Chapter 130: The Third Hokage’s Reaction

Amegakure.

Staring at Nagato's now empty left eye socket, Obito clenched his teeth and asked angrily,

"Nagato, what on earth happened?"

Calmly, Nagato recounted the events from a few days ago in detail, from Konan being controlled by a mysterious force to losing his Rinnegan to the unknown assailant.

Obito fiddled with his fingers, his mind racing.

If his guess was correct, the person who had acted was likely the successor chosen by Madara. Someone being used as a pawn, much like himself in the past.

That eye technique capable of manipulating minds…

Could it be the ability of the attacker's Mangekyō Sharingan?

After all, genjutsu from a normal Sharingan would never escape the detection of Nagato's Rinnegan.

Obito's face darkened as he said,

"Nagato, you need to be extra cautious in the coming days. I have a feeling that someone in the shadows is scheming to overthrow the entire shinobi world."

Nagato placed a comforting hand on Obito's shoulder and spoke softly,

"You need to be careful too. Don't shoulder everything on your own—we are here to help you."

Obito looked at the gentle smile on Nagato's face and silently nodded.

Nagato, I will retrieve that eye for you. For you… and for the entire shinobi world.

Anger and frustration churned in Obito's heart.

If not for the constraints holding him back, how could he allow himself to be in such a passive position?

Perhaps it's time to make a change.

A few days later, shocking news spread like wildfire across the shinobi world.

The infamous "Darkness of the Shinobi" had met his end—not in a glorious battle, but by the hands of his own.

What's more, the Uchiha who killed him had awakened the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan!

"Do you think this rumor is true? The Mangekyō Sharingan? That eye hasn't appeared in decades!"

"If it's real, I'll dig those eyes out myself. They'd fetch an incredible price!"

"Hah, sounds like a death wish. You think you're stronger than the 'Darkness of the Shinobi'?"

"Shimura Danzō? Pfft, I could take him on any day! Even Namikaze Minato wouldn't stand a chance against me!"

"How drunk are you? Go home and sleep it off—just don't put your pillow too high tonight."

...

Konohagakure. Hokage's Office.

Minato stared at his student with a grave expression.

"Obito, I assume you've heard the rumors by now?"

Obito nodded silently.

"I've suppressed the rumors for now," Minato continued, "but I need to ask you—"

He looked directly into Obito's eyes.

"Is it true?"

Obito chuckled softly.

"It's true, Minato-sensei. I'll explain everything to the Third Hokage myself."

With that, Obito's figure disappeared in an instant.

Minato sat back at his desk, his expression complicated as he stared into space.

...

Outside the Third Hokage's Office.

Obito knocked lightly on the door.

"Come in," Hiruzen's calm voice sounded.

Stepping inside, Obito knelt on one knee.

The Third Hokage puffed on his pipe, his face obscured by smoke. Obito couldn't discern his expression.

"Was it you?" Hiruzen asked plainly.

Obito replied without hesitation, "It was me."

The Third Hokage nodded, turning to look out the window.

"I should have known… I should have known…"

After a deep drag on his pipe, Hiruzen spoke with a trace of melancholy.

"Danzō was killed by Amegakure shinobi. You had no part in it. I will personally clear your name."

He paused before continuing, "For now, leave Konoha. Consider it a chance to avoid the fallout… and give me some time to process everything."

While investigating his old friend's actions, Hiruzen had uncovered many of Danzō's schemes, some of which he had vaguely been aware of, but others…

Every revelation was more shocking than the last.

Hiruzen couldn't help but think that maybe… just maybe…

My old friend deserved to die.

But even so, Danzō had been his closest ally.

Obito bowed deeply.

"Thank you for your magnanimity, Third Hokage-sama. And for your guidance all these years—I've never forgotten your kindness."

Hiruzen, hands clasped behind his back, said nothing more.

As Obito left, he glanced back at the sorrowful figure of the Third Hokage.

Hiruzen stared out the window, as though seeing an image of Danzō. The man's eyes were half-closed, his lips curled in a mocking smile.

"You're the sunlight, Hiruzen. I am the root in the shadows. That's how it is, isn't it?"

Memories of their youth flooded back—two comrades rebuilding Konoha, turning it into the strongest shinobi village once more.

"It's all my fault…"

Hiruzen clenched his pipe tightly.

"If I hadn't ignored your feelings, you wouldn't have fallen into darkness. It's all my fault, Danzō…"

Walking down the street, Obito's gaze was cold and shadowed.

He was certain the rumors had been deliberately aimed at him.

Coupled with the attack on Nagato and the control exerted over Konan…

The mastermind is obvious.

"So… Madara's successor," Obito muttered with a smirk.

"Very well. Let's see what you're capable of."

At that moment, a figure landed beside him, a voice filled with concern.

"Obito, what's going on?"

Turning to Kakashi, Obito's expression shifted to a light-hearted smile.

"It's nothing. Just some cowardly fool hiding in the shadows trying to mess with me."

"If they stay hidden, that's fine. But now that they've shown their hand, I've got a lead."

Kakashi frowned.

"Cut the jokes. Tell me everything, now. Use the genjutsu space."

Obito was about to decline when Kakashi grabbed his wrist, his tone unyielding.

"I'm not asking, Obito. Do it."

Startled by Kakashi's determination, Obito reluctantly activated his Sharingan, transporting them into his genjutsu space.

Inside, Obito revealed nearly everything to Kakashi, withholding only details about the system and his own origins.

Kakashi rubbed his forehead protector, deep in thought.

"What do you think their ultimate goal is?"

Since Obito had decided to come clean, he didn't hold back.

"Based on ancient texts and my own deductions, they're likely trying to summon the Ten-Tails."

Kakashi's eyes widened.

"The Ten-Tails? Isn't that just a legend?"

Obito gestured to his eyes with a smirk.

"And the Mangekyō Sharingan isn't?"

"Besides, with the Rinnegan already appearing, do you really think the Ten-Tails is just a myth?"

Slowly, Kakashi nodded.

"If that's the case, then going after Rinnegan must be part of their plan to revive it…"

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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