The next day, Konohagakure received a telegraph from the Federation. While on a mission, Federation shinobi had discovered what appeared to be a base belonging to Uchiha Obito, a known missing-nin from Konoha. They asked if Konoha wanted assistance with the matter and included both the base's coordinates and intel related to Obito's Kamui.
Hyuga Gakuya's exact words were:
"The existence of Uchiha Obito poses a serious threat to the Federation's national security. If Konoha doesn't take action, the Supreme Leader will be forced to clean house on your behalf."
When this intel landed on Tsunade's desk, she rubbed her temples in frustration. If the Federation made a move before Konoha did, it would send a message to the other nations that Konoha was powerless.
But the problem was… Uchiha Obito wasn't just any rogue ninja—he was an S-rank missing-nin. He once controlled the Nine-Tails and was indirectly responsible for the death of the Fourth Hokage.
Even as Hokage, Tsunade didn't have enough capable hands to throw at this. She could only entrust the mission to Jiraiya again. With intel on Obito's dōjutsu and support from the Anbu, it should be enough.
"Summon Jiraiya, Shikaku, Inoichi, and Choza. Bring them here," Tsunade ordered.
"Yes, ma'am."
Not long after, the four arrived at the Hokage's office, with Naruto trailing behind them.
"Naruto, step outside for now."
"No. I'm going. I want to help Pervy Sage take revenge for my parents!" Naruto clenched his fists.
Tsunade frowned and turned to Jiraiya. "How did he find out?"
Jiraiya shrugged and pulled out a newspaper.
"Shinobi World Times. Front page headline: 'Uchiha Obito, Konoha S-Rank Missing-Nin, Spotted in the Federation. Konoha Fails to Act.' The Federation's putting pressure on us."
"We don't have the luxury of ignoring this anymore."
Tsunade was furious. She knew how much influence the Shinobi World Times held. If Konoha didn't take swift action, mission requests would start drying up fast—an economic disaster for the village.
While celebrities and nobles fought tooth and nail to appear on the front page, Hyuga Gakuya casually handed the spotlight to Obito.
Naruto had been a loyal fan of Battle Across the Shinobi World, the serialized story backed by Gakuya, so when he saw the report, he immediately connected the dots and realized Gakuya had prepared that intel for him.
This was Gakuya's second move: ensuring Kakashi, Naruto, and the others learned the truth. Kakashi, who Obito could never bring himself to kill, would be key to weakening him. With Kakashi in play, Gakuya's plan was halfway complete.
Unfortunately, Rin's corpse was most likely still in Obito's possession. Gakuya hadn't been able to find it—otherwise, he could have… well, either way, he harbored no sympathy for the man responsible for indirectly killing his family.
From the moment Gakuya first laid eyes on Obito, he wanted to kill him. He'd simply been forced to wait—until now.
Just then, Kakashi pushed open the Hokage's office door and dropped to one knee.
"Hokage-sama, allow me to go! With my understanding of Obito, I can bring him down."
When Kakashi first learned Obito had orchestrated the Nine-Tails attack all those years ago, he couldn't believe it.
The same Obito who once said "Those who abandon their comrades are worse than scum"... had become the one responsible for their teacher's and Kushina's deaths?
But the intel—and Obito's love for Rin—left no room for doubt.
Kakashi blamed himself. If he hadn't accidentally killed Rin, Obito wouldn't have turned out like this. It all traced back to his own weakness.
If it all began with me… then I'll be the one to end it.
Even if it costs me my life.
Tsunade let out a sigh. "Fine. You'll lead First Anbu Division. Jiraiya and the Ino-Shika-Cho squad will join the mission to eliminate Uchiha Obito."
"Understood!"
Naruto immediately protested.
"I'm coming too!"
Before Tsunade could reply, Kakashi turned to Naruto with a serious gaze.
"Naruto, you're still not strong enough. Leave this to me. Obito killed your parents, but the Fourth was my teacher too. I'll make sure he answers for it."
Naruto trusted Kakashi. Even if Kakashi had once hidden the truth about his identity, that was Hiruzen's doing, not his.
Jiraiya stepped forward and rested a hand on Naruto's shoulder.
"Leave it to us, Naruto."
Naruto stared at them both with unwavering eyes. He knew they meant well—but he was tired of relying on others. He took a deep breath and said,
"Kakashi-sensei, Jiraiya-sensei… I know you're both strong. But this time, I want to fight Obito myself. I want to avenge my father with my own strength."
The others exchanged glances, seeing the determination burning in his eyes. After a long silence, Tsunade finally relented.
"Fine. But Yamato's going with you. And you'll follow orders. Got it?"
"Thank you!"
...
Deep in the forests of the Land of Grass, a squad of over twenty Konoha shinobi moved swiftly through the dense woods.
Naruto barely spoke the entire way, his mind replaying dreams of the family life he could never have.
He will pay. No matter what.
This Naruto was different. Thanks to Gakuya's influence, he knew more than the original timeline ever allowed. The power of hatred had driven him to train harder and longer than ever before. After more than a year of intense training, his strength had reached a whole new level.
At the same time, Obito received word from White Zetsu.
"Obito, it looks like Konoha's onto us. They're heading this way."
"Who?" Obito asked, not turning away from the crystal coffin before him. Inside, Rin lay in eternal slumber, preserved by the Hashirama cells embedded in her chest.
"Jiraiya. Shikaku. And that idiot Kakashi you talk about all the time…"
Obito's eyes narrowed at the name. He glanced down at Rin once more, a familiar surge of rage bubbling inside him.
"So… they finally figured out who I am. Then let's give my old friends a reunion."
He activated Kamui, pulling the coffin into his personal dimension.
...
As the Konoha squad moved forward, a figure appeared on the path ahead—a man in black, wearing a red spiral mask, with crimson Sharingan glowing through the eyeholes.
In an instant, the Konoha shinobi surrounded him—but Obito, armed with both versions of Kamui, wasn't fazed.
"Kakashi. I hear you've been looking for me?" he said, his voice low and deliberate.
Kakashi immediately recognized him. There was no mistaking it.
"Obito…" he murmured, his eyes fixed on the masked man standing casually on a branch.
"I have only one question," Kakashi said, voice cold. "Why? Why did you kill our sensei and Kushina? She was always kind to you. And if you hated me for not protecting Rin… why didn't you just kill me?"
Obito's voice was flat. "Because your life still had value. Killing you wouldn't have served my purpose."
"Then I'll make you pay for it!" Naruto's eyes burned with rage, turning red as he glared at the man who'd murdered his parents.
Thanks to Gakuya's—and the Nine-Tails'—tough love and relentless training, Naruto had changed. He could now direct real killing intent toward an enemy like this.
But… if he ever learned Obito's full story, he might just forgive him after all.
Obito turned his gaze toward the blond boy beside Jiraiya.
"You're… Naruto, huh? Heh. Funny. I even held you once when you were a baby. Guess you don't remember that, do you?"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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