Chapter 38: Madara and Obito's Bet (Seeking Continuation)

The sky was gray and misty, and rain fell slowly from above.

In the Leaf Village cemetery, Yuzhi, dressed in black, stood within the Uchiha Clan formation.

He lowered his head like everyone else, silently taking part in the final moment of silence.

When the funeral was halfway through, the sky began to rain, as if the heavens themselves were weeping for those who fell on the battlefield.

And those who had been noisy with Yuzhi earlier, like Akai and the others, now all became unusually sorrowful.

After all, on the battlefield, everyone has witnessed comrades, even their dearest, depart.

"Fortunately, everything has to pause for now."

Yuzhi lowered his head, murmuring silently to himself; he knows the war is only a temporary cease.

Truly ending all conflicts is impossible, unless the entire ninja world is unified and subjected to strict governance.

Only then can conflicts be minimized as much as possible, and issues be settled internally.

Or, if everyone were gone, there would be no disputes over interests.

"After all, as the saying goes: where there are people, there is jianghu."

Yuzhi thought silently in his heart that he really didn't understand why Senju Clan ZhuZhang would reject Madara Uchiha's ideas.

Clearly, at that time all the villages were just newly founded, and if he wished, he could have taken them all down.

Yet he chose to settle in a corner, declaring that this was the ultimate peace.

He seemed never to have considered that the ninja world's peace was solely because his strength was overwhelming, and no one dared to provoke him.

Moreover, he did something even more incomprehensible—splitting the tailed beasts; one could say the Leaf Village's biggest traitor was actually him!

The current state of the ninja world, bluntly speaking, is because of him.

"But thinking carefully, the original work also shows that he is indeed 'not very smart'."

He pursed his lips, and Yuzhi stopped pondering these issues.

Criticizing the First Hokage for being foolish is somewhat inappropriate, especially since he obtained some necessary information at the recent funeral.

It seems that while he was out digging graves, rumors in the Leaf Village about promoting a Fourth Hokage indeed surfaced.

Even from a distance, Yuzhi heard clan members whispering with Uchiha Fugaku about the matter.

"Now we have to see what response that old man Uzhibo ChaNa will give."

Standing quietly among the crowd, Yuzhi calmly awaited the end of this funeral.

In fact, the Leaf Village has already held such funerals several times.

Whether truly mourning the fallen heroes or staging a political show to display the Leaf Village leadership's recognition of the heroes' contributions.

All of this is necessary, after all it can further unite people's hearts.

Accompanied by the Third Hokage's final speech in the rain, this funeral and memorial concluded smoothly.

Yuzhi did not linger; although the continuous rain wouldn't affect him, it made him feel uncomfortable.

Moreover, just now Asuma mentioned Uchiha Guang's matter; even knowing the Leaf Village wouldn't scrutinize Uchiha issues, let alone inquire.

But he couldn't withstand others constantly asking, especially that look from Rin Nohara, even though he explained that she was just a comrade on a mission.

"Yuzhi‑kun."

However, just as he was about to leave, he suddenly heard someone call his name.

He turned around and saw Minato Namikaze approaching with Kakashi and Rin.

"Jonin Minato, hello."

Yuzhi politely nodded at Minato Namikaze.

"I've long heard that Jonin Minato has returned, and I must thank him for his help; otherwise I couldn't have learned such exquisite Seal Technique."

"Yuzhi, you are being modest; Kushina told me your Seal Technique talent is excellent."

Minato Namikaze shook his head; he remained sunny and straightforward.

"Also, thank you for everything, Yuzhi; I've already heard Kakashi mention some matters."

Yuzhi was startled by the remark, then quickly recovered.

He realized it was Kakashi who had reminded him at the time about the possibility that a Uchiha might be looking for him.

"No need for that, Jonin Minato; Kakashi and I are friends."

Yuzhi found it amusing internally, but he spoke earnestly.

"Jonin Minato, there's no need to bring that up again; I think we should discuss the front lines instead."

"After all, we are all awaiting the end of the war."

"Kakashi has a true friend; that's something to be glad about."

Minato Namikaze nodded at Yuzhi's words and then patted Kakashi on the shoulder.

Kakashi also nodded; although Obito had already left, he now had a true friend.

"The front line matters are still a bit complicated, but I think they're nearing resolution."

Minato Namikaze's expression then grew slightly solemn as he lowered his voice.

"Rock Village has accepted negotiations; Rokudo is handling this, but we've recently received some information."

"It seems Mist Village is making some moves; they've dispatched elite troops here."

At this point, Minato Namikaze stopped, unable to disclose further details.

However, Yuzhi understood that this was probably Madara Uchiha's plan, preparing for Obito's final eye opening!

"It seems the ninja world cannot be at peace for now."

Yuzhi murmured softly, and Minato Namikaze resonated with the words.

"Indeed, the ninja world still cannot be at peace."

—

"I say, if you want to leave, just leave; as long as you can do it, that's fine."

Inside the Underground Base of the Grass Country, Ban looked at the stubborn‑faced Obito and calmly spoke.

He naturally knew that conversation between the two white absolutes and Obito, after all he had orchestrated it himself.

Obito's emotions were so intense; he was naturally pleased, for the more one cares and then loses, the greater the negative effect.

After all, Obito's nature is inherently steeped in selfishness; ever since he arrived here, he has only thought of Kakashi and Lin.

As for his clan, his teacher, and that jinchuriki of the Nine‑Tails who cared for him, he never mentioned them.

"When exactly are you going to keep me locked up? Can't you just send me out!"

Obito gritted his teeth and shouted his question; he truly wanted to go out and see what had happened to Lin and Kakashi!

"And, have you known about their situation for a long time?"

"I suppose so, after all I've been watching the changes in the shinobi world."

Ban gave a slight nod; there was nothing he could refute about that.

"Didn't I tell you long ago that we are both betrayed people, and likewise forgotten people?"

"Nonsense, how could I possibly be forgotten!"

Obito grew even more irritated upon hearing that.

"Especially Kakashi and Lin; they would never, ever forget me, impossible!"

"People always become immersed in their own world, thinking of their inner beauty, yet cannot extricate themselves."

Ban looked at the somewhat hysterical Obito and, with a pointed tone, said gravely.

"Reality is always sorrowful; whether you accept it or not, the fact remains.

You can't surpass him; you are already 'dead', so being forgotten and betrayed isn't strange.

Even everything they do, perhaps in their eyes, isn't betrayal at all.

Forgetting the past may be immoral, but isn't the smooth change of the world also a virtue?"

"Stop the nonsense, shut up!"

Obito's mind grew increasingly chaotic; originally Yuzhi was close with Lin, and Lin had even quarreled over it.

Now that Yuzhi seems to have completely replaced him, and he can do nothing, which he cannot accept!

"Looks like you're still resentful, but let's make a bet."

Seeing Obito's hysterical demeanor, Ban thought for a moment before speaking softly.

"What bet?" Obito forced himself to calm down.

"I can mobilize some Mist Village troops to come over, and will find a way to bring them to the front line."

Ban spoke slowly, his deep voice seeming to have a particular rhythm.

"Then, you can watch their performance, even interact with them.

But you must disguise yourself, at least cover your face."

Having said that, Ban paused, then spoke meaningfully.

"You said they wouldn't forget you; you are their most important person, right?

Then, for the most important person, even if you can't see the face, you can still identify them through details.

If you can't even do that, I think the outcome is obvious.

Will you take this bet, Obito?"

Thanks to the not‑too‑big nor too‑small Ma Que big boss for the tip, thank you, thank you!

A newbie kneels, begging for a follow‑read; now a follow‑read will determine the fate of an entire book—raising a book is easy, killing it is easy.

Thanks to all the big bosses, Onz

(End of chapter)