[The author didn't originally plan to write dumb villains, so Shana was intentionally made a bit nauseating.]
Obito continued speaking.
"The Ten-Tails is the origin of all chakra in this world, a beast of calamity destined to bring about its end. Mastering its power would make one the equal of the legendary Sage of Six Paths."
Kakashi touched his forehead protector, his expression grim.
"I won't even ask how you know all this… Do you have a way to stop them?"
Obito nodded and replied,
"That depends on how the Ten-Tails is summoned..."
After some discussion, Obito solemnly said,
"I'll be leaving the village for a while. Can I trust you to look after my grandmother and Rin?"
Though Kamui was like a long-distance relationship cheat code, he knew that once he got busy, returning to Konoha often would be impossible.
Hmm… maybe he could sneak back occasionally to leave a shadow clone behind?
Kakashi frowned slightly and asked,
"What are you planning to do?"
Shrugging, Obito said,
"Staying in Konoha is too restrictive. I can't deal with these people properly while I'm here. Now that they've exposed me, I might as well join the game and see how they like it."
Kakashi sighed, pulling a kunai from his pouch and handing it to Obito.
"I won't try to stop you. Just be careful. And… don't go overboard."
Grinning, Obito took the kunai and tucked it into his cloak.
"Relax. I've got a sense of proportion. I never act recklessly."
Kakashi let out a dry laugh.
You, Obito, truly don't know yourself.
"Take care."
"Stay safe."
After parting ways with Kakashi, Obito sought out his cousin.
"Shisui, I'll be away from the village for a while. Try to spend more time with the elders when you can."
Shisui looked at Obito with concern.
"Cousin… is this related to those rumors?"
As a member of the ANBU, Shisui had, of course, heard the whispers.
Ruffling Shisui's hair, Obito chuckled.
"No, it's personal business I need to handle."
Shisui's doubtful gaze made Obito sigh inwardly.
Well, it's not his fault for being suspicious. After all, I've spent so much time fooling him before.
"It's true. The Third Hokage will soon clarify the rumors himself," Obito said.
After reassuring his skeptical cousin, Obito returned home.
Opening a small cabinet, he revealed a neat row of masks. Running his hand over them, Obito chuckled softly.
"So, which one fits the occasion best… This one should do."
He picked up a white mask and placed it over his face. Staring at his reflection, he smiled in satisfaction.
"Not bad."
The white mask was adorned with sparse black circular lines and three comma-like holes, forming the shape of a three-tomoe Sharingan.
As his Sharingan suddenly lit up, the mask seemed to come alive, exuding an aura of defiance and dominance.
Draping a blue robe over his shoulders, Obito murmured,
"I am no one, nor do I wish to be anyone. But starting now, I will reshape this world to my will."
The Third Hokage soon publicly addressed the rumors, dismissing them as malicious lies intended to sow discord in Konoha.
Most villagers who were on good terms with Obito felt relieved.
But a select few—Kakashi, Shikayu, and Shisui among them—knew the truth was far more complicated. Yet, they chose to remain silent.
Obito, of course, was unaware of this.
By then, he had already left the village. He even took a leisurely stroll just outside Konoha's borders before vanishing into the wilderness.
Obito's plan was straightforward: since they wanted to force him out of Konoha, they must have ulterior motives, likely intending to ambush him.
So he decided to play along, exposing his movements and waiting for them to make their move.
You want to fish me out? Fine. I'll follow the bait and see who catches who.
The hunter often appears in the guise of prey. At this moment, both sides saw the other as the hunted.
But until the final moment, who could truly say who was the hunter and who was the hunted?
That night, Obito sat by a campfire, warming himself.
A large rabbit hopped by, catching his eye.
"What an adorable bunny!"
A moment later, he sighed in mock sympathy.
"Out so late in the cold? Let me warm you up."
Fifteen minutes later, Obito turned the rabbit over the fire, seasoning it with a grin.
"Smells amazing!"
As he ate, his thoughts drifted.
If they dare come for me despite knowing I have Kamui, they must have some way to counter it. I should be wary of any strange dojutsu…
Some ocular jutsu could bypass space and operate without a medium. Kamui might not completely block such techniques.
Though he had some resistance to the other's Mangekyo Sharingan abilities, Obito didn't want to gamble unless absolutely necessary.
Once dinner was finished, he entered the Kamui dimension, sprawled on a small bed, and fell into a deep sleep.
Meanwhile, back in Konoha, Kakashi returned home, exhausted.
Looking at his empty bedroom, he fell into a daze.
"I'm pretty sure there used to be a bed here..."
Thanks to Obito, tonight a handsome guy could only sleep on the floor.
While Obito slept, a ninja silently arrived at his campfire.
Reaching out to feel the lingering warmth, they muttered,
"It's still warm. He should be nearby."
"Unit 18, notify the other squads and have them converge here immediately," the ninja instructed.
The branches rustled as a figure dashed off into the distance.
The next day, Obito emerged from the Kamui dimension, refreshed.
"Ah, that was a great sleep!"
He now stood miles away from his previous campsite.
Using Kamui too obviously would be suspicious. A bit of physical travel makes the game more interesting and keeps them chasing their tails. That way, they'll take the bait without hesitation.
Let's see who outplays who.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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