke clenched his fists, trembling. "How should I believe you?"
"Heh," Obito gave a low chuckle. "It seems you're not as much of an idiot as I thought."
He reached into his cloak and flicked something toward the boy — a small red item, glinting like a gem in the dim light.
"Take this. When you desire strength — real strength — I'll come again. Until then…"
The gem landed softly in Sasuke's hands.
Sasuke blinked, confused. "What's this supposed to be?"
"Eat it," Obito said simply. "If your hatred is real, if your desire for revenge burns deep enough… it'll answer you."
And just like that, he was gone — the space around him collapsing into nothingness.
Sasuke stood there in silence, staring at the red item in his palm. His knuckles turned white as he gripped it tighter.
He didn't know if the man's words were truth or deception. But if there was even a chance… even a fragment of truth—
Then he'd take it.
His body trembled, and a twisted grin began to form.
"Itachi…" he whispered, voice low and shaking with hatred. "I'll kill you."
--
Obito looked at Sasuke speechlessly, who was still tweaking from the Kamui space, and let out a low laugh.
"Damn… this kid starts crashing the moment things go south," he muttered, shaking his head. "He and Megumi Fushiguro would get along perfectly — same deadpan face, same brooding energy, same 'my life is pain' aura."
Obito, having wrapped up his long date with Kushina, decided to pay a visit to the resident "emo prince" — Uchiha Sasuke.
As expected, the moment he laid eyes on the boy, Sasuke was already halfway to crashing out. Understandable, sure… but still...
Nevertheless, Obito had planted something precious inside his mind — a little illusion called hope. And for someone like Sasuke, that was far more dangerous than hatred.
Even if the kid was suspicious now, Obito knew the bait would take hold eventually.
After all, Sasuke was easier to fool than Naruto. Not because Naruto was smarter — hell no — but because of that ridiculous "I have no enemies" mindset. A walking therapy session wrapped in orange.
Sasuke, on the other hand, had the perfect recipe: grief, loneliness, and just enough self-loathing to make him obedient when pointed in the right direction.
And with Mikoto Uchiha now under his control… well, that particular card would play beautifully when the time came.
"Time to fulfill that promise," Obito murmured with a faint grin as he faded into the void.
The next act would make the entire shinobi world speechless.
--
Hokage Office — Late Afternoon
The warm light of the setting sun poured through the window blinds of the Hokage's office, dust motes drifting lazily in the air.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, the pipe in his hand unlit — a rare sight. Across from him stood the two advisors, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, both wearing expressions that could curdle milk.
"It's been sometime since the Uchiha incident," Homura began, voice stern. "And yet, the village still whispers about it. We should make an official statement soon, before suspicion festers."
Koharu crossed her arms tightly. "Suspicion? Please. Those people brought this upon themselves. If they hadn't been plotting—"
"Enough." Hiruzen's voice echoed through the office like an old angry lion.
The two elders froze.
He exhaled deeply, setting the pipe down. "They were still villagers of Konoha. I will not have their deaths spoken of so callously."
His tone was calm but heavy... the kind that reminded everyone why he was still the Hokage, even in old age.
For a brief moment, silence filled the room.
Then, mercifully, the door slid open.
"Lord Hokage! Mission accomplished!" Guy announced proudly, giving a firm salute as he stepped in beside Kakashi. His green jumpsuit was coated with a few dirt stains, his forehead protector gleaming despite the dust.
Kakashi followed at a slower pace, hands in his pockets, posture relaxed — as if he hadn't just run thirty kilometers back to the village.
"Guy insisted we race back," he said with a sigh. "Apparently walking like a normal person is against his philosophy."
"Nonsense!" Guy beamed, his teeth flashing as he struck a confident pose. "Every step is a chance to express the flames of youth, Kakashi! If we don't run, how will we chase the future?"
Hiruzen smiled faintly and finally turned serious again. "Enough banter, you two. I'm glad you returned safely. Kakashi, I assume your mission report is ready?"
Kakashi nodded, producing a small scroll. "Yes, Lord Third. But there's… something else. Something you should probably hear in private."
The faint amusement in Hiruzen's eyes faded immediately.
Something in Kakashi's tone wasn't the usual lazy drawl.
Before the Hokage could speak, Homura leaned forward slightly, brows knitting. "In private? What could possibly require secrecy from the Council, Hatake?"
Koharu's voice followed, sharp and unimpressed. "You forget your place, young man. We are the Hokage's senior advisors — you don't dictate what he should or shouldn't hear."
Kakashi didn't flinch. He simply met their glares with that same unreadable calm. "I'm aware, Koharu-sama. But this information concerns potential infiltration within the village walls. I'd rather avoid unnecessary panic or… speculation."
The polite tone only seemed to annoy them further.
"Speculation?" Koharu snapped. "Are you implying the Council cannot be trusted with sensitive intelligence?"
"Not at all," Kakashi replied evenly. "I just prefer to give Lord Hokage details directly, to avoid confusion later. It saves paperwork."
Homura's frown deepened. "You've grown far too comfortable speaking out of turn, Kakashi Hatake."
Guy, standing nearby, scratched his cheek nervously. "Ahaha, perhaps we can all calm down, yes? Anger is terrible for the youthful spirit—"
Then, finally, Hiruzen raised a hand. "Enough."
The word carried weight. Both elders fell silent immediately.
"I trust Kakashi's judgment," Hiruzen said firmly. "If he deems it important to discuss privately, then I will hear it privately."
The two elders exchanged disapproving looks but said nothing further.
"Very well," Koharu said curtly as she and Homura stood. "We'll continue this later."
They turned toward the door, their robes sweeping across the tatami floor.
But before they could take a single step—
Knock. Knock.
Three crisp taps echoed from the door.
Everyone paused.
""I'll get it."
Might Guy said cheerfully, completely unaware of the tension that had begun to simmer in the room. He walked toward the door, posture relaxed, that same easy smile still on his face.
He slid the door open
A middle-aged man stood there. Cold eyes, bandaged face.
"…Elder Danzō."
Might Guy relaxed. He knew the Root's leader, though the man rarely appeared at such meetings.
But before he could say more
"Guy, be careful!" Kakashi's voice rang out.
"Huh?"
Guy turned his head in confusion, only to freeze mid-motion.
Danzo's right eye glowed a piercing red as he unleashed a sudden burst of chakra.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Great Sphere!"
The air around him twisted violently before erupting into a roaring gale. The compressed wind bullet tore through the ground, catching Might Guy completely off guard—he hadn't expected the old war hawk to strike at him.
The wind tore through Guy's body like paper, piercing straight through his abdomen.
A sharp gasp escaped his lips as blood sprayed across the chamber floor, staining the stone with a crimson arc.
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