The next day, Team 7 and Team 8 gathered to read the newspaper.
Ninja World Daily
This newspaper was brought by Daimaru Higashiyama, a reporter with great freedom, able to enter and exit examination venues at will.
As soon as it was opened, a headline dominated the view:
[Front Page Headline: Shocking! Cunning Villain Obito Uchiha Annihilates Grass Village, Not Even a Dog Spared!]
In addition, there were two large, high-definition pictures.
One was a close-up, high-definition frontal shot of Obito Uchiha.
Short hair, birch-colored and black striped single-eye mask, black hooded long robe—simple attire. His single Mangekyo Sharingan, its shape: three rotating, interconnected death scythes.
In front of Obito Uchiha was a raging inferno.
This blaze practically illuminated the night sky.
At the same time, his eye, that single Mangekyo Sharingan, reflected the towering flames, emitting an eerie light.
So close, so high-definition, it was a mystery how it was taken.
Upon seeing this photo, countless ninjas across the Ninja World sighed in admiration: As expected of the Ninja World Daily, they have a master within.
Naruto: Don't ask, just assume it's a close-up.
The second picture was the famous "Obito Kicking Dog" image.
Judging by the location, it seemed to be around the same time as the previous high-definition photo.
Against a backdrop of sky-high flames, this time it was backlit, so only the silhouettes of Obito Uchiha and a dog were visible.
Obito lifted his foot, and the dog flew, the scene frozen at the moment the dog was sent flying.
"Obito Uchiha truly commits all kinds of evil deeds. He destroyed a ninja village and didn't even spare a single dog in the end." Seeing this picture, Sakura's sympathy swelled.
That was a ninja village.
No matter how small, it was still a ninja village.
The newspaper reported that a total of about 1,800 people survived, not one, and not even bones were left after the burning.
This Obito Uchiha was truly heinous, not even sparing this cute dog.
So hateful!
"A small ninja village, 1,800 people, who knows how many Jonin, Chunin..."
Sasuke was still calmly analyzing Obito's strength, assessing the gap between them.
Ever since he learned of Obito's involvement in the Uchiha clan massacre, Sasuke had listed Obito Uchiha as one of his targets for revenge.
Listening to the two continually recount Obito Uchiha's crimes, Naruto felt somewhat guilty.
However, one point needed to be clarified:
In the incident of Grass Village's destruction, only four notorious elders "fortunately perished" resisting Obito Uchiha's evil deeds.
Another 22 victims sustained non-fatal injuries – these were specially left as 'loudspeakers.'
And one dog became depressed after being kicked.
Other than that, no one else was harmed in any way.
Everyone else had been collected into the Kamui Dimension.
As a model youth of the new era, Naruto was not inclined to kill.
Even a screw has its value, let alone a human.
And these were all good comrades!
Recently, six more Jonin subordinates had disappeared while inquiring about intelligence from various countries. They happened to be a good batch to transform and fill in the vacancies.
Others could also shine in various positions. How could this be called harming the innocent?
Congratulations in advance to these employees for joining the enterprise.
Moreover, after some exploration yesterday, Naruto found that the Kamui Dimension was quite large.
He could grow crops there and, incidentally, develop some technology.
After 12 years of transmigration, he wanted to play on his phone again.
And the internet.
He wondered if these would be easy to achieve in the Ninja World.
How would he know without trying?
It shouldn't be difficult, as his SSSSSS talent was fully manifesting across all aspects.
He just needed to split off one or two research-loving clones.
"But what's his objective?"
Kiba's voice interrupted Naruto's thoughts.
Naruto thought about it carefully and realized Kiba had asked a good question.
Why?
The newspaper only reported the news, without analysis or commentary.
In an instant, Sasuke retorted, "Why did Obito Uchiha annihilate the Uchiha clan? Why did he initiate the Nine-Tails Attack? Why did he control the Mizukage to start the Bloody Mist Village?"
"Such a villain..."
Sasuke said through gritted teeth, "His motives are unpredictable."
Evidently, he was still resentful of Obito Uchiha's clan massacre.
"That's true."
The others nodded in agreement.
Naruto also nodded cooperatively.
What Sasuke said was indeed the "truth."
The truth of being falsely accused.
However, one thing was certain:
The Nine-Tails Attack was indeed committed by Obito Uchiha.
This was intelligence he had confirmed in the arena.
And there were even rumors, which he, Naruto, had heard, that the Fourth Hokage was once Obito Uchiha's squad leader.
It was truly a bit of a dark joke.
A student killing his master, is that even possible?
It was truly laughable, then it felt a bit inconceivable.
Presumably, this Obito Uchiha must be a cunning villain, rotten to the core.
Otherwise, he wouldn't do such things.
It was just blaming the "minor matters" of the 'Uchiha Clan Massacre,' 'controlling the Fourth Mizukage,' and 'destroying Grass Village' on him.
He, Naruto, was already merciful enough.
Compared to that great grudge of being nearly killed by the person he held in his hand, he had only repaid less than one-thousandth of it.
There would be plenty of time in the future.
Meanwhile.
Inside a gloomy cave in a small country.
"Obito, what does it feel like to need to relieve yourself?"
Tobi, the special White Zetsu individual, circled Obito, looking curious.
To this question, which he'd been asked countless times, Obito used to get angry, but not anymore. He lay languidly on the makeshift bed, his eyes listlessly staring at the ceiling.
Three months ago, he was a determined striver, bravely pushing for his final plan.
But now, though the plan hadn't been exposed, it no longer involved them.
He could only wait for the right moment.
"Obito~ Obito~"
As Zetsu entered the cave, he saw Obito lying horizontally, looking utterly dejected.
Ever since the Ninja World Daily exposed Obito, countless people, seeing him as walking gold, clamored for his death, attracted by the high bounty. After several attempts, Obito found he had nowhere else to go and could only stay in the cave all day, entering Madara's retirement state prematurely.
Zetsu thought this had always been the case, until he saw today's newspaper.
Seeing that huge picture, he was dumbfounded.
The Mangekyo Sharingan's shape was on the Ninja World Daily for the first time, but why was its shape identical to Obito's?
Furthermore, according to insiders, this Mangekyo's phasing ability was indistinguishable from Obito's.
This... could there be another Uchiha in the Ninja World with such Mangekyo abilities?
Black Zetsu doubted his life for a moment. He prided himself on monitoring the Ninja World for years, being extremely sensitive to the appearance of Mangekyo, and had never seen a Uchiha wandering the Ninja World.
It seemed there was only one answer.
Was this Obito Uchiha secretly hiding something from me... huh?
He glanced at Tobi, who had been with Obito the whole time, seemingly inseparable. That didn't make sense, did it?
Zetsu was at a loss.
"What is it?"
"Nothing..."
Zetsu was careful not to question him, nor did he dare to reveal the information from the newspaper.
He was afraid Obito would get angry again and go challenge the Ninja World Daily.
The last time he went, the result wasn't good.
Moreover, cracks had already appeared between them after their previous plan was thwarted. If he questioned him again now, the consequences would be unimaginable.
The Eye of the Moon... no, the plan to rescue his mother, might have to be declared dissolved.
After all, he had tried to go back to Nagato's side before but was explicitly rejected. Their relationship was now like fire and water.
Now he only had Obito Uchiha as an ally.
And there weren't many Sharingan left in this Ninja World.
This last chance absolutely couldn't have any accidents.