With Naruto's birth, the winds in the ninja world blew even stronger. After Yahiko settled into the post of the second village head of the Village of Earth, chakra converters became widespread, the villages began to trade freely with one another, and the entire ninja world truly prospered.
Although the lives of ordinary people in some regions were still harsh, at least most people could eat their fill and wouldn't see the kinds of human tragedies caused by famine.
This world could never be perfectly balanced, to make everyone smile would truly require something like Infinite Tsukuyomi to be possible.
But from another angle, everything is perceived by contrast, and so is happiness. Some people can find happiness in a little bit of contentment and thereby ignore most of life's suffering.
Obito felt that if most people could be spared the pains the ninja world once knew, that was enough. After all, this was genuinely walking the path of peace, not an instant fix like Infinite Tsukuyomi.
The rest, he trusted to people's wisdom. Everyone was clever; it was only that some were trapped by daily necessities and couldn't free themselves.
Another two years, almost three, passed.
All regions of the ninja world had come under the Village of Earth's jurisdiction. Conflicts and bloody incidents across the lands were curbed one after another in the face of the negotiation laws introduced by the Akatsuki organization. War didn't vanish entirely, but it shifted from actual fighting into verbal battles.
Although those were intense and even produced many who were called "arguers," at least people weren't dying anymore. Of course, being driven mad by anger is another matter.
That winter, snowflakes fell from the sky and drifted into Obito's hand; he was already sixteen.
After kissing Rin goodbye at home, Obito decided to do something important. He strolled along the now extremely luxurious streets of the Hidden Leaf Village and before he knew it had walked to the gate of the Hyuga clan estate.
The Hyuga still adhered to ancient traditions; even their estate had a rustic, timeworn feel.
As if remembering something, Obito strode straight through the Hyuga gate and walked in.
Several branch-family Hyuga guards at first tried to stop him, but when the clan elder saw Obito's appearance his face changed. Something occurred to him and he immediately prevented his people from doing anything foolish.
Obito wandered unimpeded through the Hyuga compound until he came to the domain of the branch-family head, Hyuga Hizaashi.
There he saw Hyuga Neji painstakingly training in the snowy garden.
Neji's forehead had not yet been marked by the Caged Bird, so there was no hatred of fate in his eyes, they were still so clear.
However, if nothing changed, that day would come soon.
Because the main family's little princess, Hyuga Hinata, was about to turn three.
Thinking of that, Obito walked forward and came up to Neji, "Kid, why are you training so hard?"
Neji didn't know why this big brother had suddenly come in. He stopped his practice and, with a hint of determination in his eyes, said, "I want to protect little sister Hinata."
Obito smiled and said sharply, "Little sister Hinata, huh? Such pure brother–sister affection."
"But do you know, if certain things aren't resolved, your little sister Hinata will soon become Lady Hinata."
A trace of confusion showed in Neji's eyes. He hadn't noticed Hyuga Hizashi, who had received the news and rushed over.
Hizashi had heard that the Root leader, Konoha's Black Fang, had entered Hyuga territory and had hurried to pay a visit, only to see this scene. At Obito's mocking tone, bitterness showed in his white eyes.
This fate was predetermined for every branch-family member; no one could change it.
Although he was very unwilling to let this talented child of his go through it all, there was nothing he could do.
Neji, puzzled, asked, "Brother… what do you mean by that?"
Obito smiled slightly, "Nothing much. I just want to say that from now on you won't have to go through any of this."
Neji still looked puzzled and confused, but Hizashi's heart jumped. He immediately stepped forward and said, "Lord Obito, why have you come?"
Obito smiled faintly, "Nothing, I was just walking around and somehow ended up here."
Neji then noticed his father and immediately paid his respects, "Father!"
Hizashi only nodded slightly, then looked at Obito and asked cautiously, "Lord Obito, what did you mean by your words just now?"
Obito's gaze deepened, "I don't mean much. I just think the Caged Bird system is a bit outdated. I've decided to abolish it."
Hizashi was utterly shocked. At that moment he felt not joy but fear.
He spoke with difficulty, "Lord Obito, although you have great power in Konoha, the Caged Bird is Hyuga tradition. Don't say you can abolish it, even the Hokage cannot."
At that moment Hyuga clan head Hiashi, having heard the conversation, arrived and caught the end of it.
Hiashi had long wanted to abolish the Caged Bird, but even he did not dare use such direct and forceful means.
He quickly added, "Lord Obito, please think twice. The Hyuga have followed this tradition since before the Hidden Leaf was established as a shinobi clan. How can you just abolish it by decree?"
Obito only emphasized, "Shinobi clan?"
Hiashi instinctively nodded, "Lord Obito, do you have some question?"
Obito let out a light laugh, "Clan head Hiashi, it seems you don't yet understand the gravity of the matter."
"What I plan to do isn't merely to abolish the Caged Bird. That is only incidental."
Hiashi was taken aback, "Then Lord Obito, what do you intend to do?"
Obito looked up at the sky and stared for a while before suddenly saying, "Nothing special. It's just that the concept of 'shinobi', the very character for 'ninja', I no longer want it to exist."
A chill rose in Hiashi's heart, "Lord Obito, I don't understand what you mean."
Obito said calmly, "Don't understand? I'll say it again."
"From now on, the concept of 'ninja' will gradually disappear from the entire ninja world. What I intend to abolish is the profession of shinobi itself. Along with it, any traditions and customs related to shinobi will all be swept into the dustbin of history."
Hiashi was completely stunned.
He trembled and cautiously said, "Lord Obito, perhaps we could at least discuss how to abolish the Caged Bird? To be frank, I'm actually very dissatisfied with that system myself."
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