Night had fallen.
Obito sat on the bed, his heart still racing.
The nightmare he had experienced today felt too real, too vivid, and terrifying.
Fortunately, earlier, Naruto and Kakashi had taken him and Rin out to eat and then to bathe, helping him relax. Now, Obito felt much calmer, though the memory still lingered.
He lay back under the quilt, a faint smile forming on his lips.
It felt good to have companions who truly cared about him.
Rin looked at Obito with concern, her heart heavy. After a moment of hesitation, she decided it was time to tell him the truth.
"Obito," Rin began cautiously, "there's something I need to tell you."
Obito tilted his head and smiled gently. "Well, Rin, what is it?"
Rin's expression grew serious. "The nightmare you had today… it wasn't real."
Obito's smile vanished instantly. He turned to Rin, confusion and hurt flashing in his eyes. "Rin, what do you mean?"
Rin frowned and explained, "What you transplanted wasn't an ordinary Sharingan. Orochimaru-sama was concerned that your body might not be strong enough, so he suggested to Naruto that he recreate the most painful memory in your heart. Seeing it again firsthand would stimulate your emotions, helping your Mangekyō Sharingan awaken again.
"So… everything you experienced today—the forest, your younger self—it was all orchestrated. Naruto and the others used transformation techniques to make it appear real."
Rin's gaze softened, full of worry.
Obito's face darkened, and he sat up abruptly. His eyes glared at Rin. "You knew about this?"
Rin nodded quietly.
Obito's eyes grew colder. "And you agreed with them?"
Rin hesitated, biting her lip, then nodded again.
Obito's chest heaved as his entire body trembled. Tears welled up, large as beads, and fell one by one.
Rin's heart leapt in panic. "Obito! What's wrong? Don't be like this! I'm sorry! I shouldn't have agreed—please forgive me!"
Obito lifted his head, taking a deep, shuddering breath. His voice trembled with sorrow.
"You knew that Rin's death is the memory I least want to remember. And yet, you consented to let them recreate it. How… could you do this to me?"
Obito's pain was raw. He understood Naruto and Orochimaru's intentions. Owning both a Mangekyō and a Sharingan wasn't as effective as the current double Kamui he possessed. Re-experiencing that torment to unlock his Mangekyō would make him stronger.
But the emotional agony was unbearable.
He had never expected Rin to agree to deceive him—what for? Was it only for Kakashi?
Rin's anxiety grew. She knew Obito was overthinking but also understood that by agreeing with Naruto and Orochimaru, she had betrayed him in a way he could barely bear.
"Oh, Obito… I'm sorry! I shouldn't have gone along with them. Please forgive me. Please!"
Rin knelt in front of Obito, her hands reaching to clasp his. "I mean it, Obito. I'm sorry."
Due to the height difference, she looked small and fragile in front of him, almost childlike.
Obito tilted his head away, refusing to meet her gaze. Rin, pouting coquettishly, leaned forward and kissed him.
"Don't be angry, okay?" she whispered.
Obito felt a momentary warmth but remained unmoved. His voice was still tinged with resentment.
"So that's why Naruto and Kakashi were so kind today," Obito said coldly. "Inviting me to dinner, bathing, trying to relax me… it was all guilt-driven."
He exhaled sharply. "I need to settle the score with them tomorrow."
Rin frowned and shook him gently. "Obito, calm down. They truly are sorry. And, as Orochimaru said, sometimes sacrifices are necessary to obtain the power needed for the future of the ninja world."
Obito spun to glare at Rin. "And who made the sacrifice? Me?"
Seeing his fury, Rin quickly kissed him again and smiled softly. "I know you've sacrificed the most. Let me make it up to you, okay?"
Obito blushed. This was the first time Rin had kissed him. Even though her body was reincarnated, her feelings were real.
"What… do you want to make up for?" he asked, eyes a little evasive.
Rin smirked playfully. "The bad things you want to do…"
Obito froze.
"What bad things?"
Rin let out a low chuckle, leaning closer. "Now you've learned bad things and are pretending to be innocent, aren't you? Huh! That's true!"
With that, Rin stood and switched off the overhead light, leaving only the bedside lamp glowing softly.
Obito's eyes followed her. "What are you doing?"
She bit her lip, teasing, "Want some compensation? If not… forget it."
Obito leapt from the bed. "I want it! I want it!"
Rin smiled shyly. "Hmph! You're so honest. It's almost ridiculous!"
Obito chuckled. The tension in the room eased.
The night passed quietly, filled with soft laughter and quiet intimacy.
The next day.
Naruto and Kakashi arrived to formally apologize to Obito and explain the truth about yesterday.
To their surprise, Obito was calm and generous, showing no resentment.
"Oh, Naruto, Kakashi… what are we to each other? It's okay. It's all for the future of the ninja world. Everything's fine."
Kakashi, moved deeply by Obito's generosity, fought back tears. "Obito, I really…"
Obito embraced Kakashi, patting him gently. "Look at you. Already Hokage-level responsibility, yet so emotional? Hahaha!"
He then smiled at Naruto.
Naruto, observing Obito, couldn't help but admire his newfound mental resilience. His mind was stronger than in his previous life.
Only Rin smiled faintly, quietly hiding her contribution. Without comforting Obito last night, he might not have been so magnanimous today.
Kakashi suggested they go for barbecue as a treat, and Obito agreed without hesitation. Rin accompanied them, though she didn't eat much, staying by their side.
After the meal, Obito asked Kakashi to chat with Rin while he pulled Naruto aside.
"Naruto, I need to discuss something with you," Obito said.
"Go ahead," Naruto replied.
Obito glanced at Rin and then leaned close to Naruto. "Look, Naruto… although I've caused damage to the ninja world, and even harmed you at times, let's return to the same understanding. Just as you've designed things for me before, I'll accept it. After all, it's all for the future of the ninja world."
Naruto nodded. "Speak freely, Obito. I'll listen."
Obito blushed slightly, embarrassed that Naruto had seen through his thoughts. "Naruto… can you find a way to fully resurrect Rin?"
Naruto frowned. "Is that all?"
Obito nodded earnestly. "Yes. Nagato's reincarnation eye belongs to Madara. It was left to me, but I can't use it for Rin's eyes now. Can you find a solution?"
Naruto's frown deepened. "I promised to handle this, but why are you so anxious now?"
Obito sighed, frustration in his eyes. "You're married now, Kakashi has found a partner, and everyone seems to be in love! But… where is my Rin?"
Naruto looked at Rin, traveling and training alongside Kakashi. Obito's desperation was clear.
Taking a deep breath, Obito tried to calm his anger.
"Please, Naruto… don't act oblivious for me. When you're in love, you can't just relax. You must act!"
Thinking of last night, though it had felt awkward, it had also felt… good. But nothing compared to the thrill of protecting Rin or real combat.
"Naruto… since you have Hinata, you should also take care of me!"
Naruto finally understood. After a long moment, the weight of Obito's words sank in.
"You boy…" Naruto muttered under his breath, finally grasping Obito's true meaning.
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