One sentence from Obito left Sarutobi Hiruzen stunned in place, long unable to speak.
Finally, he looked into Obito's sincere eyes and suddenly smiled, "Obito, you really are different from Danzo. Clearly, those words should have been spoken by your teacher Minato."
Obito feigned confusion, "Then, Third Hokage, what words should I have said?"
Hiruzen's expression suddenly grew mournful; he remembered scenes of old friends from days gone by.
He patted Obito's shoulder and said, "You should slam the door and leave, and say one line: 'Teacher, you will regret this.'"
After saying it, perhaps feeling the words were ill-timed, Hiruzen immediately amended, "Forget it, don't copy him. In any case, the door is innocent."
Obito put on a befuddled look, "Maybe I haven't fully understood Your Thirdness's Will of Fire, and didn't comprehend what you meant."
The Third's gaze softened; he patted Obito's shoulder again, "What a good child, not understanding is best. Go now; if there's any problem, I will come to find you."
Obito nodded, instantaneously vanished and excused himself. After Obito's figure left, the Third lost his kindly expression and sighed.
"Danzo, I truly regret it. Unfortunately, you can no longer mock me. If there is a next life, and there's a chance, you can be the Hokage then."
———
After parting with Sarutobi Hiruzen, Obito still had one matter to arrange: introduce Sato Yuki to Orochimaru. The one who had been implanted with Hashirama cells and a Sharingan, and at the same time hand over the research fruits of the other-world Orochimaru.
Orochimaru's power might not be the very top in the shinobi world, but his research ability was unmatched.
With that thought, Obito headed toward Sato Yuki's house.
When he was near the Sato residence, he sensed Sato Yuki's chakra lingering near home but not entering.
Curious, he used the Flying Thunder God kunai bearing the character "Rin" that he had given Sato Yuki earlier and instantly teleported beside her.
At this moment Sato Yuki was covered in bandages, wearing an eye patch, leaning against a big tree near the house, a faint trace of mockery at the corner of her mouth.
Obito tapped her shoulder and greeted, "Hello."
Sato Yuki was startled. Having a deeper understanding now of Obito's sudden appearances, she suppressed the impulse to complain about his saving her life, and respectfully greeted, "Lord, you're here."
Obito crossed his arms, "You don't have to be so respectful with me. Be more optimistic in daily life. You're still a child not yet ten years old. Don't, just because you had half of Hashirama's cells transplanted and wear a pair of three-tomoe Sharingan, act aloof like the Uchiha lord."
Sato Yuki felt a strange possessiveness from Obito and said, "Lord, is that what you really hope? I'm actually very curious, you truly understand me. This understanding goes beyond the limit of mutual comprehension. Could it be you also experienced similar trauma, so you hope I won't walk the wrong path?"
Obito's expression flickered slightly. He hadn't told Sato Yuki anything, yet she had nearly analyzed the truth.
Could women's thoughts really be that sensitive?
He didn't care whether the truth leaked or not, and said, "You may interpret it that way. I do want you to have fewer negative emotions, be a naive fool. That way I can derive some satisfaction from you. But I won't force you; some things can't be forced."
Sato Yuki only bitterly smiled, "You want me to have fewer negative emotions? That's indeed difficult. After all, I came back from the front lines barely alive, throat close to being cut. I survived and returned, only to see the people in the village impatiently scheming to seize what little estate the Sato family originally had."
Obito was momentarily stunned, then looked toward the place Sato Yuki had been watching attentively, and saw a group of villagers gathered in front of the Sato house, shouting red-faced.
Although standing some distance away, their voices were loud; not only trained ninja but ordinary people could hear them clearly.
One man angrily said, "Yamagi Jiro, don't go too far. This clearly belongs to the Sato family. You say you'll take it? What business does your Yamagi family have with the Satos?"
Another retorted, "The Sato family only has one orphaned Genin left, and she even participated in this war between Konoha and Iwagakure."
"I've already investigated. Her comrades on the mission were annihilated. She might never come back. The house would just sit empty; someone has to manage it, right?"
"I paid money to the War Inheritance Department to buy this house, with proper paperwork. On what basis do you stop me from taking it?"
The first man said, "Who doesn't know the War Inheritance Department's top official is your brother, that special Jonin? I already checked, this house's value starts at at least ten thousand ryo. You bought it for only two hundred ryo? Two hundred ryo, less than the cost of a banquet. Who are you fooling?"
"Also, whether Sato Yuki is dead or alive, they haven't even issued a report from above. On what basis does your brother process the Sato house as war property? That violates regulations. If investigated, do you know what will happen afterward?"
Yamagi Jiro's face changed, "Matsugi Kazuo, it seems your connections in the War Inheritance Department are also significant."
"Matsugi and your family have nothing to do with it. Why are you getting so worked up? Could it be you're pleading for that Sato girl? Haha, aren't you like me, just after the house?"
"So then, give me five million ryo and I'll split the property rights with you half and half. That way everyone profits. Otherwise, if the matter escalates, you'll get nothing."
Matsugi Kazuo showed interest, "Are you serious?"
Yamagi Jiro said, "I have leverage on you. Am I going to lie? Consider this making friends. Your younger brother is about to be promoted to special Jonin, think of this as a congratulatory gift."
Matsugi Kazuo revealed a hint of realization, "I see, it was just a misunderstanding."
Thus, the two sides that almost came to blows ended up shaking hands and flattering each other.
Sato Yuki leaned against the big tree, trembling uncontrollably, her fists already clenched tight.
Obito was expressionless, very calm.
Sato Yuki didn't understand, "You're not at all angry? Or is it because you were born an Uchiha and have never encountered this sort of thing?"
Obito said, "I've simply seen too much, I've already become numb."
"One has to admit, the Third Hokage's Will of Fire propaganda really worked. The civilian ninja who went to the front died utterly."
"Otherwise, once this kind of thing comes to light, consequences for Konoha later wouldn't be ordinary."
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.