"If you want to know the whereabouts of that little girl, defeat me first!!!"
With a flash of his sword, Kagero jumped down from the tree and slashed toward Obito.
"In that case, I'll defeat you first—and then make you tell me where Rin is!"
Seeing Kagero slashing toward him, Obito roared in defiance and pulled out a kunai to meet him.
The two collided midair, the sound of weapons clashing ringing out through the woods. Sparks flew as they exchanged more than ten moves in a flurry of blows before a figure suddenly crashed to the ground.
"Haha!! Little brat, you're too slow!!"
Flipping through the air, Kagero landed nimbly on a tree branch. He glanced at Obito with interest and sneered coldly.
"With your strength, you should go back to the ninja academy and study a few more years!"
"Bastard!! Don't underestimate me!!"
Obito struggled up from the ground, shouting in frustration. His hands quickly formed seals, using the fire ninjutsu his Uchiha clan was proud of:
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
Bending slightly, he inhaled deeply before spewing out a massive two-meter fireball that surged toward Kagero with terrifying heat and momentum.
"Interesting brat… judging by that crest, you're from the Uchiha clan, huh?"
Kagero glanced at the symbol on Obito's clothes and chuckled lowly. The killing intent in his eyes intensified. The Uchiha must die.
"You're not the only one who can use Fire Style!"
Midair, Kagero formed hand seals, then exhaled a fireball of his own to clash with Obito's.
"BOOM!!"
A deafening impact rang out. The two fireballs collided with the force of a meteor crashing to earth. They struggled for dominance before finally canceling each other out in a roar of flame.
"Uchiha brat—leave your head behind!!"
As the fire dissipated, Kagero lunged at Obito once more. The glint of his blade flashed as he stabbed straight toward Obito's heart.
"Tell me where Rin is!!!!"
Obito screamed, pulling his kunai forward to intercept Kagero's slash.
"Clang!!"
Sparks flew as the two weapons collided, and their bodies passed midair. A streak of blood flashed—Obito staggered and crashed against a tree.
"Damn… is this the strength of a Jōnin?"
Blood flowed from his left arm. Obito glanced at the wound with a grim expression, fear tightening in his chest.
If he hadn't shifted his body slightly at the last second, his entire arm might've been severed.
Steeling himself, Obito stared at his opponent with renewed focus.
"You've got good reflexes, brat. But I've let you play long enough—now, obediently die!!"
Kagero flicked blood from his blade and charged again.
This time, he held nothing back.
His form blurred, leaving an afterimage. In an instant, he was in front of Obito.
"So fast!!!"
Obito's pupils contracted. His bleeding arm trembled as he raised his kunai to meet the katana hurtling toward him.
"Clang!!"
Sparks burst again as the weapons collided like thunder.
Surprised by Obito's ability to block, Kagero's eyes narrowed. A ruthless grin spread across his face as he slashed again with vicious precision.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!!"
Blade after blade met in a rapid-fire storm of clashes. Obito was forced on the defensive, blocking desperately as Kagero's attacks rained down mercilessly.
"There!! A flaw, brat!!!"
In a sudden flourish, Kagero twisted his katana to knock Obito's kunai aside, sweeping his blade toward the stunned boy.
"Am I… going to die?"
Obito's thoughts stilled as he saw the incoming strike.
He was exhausted—physically drained from the earlier battle. And at this distance, he had no chance of dodging.
"I'm so sorry… Rin…" 😢
"I'm so sorry… Grandma…" 🥲
"I'm sorry…kushinsni… Sensei…"😢
His knees buckled slightly, heart pounding not from fear—but from sorrow.
"I guess I was born a disappointment… and now, I'm dying as one."
Blood trickled down his face, mixing with the dirt and sweat. His vision blurred, but not just from the pain—it was the tears.
"I really thought… I could be with you all… maybe make you proud someday…"
"Guess this is… my end."
With full tears welling in his eyes, Obito cried. Yet, amidst it all…
He smiled.
Even as the blade drew near, reflecting cold steel and finality—he smiled at his own foolish hope, the innocence that clung to him till the end.
A small, broken boy in the face of death.
Alone.