Chapter 396: Tragedy
In the vast cosmos, every inhabited planet naturally nurtures a realm for departed souls, a "spirit gathering place" formed by universal laws. After millions of years, these realms might birth their own true deity, or some life form might achieve godhood by mastering this spiritual domain.
In the ninja world, however, even with its afterlife realm known as the Underworld, entry was impossible for pseudo gods like Kaguya Ōtsutsuki who relied on external sources for their powers. But for Ye Wen, a god who wielded dominion over space, piercing the boundary between the living and the dead was effortless.
With a mere raise of his hand, Ye Wen shattered the barrier between life and death.
Now, with all the relevant information clearly within his grasp, Ye Wen no longer saw any need to keep the Sage of the Six Paths alive.
"Kaguya, he is your son. How you deal with him is your decision," Ye Wen said, binding the Sage of the Six Paths with a wave of his hand and handing him to Kaguya. Then, he stepped into the Underworld alone, leaving Hagoromo's fate in Kaguya's hands.
Whatever end awaited the Sage, Ye Wen did not care. A son who turned his blade against his mother for the sake of a few hollow promises and who had played an instrumental role in perpetuating a thousand years of war in the ninja world such a person, to Ye Wen, deserved no respect.
Following the faint spiritual thread linking Madara Uchiha to his deceased brother Izuna, Ye Wen swiftly located Izuna's soul in the Underworld. While there, he also found the souls of Rin Nohara and Sakumo Hatake, intending to bring them back as he had promised Kakashi.
As for the souls of the other founders, like the First Hokage, Ye Wen had no interest in them. They were relics of a bygone era; only Madara's strength was worth preserving in this world.
When Ye Wen finally released his divine power, two young figures a young man and a young woman alongside an older man, returned to the land of the living.
"My task here is done," Ye Wen said, his voice calm and unyielding. "Madara Uchiha, Kakashi Hatake, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki the future of the ninja world is in your hands. I must now prepare for a greater enemy and cannot afford to be distracted by these affairs."
As Kakashi's Seagod Chakra mode receded, he staggered, his body weakened by the power he'd just wielded. But he managed to steady himself, dropping to one knee alongside Madara and Kaguya in reverent unison, all three speaking in solemn agreement.
"As you command, my lord."
The violent battles that had marred the earth had finally subsided, leaving a scene of joy and reunion in the aftermath of the storm.
"Brother!"
"Kakashi!"
"Kakashi…is that really you?"
"Mother…"
The emotional reunions were interrupted by a ripple in the space nearby. Obito Uchiha appeared, gazing intently at Rin, whose appearance remained that of a youthful girl. Though it had been many years, Rin recognized Obito immediately. Though she wasn't sure how he had survived, she assumed that if she could be resurrected, Obito's presence here wasn't so implausible.
Kakashi, however, placed a firm hand on her shoulder, his gaze stern.
"Rin, step back. The man before you is not the Obito you once knew."
Rin hesitated, confusion flashing across her face as she looked up at Kakashi's matured countenance, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. The boy she'd once known had become someone far more reliable and steadfast.
Seeing Kakashi standing so close to her, touching her shoulder so naturally, stoked a fire of jealousy in Obito. With a scowl, he lunged forward to brush Kakashi's hand aside, but Kakashi moved to intercept him.
Obito, haunted by the trauma of their recent battle, dared not activate his Kamui ability to phase through Kakashi's attacks. With the power and experience he had gained from Ye Wen's guidance, Kakashi was no longer the weak young man of old. Even though Obito's taijutsu was strong, within moments, Kakashi had him overpowered.
Obito burned with frustration. He began to fight more recklessly, relying on White Zetsu's cells to keep himself standing, determined not to be bested by Kakashi, even if it meant exchanging blow for blow.
Yet reality was harsh. Although Kakashi was weakened, his mastery over chakra enhanced strikes allowed him to subdue Obito within minutes.
"Kakashi!" Obito snarled from the ground, his voice full of indignation.
Unperturbed, Kakashi maintained his grip, executing the same seal that had bound Obito previously.
Meanwhile, Izuna Uchiha, reunited with his brother, Madara, watched the whole scene unfold with a mixture of joy and disdain. Seeing a Uchiha possessing a Mangekyo Sharingan in such a pitiful state, he turned to Madara, speaking with clear irritation.
"Brother, is this disgrace truly a member of the Uchiha clan?"
Madara gazed at his brother with a mixture of affection and amusement. "He may possess the Sharingan, but that's all. His skills are lacking. If I'd had better options in those days, I would never have trained him. I would've much preferred a Uchiha as wise and capable as you, Izuna."
With his brother's rare compliment, Izuna's discontent vanished, and the two began trading compliments, delighting in their reunion. Rin, however, looked increasingly anxious, her heart troubled as she watched Obito in his defeated state. After all, this was her former comrade, the friend who had once risked everything to save her, even sacrificing his life.
"Kakashi…" Rin's voice quivered.
Standing up after securing Obito, Kakashi addressed Rin in a solemn tone, recounting Obito's descent into darkness and the atrocities he had committed over the years. To her, Obito had always been the bright, compassionate boy who looked out for others. How could he have become such a ruthless monster?
As Kakashi spoke, Rin's face paled, her eyes filling with disbelief. When she finally turned to Obito, her gaze reflected both her shock and her disappointment.
"Obito, is what Kakashi said…is it true?"
Obito had been listening, and now, faced with Rin's question, he found himself at a loss. He looked down, ashamed, realizing that the darkness he'd embraced made him unworthy of facing her. He wanted to respond, but no words came. His silence said everything. Rin's once bright eyes now looked upon him with a profound sadness and disillusionment.
She could not reconcile the boy she'd known with the twisted figure before her. How could the once kind and selfless Obito have turned into this?
The idea that Rin could forgive him in the end, that the boy she'd known could somehow redeem his terrible sins, was nothing but a fantasy a fantasy Obito himself had clung to until now. But Rin, the kind hearted girl he had loved, could not pardon the inexcusable.
"Kakashi, take him. Obito must pay for the crimes he's committed," she murmured, her voice breaking as she turned away.
All things had changed, and the burden weighed heavily on Kakashi's heart as well. But now, he had a purpose beyond vengeance, and he would follow through with his mission no matter what.
(End of Chapter)
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