Swish!
Obito and Senju Nawaki dashed across the open sea, their eyes locked on the retreating Kirigakure army ahead. The waves beneath them surged with chakra, rippling with tension as the two Konoha shinobi pushed forward.
Behind the main Kirigakure force, dozens of ANBU operatives sprang into action, their masked faces emotionless. All except for two—who still carried the unconscious forms of Kakashi and Rin across their shoulders.
The ANBU flanked the main force, splitting into two units as they surged forward at blinding speed. In perfect unison, they formed seals with their hands and struck the ocean's surface.
Crash!
The sea beneath Obito and Nawaki roared as if awakened from slumber. The water rippled violently before rising into an enormous, towering wave. The tsunami loomed overhead, its shadow swallowing the two shinobi whole. The sound of the water was deafening, like the roar of a ferocious beast ready to devour them.
From the shoreline, Konoha's forces watched in horror.
Fugaku's face was grim. The sea is their domain, he thought bitterly. Every time Konoha had pursued the Mist to the coastline, they were forced to retreat. The Kirigakure shinobi, masters of water-style jutsu, were nearly unstoppable on the open ocean.
The combined ninjutsu of dozens of elite ANBU from Kirigakure was not something any single shinobi could withstand.
Obito felt it in his bones—the cold grip of death creeping closer. His hair stood on end, his heart pounding painfully in his chest. Is this how it ends?
"Don't be afraid," Nawaki said softly, standing at Obito's side. His eyes flashed with determination as his hands moved swiftly, forming seals.
"Water Style: Twin Water Dragon Jutsu!"
Crash!
The sea behind Nawaki erupted, churning wildly as two massive streams of water surged upward. Chakra pulsed through the waves as Nawaki let out a fierce shout.
Roar!
The water streams twisted and coiled, transforming into two enormous, serpentine dragons. Their bodies intertwined, gleaming under the dim light, their eyes fierce and unyielding. The dragons roared as they lunged forward, meeting the tsunami head-on.
The clash was monumental. The dragons did not falter, their power undiminished even against the towering wave.
The combined roar of the dragons and the crashing tsunami echoed across the battlefield, leaving both Konoha and Kirigakure shinobi in stunned silence.
"Such power… That's an S-rank jutsu!" Hyuga Tenki gasped, his Byakugan wide with shock. Fugaku and the other Konoha leaders stood frozen, equally awestruck.
Senju Nawaki's mastery of water-style ninjutsu was legendary, even on land where water was scarce. But here, on the open sea, he was a force of nature—an equal to any Kage.
The twin dragons surged forward, entangling themselves further as they crashed into the monstrous wave.
BOOM!
The two powerful jutsu collided, sending shockwaves through the ocean. The surrounding waters rose and fell violently, creating chaos in their wake.
Nawaki grabbed Obito's arm, pulling him away just before the raging water engulfed the spot where they'd stood.
Swish!
"Water Style: Flash Water Technique!" Shisui's voice echoed from behind as he appeared, carrying Obito across the turbulent waves with astonishing speed.
The Kirigakure army struggled to maintain their footing, battling against the aftermath of the clashing jutsu. In the chaos, Obito and Nawaki spotted a gap in the enemy formation, their path to Kakashi and Rin briefly exposed.
Nawaki set Obito down and formed seals rapidly, his eyes scanning the battlefield.
Plop! Plop!
Suddenly, the sea surged once more. A massive curtain of water rose, blocking their path and severing their chance to bypass the Kirigakure forces.
Nawaki didn't hesitate. He spat out a high-pressure stream of water, slicing through part of the barrier.
"Go!" Nawaki ordered, dashing through the opening.
But the moment they broke through, dozens of Kirigakure ANBU surrounded them. Nawaki didn't flinch. He moved quickly, using his body-flicker technique to teleport Obito to a safer position.
"I'll handle them. Get to Kakashi and Rin!" Nawaki shouted.
Obito, standing on the edge of the battle, clenched his fists tightly. An overwhelming sense of helplessness gnawed at his heart. I'm not strong enough… No matter how much he wanted to fight, he knew he couldn't defeat the Kirigakure ANBU alone.
Swish!
As despair set in, Obito heard the familiar sound of footsteps on water. He turned to see reinforcements from Konoha approaching swiftly.
His heart leapt with hope.
"They're here!" Obito shouted, his voice echoing over the waves. "Everyone, let's rescue Kakashi and Rin together!"
But his hope was shattered in an instant.
"Uchiha Obito," Fugaku's commanding voice rang out from the front of the Konoha forces, "I order you to retreat with the army immediately!"
Obito froze, the words slicing through him like a blade. The elation on his face dissolved into shock, his eyes hollowing as Fugaku's order echoed in his mind.
Why?
"Obito, come back!" Shisui shouted, his voice filled with urgency. But Obito couldn't process the words. His mind was clouded with confusion and betrayal.
Why are we retreating? Why are we leaving them behind?
Obito's vision darkened, his heart pounding in his chest. He couldn't hear anything anymore—just a deafening silence that swallowed him whole.
"AHHH!" Obito roared, his voice filled with anguish. Without warning, he spun around and bolted toward the enemy lines.
"That idiot!" Fugaku growled, his face twisting with frustration. But it was too late—Obito had already thrown himself into the fray.
Nawaki, still locked in battle with the ANBU, noticed Obito's reckless charge.
What are you doing, Obito?!
Obito fought with wild abandon, trying to break through the enemy lines. But his skill, even with the power of his Sharingan, wasn't enough. The Kirigakure ANBU swarmed him, their movements precise and deadly.
Still, Obito fought on, ignoring the searing pain as blades slashed at his flesh. His Sharingan spun wildly, his vision blurring from blood loss.
"Obito!" Shisui shouted, his face contorted in anguish as he finally broke from the Konoha ranks and sprinted toward his friend.
But he was too late.
A Kirigakure ANBU appeared behind Obito, his sword gleaming under the dim light. In one swift motion, he drove the blade through Obito's back.
Swish!
Obito's body jerked violently, his Sharingan trembling in his eye socket.
The ANBU yanked the blade free, and Obito's scarlet eyes slowly dulled, fading back to black.
Shisui watched in horror as Obito's body crumpled, collapsing to the water's surface.
Even in his final moments, Obito's lips moved faintly, whispering a name.
Rin…
As the world darkened around him, the last image Obito saw was Rin's gentle smile. Tears welled in his eyes, mixing with the dirt and blood on his face.
I'm sorry, Rin… I couldn't protect you…
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