Uchiha Madara remained silent, quietly observing as Obito vented his emotions.
Such a straightforward person was indeed easier for him to manipulate.
Shimizu Uchiha's thoughts, however, carried a hint of gloom and calculation.
After a long wait, Obito finally exhausted his outburst.
Crying out in pain from straining his injuries, he clutched his body.
"Feeling pain means… you're still alive," Madara said coolly.
Ignoring Obito's stunned expression, he continued, "But… your survival is nothing short of a miracle. To think you weren't crushed by the rocks… it's almost as if you passed through them."
"Where was I after that?" Obito asked.
"You were lying in the underground tunnel I dug… right beside the collapsed rocks. When I found you, half your body was practically pulverized. I gave you emergency treatment to stabilize you."
"So it was you, old man, who saved me!" Obito said with gratitude.
"It's too early for thanks," Madara replied. "This debt of gratitude—I expect you to repay it fully."
"Sorry, but I can't stay here forever. I have to protect my comrades," Obito declared.
Madara gazed at him silently, noting the boy's weak resolve.
Shaking his head, he explained Obito's physical condition. "Face reality, boy. This world doesn't bend to your wishes. The longer you live… the more you'll see it's filled with nothing but helplessness, pain, and emptiness…"
What's this old man going on about? Obito thought, growing impatient.
The elder's words felt unhinged, and Obito had no time to waste here.
"You've been rambling since the start! I'm leaving!" Obito snapped, wincing as the pain from his wounds flared with his raised voice.
Then, a realization hit him.
Why would an old man with a Sharingan be alone in a place like this?
Obito knew most of Konohagakure's elderly, yet this man was a stranger.
"You're a rogue ninja, aren't you? Who are you?!" Obito demanded.
Madara, leaning on his scythe, settled into a massive wooden chair. "I am… the ghost of the Uchiha. Uchiha Madara."
The Battle of Kannabi Bridge unfolded as Minato Namikaze had predicted. Iwagakure's forces were beaten back, giving Konohagakure a moment to catch its breath.
Shimizu and the others returned to the village, granted a brief respite.
War wasn't fought twenty-four hours a day—otherwise, no number of shinobi would suffice to fill the graves.
"Kakashi, are you awake?"
In a ward at Konoha Hospital, Nohara Rin set down the knife she'd been using to peel an apple and turned to Kakashi.
Kakashi nodded dully. His injuries were severe, and he'd only just regained consciousness.
"Argh!" Kakashi clutched his left eye as sharp, throbbing pain surged through his brain like a tidal wave.
"Kakashi, are you okay?" Rin asked, her voice laced with concern.
The transplant surgery for Kakashi's eye had been performed under crude conditions. At best, they'd ensured no bacteria lingered in the eye, but there was no guarantee the optic nerves or chakra pathways had been properly aligned.
After a while, Kakashi, drenched in sweat, spoke through gritted teeth. "I… saw darkness. And a ghost."
"What?" Rin's face twisted in confusion. Was Kakashi talking about some kind of hell?
"Is Kakashi awake?"
The door to the ward swung open, and Shimizu stepped inside.
He saw Kakashi clutching his eye, clearly in agony.
Rin recounted what Kakashi had just said, hoping Shimizu's medical expertise could help.
"I see," Shimizu said thoughtfully. "The pain should subside in about a week. Today's the worst of it."
The "darkness" and "ghost" Kakashi mentioned—could they be tied to the Mountain's Graveyard where Uchiha Madara lingered?
Kakashi's body was still adjusting to the transplanted Sharingan. It must have resonated with Obito's perspective, forcing Kakashi's chakra to suppress the connection instinctively. The pain was a natural byproduct—chakra, a blend of mental and physical energy, had been strained, weakening his spirit and body in the process.
"It's probably just war aftermath," Shimizu said casually. "Kakashi, you might occasionally see strange visions going forward. Get used to it. I've seen cases like this in medical texts. You should be cleared for discharge this afternoon."
Shimizu tossed out a vague explanation to keep Kakashi from overthinking and spiraling into paranoia.
"War aftermath…" Rin murmured, biting her lip.
Given what Kakashi had been through at Kannabi Bridge, such symptoms seemed plausible.
"Kakashi, rest up for now. I'll handle your discharge paperwork later," Shimizu said. "Rin, step outside. I need to talk to you."
Rin frowned slightly, glancing at Kakashi before following Shimizu out.
Shimizu gestured for Kakashi to rest, and Kakashi nodded in response.
The two walked to a quiet hospital corridor.
"Alright, let's talk about Kakashi," Shimizu began.
"?" Rin's eyes flickered with confusion.
Hadn't Shimizu just said Kakashi's symptoms were war-related? Was there something he couldn't say in front of Kakashi?
"You know about Kakashi's Sharingan, don't you?" Shimizu said calmly. "It's an Uchiha asset."
Rin's eyes widened, and she quickly countered, "It was a birthday gift from Obito. He gave it to Kakashi willingly."
"That's true," Shimizu replied. "But, Rin, have you ever wondered why the Hyuga Clan brands some of their members with the Caged Bird Seal at birth? Or why their Byakugan is destroyed upon death?"
Rin's expression shifted as she grasped what Shimizu was implying.
"Shimizu! Fancy running into you right after getting back!"
Before Rin could respond, Sarutobi Asuma strolled over, interrupting.
"What're you two chatting about?" Asuma teased with a playful smirk.
Last time, Rin had publicly denied rumors of an improper relationship between her and Shimizu. Yet here they were, whispering to each other—classic couple behavior, right?
"We're discussing how to help Kakashi get past his slump," Shimizu said, glancing at Rin. "Right, Rin?"
Rin nodded naturally, following his lead.
"My condolences," Asuma said, his tone sobering.
The heavy topic killed his teasing mood, and he offered some standard words of comfort.
Rin lowered her gaze, listening as Asuma and Shimizu exchanged words, her mind elsewhere.
That afternoon, at the Hokage Tower.
Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned Shimizu.
"Regarding Obito's loss, we who remain must move forward and not dwell in the past," Hiruzen said, taking a slow drag from his pipe.
"Lord Hokage," Shimizu replied, "when a leaf falls from the tree, it doesn't wither in vain. It becomes fertile soil, nurturing those of us still living."
"Fertile soil…" Hiruzen echoed, a pleased smile spreading across his face.
Shimizu's understanding of the Will of Fire was growing profound, capable of such insightful words.
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