Chapter 172 - Obito ・ Sonoko ・ Kazane
Hospital
After parting ways with Orochimaru, Kazane headed straight for the hospital.
At that moment, Obito was lounging against the hospital bed with a serious expression on his face. Sitting beside him was Hyūga Sonoko, gently feeding him plain porridge with a small spoon in her hand.
Truth be told, Obito's injuries had already healed quite a bit—he could've been discharged long ago.
But he really didn't want to give up this kind of daily life with Sonoko. So whenever she was around, Obito pretended to be weak and powerless, feigning that he still couldn't move properly.
He was afraid that once he recovered, Sonoko would be called back to the Hyūga clan.
Clearly, Obito still didn't fully grasp the true perks of his newly awakened Mangekyō Sharingan.
At this point, forget being sent back—if Hyūga Hiashi had his way, he'd be marrying Sonoko into the Uchiha clan by tonight.
In the shinobi world, strength is everything.
Once you have real power, things you once never dared to dream of will start falling into your hands naturally.
Obito, who until recently was just a Chūnin, didn't quite understand this yet—but he was about to.
Bang!
The hospital room door was kicked open with a loud crash. The noise startled patients and medical staff alike. Displeased eyes turned toward the source of the commotion.
But when they saw who it was, everyone quickly looked away. Those who had been sleeping resumed sleeping, and those working carried on without a word.
In their hearts, they all complained: Why was that door so hard to open? It actually dared to block Lord Kazane's foot.
Yes, the "uncultured brute" who had just kicked in the door was none other than Kazane, freshly arrived from Orochimaru's lab.
Originally, Kazane had been genuinely concerned about Obito's condition.
But just as he reached the door, his keen Observation Haki picked up on the two people inside.
Obito's chakra wasn't weak—it had actually grown stronger than before. And even separated by a door, Kazane could more or less tell what the two inside were doing.
This gave Kazane a bit of an emotional blow.
I rushed here all worried about you, and you're in here getting pampered?
Even my dear Kurenai's never fed me like this. Hmph!
ヽ('⌒´メ)ノ
Thus, a mischievous thought bloomed in Kazane's heart.
Obito was immediately drawn to the commotion at the door—and when he saw it was his close brother Kazane, he beamed.
With the Mangekyō Sharingan now awakened, Obito had newfound confidence. He was no longer the timid guy he'd been not long ago.
But just as he excitedly greeted Kazane, Kazane coldly cut him off.
"Kazane, you—"
"Uchiha Obito, you're in serious trouble!"
Obito: ???
Seeing Kazane's stern expression, a sense of unease began to creep into Obito's heart.
Did I... actually do something illegal?
No way. I've been resting quietly in here the whole time.
As for the Uchiha Makoto incident, as the victim, it never even crossed Obito's mind. After all, his wounds were clear proof of his innocence.
While Obito was still lost in confusion, Kazane pressed further.
"Still pretending? We already have solid evidence—it was you who killed the Anbu!"
"If you've got anything to say for yourself, better speak now. The village has made its decision: you're to be sentenced to life in prison."
Those words utterly stunned the already-confused Obito.
"Kazane, you've gotta be joking. You know I'd never hurt anyone from the village!
"I mean... even if I could beat them, which I can't, there's no reason to, right?"
Hearing Obito's defense, Kazane furrowed his brow.
Like I don't know you. You're so soft-hearted you hesitate to kill a chicken. But that's exactly why I want to scare you.
"Enough!!! Obito, I'm seriously disappointed in you. You did it, but you won't even admit it."
"So what's it gonna be? Come quietly or should I drag you out myself?"
Obito stared at Kazane's face—utterly serious, deeply disappointed—and found himself completely dazed.
I didn't even do it—how am I supposed to confess?
Just then, Hyūga Sonoko could no longer sit still.
The person she admired most was Kazane—the one who defeated her elder brother.
It was thanks to Kazane's help that the Hyūga branch family had broken free from the Caged Bird Seal. From then on, there was no longer any divide between the main and branch families.
Kazane was a great benefactor to her clan.
But now, the person she admired most was about to take away the person she liked most.
Still, Sonoko didn't hesitate.
Girls in love are always a bit blind. Without a second thought, she stood up and stepped between Obito and Kazane, raising her hands in a Gentle Fist stance.
Her pale eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she stared at Kazane, her voice firm: "You can't take Obito. He's innocent."
Kazane raised a brow, resting his left hand on the hilt of Wadō Ichimonji. With a flick of his thumb, a cold flash of steel gleamed from the partially drawn blade.
"Oh? So you're going to protect him?"
"Stand in my way, and you'll die."
Obito looked at Kazane's icy gaze and the gleaming blade in his hand. A sense of finality settled in his chest.
Though he was frightened and felt helpless, Obito's greatest strength was his sense of responsibility and courage in a crisis.
He reached out and gripped Sonoko's shoulder from behind, his voice solemn and resolute.
"Kazane, I'll go with you. Just don't hurt Sonoko."
Even now, he's still worrying about me…
Sonoko didn't retreat. Instead, she stood even more firmly in front of Obito.
"Obito, he's wrongfully accusing you. I'll protect you no matter what."
As the two exchanged words, Kazane had already walked over. He reached out his right hand toward Sonoko.
Startled, Sonoko reflexively shut her eyes and ducked her head—but her arms remained stretched wide to shield Obito.
She knew that resisting Kazane was pointless.
Still, she wanted to show him her resolve.
But instead of the biting cold of steel, what touched her was a warm hand gently placed atop her head, ruffling her hair.
And then Kazane's voice, warm and teasing, entered her ears:
"Obito, you lucky bastard. To have such a good girl protecting you... I wonder when I'll get to drink at your wedding, huh?"
(* ﾟωﾟ)
Sonoko peeked open her eyes and saw the mischievous grin on Kazane's face.
Realizing what had just happened, her cheeks instantly turned crimson—so red, it was like steam rose from her skin.
Girls are naturally shy. She couldn't possibly stay any longer.
With a flustered squeal, she shoved Kazane aside and bolted from the room.
Obito, watching the change in Kazane's expression, was left speechless.
He hadn't expected that, after all these years, Kazane would still have such a twisted sense of humor.
"You really scared the hell out of me just now. I thought you were seriously here to arrest me."
Obito sighed in relief and leaned back against the bed, giving Kazane a look of mild exasperation.
"Haha, who'd dare arrest our Obito-sama?" Kazane grinned. "Looks to me like you're living the good life here. Don't even want to get discharged, huh?"
Kazane didn't stand on ceremony. He plopped down in the chair beside the bed and casually picked up an apple to munch on.