Konoha Back Mountain.
As a hero of Konoha, Uchiha Obito has his own grave.
Since Kakashi Hatake couldn't find the body at the time, a cenotaph for Uchiha Obito was erected in the village, located next to the grave of another comrade, Nohara Rin.
"I'll pay my respects to Rin myself."
When Kakashi Hatake arrived at the grave area, he stopped Akihara Kagura from proceeding, seemingly afraid that Akihara Kagura might dig up Uchiha Obito's cenotaph.
This kid's character isn't bad, but he has a tendency to take things to the extreme. Digging up Uchiha Obito's grave is something Kakashi Hatake feels Akihara Kagura might actually do.
"Okay then."
Akihara Kagura could only stop at the edge of the forest.
The moonlight in the sky was bright.
Kakashi Hatake stood in front of two tombstones.
One was Nohara Rin's tombstone, the other was Uchiha Obito's tombstone.
"Rin, Obito is still alive."
Lowering his head to gaze at Nohara Rin's tombstone, Kakashi Hatake softly recounted the night's events: "Perhaps he also came to see you. In the past, he saved me. This time, it's my turn to bring him back..."
At the forest's edge.
Akihara Kagura seemed to sense something, quietly retreating to the shade of a tree, hiding his figure in the darkness.
"Why are you here?"
A shadowy figure stood under the tree, briefly glanced at the approaching Akihara Kagura, then turned back to look at the distant Kakashi Hatake.
"Naturally, to dig up your grave..."
With a light smile on his face, Akihara Kagura said, "Just as expected of my new boss, truly bold. I thought you'd escaped..."
This shadowy figure was none other than Uchiha Obito.
No one expected this guy, after revealing his identity and causing such chaos in Konoha, wouldn't escape but instead hide again within the village.
This time, Uchiha Obito initially intended to speak in front of Rin's tombstone since tonight he finally took off his mask.
However...
Kakashi Hatake also arrived.
Akihara Kagura also followed, and even boldly met him almost right under Kakashi Hatake's nose!
"You little brat..."
Uchiha Obito's gaze showed a bit of displeasure. He didn't much like this brat but couldn't deny the audacity of this kid.
Not bothered by Akihara Kagura's recent entry into employment, Uchiha Obito immediately asked about his work progress: "Since I left, has there been any movement in Konoha?"
"A bit, but nothing major."
Akihara Kagura chuckled as he began to report: "Kakashi Hatake has taken on the task of tracking you, and I'm assisting him."
"Hmph..."
Uchiha Obito snorted disdainfully, belittling his old friend: "For you to assist him, it seems Kakashi still has the same bad luck..."
Kakashi Hatake never had good luck.
Since childhood, people around Kakashi Hatake kept leaving. Just as he got another by his side, Akihara Kagura, it was yet another spy...
"Isn't Captain Kakashi's luck not that bad?"
Akihara Kagura smiled, disagreeing with Uchiha Obito: "Tonight, Captain Kakashi's life should start to turn around, and his future is surely headed upwards..."
"Alright, let's get back to business."
Uchiha Obito remained noncommittal.
With you as a spy, how could Kakashi's luck turn around?
"Fine."
Akihara Kagura sighed helplessly, speaking softly: "I initially intended to sell out some of Captain Kakashi's information later..."
"We should head to the Konoha archive to check the experimental records on Hashirama Cells. The archive should have plenty of information, it might take a while to go through it!"
"Among them, look for records on Orochimaru's illegal experiments before he defected, to see if there are any traces of you being implanted with Hashirama Cells in Konoha."
"The Konoha archive?"
Hearing this, Uchiha Obito chuckled coldly: "You don't expect to find records of my Hashirama Cells transplant there, do you?"
Ridiculous!
It's impossible to find!
Uchiha Obito knew very well that his Hashirama Cells weren't transplanted in Konoha, as the person who helped with the transplant was a figure unimaginable to the entire Ninja World!
"Hearing you say that..."
Nodding, Akihara Kagura suddenly raised his head, staring hard at Uchiha Obito: "So there aren't any traces of you in the Konoha archive..."
"Hmph..."
Uchiha Obito didn't respond.
After all, Akihara Kagura had only just joined his side tonight, so he couldn't trust this kid wholeheartedly and was naturally reluctant to reveal his secrets.
"..."
The two under the big tree fell silent, both Akihara Kagura and Uchiha Obito turning to look at Kakashi Hatake, still paying respects at the tombstones in the distance.
Kakashi Hatake was discussing his future plans to bring back Uchiha Obito, even mentioning the young Akihara Kagura at Nohara Rin's tombstone, completely unaware of his subordinate colluding here with his old friend.
This scene...
Unavoidably felt somewhat eerie.
If someday Kakashi Hatake learns that Akihara Kagura and Uchiha Obito teamed up at this moment, it's hard to say what his expression would be...
"I'm leaving now."
Uchiha Obito's figure quietly disappeared into a space-time vortex, coldly saying: "When I need something from you, I'll contact you. Better become a traitorous ninja soon, I'll tell you some plans that might interest you."
"Alright."
Akihara Kagura nonchalantly nodded.
This new boss was quite unremarkable, neither discussing salary and benefits nor having a work plan, even aiming for his defection from Konoha.
That's not ideal...
Konoha is a good place!
He must find a way to let Uchiha Obito know how much a spy in Konoha can do for him, even if it means creating some trouble for Uchiha Obito!
After a while.
Kakashi Hatake came over, seemingly after spending some time speaking at the tombstones of his comrades, his mood adjusted.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Not long at all."
Akihara Kagura's attitude became more amicable, even offering a piece of information: "While I was thinking here, I suddenly remembered something. Before Aburame Ryuma was killed by Uchiha Obito, his last mission was to the Hidden Mist Village..."
"Is there a possibility..."
"That Uchiha Obito is hiding in the Hidden Mist Village?"
"..."
Kakashi Hatake's face changed dramatically.
This news instantly alerted Kakashi Hatake!
If Uchiha Obito always sought revenge against Konoha for Nohara Rin's death, then he would surely seek revenge on the Hidden Mist Village as well!
The Hidden Mist Village was the source of Rin's sacrifice!
Back then, the Hidden Mist Village implanted the Three-tails inside Nohara Rin, turning her into an uncontrollable, highly dangerous Three-Tailed Jinchuriki, forcing her to ask Kakashi to kill her to prevent a potential outbreak of the Three-tails in Konoha!
"Thank you."
Kakashi Hatake sincerely thanked Akihara Kagura, and added: "If there are no records of Obito in the Konoha archive, then we'll sneak into the Hidden Mist Village!"
"You're welcome."
Akihara Kagura smiled and leisurely replied: "Anyway, I'm your subordinate, it's only right to help you with something. Consider it a thank you for the ramen you treated me to tonight."