The Third Hokage stared blankly ahead.
"In the Fourth Hokage's team, there was once a child named Obito Uchiha. Though he was born into the Uchiha clan, he was deeply loved by the people of Konoha. He was a good kid who dreamed of becoming Hokage."
Hidden within the Kamui space, Uchiha—masked man—Obito: "..."
"Uh…" The Second Hokage recalled the Fourth Great Ninja War, that brat who had practically blasted the Hokage into the sky. Several black lines appeared across his forehead.
Shisui lowered his gaze. "Unfortunately, Obito-senpai died during the Third Great Ninja War. He was buried beneath Kannabi Bridge as a hero, and his name was engraved on the Memorial Stone…"
The "man who is no one," who was in fact still alive: "..."
A pained groan escaped the Third Hokage. "Obito's death was a heavy blow to the Fourth Hokage and his wife, Kushina. Kakashi and Rin from his team never truly recovered from losing him either."
Inside the Kamui space—
Uchiha Obito rarely removed his mask, returning to his original voice.
"Rin… I'm sorry…"
But wait for me just a little longer. I'll complete our promise soon. I'll create a peaceful world and bring you, Minato-sensei, Kushina-san, sensei's son… and even that idiot Kakashi over there.
Outside the space—
Grief filled the Third Hokage's eyes. "Sadly, Rin was later taken by the Hidden Mist. To protect the village, she threw herself into Kakashi's Chidori."
As for how Kakashi survived his time in the ANBU, how he endured decades of war and countless regrets, the Third Hokage could only imagine. In some ways, he understood.
As someone who had been inexplicably pulled back from the Pure Land after the Fourth Great Ninja War through Impure World Reincarnation, the Second Hokage knew some of the truth.
He let out a long sigh. "Don't mention that brat. He was deceived by Madara and… that thing for years."
Obito had used Itachi and Sasuke. Yet he himself had been manipulated by Madara. And even Madara had been stirred into action by Black Zetsu. What a perfect case of one schemer playing another.
At this moment, a rough draft of an "Uchiha Anti-Scam Handbook" had already been added to the Second Hokage's future plans.
The bits of information he let slip, however, shocked the Obito hiding in the Kamui space—Uchiha—"King of Dunces"—Obito, who was tricked into running the "Eye of the Moon" pyramid scheme for over a decade.
"!!!"
Obito was stunned. The Second Hokage knew he was still alive? He even knew about Madara?!
What did he mean—deceived by Madara and "that thing"?!
None of them realized that the very Obito they were discussing was hiding just inches away inside the Kamui space.
The Third Hokage and Shisui didn't fully understand what the Second meant, but there was no time to ask.
[In the footage, the relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha grew increasingly tense—]
[Complaints from Konoha's civilians about the Police Force's strict enforcement continued to rise, and suspicion toward them deepened by the day…]
Sasuke watched the footage. His once-familiar clansmen strutted arrogantly in front of Konoha's civilians.
A wave of shame rose in his chest.
"Damn it!!"
He slammed his fist into a nearby tree, but the anger still wouldn't fade.
"Sasuke-kun!"
Seeing the bark scrape his hand raw, Sakura hurried over, pulling out her medical kit to treat him.
"Sasuke," Naruto suddenly said something Sasuke never expected, "I think… I don't think it's entirely your clan's fault."
He imagined himself in the shoes of those young Uchiha.
"Back before I was on Team Seven with you, you jerk, and Sakura, I used to get really mad when the villagers looked at me with suspicion and disgust."
"At the time, I pulled all kinds of pranks just to get attention. It wasn't that different from your clan. I just didn't know how to deal with the hurt inside."
"But you know, it's fine now. I've got you, Sakura, Iruka-sensei, Kakashi-sensei, and Shikamaru, Choji, Hinata, Kiba, Ino… I don't need to pull pranks anymore, dattebayo, because I'm not hurt anymore!"
Naruto clenched his fist. His golden hair and slightly goofy grin warmed hearts without him even realizing it.
Iruka swallowed. "Naruto…" He's grown so much this year.
Shikamaru, Choji, and Kiba snorted. "We're friends, you don't need to make it sound so dramatic."
Hinata lowered her eyes softly. "Naruto-kun." You're not alone.
Ino and Sakura exchanged a glance. Naruto… was comforting Sasuke.
Shino fell silent for a moment before muttering, "Why was I the only one not mentioned by name?"
"Naruto, you—" Sasuke looked at him. He had to admit, Naruto's words eased something in his chest. He finally understood why Gaara had gone from looking down on Naruto, to acknowledging him, to even using his sand to protect them later on.
"Hmph." Sasuke let out a small scoff.
That dead last always had this strange power—something that could change people's hearts.
After pouring out something so embarrassing, all Sasuke did was scoff. Naruto puffed up in annoyance, mimicking him with a "Hmph!" of his own and wiggling his hips obnoxiously.
But someone outdid even Naruto.
Kankuro, who didn't understand Konoha's situation, scratched his head. "Hey, doesn't that blond kid basically mean your whole clan acts like children, pulling pranks for attention?"
"!!!"
"Naruto!!!" Sasuke instantly lost it. "You dead last!!!"
"Why are you yelling at me, you bastard Sasuke?!"
The two started bickering again, just like when the viewing had first begun.
Iruka smiled in relief. Kids who could argue like that had no real barriers between them.
[The footage shifted to four elders discussing how to deal with the Uchiha clan.]
[Danzo Shimura: "The policy of isolating the Uchiha clan has been Konoha's fundamental stance since the Second Hokage's time. Now you're saying the problem stems from Konoha's lack of trust in them? What exactly are you implying?"]
The Second Hokage watching the footage: "..."
——