Chapter 149: Before the Hero's Grave

Upon hearing that Byakuya only intended to rob the Hokage's office during Obito's attack, Black Zetsu breathed a sigh of relief. Normally, robbing the Hokage's office would certainly arouse Konoha's suspicion, but if timed during the chaos of Obito's assault, it would be a minor issue.

Still, both Byakuya and Obito were slipping further and further out of his control. Obito, in particular, not only ignored his commands but even had the audacity to order him around, which frustrated Black Zetsu to his core. Although he was ostensibly acting on Madara's will, his true identity was Kaguya's child, deserving far more respect.

"I'll inform you when the time comes," Black Zetsu finally replied. "But keep this clone well hidden. If Konoha starts suspecting anything, you could be in danger. You're my most valuable asset."

After offering this encouragement, Black Zetsu used his Mayfly technique and vanished from sight.

Once he sensed Black Zetsu's chakra fading, Byakuya's face twisted into a scornful expression. He then glanced toward the Hokage building and became lost in thought.

These past few days, Byakuya had observed the actions of the Fourth Hokage closely. If Minato could maintain his reforms for a decade or more, Konoha could very well overcome its internal issues and regain its dominance over the other villages. But, unfortunately, Minato didn't have that much time left.

Kushina's belly was growing larger, and the birth of the prophesied child, Naruto, was drawing near. When both internal strife and external threats arrived simultaneously, it would test Minato's capabilities like never before. Byakuya found himself eagerly anticipating that day—the moment when Konoha would transition from its peak into decline. When that time came, he would advance his plans, strengthening the Akatsuki under his command.

However, a simple clash between teacher and student might be too dull. It needed something more exciting.

With a smile playing on his lips, Byakuya began moving toward the Hokage's office, disappearing into the shadows.

---

While Byakuya prepared for the night of the Nine-Tails' rampage, the instigator of the attack, Obito, was making his own preparations.

Since the departure of the Amegakure delegation, Obito had finalized his plans to assault the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. He had been preparing for this for a long time, waiting for the perfect moment.

During his wait, he witnessed the reforms Minato was implementing in Konoha and observed the reactions of the Konoha shinobi. Drawing from his experiences in Amegakure, Obito understood that Minato's reforms were beneficial for the village. However, Konoha's shinobi reacted in various ways. Most didn't seem to care, while a small faction opposed Minato's changes.

Their attitudes weren't based on what was best for the village, but rather on whether it benefited them personally. If the reforms promised them more power or wealth, they'd support them. If it threatened their standing, they'd oppose it, even if the reforms were ultimately good for Konoha. The only exception was when opposing the reforms would cause them to lose even more.

From his detached perspective, Obito saw through Konoha's true nature and mocked the so-called "Will of Fire." He had once believed in that ideal, dreaming of protecting his comrades and becoming Hokage.

But that version of himself had "died" on the battlefield, and Rin, who had shared that belief, had followed him to the grave. Meanwhile, those who paid lip service to the Will of Fire, without ever truly caring about their comrades, continued to thrive in the shinobi world.

These months in Konoha had exposed its hypocrisy, further cementing Obito's resolve to carry out the Eye of the Moon Plan.

With a cold sneer, Obito arrived at the Hero Memorial.

Compared to the noisy streets of Konoha, he preferred the quiet of the memorial. Here, he could momentarily forget his past and the impending attack on the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, retreating back to the carefree afternoons when Rin would pat his head, allowing him to nap without a care in the world.

Obito's brief moment of calm was abruptly interrupted by approaching footsteps. Using his Kamui Sharingan to shift his position, he observed the intruder—a familiar figure carrying flowers and offerings. His eyes narrowed in displeasure.

The uninvited guest was none other than Kakashi, his former friend.

Watching Kakashi approach the graves of both himself and Rin, offering his respects and mumbling softly to the memorial stones, Obito's expression darkened, his eyes filled with cold malice. Over the past few months, Obito had gathered valuable information from Kakashi's mutterings—everything from Kushina's daily routines to the timing of her pregnancy. Yet, every time Kakashi stood before Rin's grave and muttered apologies, Obito couldn't help but clench his fists in anger.

He understood that Rin had chosen to die by Kakashi's hand to protect the village.

But why, Kakashi? Why couldn't you refuse her? Why couldn't you forsake the village for Rin's sake? Did you not trust in Minato's abilities, or in the power of your comrades?

These thoughts always plunged Obito deeper into bitterness, fueling his hatred for the cruel world that had taken Rin away. This world, with its hellish realities, had killed her. Kiri, Konoha, Minato, and Kakashi were all responsible for Rin's death, and they all had to pay for it.

If the Eye of the Moon Plan wasn't realized—if a world free from pain wasn't created—then even if Rin were to be resurrected, she'd still be trapped in this wretched existence. The same tragedies would happen again and again, an endless cycle of suffering.

As Obito stewed in these thoughts, Kakashi continued his one-sided conversation at the gravesite. "Rin, Obito, after this visit, it might be a month before I can come again."

Obito's ears perked up at that.

Unaware that he was being eavesdropped on, Kakashi continued, "But don't worry, I'm not going on a dangerous mission. I've been assigned to protect Kushina-sama. Kushina-sama and Minato-sensei's child is about to be born, and we've decided to have the birth take place outside the village to keep it secret from everyone..."

With this, Kakashi revealed the secret about Kushina's childbirth. Oblivious to the weight of the information he'd just shared, he continued to talk, reminiscing about recent events and sharing light-hearted stories involving Guy and others, as though reassuring Rin and Obito that he wasn't alone.

After finishing his conversation with the graves, Kakashi gave one last look at the Hero Memorial, finally feeling unburdened. He turned and left, feeling lighter than before.

Kushina-sama's teachings were indeed effective—speaking his heart out had made him feel at peace. People needed to look forward, not be stuck in the past forever. After the mission to protect Kushina was over, he would assist Minato-sensei and fulfill the dreams Rin and Obito never got to realize. He would explore this beautiful shinobi world with a renewed sense of hope.

While Kakashi walked away, his spirits lifted, Obito's face remained cold and menacing.

Once Kakashi was out of sight, Obito appeared before his own gravestone, picking up the white flowers left in tribute. He crushed them in his hand, the petals crumbling into dust.

"Kakashi," Obito muttered to himself with barely contained fury, "you have no right to offer tributes to Rin or me."