Chapter Eleven

Obito sat on the couch in the Hokage's office with his head bowed. Everything felt numb, nerves scraped raw. He wanted to cry like he had when his parents had died. Screaming himself hoarse from pain wasn't the same.

No! There was still too much to do. He could have his breakdown later.

Across from him, Kakashi was sprawled out on the couch, one hand covering his face, the other curled around the bundled nest of blankets Naruto was sleeping soundly.

Naruto had quieted down after the action had tapered off. Obito and Kakashi had been collected alongside Naruto and brought to the Hokage's tower, regaining consciousness along the way.

Kushina's body had been recovered, a kunai through the eye. By the looks of things, she had tried to put up a fight, up to the bitter end. The ANBU had laid her next to her husband under vigil of the Hokage's guard.

Lost in thoughts as he was, he barely reacted when Rin returned.

"Biwako-sama didn't make it," she said, somberly.

Obito ground his teeth together. Another failure. The casualty list was growing by the minute. Shinku Yuhi, Ikkaku and Kohari Umino, and that was just the start. There were plenty more wounded that weren't expecting to survive, and others who had flat gone missing in the chaos and had yet to be found.

Rin crossed the room and knelt next to Naruto,

"How are you feeling Obito?" she asked.

"Almost centenarian."

The door opened again, an ANBU ushering the Sandiame into the room, the Hokage's hat once again sitting on his head. Jiraiya followed him in, shutting the door behind them. The three young shinobi sat up to stand, but were lightly dismissed by the Sandiame.

"At ease," he said. "Thank you for waiting."

Jiariya leaned over Naruto, inspecting the array centered on the baby's belly.

"The seal is holding," he said after a minute of scrutiny. "I'll be checking it as the he grows, but I have every confidence my student did a solid job."

"Hokage-sama?"

"If we could speak elsewhere?"

The group filed into another room, located deeper in the Hokage Tower. No sooner had the door closed and the security seals activated, the Hokage started speaking again.

"As it stands, without a clan to facilitate his upbringing and protection, the current plan is to set him up in the orphanage."

"What?!" the three younger shinobi exclaimed

"Why can't Jiraya take him in?" Rin asked. "He's his godfather, isn't he?!"

Jiraya looked uncharacteristically grim. "Someone was able to get classified information from within the village, down to the timing, personnel, and deployments, then infiltrate with at least four agents. Agents skilled enough to go against ANBU, assorted jōnin and jōnin-level fighters, up to and including our Hokage. I'm going to be on the road a bunch for the foreseeable future figuring out how the hell that happened. Hardly the ideal way to raise a kid, much less a newborn, even without infiltrating hostile countries in complex disguises."

"And that's more important than doing your job as a godfather?"

"Listen, brat, and listen well. I'm not anymore happy about this than you are, but there's a reason for this."

The Sandiame cleared his throat. "Before Biwako passed, she managed to describe the attackers in part. And from both ANBU and your own reports, it confirms that these assailants had high-level Sharingan abilities."

Obito's eye widened at the implication. "But what about Madara? This is the sort of thing he'd do, right? Why can't we just let that one out?"

"If we're lucky, you're right," Jiraiya added, "and it's just a vindictive old coot and some disciples he drummed up while in exile causing an unexpectedly potent ruckus. If that proves to be the case, then we will."

"And if we're unlucky?"

"Then someone, or several someones within the Uchiha clan may have orchestrated this of their own volition. Or worse, they are colluding with Madara, meaning traitors within our own village and we have no way of tracking them down without deepening a rift between the village and those still loyal to it."

The Sandiame tapped on his pipe. "I want to clear out some rumors to avoid a civil war in Konoha, and right now, the safest thing is to put some distance between us and the boy until we have a better feel for potential enemies, both outside our walls and within."

"Add that to the fact that raising a boy that resembles the Yondiame would likely clue others into the boy's identity long before he would be able to receive training, much less be capable of defending against whatever assassins inevitably come after him. Any attempts at concealing his features would either draw more attention or be otherwise harmful to the child."

"What about one of us?" Kakashi asked.

"You have the same problems as I do. You were his genin, something that puts you on the shit-list of a lot of people just by association. None of you are really low-profile, either. People would make the connection just as fast, if not faster. And before you think about tying yourself to the village, I would be willing to bet that one of Minato's enemies would be crazy enough to piss off one of the great villages just to get back at him."

"As impressive as you kids are, you're still a little young to handle raising a child on your own. I've seen young parents try to handle it on their own, and it rarely ends well."

Rin stared down at her hands. "So you're just going to dump him into the orphanage?"

"No!" Obito snapped.

Everyone turned at his outburst.

The Hokage broke silence first. "Obito-kun?"

"If the idea is safety in secrecy, he'd also need a reliable form of security on top of that. The orphanage wouldn't cut it, not with all the other kids they'll be handling after this mess."

"What are you suggesting?"

"Could we find a family to place him in? If you aren't letting us take care of him, putting in the orphanage is just a bad idea."

Gears started turning in the Hokage's head. "What family would you recommend?"

"If he's a blond, how about one of the Yamanaka branches? I believe Norio and Yasuko were about to have a kid, right?"

"You're expecting new parents to take in an orphan? Specifically the Kyubi's Jinchuriki?"

"They were Kushina's teammates. It wouldn't be the first time for them, so they would know what to look for. They're both shinobi and Norio has worked in T&I and is a Yamanaka on top of that. Work it as a mission, if you have to."

A slight smirk tugged at Kakashi's mouth, not that Obito was paying him any attention at that moment.

"Even as a mission, it might still result in cries of favoritism, however…" The Sandiame inclined his head. "Very well. I will see what I can find out. I trust you three can look after him, in the meantime?"

"If someone so much as look at him with a hint of killing intent, we'll make sure you never find the body."

"That shouldn't be necessary, but I will endeavor to return as soon as possible to minimize the chance of that possibility."

The door shut behind him, leaving the three young people to absorb the information.

[NRE]

The whole village was in mourning. Everyone had lost someone that night; friends, family, comrades. Unfortunately, there was still work to do. Workers were busy clearing rubble and fishing out bodies from collapses houses. Medics were working overtime, long hours and back to back shifts in some cases, just keeping their heads above the work load.

More worrying, there was a supply shortage that hadn't been seen since the village had been founded, and that had only been in wartime. Any able shinobi not on search and rescue or healer duties were out scouring the countryside for any spares and scraps to buy or barter.

Which brought Obito back to his present task. Large swaths of the village had been demolished when the Kyūbi had had stomped in and swept several of its tails through the neighborhood, before the Sandiame had evicted it from the city limits.

Going block by block of ruined structures in search of anyone who managed to escape certain death above ground. He had been tagged with Team Roku, helping shore up collapsed buildings for searchers to get through.

"I think we have survivors here," shouted Hitomi.

Obito jumped to her side. "How many?"

"Hard to tell with the haze the Kyūbu left behind. But more than one and they're definitely alive, whoever they are."

Pulling some of the rubble on top, they came to stop towards the center, where a lattice of debris and unsteady supports had settled. Seeing no one had been at ground level when the building collapsed, Obito secured the rubble and sought out a space where he assumed the basement was.

"Hello?" he called down. "Anyone in there?"

"Yes!" a woman answered. "Thank heavens."

"We've been trapped down here since the house collapsed," a man continued.

"Have you tried digging?" Obito asked.

"The thought occurred," the man shouted, "but we have no idea what will bring the rest of the place down on us. Not that good of a doton user, honestly."

"Hang on just a little longer. We'll get you out in a bit."

Wood grew in the shape of a kunai from Obito's arm before being stabbed into the ground. Swallowing the guilt and bile building up in the back of his throat, he then focused on materializing adjacent to the chakra signatures inside.

It was difficult to see in the dark, but not impossible. He was greeted with a family of three, two parents and an infant. The room was small, with shelves lining the room. Some of the contents had been broken when part of the ceiling had collapsed, but it had held up under the strain.

"Is this everyone?" Obito asked.

"Yes," the man said. "We took shelter in here when chaos started, but then everything came down and we've been stuck here ever since."

Looking between the two of them, Obito bit the inside of his mouth. "I'll have to take you out in separate trips."

"Take my wife and daughter first."

The mother's head snapped towards her husband. "Kizashi?"

"Please, Mebuki?"

"It'll be less than a minute, I promise," said Obito.

The blonde accepted this with a hesitant nod, then looked down at the bundled up baby.

"Be good for the kind man, Sakura."

The baby – Sakura – babbled contentedly, showing no sign of distress as Obito grabbed her mother's shoulder.

"Alright. Up we go." Kamui!

The three of them appeared top-side, where Hitomi was waiting with Shizune, helping the woman to her feet while Obito went back to fetch the husband. The family recovered, the medic looked them over really quick, checking for signs of injury or illness. Finding them with a clean bill of health, she dismissed her jutsu and stowed her gear away.

"Unless you have any breathing issues, there's a shelter two blocks that way," she said. 'They'll have a place to put you up until your housing situation is settled."

"Thank you, all of you."

"Our pleasure," Obito said. Next to him, Hitomi gave a slight bow, then walked off.

Obito pulled the flimsy kunai from the ground and reabsorbed it back into his arm, frowning at smoothing tissue.

The project he had been working on had reached a rather anticlimactic resolution, far too late to have been useful during the Kyūbi's rampage.

Hindsight being what it was, the technique was stupidly simple, even for him, just energy demanding and slightly physics-breaking. If he could use Kamui to teleport next to Kakashi, he could theoretically do that with any other part of his body, or anything keyed with his chakra. With practice and his developing skills as a sensor, he could possibly do that with any chakra signature he was familiar with. At present, he could only reliably do fifteen meters with preset markers.

With his chakra reserves, it was an easy jutsu to test and practice, even while conducting search and rescue.

"Hey," said Yukio, waving a hand in front of his face.

"What?"

"Our shift has ended for now. We're going to grab something to eat. Want to come along?"

"No. I'm good."

"Hmph," Hitomi scoffed. "Just because you can handle the extra shifts physically doesn't mean your head can handle them."

Obito stared for a bit, then walked off.

"Right. Ignore us."

Team Roku set off for food, heading the opposite direction.

"I get losing his sensei," said Yukio, "but this is kind of worrying."

"He'll get over it," Hitomi answered, then added. "Eventually."

"Guilt and uncertainty."

Hitomi and Yukio turned to Rei.

The Aburame girl's shoulders shifted slightly, either as a shrug or a sag. "The Yondiame was his teacher, but he had also assumed the role as a father figure. Not only that, both the Yondiame and his wife had constituted the bulk of his infrastructure following his separation from the Uchiha. All of us have had clans to support us in such times, families. And I assume he's avoiding telling anyone else for fear of burdening them."

Yukio sighed. "Well. It's not like we can force him to come to terms. All we can do is be there and hope he comes out the other side."

[NRE]

Obito's feet carried him to the hospital.

A pall had cast over the building as he arrived, but that was something he grown to expect. The hospital had been filled to capacity, as had every clinic throughout the village, shinobi and civilians mingling into the same spaces, regardless of rank or social standing. Triage had spilled out into hallways, making it impossible to take a step without being greeted by dozens of patients hanging on for dear life. Chakra burns accounted for many of the shinobi injuries, crush injuries being more prominent among the civilians, all making for a grisly scene every which way you turned.

"E-excuse me, Obito-san?"

Obito turned to face a younger medic – a boy barely out of the Academy most likely – nervously shuffling in place.

"You're friends with Rin-san, right?"

"Yeah," he answered, "What's up?"

"I, well…I think she needs her friends around her right now."

Cold crept up Obito's spine. "What happened?" he asked, then held up a hand. Actually, you know what? Nevermind. Where is she?"

The medic led him to a darkened hallway where Rin sobbing under a flickering light overhead.

"What's up, Rin?"

The medic nearly recoiled. Tear streaks down her face, but upon seeing Obito, she composed herself, much like she would when she had seen a particularly gruesome injury or had someone die on her.

"I hadn't heard from my parents since the attack," she said, her voice tight. "I just found out why. My neighborhood was one of the places hit."

Hearing her voice crack, Obito sat down next to her, letting her spill it out in bits and pieces.

Her home had been smashed near the beginning of the Kyūbi's rampage, and her parents had been caught in the devastation wrought. Her mother was dead by the time search and rescue had found them, and her father didn't look far behind.

As she talked, all Obito could think was, it's my fault Rin's crying.

"What am I going to do?" she asked, pleadingly.

Obito sagged his shoulders. "I don't know."

Kakashi speedwalked into the hall, catching sight of the two. Obito sat up and met him halfway.

"What happened?" Kakashi asked.

"Her mother was killed during the attack. The entire neighborhood was flattened by debris, so probably some friends she grew up with as well." Sighing tiredly, Obito jerked his head back in Rin's direction. "Go. You can look after her better than I can."

"What about you?"

"I think I need to be alone for a while."

Without another word, Obito all but fled from the hospital. No destination in mind, just running, forcing himself to exert himself.

"As soon as you're done here, you're going to take thirty minutes to run around the village, then come back and start over…."

Changing course, he made for the gates, barely a giving the gate guards on duty a by-your-leave as he bolted out, running and running, everything to be away from the constant reminders of his failures.

"…I am proud of each and every one of you. I look forward to what you three will accomplish in the future…"

Finally stumbling to a stop, he clenched his teeth, fighting to hold off the sobs threatening to break loose.

"You can count on me!"

Tension finally bubbled up and spilled over, pouring into a scream tearing from his lungs into the failing light. Barely taking a breath, he dropped to his knees and slammed his fists against the ground, leaving a crater behind, deepening them further with successive strikes, sending reverberations through the ground.

He thought he had left the crybaby back in that cave to die with weakness. All this time, it had still been there, lingering, waiting to resurface.

Obito finally let the tears fall, screaming himself hoarse until the well after the sun went down.

[NRE]

Kakashi looked at the assembled lunch, disappointed. A sensitive nose was a blessing and a curse. Great when picking out poisons or unfamiliar smells while on mission. Kind of sucked when he caught whiff of some fresh garbage, but that was something he could filter out with limited issue.

Right now, he could only tell the differences between what she had prepared all those years ago and what he had now.

He could make something edible, but cooking something enjoyable had been beyond his skills at the time. Hours Kushina had spent with him in this very kitchen, teaching him the ins and outs of cooking. With practice, he could tell what she added, how much, and could tell when she forgot. Or "forgot", when she learned he could do that.

When Kushina had burst into his house after his father had killed himself, she was the one who had coaxed him way from the body and let him crash at her place. Norio and Yasuko had helped significantly, but Kushina was the one who made it her job to step in. She taught him how to manage his home and the way of the sword. She had done so much he felt he could never repay her. Eventually, he had pushed her out. She had her own life to live, her own clan to look after, even if it was really only herself in most cases.

In truth, it had been his own pride that had seen him try to cut her out of his life. Being treated like a brat rather than an up and coming graduate.

He was hoping to apologize someday, pride and shame holding it off until it was too late to say the words to her face. She would have laughed it off, ruffled his hair, then said something like, "that's what family does. Help you at your worst and deal with you at your worst."

Kakashi snorted sardonically, reflecting on those distant days. He had really put both Kushina and Minato through the wringer with his antics. A boy with more skill and intelligence than maturity and wisdom. Genin at five, chūnin at six. He could have made it past the jōnin trials at eight, if he had actually tried for it. All the while, shinobi years older than him being showed up, and that had built up no small measure of resentment on top of what they held towards his father.

Maybe that's why he and Minato had clicked. He hadn't held his father's actions against him, and his sensei had his own reputation of natural brilliance that put the two of them on even footing.

It had been at Mintao-sensei's recommendation that he held off on trying for the jōnin trials in the first place. And then he had tossed him back into the academy with barely any forewarning to speak of. Officially for some socializing, but it had to have been a punishment for some slight he had given, no matter what Sensei had said, or so Kakashi had thought. He had hated it at the time.

For once, he had found himself out of depth. He had only spent a year in the Academy before, and people who were his age or younger were practical strangers, still laughing and playing at shinobi life. Things he had learned as soon as he had left the cradle, most of the kids were still struggling to grasp.

More infuriating was how woefully underprepared he was for interacting with those same peers. Gai hadn't spent much longer in the Academy before an accelerated graduation, and he hadn't been saddled with baby-sitting a bunch of kids who had never caught a whiff of blood and violence themselves. It was surprising how he was able to keep himself from hating the ordeal entirely.

It wouldn't be until much later that he would grow to appreciate the experience, both of his teammates helping him far more than he could have ever dreamed, despite the initial circumstances.

Rin had proven herself as a medic, and more than the fan-girl he had initially pegged her as. And despite the turbulent beginnings, he could not deny enjoying their time together as a couple.

Obito was just as much of a surprise, if not more so. Emotional and hardheaded, but at the same time, thoughtful and observant. More than calling Kakashi's father a hero, saving his life, or offering up his prized Sharingan, those flashes of brilliance highlighted the makings of a great Hokage. With some time and training, Kakashi could see Obito taking up the hat.

That was, of course, provided he could pull himself out the rut he had found himself in.

[NRE]

Rin lounged the dojo at the Namikaze residence, wringing her hands together.

She could remember how it started, that downward spiral, beginning with Obito's "death". It had been her lapse in vigilance that had led to her getting caught. Obito had come after her and dragged Kakashi along. She had lived, but Kakashi had lost an eye and Obito had been left for dead, a fact that his survival hadn't erased.

She had clung to Kakashi in desperation, her childish infatuation being supplanted by the need to feel close to someone. It had been unfair of her to put any of the burden on Kakashi's shoulder, especially as he was also mourning Obito. She had almost ruined one of the most important relationships in her life.

Self-loathing that had pushed her to the brink as much as Kakashi's potential death at the hands of Kiri nin, and any deaths her returning to Konoha would have wrought. If Obito hadn't shown up when he did, she might have thrown herself between Kakashi and their attackers.

Her teammates, her sensei, and Kushina had given her another chance at life, one she didn't think she deserved at the time. After her sensei had secured her new "tenant", she had said as much.

"It's never a matter of who is deserving," he told her. "Some who live deserve death, and far too many die deserve life. It's not up to us to determine what hand life deals us, merely find purpose to the times and events we find ourselves in. You owe it to both them and yourself to give the latter a shot."

When they returned and her training had begun, she had taken up on Kushina's offer to simply talk. Even after Kushina's pregnancy had barred her from strenuous duties, namely teaching her, they had still convened every week to talk about anything and everything, Minato-sensei dropping by – as often as his new duties allowed – with words of encouragement and the odd story about his own career.

And now there was silence. All the conversations she had had with the two of them within these walls, and never would again.

There was so much she had wanted to learn, both about her new lot in life and those tales and anecdotes that Minato and Kushina had to tell. It was scary, moving forward without those pillars she had come to rely on.

A crash further into the house pulled her from her gloom, prompting her to go and investigate.

Reports from the sentries had indicated Obito had been wandering outside the walls until the wee hours of the morning, the section of trees that had been toppled, burned, and regrown had left more than a few people nervous until the Hokage himself had come out and ordered him home.

If he was still in the house, then maybe she could help clear the air.

[NRE]

Obito was lounged against the couch, a number of empty bottles strewn about. He hadn't bothered with cleaning up, and couldn't muster the will to do so.

Rin looked across the libations her friend had partaken. Most people would have alcohol poisoning after chugging their way through all that. Not only was he still lucid, he still looked entirely sober.

"I can't get drunk. Blasted body modifications, and I can't enjoy the prospect of drinking myself into a stupor. Can't fall asleep. Can't distract myself enough."

"You're doing right by Naruto."

"And everywhere I go, I keep getting reminded-" The bottle in Obito's hand creaked as he twisted. "I wasn't fast enough. Wasn't strong enough."

"No one's blaming you."

"Like hell!" Obito chucked the bottle he had across the room, shattering against the wall.

Rin glared at her teammate. "Excuse me?" she snapped, voice tight.

"Who did they ask to watch their backs?" Obito snapped back. "Who did they specifically ask to help contain the Kyūbi? They counted on me to keep things from going wrong? They put their trust in me and I failed, and the village paid the price." By now, he had worked himself into a fury, towering over Rin. "So stop giving me empty fucking platitudes and leave me alone!"

With snarl, he threw an empty bottle in her direction. While it had flown harmlessly over her shoulder, the words had apparently stung, her hand tightening into a fist.

"Fine," she clipped, turning and stomping away.

Standing in silence, anger turned to shame. I fucked up, Obito thought.

The door opened, but there was a distinct pause in Rin's steps. "Mikoto-san." The medic cleared her throat, then stepped outside. "Maybe you can talk some sense into him."

The Uchiha matriarch strode into the living room, carefully navigating the mess of bottles strewn about until she was standing in front of Obito.

"It takes a fair bit to make Rin-chan upset," she said. "Would you care to explain what happened?"

"She was trying to help and I brushed her off," Obito answered, the words tasting like ash in his mouth.

Mikoto paused, then said, "I see."

Obito winced and tumbled back against the couch. He would have preferred more yelling than a quiet dismissal.

"They trusted me." His throat was dry, making it hard to get the words out. "If I had been stronger, we'd still have the Yondiame, and…Naruto wouldn't be an orphan."

Mikoto crouched in front of him, looking him in the eye. "What happened wasn't your fault."

"But-" he began to sputter, but got poked in the forehead.

"Kushina really took Sakumo's death hard. He had been a second father to her, and for weeks after his death, she was beating herself up over what she could have said or done to pull him out of that spiral." A bitter grimace twisted Mikoto's face, then smoothed back out as she continued. "It's possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That's not a failure, that's simply life."

"But-"

Mikoto grabbed Obito's chin, her eyes boring into his own with a quiet intensity. "I have no doubts you did everything you could. That's the sort of person you are. You have some unusual and remarkable abilities, but in the end, you're as human as the rest of us. What's more, you're still young, Obito. And what happened cannot be placed on any one set of shoulders, least of all your own." Standing, Mikoto dusted her hands off. "Now, I believe you owe Rin an apology."

"But…" he began, looking at the mess.

"Enough buts," Mikoto ordered, poking him in the head again. "Go. I'll clean up here."

Obito slumped over, letting her pull him to standing and shove him out the door. Looking around, it was apparent Rin was no longer on the property. Making a couple of guesses, Obito set off for Training Ground 3. Trepidation and grim satisfaction swirled in his gut as he heard a thundering crash, trees toppling over in the distance.

In the clearing, Rin was breathing heavily. Several trees had already been splintered and knocked over, including the trunks, forcing Obito to swallow nervously when the tempo increased as he got closer. A shiver ran down his spine as she wheeled around, stomping towards him.

He felt it coming. And he kept Kamui from triggering as Rin's right hook dislocated his jaw. Figuring to let her vent, he braced for another punch that never came. Experimentally opening his eye, he saw Rin glowering at him, tears brimming at her eyes and fists shaking at her sides.

Letting his jaw reset, Obito managed to say, "Yeah. I deserved that."

Anything more went out the window as a pair of arms were thrown around his neck.

"You're not alone," Rin sobbed into his shoulder. "Let us help you."

Feeling like an absolute heel, Obito cautiously reciprocated, awkwardly patting her on the back. A myriad of words went unsaid, but he still managed to say, "I'm sorry", but the tears he expected to shed never came.

Probably for the better, as Kakashi decided to make his presence known.

"Hey, you two," he called out. "I thought you might have come this way. What did I miss?"

Rin released Obito, wiping her eyes.

"I was apologizing to Rin, but she had to knock some sense into me first."

Kakashi blinked owlishly. "I see."

"I've gotten a new assignment."

"Where to?"

"The Shadows."

Obito couldn't hide his surprise. Looking to Rin, he got a subtle nod.

"I was planning on joining a while back," Kakashi continued, "but…my plans were side-tracked."

"I came back from the dead. Right. I won't talk you out of it. At least this way, you'll be able to keep an eye out for our…mutual friend."

"That's the general idea. Don't worry, I'll stay in touch."

"Good luck."

Kakashi rolled his eyes. "I'm not leaving right away."

"…Oh."

"All that said, I figured you both could use some dinner."

Obito bit the inside of his mouth. "What about Mikoto-san? I kind of left her cleaning up the house."

"Already sent of the Pakkun her way." Turning, Kakashi started towards the edge of the training field. "She's going to join us in a bit."

[NRE]

Weeks passed, and Obito found himself walking towards the gates of Konoha.

Team Orochimaru was gathering for a long-term mission. Sen and Yosetsu were perched on the fence together, the latter smiling and waving, the former giving a nod. Obito waved back and walked up to Anko while she finished off some dango.

"I'm going to miss this," she said. "Keeping up things with our allies is great, but long-term missions are such a drag." After disposing her trash, she dusted her hands off and turned to Obito. "How are things going?"

"Better," he answered. "Not great, but better. How about you?

Anko shrugged. "Apart from Kurenai's dad, I didn't really lose anyone I was close to, but I know I got comparatively lucky in that regard."

Obito hummed, absently, reflecting on some recent news. Rin's father was pulling through, with a promising report from the medics. Obito had no intention of divulging his part in that turn of events, and Mako was simply happy his daughter was happy and had agreed to silence on his end.

Never underestimate the willpower of a prospective grandparent.

"Sensei was in a bit of a mood," said Anko, snapping Obito from his musings, "but I think he's better now."

"Why?" he asked

"Aside from the attack in general…" She paused, scratching her jaw. "He hasn't said anything, but I think Orochimaru-sensei was miffed about getting passed over for Hokage again."

"Well, I think it's just a temporary thing. Having familiar leadership in a time of crisis is ideal. He was wanting to retire, so I imagine as soon as things simmer down, he'll be looking for a new successor."

Anko scoffed and smirked at him. "Look at you, working political angles."

"I usually sleep about an hour every day. I have to fill the gaps when everyone else is asleep." Nearby, there was trio of genin he hadn't met before watching the two of them chatter, before hastily averting their gaze. "New guys?"

"Yup! After Nobu got his promotion and transferred out, we picked up some fresh meat in need of seasoning." She flashed a grin over her shoulder, causing the newbies to shudder and shiver.

"Where you heading?"

"Land of Seas."

"Ah. Plenty of beaches and sunshine-" Obito paused, looking over his shoulder.

"What?"

"I was expecting Yukio to say something."

"Oh. Yeah, I got so used him making lewd remarks I almost miss him. Guess we're all moving on."

"Mm. Take pictures and bring some souvenirs back when your assignment's done. Stay out of trouble."

Anko spun around, crossing her arms over her chest. "Y-you, too."

Orochimaru appeared in front of them. The Snake Sannin appeared polite, but his eyes were hooded and his teeth clenched tightly. Some of the tension eased when he saw Obito, inclining his head in greeting.

"Obito-kun," he said. "Here to see us off?"

"Yes, Orochimaru-sama."

"Your courtesy is appreciated. I wish there was more time to have a proper conversation, but I believe we've tarried enough as it stands."

"Don't let me keep you, then. Have a safe journey."

"Until we meet again," the Snake Sannin answered, then turned to his team, "Move out!"

Obito watched Team Orochimaru depart, waiting until they were out of sight. Breathing deeply, he turned around and headed back into the village. So many things were changing, it was scary.

Still, there was still a lot of work to be done. People to help, a village to repair, and a fresh weight nestled in his chūnin vest waiting to be studied.

And he was tired of crying.

End of Section I

A/N: That was much harder than it needed to be, but that's one arc completed. For now, the story's going to be following Team Minato and their peers as they adjust and step up to the plate and fill the gaps in Konoha's ranks, as the Konoha 12 (plus a few) are still infants at this point in time.

Aside from that, if anyone's worried, Obito's guilt complex is short-lived.

Changes from canon:

- Hiruzen did not divulge Naruto's status as a jinchūriki when he took up the hat again. Aside from being a spotty decision in the first place, Kakashi, Rin, and Obito are all in a position to protest the matter. As would, Tsunade, for that matter. Not something the Sandiame would care to deal with among everything else. There is still a gag-order on information relating to jinchūriki, but that's a carry-over from before Kushina got tapped for the duty.

- Speaking of Tsunade, I can't narrow down an actual window of when she would have left the village. I'm guessing it would have been after the war but before Orochimaru's treachery being discovered. However, since Tsunade has a child dependent on her and the accompanying recovery from pregnancy, she is still in the village. She also got some therapy, as I'm sure giving birth might have been more than a little triggering, and Shizune wasn't taking chances with her mentor's daughter.

Coming up:

- Reconstruction.

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Even if it's telling me the characters are being a little too angsty, let me know with a review or a PM. Constructive criticism is always appreciated.

Winterman, Out.