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The cell was cold and dark, illuminated only by the faint glow of a hallway lantern outside. Obito sat on the floor, hands and feet shackled. His body was completely sealed—unable to use chakra—and his eyes were covered with special bandages blocking the Sharingan and Rinnegan. Yet his mind remained active, flooded with thoughts and memories.
Suddenly, footsteps approached. A familiar sound, one he recognized even in darkness.
"Kakashi," Obito murmured, needing no visual confirmation.
"Obito," Kakashi replied, stopping before the cell. His voice was calm but carried undertones of sorrow and concern. "I came to see you."
Obito didn't respond immediately. He knew Kakashi wasn't here just for courtesy. There was more to this visit.
"What do you want?" he finally asked, his tone hovering between resignation and curiosity.
Kakashi leaned against the wall outside the cell, crossing his arms.
"I want to understand. After everything that happened, after all you've done... why did you help us defeat Kaguya? What changed in you?"
Obito let out a bitter laugh.
"'What changed in me?' That's the question, isn't it? Maybe nothing. Maybe everything."
Kakashi studied him intently, though Obito couldn't see his expression.
"I don't understand. After all the evil you caused, all the pain... why help us in the end?"
Obito sighed, feeling the weight of truth press against his chest.
"Maybe I realized I was wrong. Or maybe... I just didn't want to die without doing one good thing."
Kakashi fell silent for a moment, processing Obito's words.
"That doesn't sound like the Obito I knew. The Obito I knew would've destroyed the world for his ideals."
"People change, Kakashi," Obito countered. "Or maybe... you never really saw me as I was."
Kakashi frowned. "What do you mean by that?"
Obito leaned forward, elbows on knees.
"Nothing. Just that... perhaps you know less about me than you think."
Kakashi looked down, a knot forming in his stomach.
"The other Kage insisted you remain imprisoned. They say it's necessary for peace."
Obito nodded slowly, as if he'd expected this.
"Not surprising. After all, I'm Obito Uchiha—the war criminal. No matter what I do now, the past remains."
Kakashi stepped closer to the bars, lowering his voice.
"It's not fair. After everything you did at the end, after helping us... you deserve a second chance."
Obito pressed his back against the cold metal wall.
"Justice is rarely just, Kakashi. But maybe... this is what I need."
Kakashi stood silent, burdened by the weight of the moment.
"I won't abandon you," he finally said. "I'll do what I can."
Obito nodded, though he knew Kakashi's words were more comfort than promise.
"Thank you, Kakashi. That means more than you know."
As Kakashi left, Obito sat alone in the cell's darkness. His thoughts returned to his identity.
"'Edward'... that name means nothing here now. This body, these memories, this fate—they're all Obito Uchiha's. I can't keep denying it."
With a sigh, he rested his head against the wall, feeling the chains' weight.
"I am Obito Uchiha," he whispered, as if speaking it aloud made it real. "No matter how I got here, no matter who I was before. Now I'm him, and I'll face the consequences."
He closed his eyes, envisioning Rin, Kakashi, and Minato. Obito's memories flowed through him, merging with his own.
"If this is my fate, I accept it. I am Obito Uchiha, and I'll bear whatever comes."
Outside the cell, Kakashi walked down the hallway, his mind swirling with unanswered questions.
"There's something about him I can't grasp. Something that doesn't add up. But I don't know what."
Meanwhile, Obito steeled himself for what lay ahead. The path wouldn't be easy, but he was resolved to walk it.
"No matter how long I'm here," he murmured. "No matter what they do to me. I am Obito Uchiha, and I'll find a way to atone."