"That brat really doesn't play by the rules. He was actually planning to just walk away and ignore it."
Inside the dimensional space, Black Zetsu stood beside Obito, unable to resist complaining.
Obito snorted and finally spoke.
"Hmph. That's exactly why Konoha has become more and more rotten. Back then, we were willing to give everything for this village—especially Rin.
Now that I think about it… Rin truly gave her devotion to the wrong place. Hmph. Konoha."
Obito had spent so long in Kirigakure that he'd long since learned the truth behind Rin's death.
Why she chose to die by Kakashi's hand.
For the village.
To prevent the Three-Tails from causing catastrophic destruction in Konoha.
For that reason, she had been willing to die.
He knew all of this.
But knowing didn't mean forgiving.
He couldn't forgive Kakashi—and he would never accept Rin's will or her choice.
Now, Obito had only one desire left:
To create a world of his own.
A world with a real Rin.
A world with Kakashi and the others.
…
Obito was indulging in his own tragic self-romance, while Black Zetsu silently glanced at him.
Nohara Rin was actually killed by us.
That thought stayed firmly unspoken.
Black Zetsu knew exactly how insane Obito had gone in Kirigakure—everything he'd done there was nothing more than revenge for that woman.
After all, it was Kirigakure that sealed the Three-Tails into her body, and it was Kirigakure's relentless pursuit that forced her to choose death at Kakashi's hands.
But the truth was—
That entire incident had been arranged by Uchiha Madara.
Nohara Rin's death was part of Madara's script.
And Obito?
Just a disposable tool.
Of course, this tool was now holding more and more power.
Someday, he might even stumble upon the truth.
"…That kid's moving."
Shaking his head, Black Zetsu pushed those thoughts aside. It didn't matter.
There was a "bomb" embedded in Obito's heart. If he ever dared rebel, Black Zetsu would gladly send him to reunite with Rin.
Black Zetsu focused on Ren.
Ren had drawn a kunai.
That puzzled him.
"What is this kid planning to do?"
"No idea," Obito replied coldly, looking down with disdain.
"Whatever it is, it's just pointless struggling. What—does he actually dare kill Uchiha Itachi?"
But the moment Obito finished speaking, Ren's muttering reached their ears.
"Looks like someone's trying to frame me… but who?"
Ren tilted his head, kunai in hand, thinking aloud.
"And this guy goes out in the middle of the night… on a mission?"
"What does the one framing me want? What's their goal?"
"…But now, I can't really explain anything."
"No witnesses. No clear trail. No one else saw anything."
"And I'm the only one at the scene. The attacker deliberately dumped him here—so they must've planned this carefully."
"If Uchiha Itachi wakes up… he'll probably assume it was me immediately, right?"
"But… besides me, who else can use Flying Thunder God?"
"Unless it's not Flying Thunder God at all—just a similar space–time technique."
Not bad.
Hearing Ren's analysis, both Obito and Black Zetsu nodded silently.
Seeing Itachi and immediately piecing together so much—even brushing against parts of their plan—
That alone proved this brat was genuinely exceptional.
After all, intelligence analysis was one of the most critical skills a shinobi could possess.
"…Looks like there's no choice."
"I'm from Root. And Lord Danzō despises the Uchiha."
"No matter how you look at it, I can't explain myself. I might even drag Root down with me."
Ren continued muttering as he slowly walked toward Itachi.
The kunai in his hand gleamed with a cold, murderous light.
"I'm sorry. I can't implicate Root—so I'll have to trouble you instead."
"You just became a chūnin. I was even your examiner."
"I do feel a bit bad… but helping your examiner out, I think you'd be willing, right?"
—What?
What the hell is this kid planning?!
Obito and Black Zetsu froze.
A deep sense of dread surged through them as Ren spoke again.
"You just made chūnin. Overly motivated. To prove you're an outstanding Uchiha ninja, you chose to carry out a mission alone."
"But unfortunately, the mission's difficulty far exceeded your expectations."
"Isolated. Unsupported."
"In the end, you died out there."
…You bastard, you actually dare?!
By this point, both Obito and Black Zetsu were completely stunned.
They had never expected Ren to be this decisive.
This ruthless.
Uchiha Itachi was no ordinary target.
He was the clan head's son.
If he died, the impact on Konoha would be enormous.
And more importantly—Itachi was ANBU. Well-liked. Trusted.
By all logic, Ren should've followed ANBU rules.
But now it was clear—
This little bastard didn't care at all.
He was the type who'd do anything for himself.
"Oh, right," Ren added casually, twirling the kunai.
"You're an exceptional Uchiha. Your eyes… the enemy definitely wouldn't let those go."
He paused, then smiled faintly.
"Don't worry. I'll take your eyes and carry your will with me—live on properly in your stead."
That was it.
Obito completely lost it.
Those words—
They were exactly what he'd said to Kakashi back when he was crushed beneath the boulders.
"Rest easy," Ren continued calmly.
"After your body turns to bones, I might 'accidentally' find it and bring it back."
"Then you can reunite with your family."
"…Isn't that nice?"
"Enough. Time to go."
"Farewell, Uchiha Itachi."
You lunatic!
Obito was screaming curses internally.
Itachi was a seed he'd carefully selected—a piece of immense value.
No matter what, he could not allow that seed to die here.
And now it felt like he himself had pushed it to the brink.
"I said—STOP!"
Obito finally roared.
The next instant, his figure burst out of Kamui space.
He had to stop Ren.
Even if Itachi was going to die—
There was no way it could be handled like this.
At the very least, someone had to witness it—so it could properly stimulate Uchiha Shisui.
"…Hm?"
But the moment Obito appeared, a kunai was already hurtling straight toward him.
In the next heartbeat, Ren vanished.
And his voice arrived alongside the flying blade—
"You finally showed yourself, you bastard."
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