Uchiha Kai spoke with a grave tone.
Yes—
Even though Uchiha Madara was already an old man, Kai dared not underestimate him in the slightest.
The reasoning was simple.
First, Madara's personal strength.
He was the reincarnation of Indra's chakra. Even if age had withered his body, no one could say for sure what trump cards he might unleash if forced.
Second, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
That was the husk of the Ten-Tails itself. The only reason Madara still clung to life was because of the vitality of that monster.
If driven into a corner, who could say he wouldn't forcibly drain its power?
Lastly—Black Zetsu.
That thousand-year-old "filial son" had been plotting endlessly, and Madara was the most crucial piece on his board.
He would never allow unexpected variables.
And Kai wasn't naïve enough to think a schemer who had lurked for millennia was only what he appeared in the original timeline.
Who knew what cards he was still hiding?
After all—
having lived two lives, Kai understood one truth:
Never underestimate the long-lived.
Even a fool, if he survived centuries, would learn more than most.
And Black Zetsu? He had seen it all, and had accumulated a thousand years of schemes.
What he revealed in the story might not have been everything.
So caution was necessary.
"Madara?" Obito asked, frowning. "What do you mean?"
Kai only shrugged, unwilling to explain further, and motioned for Minato to speak.
Minato caught the cue and explained everything in detail.
Kakashi and Rin were dumbstruck.
So… they had just been tools?
Their roles were nothing but catalysts—to push Obito into awakening Mangekyo through despair?
Obito himself looked dazed.
"This… impossible.
That old man who saved me—that was Uchiha Madara? The same one who fought the First Hokage?"
"I don't believe it! I was a loser, a dropout. Why would Madara, of all people, fix his gaze on me?"
Even as the truth lay before his eyes, he struggled to accept it.
Kai cut in coldly:
"You awakened the Mangekyo, didn't you?"
"That much is true." Obito nodded. "When I saw Rin almost cut down by Kakashi, I nearly lost my mind. The rage just… exploded. And then my eyes changed."
Kai nodded.
"That's the proof. Madara's plan succeeded."
"The Uchiha awaken the Mangekyo only through extreme emotional upheaval. It's simple, really.
The kinder one is in daily life, the more easily extreme rage can shatter their limits and open Mangekyo.
On the other hand, those who kill without blinking, who treat lives like weeds—they're desensitized. Even the death of a loved one may not be enough to push them over the edge."
"Among the Uchiha, you, Obito, were the kindest.
That's why Madara chose you.
If I hadn't stepped in, you would have watched your beloved Rin killed by your best friend Kakashi.
That kind of trauma would have twisted your entire being."
Kai's eyes narrowed.
"Obito. Say it yourself. No lies.
If I hadn't saved Rin, if you had never learned the truth—what would your real thoughts have been?"
Obito froze.
He hadn't expected Kai to confront him so directly.
Minato gently clapped a hand on his student's shoulder.
"Don't be afraid. Tell the truth. This is important for us to know."
Obito fell silent, then after recalling the scene, he finally spoke in a low, serious voice:
"That… would have been hell."
"Kakashi promised me—he swore Rin would be safe.
If he broke that promise… I wouldn't kill him outright. No, I'd make sure he lived forever in pain.
The Sharingan I gave him—if he kept it, it would slowly drag him down, make him fall from genius to mediocrity.
He's not an Uchiha. He can't control it. The eye would drain his chakra constantly.
And knowing Kakashi—he'd cling to it, because of guilt and obsession. Even if it crippled him, he wouldn't let it go."
"As for sensei…" Obito's face darkened.
"I'd be furious. To me, sensei was always unreliable. At every crucial moment… he was always a step too late.
Maybe… maybe I would have turned on him too."
His voice was firm, almost frightening.
This boy who had always been so kind, now admitted that in that moment, he nearly fell into the abyss.
Kakashi and Rin shivered, unable to believe these words were from Obito.
"Hell, huh?" Minato smiled faintly. "That's only natural.
Kai-kun was right. The kindest hearts, when broken, can turn into the darkest demons.
But… It's over now. Thanks to Kai-kun."
Minato bowed his head gratefully toward Kai.
He knew full well—without Kai, this disaster could never have been undone.
Obito felt the same.
To him, Kai had become his savior—the man who had saved Rin and kept him from plunging into despair.
And unlike the future version of him, this Obito was still uncertain, still tender-hearted.
Yes, he loved Rin.
But deep down, he knew Rin did not truly love him back.
Even so, he wanted to protect her.
"Kai-kun." Rin walked forward and bowed her head. "Thank you."
Kai only smiled.
"It's nothing. We're friends, aren't we?"
Then his tone grew serious.
"Now, two things.
First, Obito's Mangekyo. That must remain absolutely secret. I don't need him in my camp—let him continue as Minato's disciple.
But if the higher-ups learn of his Mangekyo, they'll drag him straight into the Uchiha-village power struggle. Obito's personality isn't suited for political games.
Second—
From this moment on, Kakashi, Rin, and Obito must not leave Minato's sight.
And when Minato returns to the village, he must find an excuse to rest for a while.
We can't risk Madara making another move.
As for the front lines—don't worry. The war is nearly over.
Hidden Stone Village will surely retreat.
And if the village has any sense, the next target will be Hidden Sand Village.
Once the Sand falls, Hidden Stone Village won't be able to hold out alone."
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