The Land of Iron, the home of the Samurai, and the last known location of Hashirama Senju, at least to Madara Uchiha and Black Zetsu.
A monastery full of monks, each praying to their deity's depiction as a stone sculpture. The sculpture depicted an ancient god, a man handsome beyond belief, wearing traditional armor from over a century ago. A large scroll tucked tightly in the sculptures hands, likely a symbol of gifting humanity knowledge.
The monks revered the god, as he brought them this sanctuary, or that was how the stories went. It was quite strange that a coven of monks lived in the most cold region in the world, and yet they persevered. What was it and why? Only in time would the truth be revealed.
When one wakes up there usually two responses, frustration and contentment of excitement and wonder. The more one grows older excitement is replaced with unending disappointment.
Obito had woken up, he looked around and noticed his surroundings, a house that was unfamiliar. Obito's eyes fluttered open, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings. The soft bed beneath him was a far cry from the lumpy futon he was accustomed to in his old apartment. As reality slowly seeped in, Obito remembered - this was his new home, Minato-sensei's house.
He then sighed, a little smile on his face. "Oh yeah, I'm adopted." He moved the blanket and got dressed. Putting on a blue short sleeved shirt and white shorts he headed out the door and started smelling some food, it smelt good so that didn't mean Kushina was cooking, though with how she was it was likely she couldn't anyway.
As he approached the kitchen, the sound of sizzling and the clatter of utensils grew louder. Obito peeked around the corner, his eyes widening in surprise at the sight before him.
Jiraiya was cooking some pancakes, while Shisui was half asleep at the kitchen table. "Ah, look who's finally awake!" Jiraiya boomed, his voice filling the kitchen. "Come on in, Obito. Breakfast is almost ready."
"Jiraiya-Sensei, why are you here?" Obito asked rubbing his eyes.
Jiraiya looked over, his clothes were more casual, a grey turtle neck sweater, his headband missing.
Jiraiya chuckled, flipping a perfectly golden pancake onto a growing stack. "Well, they asked someone to watch over you kids before you guys got ready. Minato and Kushina had to rush off early this morning."
A flicker of concern crossed Obito's face. "Is everything okay?"
"More than okay," Jiraiya replied with a knowing smile. "Kushina's gone into labor. Looks like you might be getting a little brother or sister soon."
Obito's jaw dropped. "Really so soon? That's... that's amazing!" A mix of excitement and nervousness bubbled up inside him. He was going to be a brother to two siblings.
"Now, now, don't get too excited," Jiraiya cautioned, though his eyes twinkled with mirth. "Childbirth can take a while. In the meantime, why don't you help Shisui set the table? These pancakes aren't going to eat themselves."
As Obito moved to grab plates from the cupboard, he couldn't help but marvel at how quickly his life had changed. Just yesterday, he had been alone in his small apartment. Now, he was part of a family, with a legendary ninja making him breakfast and a new sibling on the way.
"Hey, Jiraiya-Sensei," Obito asked hesitantly as he laid out the silverware, "Do you think... do you think I'll be a good brother to the baby, even if me and Shisui are adopted?"
Jiraiya paused in his cooking, turning to look at Obito with a gentle expression. "Obito, I've seen how you care for your friends and teammates. You've got a big heart, and that's the most important thing. You'll be a fantastic brother to, you've already got Shisui so what's one more sibling?"
Warmth spread through Obito's chest at Jiraiya's words. As he helped Shisui pour juice into glasses, he made a silent promise to himself. He would be the best big brother he could be, protecting and guiding this new little life just as Minato-sensei had done for him.
The kitchen filled with laughter and chatter as they sat down to eat, the anticipation of a new family member adding an extra layer of sweetness to their meal. For Obito, it felt like the start of something wonderful, a new chapter in his life that he couldn't wait to begin. He had so much to tell Kakashi today, hopefully his heart could handle it.
Upon arriving to the village, Rin said her goodbyes to Tsunade and Shizune, not that Rin didn't care what her mentor was planning, she just had to go see him. It was more important to see him over her own family and friends.
Now a teenager, she approached the cemetery of the Hidden Leaf, her heart heavy with guilt and grief. Her hair still short, her body out of adolescence, she was now considered a woman.
The stones stood like silent sentinels, each one a testament to a life lost. Her fingers traced the familiar characters etched onto a weathered slab. She knelt down at a grave, a grave with no body. The name of her fallen teammate and friend, Kakashi Hatake, etched onto the slab.
Memories flooded her mind, the mission to destroy Kanabi Bridge, the moment when Kakashi lay crushed beneath the rubble, his life slipping away. She remembered Obito's anguished cries as he unleashed the power of his newly awakened Mangekyou Sharingan, cutting down a whole battalion of Stone Jounin. Could she have done that? No.
Rin clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. If only she had been stronger, more capable, perhaps she could have prevented Kakashi's death. The regret weighed heavily on her shoulders, a burden she had carried for the past two and a half years.
As she knelt before the grave, a gentle breeze rustled through the trees, carrying with it the faint scent of cherry blossoms. Rin closed her eyes, allowing the fragrance to envelop her, a momentary respite from the sorrow that consumed her.
"Kakashi," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'm so sorry. I promise, I won't let your sacrifice be in vain. I'll become stronger, stronger than Lady Tsunade and Minato-Sensei."
Rin rose to her feet, a newfound determination burning within her. She had trained relentlessly under Tsunade's tutelage, honing her skills as a medic, but also as a shinobi. No longer would she be a helpless bystander; she would be a force to be reckoned with.
"I've come so far, Kakashi," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "But I still have a long way to go."
As she turned to leave, a familiar chakra signature caught her attention. Her heart skipped a beat. It couldn't be...
She spun around, her eyes widening as she saw a tall figure approaching. His gait was different, more confident, but there was no mistaking that spiky black hair.
"Obito?" she called out, her voice hesitant.
The figure stopped, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Then, a grin spread across his face, so achingly familiar yet somehow different.
"Rin?" Obito's voice had deepened, but it still held that warmth and cluelessness she remembered.
They closed the distance between them, stopping just short of an embrace. Rin's eyes roamed over Obito's face, taking in the changes. His jawline had sharpened, his shoulders broadened. But it was his eyes that caught her attention – they held a wisdom that hadn't been there before.
"You've... grown," Rin said, a hint of wonder in her voice.
Obito chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck in a gesture so familiar it made Rin's heart ache. "Yeah, well, two and a half years will do that to you. You look different too, Rin. Tsunade's training must have been intense."
Rin nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "It was. But I needed it. I... I needed to be stronger."
A shadow passed over Obito's face, and Rin knew he understood. They both carried the weight of that fateful day. Obito more than her, the Mangekyou proof of his anguish.
"I heard you've been training with Jiraiya," Rin said, eager to change the subject. "What was that like?"
Obito's eyes lit up. "It was surprisingly incredible, Rin. We traveled all over, and I learned so much. Not just about ninjutsu, but about people, about the world."
As Obito launched into a story about a misadventure with , Rin found herself studying him. His gestures were more controlled now, his words more measured. But underneath it all, she could still see the boy she'd known.
"What about you?" Obito asked suddenly, breaking off his tale. "What have you been up to, besides turning into a mini-Tsunade?"
Rin laughed, the sound surprising her. When was the last time she'd laughed like that? "I'm hardly a mini-Tsunade. But... I've learned a lot. Medical ninjutsu, of course, but also genjutsu resistance and some pretty devastating taijutsu."
"Devastating, huh?" Obito grinned. "Maybe we should spar sometime, see how we measure up now."
"Maybe we should," Rin agreed, a competitive glint in her eye.
Obito's gaze shifted from Rin to the gravestone, his expression sobering. "I haven't gotten the chance to see him yet," he muttered, his voice thick with emotion. "I've changed a lot since I last talked to him, both physically and mentally."
Rin remained silent, watching as Obito knelt down and pulled out a tanto – no, a chakra saber. Kakashi's chakra saber. He held it in both palms, his fingers tracing the familiar lines of the weapon.
"I've gotten better with it since I last saw you," Obito said softly. "Not as good as you, but still enough that I'm in a different league than before." He chuckled, but the sound was hollow. "I've traveled and seen places, met people, learned of different cultures, learned different techniques, and found my nindo."
Obito paused, his breath coming out in a slow, measured exhale. "I know what type of man I want to be, but I'm not sure if I can actually do it."
Rin reached out, grasping Obito's shoulder. The warmth of her touch seemed to seep through his clothes. "I believe you can do whatever you set your mind to, Obito," she said, her voice soft but filled with conviction.
X
Obito turned to look at Rin and...
Ba dump. His heart beat fast.
Butterflies. The only thing missing was music and his face to be redder than an apple. "Calm yourself, Obito! You can't be with Rin, Kakashi died for her, for you. It would disrespect Kakashi's legacy. Especially not in front of his grave."
He breathed out, causing a calm cool to wash over himself. "Thanks, Rin," he said, his voice strained as he gently pushed her hand away. "But I'm not worthy of such compliments." He stood up, his gaze fixed on Kakashi's grave. "What type of Hokage lets his closest friends die?"
Rin's smile faltered, the pain in Obito's voice cutting through her. She had expected him to carry the same guilt and pain, but this... this was worse. It wasn't just about Kakashi's death; it was about something else, his dream to become Hokage maybe.
Unknown to her Kakashi had never wanted to save Rin, if it wasn't for Obito's words regarding the White fang Kakashi would've likely continued on the mission and Obito and Rin would've died. That guilt ate Obito, it had subsided due to his traveling with Jiraiya and knowledge of his family, but it returned. Rin was evidence of that day, so was his Sharingan and Mangekyou, but the gravestone with Kakashi's name made Obito want to breakdown and cry. He'd come to terms with death and killing, but the kill he couldn't stand was Kakashi's, and it was because of his words, his stupid reckless words.
"Obito..." Rin whispered, "You're crying blood again..." It hurt her seeing Obito like this.
Obito reached up, his fingers coming away stained with crimson. His Mangekyou had activated subconsciously, the red of his eyes a stark contrast against the pallor of his skin. He shook his head frantically, trying to deactivate them, but to no avail.
"I can't shut them off!" Panic laced his voice as he stumbled backward, away from Rin and Kakashi's grave.
Rin stepped forward, her medical training kicking in. "Obito, you need to calm down. Your emotional state is affecting your chakra control."
But Obito wasn't listening. His breathing had become erratic, his eyes darting around wildly. "I'm sorry, Kakashi," he muttered.
Rin's heart clenched at the sight of Obito's anguish. She moved closer, her hands glowing with healing chakra. "Obito, please. Let me help you."
As she reached out to touch him, Obito's right Mangekyou suddenly strained. The air around them seemed to warp and distort, and before Rin could react, Obito vanished in a swirl of space-time ninjutsu.
Rin stood there, her hand outstretched to empty air, shock and concern warring on her face. The cemetery was silent once more, save for the rustling of cherry blossoms in the wind.
"Obito," she whispered, her voice carried away by the breeze.
The black swirl dissipated, leaving Obito stumbling into the Hokage's office. His legs wobbled, threatening to give out beneath him. A strong hand grasped his arm, steadying him. Obito blinked, his vision clearing to reveal Minato's concerned face.
"Easy there," Minato said softly, helping Obito regain his balance.
Obito's chest heaved as he struggled to control his erratic breathing. His chakra felt like a turbulent storm within him, swirling and churning unpredictably. He closed his eyes, focusing on calming the tempest.
Minato watched his student with worry etched across his features. The absence of the Mangekyou's distinctive pattern in Obito's eyes didn't escape his notice. He knew all too well the young Uchiha's fear of blindness, a fear that had kept those powerful eyes dormant.
As Obito's breathing steadied, he opened his eyes, now back to their normal onyx hue. "I'm sorry, Sensei," he mumbled, shame coloring his voice. "I... I lost control."
Minato's expression softened. "It's alright, Obito. You don't need to explain yourself." He guided Obito to a nearby couch, his movements slightly awkward due to using one arm.
Obito slumped into the seat, grateful for its support. His gaze wandered to the window, taking in the village below. An attempt to distract himself from the turmoil within. "The baby," he said suddenly, turning back to Minato. "Has it...?"
A soft smile broke across Minato's face, momentarily chasing away the worry. "Yes, he arrived just thirty minutes ago. A healthy baby boy. We've named him Naruto."
Obito's eyebrows shot up, a flicker of recognition in his eyes. "Naruto? Like from Jiraiya-sensei's book?"
Minato nodded, his smile widening. "Exactly. Kushina... she has high hopes for him. She wants him to grow up to be just like the character." He paused, his blue eyes meeting Obito's. "And like you."
A mix of emotions flashed across Obito's face – surprise, honor, and a touch of sadness. He opened his mouth to respond, but Minato spoke first, his tone gentle but firm.
"Now, tell me what happened, Obito. What brought you here in this state?"
Obito's shoulders sagged. He ran a hand through his messy hair, flakes of dried blood falling from his fingers. "I went to the cemetery," he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "To visit Kakashi. I... I didn't know Rin was back in the village." He paused, swallowing hard. "Seeing her... it brought everything back. That day, the mission, the cave..." His voice cracked. "The things I said to Kakashi. If I hadn't... if I hadn't told him about his father being a hero, maybe he..."
Minato leaned forward, placing his hand on Obito's shoulder. "Obito, you can't blame yourself for Kakashi's choices. He made his decision that day, just as you made yours."
Obito shook his head, tears threatening to spill. "But if I had been stronger, faster... If I had awakened my Sharingan sooner..."
"What ifs won't change the past," Minato said softly. "Kakashi chose to protect his comrades. He died a hero, Obito. Just like Sakumo."
"I miss him," Obito whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "Every day, I miss him."
Minato nodded, his own eyes glistening. "We all do, Obito. We all do."
Several minutes later, the door to the Hokage's office creaked open, drawing Obito and Minato's attention.
"Rin," Obito breathed, his heart racked with guilt.
Rin's eyes widened as she took in the scene before her. "Obito? I... I didn't expect to see you here."
Minato couldn't help but smile at how much she'd grown. But he couldn't help but notice Rin's surprise at his appearance, though explanations could wait. Rin had changed considerably since the last time he saw her, "Rin! It's good to see you back."
Rin bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Sensei. I mean, Lord Hokage."
Obito stood up abruptly, the couch scraping against the floor. "I'm sorry," he blurted out. "I shouldn't have left you alone at the cemetery. I just... I couldn't..."
Rin's expression softened. "It's okay, Obito. I understand." She stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "I'm just glad to see you're alright. When you disappeared like that, I was worried."
Guilt gnawed at Obito's insides. He'd been so caught up in his own emotions, he hadn't considered how his sudden departure might have affected Rin.
Minato watched the interaction with a thoughtful expression. "It's good to see you two together again," he said, his voice warm. "In fact, this might be the perfect opportunity..."
Obito and Rin turned to their former sensei, curiosity evident in their faces.
"I have a mission," Minato continued, his tone shifting to a more official one. "Lord Third was planning to assemble a team, but seeing you two here... well, it seems fate has decided that I place you two on it."
Rin's eyebrows shot up. "A mission? But I've only just returned..."
"I know," Minato said, his expression apologetic. "And I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important. But your skills might be necessary, Rin. And Obito's abilities could be useful."
Obito glanced at Rin, uncertainty clouding his features. "Are you sure about this, Sensei? We haven't worked together in years. And after what happened last time..."
Minato's gaze softened. "That's precisely why I think this is a good idea. You two need to reconnect, to rebuild that trust. And there's no better way than in the field. And there'll be more people to mingle with too."
Rin took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. "I'm in," she said firmly. "If you think we're the right people for this, Lord Hokage, then I trust your judgment."
Obito hesitated for a moment longer, then nodded. "Alright. I'm in too."
Minato smiled, relief evident in his eyes. "Excellent. Now, let me brief you on the details..." He leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "Lord Third has provided us with some interesting intel. There's a crime lord in the Land of Stone who's gotten his hands on some valuable artifacts, some dating from the First Hokage's era."
Obito raised an eyebrow. "And you want us to retrieve them?"
"Somewhat," Minato scratched his neck. "We also want to know how he obtained them, artifacts from that era aren't easy to come by. I should add that it won't be the two of you. I'm sending team Ryoichi. You should already be familiar with some of the members. Shisui, Anko Mitarashi, Kazumi Aburame, and Rin's father, Ryoichi Nohara, will be joining you."
Rin's eyes widened at the mention of her father. "Wait, Dad's coming too?"
Minato nodded, a knowing smile on his face. "I originally thought it might be good for his team to accomplish this, but with you two it's a bonus for you to work with family."
Obito shifted, his expression a mix of sternness and nervousness. If some crime lord was hoarding some of his ancestor's belongings then Obito would get them back. His nervousness was a result of meeting Rin's father and Shisui's team members. "So, what's the plan?" He tried distracting himself.
Minato knew how Obito was likely feeling about the mission, Hashirama being tied to the mission must've meant a lot to Obito. "The crime lord is hosting a gala in three days. You'll be infiltrating as guests and staff. Obito, you'll be crucial for this mission as you'll be the leading Jounin." Minato wanted to add, "I believe that you can lead, you just have to believe in yourself, believe in your abilities and you'll do great."
Obito hesitated before nodding, "I won't let you down, Sensei." It was a lot to put on his shoulders, though he faltered in his confidence Obito would do his best. He headed out, preparing for the mission.
Obito started thinking about his Mangekyou.
Kamui was the perfect stealth jutsu but he was still wary of using it, even after the Second assumed he wouldn't go blind. Though with a heist anything could and would go wrong so getting an edge was always necessary, even at the cost of one's sight.
But something occurred to him, he transported himself from the cemetery to this office subconsciously. Could Obito do more than transport things through Kamui space? Could he teleport much like Minato-Sensei could with Flying Raijin? Testing and training would come up with the answer.