Naruto World
The disappearance of Naruto, Sasuke, Neji, and Hinata didn't cause as much alarm as one might expect. In fact, girls like Ino and Sakura looked on with envy.
After all, who wouldn't want to receive private instruction?
But that was just a dream for most.
Naruto was the Fourth Hokage's son. Sasuke, the heir of the Fifth. Neji and Hinata were born into the Hyūga clan—the inheritors of the Byakugan and heirs to a legacy second only to the Uchiha in dōjutsu might.
Their lineage alone placed them far above others.
All the others could do was train hard and hope to earn Uchiha Itachi's recognition. The newly accepted disciple, Kurama Yakumo, was living proof that it could happen.
Uchiha Itachi walked hand-in-hand with Izumi toward the captured enemy shinobi—Kazama, Dairiku, and the others.
"So," Itachi said calmly, "looks like the daimyō isn't coming to rescue you."
"In other words… you've been abandoned."
Kazama and Dairiku fell silent.
"The road to the Land of Fire will be the final chapter of your lives," Itachi continued, his voice quiet but sharp as steel. "If the daimyō had any sense, he would've already sent assassins to silence you. After all, if you reach the capital alive, you could expose everything. That's the one thing he won't allow—not the Uchiha taking action, and certainly not the truth getting out."
"So tell me… what do you think he'll do? Will he expect you to end your lives to preserve his honor? Will he send help? Or will he send a blade?"
Dairiku's hands clenched. Kazama lowered his head, silent.
"There is a third possibility," Itachi went on. "He plays dumb—claims ignorance, pushes all the blame on you."
"But even so… once you're in the Land of Fire, he'll still have you executed. And your families? They'll be punished too. You know that."
"No matter how you look at it, you're already dead men walking."
"Now... which do you think he'll choose?"
"And more importantly—what would you choose?"
"If I were the daimyō," Itachi said without emotion, "I'd want you to kill yourselves. Quietly. Cleanly. And if I were you? I'd probably do the same."
His words struck them like a hammer, shaking something deep inside.
Kazama's eyes trembled. "…To the victor go the spoils. We lost. Just… give us a swift death."
Bound by sealing jutsu, they couldn't fight back, but they still had control of their tongues. They'd been prepared to bite down and end their own lives in shame.
But now, they hesitated.
A sliver of hope had wormed its way in.
What if… the daimyō really did send someone to save them?
Even if the attempt failed, that act alone would be proof that their loyalty had meant something—that they weren't just pawns.
But if he chose to silence them?
Then they were nothing but tools—sacrifices on a chessboard.
And if he pretended not to know them… it meant he was cold, heartless, and not worth serving in the first place.
The idea stung.
They didn't want to believe it—but they also wanted to know. Would he save them… or kill them?
That uncertainty paralyzed them.
Itachi smiled—not warmly, but with a devil's grin that chilled the air.
"Don't worry. I won't kill you. In fact, I'll protect you."
"Because I want to know too… if the human heart really is made of flesh and blood. Let's see what choice your daimyō makes."
They trembled at his words.
"You monster!"
"Trying to shake our faith!"
"The daimyō will save us!"
They said it aloud… but deep inside, the cracks had already formed.
They didn't want to die. Not yet.
And Itachi's single sentence had done what war and pain had failed to do:
Planted doubt.
...
Konoha Village
Hidden in a dark corner of the village, Uchiha Obito stared blankly at a flyer in his hand—and at a monitor displaying a live news segment hosted by Rin Nohara, microphone in hand.
He had come to Konoha intending to take Rin away.
But what he found shook him.
The flyer read:
WANTED: Shimura Danzō
Male. Former Konoha elder.
Chief conspirator behind the Nine-Tails incident.
Involved in unauthorized experiments using Hashirama Senju's cells.
Key Traits:
Short hair
Orange mask with black swirl
Hooded black cloak
Right eye: Sharingan
Right arm: corpse-like white
REWARD
3.5 million ryō for any valid leads
35 million ryō for direct capture
Contact: Uchiha Police Force— Officer Line 1008610010
Year 55, Hidden Leaf Calendar
Obito: "…"
Wait… this photo is of me.
On the monitor, Rin stood under a bright light, voice steady and calm.
"Today, we're honored to have with us Mr. Iruka Umino. Let's take a look at how he's lived since the Nine-Tails incident."
Rin's voice softened as a photo montage played.
"Iruka-sensei was born into a ninja family. Both his parents were elite jonin. Their life was peaceful—until the night Danzō released the Nine-Tails to attack the village."
The footage cut to a younger Iruka sobbing beside two covered corpses.
"That night shattered everything. The Third Hokage's wife, Biwako, was killed. So were the Fourth and his wife."
"Iruka lost both parents. Alone and unloved, he cried himself to sleep for years. He always told himself they died as heroes… but that pain never went away."
Then came the interview.
"Sensei," Rin asked, "some say Danzō had his reasons. That he did it all for the good of the village and the ninja world. What's your response?"
"Can I curse?"
"…No," Rin said awkwardly.
"Then I have nothing to say," Iruka replied, shrugging.
Rin: "…"
"Would you ever forgive Shimura Danzō?"
Iruka chuckled darkly. "Forgive? Are you kidding me?"
"Some crimes can't be washed away with apologies."
"You want forgiveness? Ask the Fourth Hokage's ghost. Ask Naruto, who grew up unloved and unwanted."
"Ask Kurenai, who lost her mother in the chaos. Ask the ANBU who died in service, and the civilians who lost everything."
"Ask the infants who died in Danzō's experiments."
"No parents? No children? Then maybe you can't understand our pain."
Obito watched, silent.
He couldn't return to the village like this—not unless he pinned everything on Danzō.
Only two people knew the truth: Danzō and Black Zetsu.
If he erased them, maybe—maybe—he could rewrite history. Maybe he could say he'd been a spy inside Akatsuki all along.
Then he paused.
Why am I thinking about failure?
Is it because Rin is alive again through Edo Tensei? Or because I'm no longer under Madara's control? Or maybe… maybe it's because Danzō took my eyes, and I've lost my confidence?
His thoughts were interrupted by Rin again—now chasing after two familiar figures.
The camera zoomed in.
"Ah!" she gasped. "First Hokage! Lord Hashirama! And Uchiha Madara!"
They turned, confused.
Rin, nervous, asked, "How do you both feel about the current situation?"
Hashirama turned to Madara. "What do you think?"
Madara scoffed. "A coward. Controlling my pet beast and sneak-attacking the village? That's no honor."
"Forgiveness? Not in this lifetime."
"If apologies were enough, why do we even have a police force?"
"I oppose all acts of terror against civilians. I don't care what your sob story is—once you harm innocents, you're a disgrace. A criminal. The enemy of Konoha."
"I don't care what motivates you—I won't listen, I won't pity, and I sure as hell won't forgive."
"We will hunt Danzō down. Everywhere. If he's in the streets, we execute him there. If he's in the restroom, we drown him in the toilet."
"The only language terrorists understand is brute force."
"No one has the right to demand forgiveness from those they've wronged."
"Personally, I say: let that rat drink his own tail juice."
"Pray Hashirama and I don't find him."
Rin turned to Hashirama. "And you, Lord First Hokage?"
"I agree with Madara," Hashirama said with a warm smile. "Of course, different beliefs can be resolved peacefully. No need for violence."
"…Could you clarify?" Rin asked.
"Well, for example, when I debate someone, I might use Sage Art: Wood Release — True Several Thousand Hands. If they lose, that's enough. But if I punch too hard and break their nose or kill them, that's going too far."
Everyone: "…"
"Also, Madara's right—Danzō is a disgrace."
"He ambushed an elderly woman—Biwako—and a mother just after childbirth. How is that honorable?"
"I fought him last night. He's sneaky, highly trained, and even has a Sharingan in his right eye!"
"I felt my own cells in his body—and worst of all, he tattooed my face on his arm!"
"What's Mito supposed to think? Or Madara?"
"Clearly premeditated. Trying to frame me!"
"So I say again: Shimura Danzō, the fugitive—hold your rat tail juice!"
"Reflect on your sins!"
"Stop playing games, stop stirring up civil war, and start acting like a shinobi with some honor!"
"Thank you, everyone!"
Rin bowed. "Thank you, both of you, for the interview."
"From what we've heard today, the entire village stands united: zero tolerance for Danzō's actions."
"I, Rin Nohara, urge Danzō and his conspirators to surrender. Justice may be slow, but it never fails."
"Hold your rat tail juice."
"Thank you for watching today's special segment. Until next time!"
Obito stared at the screen, soul weary.
"I used to have no choice," he murmured.
"…But now, I want to be a good person."
Too bad the dead won't forgive him.
"And now, a special feature: Konoha TV presents the premiere of our new film—'Peach Mountain: A Son's Quest to Save His Mother', the story of the three-eyed hero Erlang Shen splitting open the mountain with an axe to rescue his mother."
Zetsu, lurking nearby: "…"