Chapter 70: Obito Exposed! Kakashi's Transformation!

Chapter 70: Obito Exposed! Kakashi's Transformation!

Obito stood in a forest, lost in thought with a gloomy expression.

Zetsu emerged from the ground, puzzled. "Why didn't you kill Kakashi? If this goes on, your identity might be exposed."

Obito replied in a low voice, "Ishihara has appeared in Konoha. It won't be long before my identity is revealed, but it doesn't matter."

He glanced at the Mangekyō Sharingan in his hand, his gaze cold.

"Kakashi, continue to struggle in pain and regret!"

...

The enemy's attack came quickly and ended just as fast.

Yamato and his team rushed over when they heard Kakashi's voice. They were shocked to find that his Sharingan had been gouged out.

No matter how much they questioned him, Kakashi remained silent.

He couldn't be sure if the enemy was Obito, leaving him in turmoil.

After quickly bandaging his wound, the group hurriedly brought Kakashi back to Konoha.

Kakashi was taken to the ninja hospital for treatment, while Yamato and the others went to report to the Third Hokage.

...

At the Hokage's office, Yamato and his team reported the situation.

The Third Hokage was stunned. "Kakashi's Sharingan was taken?"

He had every reason to be shocked.

Ishihara had just appeared in Konoha, and now Kakashi's Sharingan was stolen—it was hard not to suspect something.

Considering the ongoing tension between Konoha's upper echelon and the Uchiha clan, the Uchiha were also potential suspects.

The Third Hokage felt that the already complicated situation was becoming even more tangled.

Since Yamato couldn't provide more information, he immediately rushed to the ninja hospital.

At this time, Konoha's various factions, spurred by Ishihara's presence, had intensified their intelligence-gathering efforts, closely watching the movements of other clans.

The news of Kakashi losing his Sharingan couldn't be kept secret and quickly spread to all the major clans.

...

In the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Fugaku was explaining the situation to clan members eager to approach Ishihara and awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.

He needed to hypnotize them through genjutsu, planting a seed in their minds.

The goal was to ensure that when they awakened the Mangekyō, the eye technique they unlocked would help them break free from Ishihara's control.

This method had never been attempted before, even in Uchiha history, and Fugaku was merely experimenting. Thus, the longer the genjutsu lasted, the better.

However, upon hearing the news about Kakashi, Fugaku couldn't contain his anger. He immediately abandoned the plan and stormed toward the ninja hospital.

...

At the ninja hospital, Kakashi was still undergoing surgery.

Eye transplant surgeries were so common in the ninja world that even a Chūnin like Rin Nohara had been able to perform one. Let alone a fully equipped ninja hospital.

Moreover, as a military force, Konoha quickly found a compatible eye for Kakashi and immediately performed the transplant.

Outside the operating room, the Third Hokage paced back and forth with a heavy heart.

Just then, an enraged Fugaku arrived.

"Where's Kakashi? Tell him to come out and see me!"

The Third Hokage immediately became guarded.

After all, the Uchiha clan was highly suspected of being involved in the attack on Kakashi, and Fugaku, as a Mangekyō Sharingan user, posed a significant threat.

"Kakashi is still in surgery. Clan leader Fugaku, I ask for your patience," the Third Hokage said sternly.

Fugaku glanced at the still-lit operating room and, with a cold expression, stood to the side in silence.

Both men remained quiet, while their subordinates exchanged wary glances.

Patients and hospital staff nearby carefully avoided the tense scene.

Time slowly passed.

Ding!

The light above the operating room door went out, and Kakashi, with his left eye bandaged, stepped out.

Seeing the Third Hokage and Fugaku waiting, Kakashi gave a bitter smile. "Please, both of you, follow me."

Kakashi led them to the rooftop of the ninja hospital.

The area was surrounded by both the Anbu and the Konoha Police Force.

Fugaku, unable to contain his anger any longer, demanded, "Kakashi, you'd better give me a clear explanation as to why the Sharingan disappeared! Otherwise, the Uchiha won't forgive you!"

Back when Kakashi received the Sharingan, it was almost certain that Minato Namikaze would become the Fourth Hokage.

For the sake of the future Hokage, Fugaku had endured immense pressure from within the clan to allow Kakashi to keep the eye.

It was the first time in Uchiha history that an outsider possessed the Sharingan.

The pressure he had endured was unimaginable.

Now, Kakashi had let the Sharingan be stolen, and its whereabouts were unknown—something the Uchiha could not tolerate.

The Third Hokage remained silent, fully aware of the stakes.

If this matter wasn't handled properly, it could ignite the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha's leadership.

But Kakashi was one of his people, and he had to protect him. With a cold expression, he asked, "Fugaku, are you certain this wasn't done by someone from your Uchiha clan?"

Fugaku, enraged, laughed coldly.

"Hokage-sama, is there anyone more informed than you about whether the Uchiha elite are in Konoha?"

"Do you think anyone besides me could have taken Kakashi's Sharingan?!"

Both men knew about the Anbu's surveillance of the Uchiha clan.

Bringing it up now only highlighted the ongoing tension between the Uchiha and Konoha, making the atmosphere even heavier.

The Third Hokage frowned. This was why he only suspected the Uchiha and hadn't outright accused them.

Kakashi, seeing this, felt troubled.

He didn't want to get involved in the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha's leadership, but now he had become a key trigger.

He realized he could no longer keep silent, or it might lead to further escalation.

After a moment of contemplation, Kakashi sighed, his expression darkening.

"Hokage-sama, Clan Leader Fugaku, I believe I know who took my Sharingan."

Both men perked up, asking in unison, "Who? Was it Ishihara?"

Kakashi was startled for a moment, then shook his head.

They both sighed in relief.

If it had been Ishihara, the situation would have been much more complicated.

"Then who was it?"

Kakashi took a deep breath and softly uttered two words.

"Obito."

"Uchiha Obito?!"

The Third Hokage and Fugaku asked with grim expressions.

After all, Obito was supposed to be dead—was Kakashi trying to fool them?

Kakashi looked dejected.

"I know it sounds unbelievable, but don't forget, Obito's body was never found; he was only presumed dead."

"And the way he looked at me when he took my Sharingan... No one else but Obito could have had that gaze."

"His strength is immense, and I saw him wielding a three-tomoe Sharingan. I suspect he's already awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan."

"As for why he took my Sharingan, it must be related to the Mangekyō."

Though he didn't want to associate his former friend with the mysterious, cold man, Kakashi couldn't think of anyone else.

That gaze… he must resent me for failing to protect Rin...

Kakashi sighed as painful memories flooded back, his expression growing even more despondent.

The Third Hokage and Fugaku were both shaken.

Though they couldn't be certain, Kakashi's explanation made sense.

The Third Hokage frowned deeply. With tensions between the Uchiha and Konoha already high, now there was the possible appearance of Uchiha Obito, who may have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan with unknown allegiances.

This made the Hokage feel a deep sense of unease.

Especially considering Obito's attitude—it was certainly not in favor of Konoha and could even be hostile.

After all, Obito had seemingly died in one of Konoha's external wars.

"Damn it!" the Third Hokage cursed inwardly.

Fugaku was equally troubled.

Though the Sharingan may not have fallen into outsider hands, Obito's possible allegiances were worrisome.

Fugaku thought carefully and told Kakashi, "I'll investigate this matter. If the culprit is Obito, then fine, but if it's not..."

He pointed at Kakashi, snorted coldly, and left.

Kakashi sighed, offering no response.

The Third Hokage's brow furrowed.

Fugaku's assertiveness gave him a bad feeling—the conflict with the Uchiha seemed to be drawing closer.

He couldn't shake the sense of urgency.

Looking at the disheartened Kakashi, the Third Hokage sighed.

Kakashi was one of Konoha's top Jonin. Losing someone of his caliber at this time would be disastrous.

He had to help Kakashi recover.

The Third Hokage patted Kakashi's shoulder.

"Kakashi, don't be discouraged. We still can't be certain the enemy is Obito."

"If you want to uncover the truth, this won't do."

"Just think about it. If it really is Obito, don't you want to know what happened to him? What could have turned him into someone who wouldn't return to the village?"

Kakashi trembled at the words, snapping out of his daze.

"You're right, Lord Hokage. Now isn't the time to wallow in despair. I'll recover as soon as possible!" Kakashi responded firmly.

The Third Hokage was relieved to see Kakashi regain his composure. He offered words of encouragement, "Although the Sharingan has been a great asset to you, it's also hindered your growth. Kakashi, you're one of the geniuses of our village. But over the past decade, your progress has stagnated. Losing the Sharingan might actually be a blessing in disguise."

Kakashi gently touched his newly transplanted eye and nodded in agreement. The Sharingan had indeed been a huge strain on his body. Keeping it active at all times consumed a significant amount of his chakra, and since he wasn't an Uchiha by blood, the burden was even heavier.

Now that it was gone, he felt oddly relieved, almost as if he'd returned to the state of his younger self. But as thoughts of Obito, Rin, and the Fourth Hokage filled his mind, Kakashi made a silent vow.

"I need to move forward. Rin, Obito, Sensei... I will become stronger. No matter what Obito has gone through, I'll bring him back!" Kakashi thought resolutely.

With his renewed determination, Kakashi was eager to get back to training. After bidding the Third Hokage a quick farewell, he rushed home. There, he unearthed his father's long-forgotten sword techniques, as well as the scroll for his famed Lightning Blade technique.

"With Ishihara still in Konoha, this could be the perfect opportunity for me," Kakashi mused, eyes filled with resolve.