Chapter 66 is finished (four chapters combined including a bonus chapter)...
The planetary consciousness's demanding requirements brought Yan Sheng's search to a standstill.
How easy is it to find a vessel that "perfectly fits Obito's original body and can hold his soul and eye power to the maximum extent"?
He searched the ninja world for several days, but the corpses he found were either of mediocre quality, incomplete, or had been dead for too long and had long lost their vitality, and could not meet the high standards of the planetary consciousness at all.
Just as Yan Sheng was considering whether to use some unconventional methods to "customize" a suitable body, a clear and ethereal voice pierced through space and rang directly in his mind.
It's Kaguya Otsutsuki.
"Yan Sheng, you've been away for quite some time. Naruto and Sasuke miss you dearly. What has delayed you?"
Yan Sheng didn't hide anything, and given the previous case of planetary consciousness, he wasn't surprised that Kaguya was speaking directly to him in his mind. He replied briefly: "Looking for a suitable new body for Obito Uchiha."
Oh? That's strange.
Although Kaguya had only exchanged a few words with Yan Sheng, she had an excellent eye for people and could sense that Yan Sheng was not the kind of warm-hearted person.
However, she wasn't interested in the reasons behind it; she only cared about her two grandsons' feelings. Since Naruto and Sasuke missed Mikoto, and Mikoto was preoccupied with this matter, she conveniently offered a solution.
"No need for such trouble." Kaguya's thoughts echoed, carrying the composure and magnanimity of the progenitor of chakra. "You may go to my White Zetsu army and choose any one from the front ranks. Let Black Zetsu lead you there; it knows the location."
Before being sealed away, Kaguya transformed many humans into White Zetsu through the Divine Tree. This army was one of the assets she used to try to oppose her main family and rule the world. However, it was this act that thoroughly angered her two sons, leading to her eventual sealing away.
This part of the White Zetsu army did not disappear with Kaguya's "death," but rather, like sleeping soldiers, remained hidden deep within the earth, waiting for their master's summons.
***
Despite his reluctance, under Kaguya's orders, Black Zetsu had no choice but to lead Yan Sheng through a complex and difficult path to an unimaginably vast underground space located deep beneath the earth.
Looking out, countless white humanoid creatures—White Zetsu—stood silently like sculptures, arranged in neat square formations, stretching to the horizon.
Their eyes were closed, as if they were in an eternal slumber, with only extremely faint chakra fluctuations indicating that they were not inanimate objects.
"Here, these are the two rows. Pick whichever you like." Black Zetsu raised its chin, gesturing to the two rows of White Zetsu at the very front in this direction, its tone perfunctory, "These are the batch of White Zetsu who had exceptional talent and high potential when they were transformed back then. They are considered the elite among White Zetsu."
Yan Sheng's gaze swept over these "elite White Zetsu," whose faces were blurred but whose body structures were indeed more solid than the White Zetsu behind them, and whose features from their previous lives could be vaguely discerned. He pondered for a moment and asked, "Are there any among them suitable for the Sharingan's ocular power to bear?"
Black Zetsu clearly didn't want to answer the question, but eventually pointed to a certain position in the first row: "The fifth one from the left."
Yan Sheng looked as instructed, but he didn't make a decision immediately. Instead, he silently considered the opinion of a particular picky "client":
'Will this work?'
After a brief silence, the planet's consciousness sent a message:
"It's acceptable. This body has a good foundation, its vitality is well preserved, and it's usable, albeit barely."
Having gained the planet's approval, Yan Sheng made his decision.
"Let's choose this one."
Meanwhile, a chaotic and dark space.
Obito Uchiha's soul was like a rootless duckweed, drifting aimlessly.
It is said that people reflect on their lives before they are near death or before their consciousness fades. Obito is experiencing this right now.
He saw himself back in the Konoha Ninja Academy, clumsy, passionate, and always late; he saw himself after joining Team Minato, bickering and fighting with his genius teammate Kakashi, and his innocent yet sincere crush on the gentle and kind Rin Nohara; he saw himself saying he hated Kakashi, but secretly regarding him as a goal to be emulated and a hero...
Then, the beautiful memories shattered.
The Kannabi Bridge mission... crushed by a boulder... rescued by Madara Uchiha... witnessing Kakashi's Chidori pierce Rin's chest...
Although Rin deliberately crashed into the obstacle, she did so to protect the village and avoid becoming a burden to Kakashi and the village. Kakashi, too, had no other choice.
He couldn't blame anyone, but the immense grief and despair needed an outlet. So he blamed everything on Kakashi, but deep down he knew better than anyone that Kakashi was innocent.
If no one was at fault, then why did this tragedy happen?
Is it those hidden fog spirits who instigated the war? Is it this world that forces people to kill each other? Or is it the damned world that created such cruel rules?
After much thought, he finally came to a conclusion: It's the world's fault! It's the fault of this distorted world that brings heroes to their tragic ends, forces kindness to be stained with blood, and makes life wither away so easily!
He coldly watched Kakashi stand and repent before his "tombstone" day after day; watched his teacher Minato Namikaze always "late" at crucial moments; watched him get married and have children, possessing the happiness he once longed for but had forever lost.
His heart was filled with twisted jealousy and resentment—why him?!
When he orchestrated the Nine-Tailed Fox's rampage, which resulted in the deaths of his teacher and his wife, he felt a momentary regret, like ice shards piercing his heart, but it was quickly overwhelmed by a deeper obsession.
It's okay...it's all okay...as long as the Eye of the Moon Project succeeds, everyone can find "happiness" in the eternal dream, and the pain of reality will be erased...
Just as Obito's consciousness was sinking deeper and deeper into endless darkness and obsession, a gentle voice, like moonlight in his memory, softly rang out, piercing through all the chaos and gloom:
"Obito".
Obito struggled to lift his heavy eyelids and looked toward the source of the sound. The next moment, his pupils dilated sharply, filled with disbelief.
It's Lin!
Not what she might look like when she grows up, but rather the image of Nohara Rin, forever frozen in his memory from that summer when he was twelve, wearing a ninja vest and with a gentle, sweet smile.
“Obito.” Rin looked at him, a hint of sadness in her clear eyes. “Do you think everything you’re doing now is right? Are you truly happy doing this?”
Of course, Lin! I'm right! I'm creating a world with you! A world without war, without suffering! A world where heroes don't shed blood or tears!
"Really?" Rin asked softly, shaking her head. Her voice was even gentler, yet it pierced Obito's softest spot like a needle. "But why... can I hear your heart crying?"
What...? Obito was stunned.
"I'm sorry, Obito." Rin's face showed a guilty expression. "Although it may sound a bit narcissistic to say this, it seems... there is indeed a part of the reason why you have become like this.
She slowly approached and squatted down beside the immobile Obito, just like when they were injured during training as children.
"Don't blame Kakashi. Being killed by him was my own choice, and it was also my wish... At least in that moment, I protected everyone, I protected Konoha, so... I'm happy, and I don't regret it." Her voice was filled with the warmth of memories, then tinged with a hint of bitterness.
"But now, I regret it a little. Because I realize that I was too selfish. My choice made Kakashi live in pain and self-blame, making it impossible for you to forgive him and the world, and also made Minato-sensei... deeply remorseful for not being able to protect us until his death. It also made Kushina-sensei feel guilty all the time."
“Obito…” Her voice was as soft as a breeze, “Actually, I’ve been watching you all along.”
"I've wanted to apologize to you for a long time... for my selfish happiness and for all the pain that followed."
No! Lin! It's not your fault! It's all the world's fault!
Obito roared in his heart.
"Is that so...? You still think so? As expected... it's all my fault." Rin seemed to hear Obito's inner thoughts, and a look of disappointment flashed in her eyes.
Then, she reached out and gently and carefully stroked Obito's cheek, which had become grotesque and twisted due to the crushing of the boulder and the transplantation of Hashirama's cells, her movements as gentle as a feather brushing against it.
“Obito wasn’t like this before. You were optimistic, cheerful, warm like a little sun, kind, and you would try to understand other people’s pain and sincerely shed tears for other people’s misfortunes.”
Her fingertips seemed to possess a power that could purify the soul, soothing the rage and ferocity within Obito's spirit.
“Obito, Minato-sensei... isn't as calm and composed as he appears on the surface. He just... doesn't want his emotions to cloud his judgment and cause more tragedies. In fact, his heart, just like yours, is constantly, constantly raining.”
"So," Rin's figure radiated a soft, warm light, and her face blossomed with the bright, healing smile that Obito remembered, "Wake up, Obito. Don't let hatred and pain blind you anymore... There are still many beautiful things in this world that are worth protecting and cherishing."
Don't stay where you are, because no one will wait for you if you stay where you are. Keep moving forward and don't look back.
"Be happy... Obito."
Her figure gradually became transparent in the light.
"Finally, if possible, save Minato-sensei from the clutches of death. He owes you an apology... and you owe him an apology too..."
Wait! Lin! Don't go!
Obito reached out, trying to catch the fading light.
However, the light emanating from Lin grew stronger and stronger, forcing him to close his eyes.
As the light gradually faded, Obito felt that he was no longer enveloped by endless heaviness and restraint as before. He... could move?
My eyelids trembled for a long time before I was finally able to open them fully and forcefully.
What met his eyes was no longer endless darkness or fragments of memories, but a clear blue sky, a few wisps of white clouds drifting lazily, and the sun high in the sky, radiating a warm light so dazzling that it made his eyes sting and he almost cried.
sun.
It seems he... has returned to the human world.
***
Under Kaguya's power, the chosen White Zetsu's body began to undergo astonishing changes.
The originally pale and rough body surface was as if it had been sculpted by an invisible carving knife, the muscle texture gradually became clear, and the bones made subtle adjustment sounds.
Even more astonishingly, the flesh and blood grew and covered on their own as if they were alive, and the skin color changed from lifeless pale to healthy snow white, finally settling on a new, delicate and smooth state, with even the pores barely visible, like a freshly peeled egg.
Within a few dozen seconds, a completely new and complete "Uchiha Obito" appeared before everyone.
He lay quietly on the ground with his eyes closed. His face was Obito's original appearance, but all traces of time and scars from battles had been removed, including the half of his face and body that had been disfigured by the boulder... all of which had been restored to a healthy state, or even better.
—She exudes a "brand new" aura, and the radiance of her skin is comparable to that of a baby.
Yan Sheng watched this scene expressionlessly, and at the moment the transformation was completely complete, he silently asked himself:
"Is this okay?"
In his mind, the planetary consciousness remained silent for a moment, as if conducting a final check, before finally responding briefly:
【"Um."】
Although you can't hear any emotion in your voice, the previous sharpness and irritability are gone, so you must have truly accepted it.
Nearby, Naruto and Sasuke, who had been brought by Kaguya to observe, stared wide-eyed. Naruto couldn't help but tug at Sasuke's sleeve, his voice low but unable to hide his excited exclamation:
"Sasuke! Sasuke! Look! It's amazing!"
Sasuke was also shocked by this extraordinary scene, but he observed it more carefully than Naruto.
He frowned slightly, staring at the newly formed, excessively handsome face, feeling a strange sense of familiarity about it.
On the night of the massacre, when Yan Sheng shattered the Uzumaki mask, Sasuke did catch a glimpse of the face beneath it, but at that time Obito's face was half-disfigured and his expression was ferocious, a far cry from the person before him with a perfectly intact face and a pure aura (because he had just "come out of the factory").
Given the immense impact of that night and the already hazy memories, Sasuke couldn't immediately connect the two.
Just then, the "new" Obito lying on the ground trembled slightly with his eyelashes and then slowly opened his eyes.
Those were a pair of dark eyes, with a hint of blankness and emptiness.
......
The chattering around him (mainly from Naruto) annoyed Obito.
With a cold expression, he propped himself up with his arms and sat up, then moved his neck uncomfortably in this strange yet seemingly perfectly fitting body before looking around.
His gaze swept over Kaguya, who exuded a powerful aura and had white hair and white eyes, then over the two boys who were staring at him with curiosity, and finally settled on Yan Sheng, who was standing a little distance away, and Black Zetsu beside Yan Sheng.
In an instant, the events that had just occurred flooded back into my mind like a tidal wave.
—It was those two guys who teamed up to sabotage him! They got his body taken over.
His thoughts returned completely, and anger and a sense of humiliation at being fooled instantly overwhelmed Obito. He remembered, he remembered everything!
Obito's dark eyes, which had just regained their clarity, were instantly stained red with raging fury the moment he regained his composure. He stared intently at Black Zetsu, his voice hoarse with suppressed rage: "Black Zetsu... how dare you...!"
Faced with Obito's rage, Black Zetsu showed no fear. Instead, a malicious smile curved his lips as he spoke slowly and deliberately in his uniquely cold voice:
"Obito, now that things have come to this, don't blame others. Blame yourself for being too stupid and too easily manipulated."
This statement was like lighting the fuse of a powder keg.
Obito suddenly looked at the white-haired, white-eyed woman beside him, whose aura was as unfathomable as an abyss. Reviving her was clearly not something Madara Uchiha would do! A guess surfaced in his mind, and he questioned sharply:
"You are not Madara Uchiha's will at all! What are you?!"
Black Zetsu let out a low, smug chuckle: "That's right, I am indeed not the will of Uchiha Madara." Its beady eyes turned to Kaguya, filled with utmost reverence, "I am the manifestation of the will of the Goddess of the Rabbit!"
"Goddess of the Rabbit?" Obito was taken aback; he had never heard of this title before.
Black Zetsu seemed to enjoy the thrill of revealing the truth, explaining in an almost chanting tone: "Call her by the name you later ninjas are familiar with, the progenitor of chakra—that's right, Mother was a higher being than the Sage of Six Paths you all know."
"What?" Obito thought Black Zetsu was going crazy.
Black Zetsu, enjoying Obito's shocked expression, continued in a condescending tone, "Be grateful, Obito. It is Mother's mercy that not only brought you back to life but also used her supreme power to repair all the damage to your body. Look at your new body, flawless, enough to allow you to live for another one or two hundred years. This is an immense blessing!"
Obito suppressed his emotions, his expression turning cold. "What exactly are you trying to do? So the Eye of the Moon Plan... was all a lie from beginning to end? Madara was also deceived?"
Black Zetsu glanced subconsciously at Yan Sheng, who stood expressionless beside him, and raised his voice somewhat guiltily: "Ahem! What nonsense are you talking about?! Madara hasn't even seen a shadow of him, how could I lie to him?"
Obito was the type who became calmer the angrier he got, his voice so cold it could shatter ice: "So, the Eye of the Moon plan is indeed fake, and the Infinite Tsukuyomi creating a peaceful world is also a lie."
"You didn't lose anything, did you?" Black Zetsu began to argue, saying sarcastically, "Look at you now, you're alive and well, your body is healthier and stronger than ever before, what else could you be dissatisfied with?"
"Satisfied?" Obito laughed as if he had heard the most ridiculous joke in the world, his anger turning into a cruel laugh. "Then everything I did to pave the way for the Eye of the Moon Plan..."
He killed his mentor, made Naruto an orphan, and killed his kind teacher's wife... and the Uchiha clan, so many people's blood is on his hands, he did so many irreversible things—what are all these compared to that?
Is this a joke?
Black Zetsu, of course, heard the hatred in Obito's unfinished words. It looked at Obito coldly, its tone indifferent as if it were none of its business: "Obito, you're not a child anymore. You know that adults don't have the option to regret their actions. If you have to blame someone for how things have turned out this way, blame yourself for being too stupid and too trusting."
"Shut up!" Obito could no longer suppress his anger. His newly formed eyes instantly turned crimson, and the three tomoe spun rapidly, connecting to form a complex pattern resembling shuriken—the Mangekyou Sharingan.
A surge of chakra mixed with killing intent erupted as he entered the Kamui dimension, appearing beside Black Zetsu the next second, ready to tear the culprit who had deceived him to shreds.
Yan Sheng, who had been observing coldly, took a few steps back the moment Obito erupted, showing no intention of intervening.
However, just before Obito's attack was about to be launched, a clear yet undeniably authoritative female voice rang out, its volume not loud, but enough to silence everyone:
"alright."
Kaguya Otsutsuki slowly raised her eyelids, her Byakugan sweeping over the tense Obito and Black Zetsu before finally settling on Naruto and Sasuke, who were watching the scene with bated breath. She said calmly:
"Don't fight or kill in front of children, it will scare them."
***
After a series of events, the atmosphere at the Akatsuki base became somewhat tense.
However, Naruto's inextinguishable energy, like a little sun, quickly ignited a new spark. That day, leaning against the window, watching the still-drizzling rain outside, he suddenly had a thought and said to Kaguya with a longing tone:
"Grandma, it always rains in the Land of Rain, so we can't go out to play. I really want to see the outside world! I've heard that other countries have deserts, oceans, and cloud canyons that thunder all year round! I wish I could go and see them!"
What was originally just a childish complaint and longing touched Kaguya deeply. She looked into Naruto's yearning blue eyes, then glanced at Sasuke beside her, who, though silent, also had a hint of curiosity in his eyes, and an idea quietly took shape.
She was an existence detached from the rules of this world, possessing near-eternal life and the power to overturn it. Since her grandchildren want to see it, then she'll take them. What is there to worry about?
Thus, this progenitor of chakra, with his exceptional ability to act, made a decision directly.
"Alright." Her ethereal voice rang out, interrupting Naruto's reverie. "I will take you all on a journey through the world."
Naruto was stunned for a moment, then burst into a huge cheer: "Really?! That's great! Grandma is the best!"
A hint of surprise and a faint expectation flashed across Sasuke's eyes, but he thought more than Naruto did.
He subconsciously glanced at Yan Sheng, who remained expressionless to the side, and a strange premonition rose in his heart, an intuition of separation.
—Sasuke's intuition was right.
Yan Sheng was indeed preparing to leave.
The deadline given to him by the planet's consciousness was approaching, and he had to return to his own world. Originally, he thought he would stay in this world for a long time, having enough time to gradually tell Sasuke the truth about the Uchiha clan massacre as promised, and guide him to grow.
But now, time was clearly running out. He decided to tell Sasuke the whole truth all at once before leaving.
Just as Yan Sheng called out to Sasuke, preparing to speak, Kaguya spoke first: "Yan Sheng." Her voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable meaning, "Come here for a moment."
Sasuke glanced at Yan Sheng, then at Kaguya, sensing that the two elders seemed to have something to discuss.
He pursed his lips, and despite his curiosity, he maintained basic politeness and restraint, silently turning around and leaving the room to the two of them.
—Naruto is not here at this moment.
After Nagato recovered his health, he was relearning to walk, and Naruto, being the kind-hearted person he is, volunteered to "help".
Although his help mostly caused trouble, such as trying to use shadow clones to support Nagato from both sides and "run" (however, he couldn't use his shadow clone technique at all now), or shouting "Go for it!" to disrupt Nagato's balance... that long-lost, lively noise made Nagato and Konan unable to hate it. Instead, they showed a helpless yet gentle smile on their faces.
After Sasuke left, Kaguya looked at Yan Sheng and asked directly without beating around the bush, "Do you want to tell Sasuke the truth about the Uchiha clan massacre right now?"
"Yes," Yan Sheng answered readily, "I promised him."
“Then this agreement is no longer valid,” Kaguya said casually. “Those painful and betrayed past events are not important. He will forget them, and he should forget them.”
Yan Sheng understood: "You want to keep it from him? Sasuke's personality is very stubborn. He will never give up on something he has decided on easily, especially the truth about his clan. He won't forget it; he will only pursue it more persistently."
"Whether he forgets or not is not important." Kaguya's voice was calm, but it couldn't hide her domineering desire for control. "What's important is that I make him forget."
Yan Sheng: "..."
Seeing Yan Sheng's silence, Kaguya concluded directly: "Alright, don't mention the truth to him anymore."
Yan Sheng pondered for a moment and thought of another key figure who might be able to restrain Kaguya's overly extreme ideas: "Sasuke has an older brother, Uchiha Itachi, who is also in this organization."
Upon hearing this, Kaguya's eyes flashed with a thoughtful light.
Yan Sheng caught a fleeting glint of danger in her eyes and warned her:
"You'd better not have any dangerous thoughts, like killing Itachi Uchiha." He looked directly into Kaguya's eyes, his words blunt and sharp. "Doing so will only push Sasuke away and make him see you as an enemy. You need to change your way of thinking. Obsession and control alone cannot make people willingly stay by your side."
Kaguya seemed about to retort: "I—"
But Yan Sheng didn't give her a chance, continuing his calm analysis: "I know you're very strong, possessing countless methods to achieve your goals, and you usually succeed. But, how you treat your grandsons is different, isn't it? Would you use those methods on them?"
He paused, observing the slight change in Kaguya's expression, and gave his final piece of advice:
"Your grandsons aren't stupid, especially Sasuke, who is very intelligent and perceptive. He's still young now, so you might be able to deceive or hide things from him in some ways, but when he grows up, do you think you can still fool him? When he finds out that you deliberately concealed the truth and hurt his only brother, do you think he'll think of you? Will you still be able to maintain this harmonious 'grandparent-grandchild' relationship?"
Yan Sheng stared at Kaguya's white eyes, which were gradually hardening with frost, knowing full well that lecturing her was useless and that she wouldn't listen. So he abruptly changed the subject, elevating the issue to a level that Kaguya could not ignore.
"Your Highness Kaguya, please set aside your 'protective' feelings for your grandchildren for now. Let's examine this matter from a more practical perspective—you will have to deal with the threat from the Otsutsuki main family in the future, won't you?"
Kaguya's eyes flickered slightly, tacitly acknowledging this.
"So, in your opinion, which one is more likely to become a truly reliable ally when you fight against the main clan in the future: a Sasuke whose memories have been forcibly erased and whose cognition has been altered by your power, making him as 'obedient' as a delicate puppet?" Yan Sheng deliberately emphasized the word "puppet."
He gave Kaguya no time to think and continued to press her relentlessly:
"You admire Indra precisely because of his extraordinary talent, calm mind, and unwavering will, right? Those qualities are forged through constantly facing challenges and enduring immense suffering. If you shelter Sasuke under your wings now, depriving him of the right to experience the storms of life, you are essentially killing the possibility of another 'Indra' being born. What you will gain is merely an empty shell, a mere ornament that cannot truly be strong inside."
"More importantly, can you really achieve your goal by interfering like this? The Uchiha bloodline inherently contains extreme love and hate. Your forceful attempt to cover up the truth is like trying to seal a volcano with mud. It may seem calm now, but once one day, due to some trigger, the suppressed truth and emotions erupt, do you think Sasuke will still feel dependence and affection for you then? It will probably be a more intense anger and resolute rejection than hatred, the anger of being deceived and betrayed by the person he trusted most."
"By then, you will have lost not only a potential ally and a beloved grandson, but also an enemy who understands you. What good will that do you for dealing with threats to your own family?"
He concluded by saying this with a detached, insightful tone:
"True strength is not about having everything under control, but about possessing the confidence and ability to calmly cope with any variables. Giving Sasuke the truth is both a risk and an investment. Forcibly concealing it may seem like a shortcut, but in reality, it's planting a potentially devastating bomb next to you. With Your Highness's wisdom, you will surely make the decision."
After Yan Sheng finished speaking, he fell silent and simply gazed calmly at Kaguya.
He knew that for someone of Kaguya's caliber, considerations concerning their fundamental interests and future strategies carried far more weight than mere emotional persuasion. He had to make her understand that her "protection," in the long run, was a shortsighted and dangerous act, both for her relationship with her grandchildren and for her goal of opposing the main family.
Deep within his mind, the planet's consciousness held its breath, anxiously awaiting Kaguya's response.
Yan Sheng knew that if he failed to persuade Kaguya, that sharp explosion would once again resound in his mind. Therefore, he had to succeed.
After a while, Kaguya's icy and imposing aura slowly subsided. She exhaled softly, and although she did not speak, the undercurrents surging in her eyes had calmed down.
Yan Sheng knew that his words had worked.
The most direct proof was the tranquility in his mind—the planetary consciousness remained quiet, no longer emitting any frantic screams or protests.
This shows that he successfully avoided a disastrous outcome.
The date for Yan Sheng's departure from this world has finally been set.
On his final day, he made no further arrangements, instead spending time with Naruto and Sasuke. Kaguya, perhaps understanding that this was the time for farewell, did not appear, leaving the three of them with ample space and time.
***
Yan Sheng did not choose to tell Sasuke the truth alone; instead, he had Naruto listen in as well.
He had his own considerations. From some perspectives, Naruto's childhood environment was more complex and agonizing than Sasuke's, who lost everything overnight.
His ability to grow up to be so sunny and cheerful is less a matter of strength and more a matter of being naturally thick-skinned—if it were a sensitive and delicate person, they would probably have collapsed long ago.
This is one of the reasons why many Jinchūriki (spirit beings) often have tragic fates and are prone to extremes.
Yan Sheng, in a calm and objective tone, clearly recounted the entire story of the Uchiha clan massacre, including the suspicion and coercion of the Konoha leadership, Danzo Shimura's ambition, Itachi Uchiha's helplessness and choices, and Obito's role in fueling the flames.
He didn't inject too much personal emotion; he simply presented the facts to the two children.
As he narrated, Sasuke's body went from stiff at the beginning to trembling slightly, and finally clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms, drawing blood without him even noticing. In his dark eyes, pain, anger, disbelief, and bewilderment after being shrouded in a colossal lie surged.
When Yan Sheng finished speaking the last word, Sasuke's taut string finally snapped. He didn't pretend to be indifferent as usual, nor did he hysterically question him. Instead, he rushed forward, hugged Yan Sheng tightly, buried his face in his clothes, and let out a long-suppressed wail.
The cries contained grief for the tragic deaths of their clansmen, complex emotions about their brother's actions, disappointment with Konoha, and resentment at their own inability to change the situation.
This may be the only time, and the last time, that this precocious and proud child will so unrestrainedly indulge his emotions.
Naruto, who was standing nearby, also had tears in his eyes.
He felt heartbroken for Sasuke's experience, and at the same time, he felt confused about his own perception. The Third Hokage, whom he had always thought of as a kind old man who would give him pocket money and visit him when he was sick, had become, in Kokushiro's narration, a character who would tacitly allow cruel things to brew and even, to some extent, condone the tragedy to happen... This left him feeling confused and at a loss.
Yan Sheng noticed Naruto's emotions. He gently patted Sasuke, who was crying in his arms, to comfort him, while reaching out his other hand to place it on Naruto's soft blond hair.
"Whether it's good or bad, you'll have to judge for yourself in the end, Naruto." His deep voice held a rare hint of gentleness. "Many things in this world aren't simply black and white. Someone might have good intentions towards you in some ways, but in a larger game or a more complex situation, they might make choices that you can't agree with. You'll gradually understand these things as you grow older and experience more."
Naruto sensed something unusual in Yan Sheng's words; the young man's words sounded as if he were... explaining something.
He didn't want to think about it deeply, much less admit it, and quickly tried to cover up his unease with a deliberately lighthearted tone: "It's okay! Anyway, Yan Sheng is here! You'll teach us, right? You'll tell us what to do!"
However, the affirmative answer he was hoping for did not come.
Yan Sheng's silence made Naruto's unease sink like a boulder.
After a long pause, Yan Sheng slowly spoke, revealing the news Naruto had been terrified to hear: "Naruto, I can't stay by your side forever. In fact, I'm leaving tomorrow."
"Leave?" Naruto panicked instantly, his azure eyes welling up with tears. "Where are you going? Can't you take us with you? Even if you have things to do, you can come back after you're done, right? We'll wait for you!"
Seeing Naruto's almost tearful expression, Yan Sheng's heart stirred slightly. He spoke in a rare gentle and approving tone, "Naruto, you're a good boy." He paused, as if searching for the right words, "I rarely see someone like you. No matter how much darkness you experience, you always retain the purest light in your heart."
He gazed into Naruto's eyes and said meaningfully, "So, strive to become stronger, Naruto. Make yourself so strong that... the light you emit will be enough to illuminate every corner of the world. At that time, much darkness will naturally be dispelled by your light."
Then, his gaze fell back on Sasuke, who was lying unconscious in his arms, exhausted from crying. He instructed Naruto, "Also, I'll have to trouble you to take good care of Sasuke from now on."
He gently patted Sasuke's back, his voice low: "He has an extreme personality, and once he's made up his mind, it's hard to change it. The road ahead won't be smooth, and he could easily be drawn by hatred and pain, sliding into the abyss. That's when you'll need to step in and hold him firmly."
Naruto looked at the unconscious Sasuke, then at Michikatsu. Although his heart was filled with reluctance and sadness, he nodded firmly, his voice trembling with emotion, and said with unwavering determination, "...I will. I will definitely protect Sasuke!"
Upon hearing this promise, Yan Sheng's face revealed the first, only, and last gentle yet genuine smile he had ever shown since coming into this world. This smile softened the usual coldness between his brows, making him appear much more gentle.
He looked at Naruto, who was trying to hold back his tears, and said, "Don't be sad, Naruto. In this life, there are meetings and there are partings. This is normal." He raised his head, his gaze seemingly able to penetrate the dome of the base and look up at the boundless sky. "Even if we can never meet again in the future, when you look up at the sky, perhaps we will see the same sky."
Naruto sniffed and gave a muffled "Hmm!"
Time flows on.
The first year after Yan Sheng left.
Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha were eight years old. That year, led by Kaguya, they left the Land of Rain and began their journey around the world.
They traversed the endless sands of the Land of Wind, witnessing the grandeur of sandstorms and the preciousness of oases; they dived into the depths of the Land of Water's dense fog, experiencing the secluded island charm and unique water-style ninjutsu; they climbed the treacherous stone forests of the Land of Earth, feeling the weight and resilience of the land; they traversed the clouds and peaks of the Land of Lightning, experiencing the fury of lightning and the ultimate speed...
Kaguya didn't just take them sightseeing; the different ninja villages, customs, and even local conflicts caused by resources and hatred along the way became teaching materials for her to use at will.
With a perspective spanning over a thousand years, she shows the two children the true face of this world, which is both magnificent and beautiful, as well as cruel and helpless.
Naruto's horizons broadened considerably, and Sasuke's state of mind also subtly changed during the journey. Although the pain of his clan's annihilation had not dissipated, it seemed to have been diluted somewhat by the vast world around him.
The year after Yan Sheng left.
The two are nine years old.
After returning from their travels and having given it much thought, Naruto and Sasuke told Kaguya that they wanted to return to Konoha.
Kaguya neither agreed nor disagreed; to her, it didn't matter where she was. Since her grandchildren wanted to go, she would go with them.
The sudden return of the long-lost Uchiha orphan and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki caused a huge uproar among the Konoha leadership.
Danzo immediately wanted to use the pretext of "controlling dangerous factors" to order the arrest of the two (including the unidentified Kaguya). However, how could Kaguya tolerate such an offense? With just a glance, an invisible and terrifying pressure descended like a mountain, instantly pressing Danzo and his Root ninjas to the ground. Danzo felt as if his heart was being gripped by an invisible hand, almost suffocating him on the spot.
If it weren't for the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, arriving in time and pleading for Danzo's life, along with Naruto's anxious pleas while tugging at Kaguya's sleeve, Danzo might have truly "died in the line of duty."
Kaguya was willing to give the Third Hokage this face purely because of Naruto.
......
Kaguya herself would naturally not actively publicize her identity, but Black Zetsu could not tolerate these "lowly mortals" offending his mother.
It revealed Kaguya's identity: "How dare you ants disrespect the progenitor of chakra, the goddess of the rabbit?!"
At first, no one believed this seemingly fantastical claim.
However, when Kaguya casually displayed some power (miracles) that was beyond their comprehension, all doubts turned into fear and silence in the face of the absolute difference in strength.
From then on, the Konoha leadership had to accept the fact that regardless of whether Kaguya was the progenitor of chakra, her immense power was undeniable, and they could not afford to offend her.
It's worth mentioning that the Hyuga clan saw Kaguya's Byakugan, visited Kaguya, and inquired about Kaguya's relationship with the clan.
Kaguya: "You are the descendants of my youngest son, but not his direct descendants. So, be quiet and don't bother me, or I won't show you any mercy."
The third year since Yan Sheng left.
Sasuke and Naruto are ten years old.
Under Kaguya's meticulous care, the two children developed exceptionally well, growing considerably taller, becoming lean and sturdy, and full of vitality.
Kakashi, lurking in the shadows, silently observed Naruto. He saw a brighter smile on Naruto's face than before, his eyes no longer filled with the loneliness and timidity of the past, but instead with a confident and cheerful light that came from being loved. He felt relieved, knowing that Naruto was doing well. But at the same time, his feelings were incredibly complex. After all, that "grandmother" was an extremely dangerous person whose every move could cause disaster, like a walking volcano that had settled in Konoha.
The fourth year since Yen Sheng left.
The two children are eleven years old.
Perhaps it was the experience of traveling around the world that broadened his mind, perhaps it was Kaguya's occasional guidance that had an effect, or perhaps it was his desire to become stronger and live up to the expectations of his brother Yan Sheng and his grandmother, that made Naruto suddenly have a breakthrough in his studies, and his grades improved by leaps and bounds. Although he is not yet at the top, he has long since shed the title of "bottom of the class," much to Iruka-sensei's delight.
The fifth year since Yen Sheng left.
The two children, both twelve years old, took the graduation exam at the Ninja Academy.
With his solid foundation and years of hard work, Naruto successfully passed the test and became a genin.
Sasuke's passing was a foregone conclusion, and his performance even caught the attention of the proctors.
That year, as if guided by fate, the two of them each met their own master.
During a mission observation, Sasuke was attracted by Kakashi Hatake's precise and efficient fighting style and Sharingan. In addition, Kakashi seemed to know a lot about the Uchiha clan. After some consideration, Sasuke took the initiative to ask to become his apprentice.
Kakashi initially wanted to refuse, but after thinking of Kaguya and pondering it over, he agreed—not because Kakashi was afraid of Kaguya, but because Kakashi was not afraid of death.
Sasuke calls Kaguya "Grandma," and Kaguya is very kind to Sasuke. By starting with Sasuke, he might be able to get closer to Kaguya.
Naruto, on the other hand, ran into Jiraiya, who had returned to the village to gather materials, during his escape after failing to peep into a women's bathhouse (not really, it was an accident).
Jiraiya was initially just curious about this blond-haired, blue-eyed kid with the Nine-Tails sealed inside him. But after witnessing Naruto's unwavering (or rather, persistent) perseverance and learning that he was Minato's son, a strange sense of destiny led Jiraiya to reluctantly accept him as a disciple.
It's worth mentioning that even now, no one knows that Naruto is no longer the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki; the Nine-Tails within him was extracted long ago—and now the other tailed beasts are gone too. They were all absorbed by Kaguya.
......
During his training with Kakashi, Sasuke gradually became familiar with this seemingly lazy but actually unfathomable teacher.
One day, he accompanied Kakashi to a memorial to pay respects to someone who was supposedly very important to Kakashi, his hero. Sasuke was curious and wanted to see who could be Kakashi's hero, but when he saw the name Kakashi was paying respects to, his expression became very strange.
“Uchiha…Obito?” Sasuke couldn’t help but ask, his tone filled with an indescribable complexity. “He’s not dead.”
Kakashi's hand, which was about to release the flowers, suddenly stopped, and he turned his head in surprise: "Huh?"
When Obito was mentioned, Sasuke's face inevitably fell.
It is an indisputable fact that Obito was one of the main culprits behind the Uchiha clan's annihilation. However, in the truth that Kokushibo revealed before leaving, he also learned about Obito's painful and twisted past, which was entangled in conspiracies.
Did he hate Obito? Of course he did; it was the hatred for the annihilation of his clan. But this hatred was mixed with a touch of sorrow, preventing him from purely hating him. Forgiveness, however, was absolutely impossible.
Afterwards, seeing Kakashi learn that Obito was alive but had not returned to the village, and for a long time exuding an even stronger sense of frustration and gloom than usual, Sasuke finally couldn't bear it anymore.
He found Kaguya and demanded to know Obito's current whereabouts. Kaguya didn't care about such a trivial matter and casually told Sasuke.
After getting the address, Sasuke found Kakashi, handed him the note, and said in his usual curt tone, "Here, this is roughly where that guy is right now. Go find him quickly, and stop acting like you're half-dead all the time."
Kakashi held the note, his eyes filled with complex emotions. In the end, he asked the Third Hokage for leave and embarked on a journey to find his old friend.
Using the ANBU's tracking skills and the information on the note, Kakashi successfully located Obito, who was living in seclusion (or rather, hiding), in a remote small country.
When Obito saw Kakashi, his first reaction was to use Kamui to escape, but Kakashi, who was prepared, forced him to stop with Lightning Blade and ended up trapped in a dead end.
Obito was initially flustered, especially when faced with Kakashi's complex gaze that seemed to contain a thousand unspoken words.
Kakashi looked at him and began to recount his guilt over the years, blaming himself for not protecting Rin, for not discovering sooner that Obito was still alive, and for not stopping him from going astray...
These words pierced Obito's heart like needles, making him increasingly angry.
Finally, Obito couldn't hold back any longer and rushed forward to punch Kakashi. Kakashi didn't retaliate, silently enduring Obito's punch as if it were a belated punishment.
"When did I say it was all your fault—okay! I did think that way! But!" Obito grabbed Kakashi's collar and growled, "Others can think that way, but why do you think that way too?! Don't you know? Back then, back then, who among us had a better choice?! Rin made her own choice too! Don't you understand?"
Kakashi's mouth was bleeding from the beating, but he just stared quietly at the man on top of him: "Obito, why don't you want to come back?"
"Come back?" Obito's expression froze. He released his grip, took two steps back, and a bitter, mocking look appeared on his face. "Go back to where? Konoha? I've done too many irreversible things... I killed my teacher, I killed my teacher's wife, and the Uchiha clan... How can I face going back?"
"I can share the burden with you, and atone for our sins together." Kakashi's voice was filled with unwavering determination.
"What's it to you!" Obito roared angrily, as if his tail had been stepped on. "This is my own business! I don't need your fake kindness!"
The two started fighting again as they were talking. At first, it was just Obito venting his anger, but as Obito's words became more and more offensive, Kakashi couldn't stand it anymore and fought back, which turned into a mutual brawl.
They didn't use any ninjutsu; they simply vented their pent-up pain, guilt, misunderstandings, and inexplicable entanglements from over a decade of fighting, just like when they were kids.
In short, after this reunion, which was full of tension yet also helped to resolve some misunderstandings, Kakashi did not force Obito to return to the village, but he would occasionally "bump into" Obito.
Their relationship slowly adjusted over the next few years through this awkward contact.
Obito would still occasionally make sarcastic and sarcastic remarks to Kakashi, and Kakashi, who was initially hurt by this, gradually realized that it was just Obito's clumsy self-protection. He began to ignore it and even occasionally retorted with a blank expression.
Meanwhile, in the underworld.
A long-haired, frizzy man, who had been waiting for a long time, hoping for the plan to be implemented and for himself to be resurrected, finally couldn't help but let out a furious growl as time passed without any movement from the outside world:
"What on earth is that Obito kid up to?" Madara Uchiha's patience was being worn down indefinitely.
As for Itachi Uchiha, although Konoha restored his innocence, he did not return to Konoha. Instead, he stayed in the Akatsuki organization and worked with Nagato and Konan to contribute to world peace.
Perhaps this is his way of atoning for his sins.
-----------------------
Author's Note: This "saga" is finally finished! The next one is the eve of the Night of Extermination. It won't be too long, since I already know the truth, preventing the Night of Extermination will be a piece of cake (*￣︶￣)
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