Chapter 82

Why haven't you summoned me over there yet?

How would I know? I'm just a Shadow Clone Jutsu.

In the square, Yuzhi chatted and joked with Kakashi and the others while celebrating the New Year festival, all the while quietly asking Hikari's Shadow Clone Jutsu beside him.

Actually, it wasn't just Hikari who noticed being observed; Yuzhi himself was also clearly aware of it.

They simply couldn't find the other party's trace, which is why they didn't make a fuss and instead waited quietly for that guy to show up.

Yuzhi had actually already guessed who the visitor might be; someone who could spy on them so invisibly must also be a person who has mastered spatial power.

No surprise it's that guy Obito, but why is he fixated on Hikari? I guess...

Although Obito's fixation on Hikari put Yuzhi in a bit of a bind, upon reflection it really isn't that surprising.

Hikari had once used the Mangekyou Sharingan's ability in front of Madara Uchiha as an informant, and he would surely have told Obito this information before his death.

Just Obito showing up like that in front of him—doesn't that seem a bit too dismissive of him?

Although I have great faith in Hikari's abilities, let's go check it out anyway; it's quite convenient.

Learning the Flying Thunder God technique is indeed difficult, but for Yuzhi, who possesses Spatial Talent, it wasn't that hard to pick up.

He himself had mastered Seal Technique, so drawing the cursed seals posed no difficulty.

Of course, his proficiency certainly can't compare to Minato Namikaze's, but simply completing the teleportation is still easy.

What, you don't trust me?

Hikari's Shadow Clone Jutsu seemed to sense something, and she asked with a chuckle.

It's not that I don't trust you; it's that I care.

Yuzhi is good with words; he smiled and gave a casual reply.

Moreover, the fact that they can evade our detection shows they must have mastered space-time techniques.

With me around, I can at least guarantee nothing will go wrong, right?

Do as you please, but you might be underestimating me.

Hikari blinked, and she also flashed a smile.

Space-time techniques are tough to deal with, but it also depends on the specific situation.

Hikari appeared very confident, seeming not to overly worry about Obito's threat.

But Yuzhi knew very well that Obito at this point was about to become the hidden boss who would soon kill Minato Namikaze and his wife, and instantly slay the Third's ANBU.

Even if Yuzhi felt that facing Obito wouldn't be too troublesome, being cautious certainly wouldn't hurt.

Thinking this through, Yuzhi quietly moved behind Hikari, then, using the cover of the fireworks in the sky and Hikari's protection, released a Shadow Clone Jutsu.

He himself quickly arrived beside Hikari via Flying Thunder God, as a blaze of flames instantly swept down, scorching away the winter chill.

Yuzhi watched the scene before him, and for some reason, a line came to mind—

"As soon as I arrived, I saw Changwei playing with Lai Fu."

——

"Where the hell did you come from, you lunatic?"

Hikari spoke in a neutral tone, yet the contempt in her eyes was utterly undisguised.

Obito witnessed this scene, heard Hikari's words, and instantly felt his breath catch.

For some reason, he suddenly felt like he was a clown.

The last time I rushed to aid Kakashi and Rin, although there was an accident that almost sent Rin away, I had genuinely come to save them.

But since then, he's been ignored by everyone, and likewise hated by everyone!

No matter what he does, it's all futile; it seems anything involving Yuzhi dooms him to failure.

"Why is this happening? Why does it always happen this way? Why is it always like this?"

Obito's inner turmoil had already begun to spiral, while Hikari had already entered a combat state.

This guy who disturbed her peaceful life and likely spouted nonsense that could affect Yuzhi—she would never let him go, no matter what!

"We don't need to call Yuzhi over for now; I remember this guy fought Yuzhi before, and Yuzhi won."

Hikari's gaze turned dangerous; if Yuzhi could win, why couldn't she?

"Fire Release: Great Firewall Technique!"

While Obito was still wallowing in self-pity, Hikari had already instantly completed the hand seals.

The violent Fire Release burst forth instantly, like a wall of flames surging straight at Obito!

"Hmph!"

Obito snapped back to reality, letting out a cold snort, his eyes also filled with killing intent.

"Since you're being obstinate, don't blame me for not holding back—I'll take your eyes!"

Faced with this violent blaze, he didn't dodge at all, merely staring coldly at Hikari.

"No physical form, using space abilities to avoid damage?"

Although Yuzhi's memory of his previous fight with that guy is in his mind, it was merely distant observation.

To grasp the concrete details, one still needs to get hands-on; combining that with memory gives a better chance.

Swish—

At that moment, Obito pulled out a chain of iron links, and the next instant he lunged forward.

"Wanna fight hand-to-hand? But his speed is way too slow."

Hikari raised an eyebrow, let out a light hum, and swiftly charged forward as well.

However, after just a single crossing, she frowned again, because her attack still wasn't making contact with a solid form.

Nevertheless, she remained vigilant at all times, recalling that when Yuzhi fought that guy, he had always been careful about his attacks.

Sure enough, at the moment they first brushed past each other, she swiftly darted again to evade Obito's next attack.

Moreover, this time she clearly felt the rush of wind caused by the iron chain, which could only indicate one thing.

"Now it's solid!"

Hikari's eyes burned; having seen Yuzhi in battle and combined with her own experience, she seemed to have figured out Obito's ability.

"If that's the case,"

Watching the iron chain draw ever closer, Hikari flashed forward and suddenly gave a light flick with the Kunai in her hand.

In an instant, Obito's iron chain was deflected to another direction, and at that same moment she drew a detonating talisman with her left hand and seized Obito's wrist!

Unfortunately, Hikari's grab missed; Obito, failing to land a hit, immediately slipped into his Kamui space.

"It seems I have begun to understand your ability."

Hikari didn't mind her attack being evaded; she leapt quickly to create some distance and stared coolly at the Obito before her.

"Without surprise, your ability must be to hide yourself in another dimension, only revealing your true form at the moment of attack, right?"

Obito heard this but gave no reply; however, the color of his face beneath the mask had already changed!

What kind of woman is this, after all?

Why, after just one round of combat, has she already grasped his ability?

"Was it Uchiha Haori who told you?"

Suddenly, Obito thought of something and asked in a hoarse voice.

"Yuzhi didn't say it, and actually he didn't need to, because I have seen your battles."

Hikari gently shook her head, her expression unusually calm, yet the Mangekyou Sharingan in her eyes began to spin faintly.

"It seems you're nothing more than a rat hiding in the sewers, already gone mad, that's all."

Hikari was clearly a pure Uchiha; when she switched to sarcasm mode, not a hint of courtesy remained in her words.

Obito, already bristling with anger, flushed red at this moment.

Recalling that ever since being replaced by Yuzhi and forgotten by everyone, he truly felt like a sewer rat, without even his own identity, forced to use Madara's name.

Even though he had already concluded that this falsehood was false and that Obito was dead, he could not bear that those close to Yuzhi looked down on him so disdainfully!

"So what if you know, what can you actually do?"

Obito shouted hysterically and suddenly lunged forward again!

"I told you, I want your eyes!"

"What a lunatic…"

Hikari shook her head; she felt this person was seriously ill, though according to Yuzhi, such a person makes good entertainment.

If you truly meet someone like this, you won't find it amusing at all.

Watching Obito close in rapidly, Hikari already had a plan; as the iron chain swung toward her, she counterattacked with the Kunai while dodging.

What she needed now was to determine when this guy would reveal his true form.

Facing Obito's onslaught, Hikari seemed effortless; strictly speaking, she thought Obito's physical techniques were truly lacking.

His attack motions were irregular and his speed still slow.

If not for his ability that constantly sends him into another dimension, such a fight wouldn't have drained much of her energy.

Actually, this isn't Obito's fault; after all, his eye technique has improved, but he lacks experience in other aspects.

"It seems we need to create a flaw; only then will we have a chance to catch him."

Hikari watched Obito, quickly pondering in her mind, while Obito grew increasingly heated as the fight continued.

"I must seize the opportunity to capture her, even if it means trapping her within my space!"

He always thought of himself as a hunter, yet after this clash he found he had no way to deal with her at all.

This woman also feared his ability, making every move extra cautious, which prevented him from landing even a single hit.

This made Obito extremely angry and bewildered—why was this woman, who seemed to appear from nowhere, so powerful?

"And why does this kind of good fortune always end up being encountered by Yuzhi, why?"

Obito's inner anger grew, his movements became faster, but the quicker he moved, the less methodical he became.

Suddenly, he realized the woman before him had slowed a bit, and his eyes lit up instantly!

"Good opportunity!"

Obito swiftly flung the iron chain, wrapping it around Hikari's body with force.

Hikari frowned slightly, her body tensed then she quickly twisted and turned, instantly evading the swing of the iron chains, but Obito was also expecting that moment.

In an instant, a twisted vortex appeared beside Hikari, and Obito suddenly seized her wrist.

"Got you!"

Obito's heart swelled with joy, yet he dared not waste any moment; his eyes flickered rapidly as the distortion of space intensified wildly.

"Got you."

Yet the already distorted Hikari paid no heed, a smile even appearing on her face.

"Now that we can finally confirm the true form, then"

"This"

Obito watched Hikari as if she were indifferent, which instantly gave him an uneasy feeling, especially seeing Hikari's eyes spinning rapidly.

He knew this woman must be preparing some technique, and since the chance was rare he didn't want to miss it; he immediately accelerated the operation of his Kamui.

Buzz—

However, at this moment the space shifted, and everything in heaven and earth seemed to turn a gray‑white.

Even the moon in the sky altered at this instant, becoming a massive Sharingan stamped with Hikari's Mangekyou Sharingan, glowing crimson.

"Illusion technique?"

Obito saw this scene, his face grim, but he quickly showed a mocking expression.

"Are you too childish? It's all Mangekyou Sharingan, is your power really effective against me?"

"Whether it's effective or not isn't up to you, it's up to me."

Hikari calmly shook her head, seemingly not taking Obito too seriously either.

Your ability is not bad, but you seem to have only one eye; even if you can break free from Moon Reading, guess what happened to you in reality?

This sentence made Obito's face change instantly!

I think your eye, Yuzhi, would be interested, even though it's only one.

Hikari quickly mobilized chakra while not forgetting to activate the Uchiha Clan's passive attribute.

Just Hikari's words left Obito completely unable to hold himself!

Yuzhi, Yuzhi, forever Yuzhi, forever this person.

No matter who, what they say is they!

Lin, Kakashi, and the woman obviously deceived by Yuzhi in front of them are also like that.

Even these days, while they were investigating the Nine-Tails jinchuriki, they also saw their former teacher Minato Namikaze being especially friendly toward Yuzhi.

Even throughout Leaf Village, their story spreads everywhere!

I will definitely destroy this world, I will definitely destroy this false world that has Yuzhi in it!

They roared and bellowed, recklessly beginning to madly surge their own power.

Although they only have one eye, their body still has Xuanwo Lian White Absolute, and they themselves possess White Absolute's cells.

In the burst of power, there was almost no waiting for Hikari to do anything inside Moon Reading; they already propped open the entire Moon Reading world.

You're dreaming!

Obito, the moment they broke free from Moon Reading, they roared hideously, but in the next instant their face changed instantly.

Be careful, Obito!

Xuanwo Lian also loudly warned in their ear, because the black flames had already spun into their Divine Authority space!

Damn it!

Obito, seeing that, immediately cut off the pull of their own Divine Authority, and at the same time immediately entered their Divine Authority space.

Although those Amaterasu flames had just been sucked in, the Divine Authority space is their turf, and they can adjust their own position.

Pretty capable, huh, to come out so quickly?

Hikari calmly looked at Obito, they had long since broken free from Obito's control range.

You're pretty capable too, to let this old man fall into that state, but you stop here!

Obito pulled a long face under their mask, although they were still uneasy, they still uttered harsh words.

Is that so?

Hikari slightly shook their head, while quickly forming seals they casually said.

Are you really sure you're inside your own alien space?

What does that mean?

Obito suddenly had a bad feeling, but they didn't have time to think more, and suddenly Hikari released a ninja technique!

Fire Release lit up the sky, the violent aura instantly sweeping over Obito.

What's going on?

Obito didn't originally want to dodge, but at this moment they felt the terrifying heat, and they immediately realized the situation was wrong.

How am I not inside the Divine Authority space?

Boom—

Accompanied by a tremendous roar, Obito was instantly covered in flames!

What's going on? Why is this happening?

Obito looked at their whole body engulfed in flames, they obviously fell into a mix of shock and anger and bewilderment.

They clearly had already used Divine Authority, how could this still happen?

Could it be that I'm still inside an illusion technique?

Obito endured the flames' scorching heat and quickly leapt back, at the same time they sealed with both hands, a huge tree blocking in front of them.

They still feel a bit dazed now, they already can't clearly tell whether what's shown is real or illusory.

Obito, your wrist

Suddenly, a voice echoed in their mind, this voice seemed to be Xuanwo Lian?

Wrist?

Obito looked at the black flames that suddenly appeared on the tree trunk, they quickly lowered their head and glanced at their own wrist.

Suddenly, they saw a strange mark, and this mark was slowly emitting light——

Hurry up, don't delay.

Geez, how come such a thing happened even at the New Year Festival?

The moonlight was hazy, countless Leaf Village ninja hurried toward the platform.

Originally they were celebrating the arrival of the New Year Festival, but no one expected a big fire to appear not far from them.

Such flames, no matter how you look at them, seem not to have appeared by accident; this is more like someone caused them in battle.

But they just don't understand, what kind of person would be fighting in the village at this time?

Water Release, Water Bullet Technique!

Water Release, Water Wall!

"Water Release, Water Dragon Technique!"

The ninjas who arrived first have already begun the rescue, continuously using Water Release to contain the thick flames.

Fortunately, the burning spot is not far from the plaza, so they arrived very quickly.

Before long, even the Third Hokage was alerted; he arrived with Shuihu Menyan and Zhuanqin Xiaochun, while Ziraiye came with Minato Namikaze.

"What's going on?"

Watching the ever‑burning flames, the Third Hokage felt a headache, but when he saw the huge tree within the fire, his expression instantly turned serious.

"Lord Hokage, we don't know either."

A Jonin present in the rescue shook his head helplessly; after all, it had been like this once he arrived.

"Who arrived first?"

Ziraiye stroked his chin and suddenly asked in a low voice.

"It was Yuzhi and Hikari."

The Jonin glanced at Yuzhi and Hikari, who were watching the scene from the side, pursed his lips and spoke.

He didn't blame Yuzhi and the others for not helping; after all, letting two Uchiha Clan members fight the fire was better than having them start it.

Yet he wondered whether their sparring caused it, since he had also witnessed this Jonin exam.

"Yuzhi‑kun, Hikari‑kun, what's this?"

Minato Namikaze, who got along well with Yuzhi, couldn't help but ask curiously upon hearing it.

"We'll discuss it over there."

The Third Hokage rubbed his forehead and immediately cut Minato Namikaze off.

Yuzhi and Hikari were fine with it; they nodded and walked together to the side.

Soon they reached a corner, and the ANBU quickly sealed off the surrounding area.

"Yuzhi, is that the guy who can use Wood Release here?"

The Third Hokage glanced at the people around him and then asked directly.

Before Yuzhi could speak, he suddenly noticed his system panel refreshing.

It made him pause briefly, then a smile formed in his mind.

"Hmm, it's that guy from the Grass Country."

He nodded decisively and then began to spout nonsense that was half‑truth, half‑fabrication.

"Actually, a few days ago we sensed that someone had been watching us, but we never managed to locate the person."

"Only today did he slip up, so we found him, and it turned out he was deliberately drawing us in, then he fought them."

Hikari glanced at Yuzhi upon hearing this, realizing his ability to babble nonsense was frighteningly strong.

"Watching Yuzhi and the others all this time? Deliberately luring us and then attacking?"

Hearing this, the Third Hokage and the others were stunned, and their expressions grew solemn.

The Uchiha Clan's endless turmoil over the years has always been their bane, because those Uchiha are too extreme!

It's so extreme that even learning from the Second Hokage is hard, and of course they themselves lack that ability.

Yet now, after much trouble, a "normal person" from the Uchiha has finally appeared, and there are bonds everywhere in the Leaf Village.

They began to give him priority support, and Minato Namikaze, the future Fourth Hokage, intends to make him part of his future core team.

Yet at this moment this scene erupted, leaving them unable to feel at ease.

"Next time something like this happens, Yuzhi‑kun, I hope you'll inform us."

Minato Namikaze's expression also grew serious, and he said earnestly.

"Yuzhi‑kun and Hikari‑kun may be powerful, but we stand together; we'll always help you."

"Right, Yuzhi, you should tell us next time instead of going it alone."

The Third Hokage nodded in agreement, his stomach full of anger, wondering who was planning to sabotage this.

Could it be Danzo again?

He glanced around and saw that only Danzo and Orochimaru were absent.

"Yuzhi, did that guy tell you who he is?"

Ziraiye actually knows the ins and outs here, but he has no interest at all; after scanning the surroundings he finally asked.

"He didn't."

Yuzhi shook his head, but Hikari almost rolled his eyes.

"Alright, fine! He said his name—Madara Uchiha?"

"But we all noticed that this guy not only possesses Wood Release, and"

Yuzhi thought for a moment before speaking hesitantly.

"And his eyes seem to be Sharingan."

"What?"

Yuzhi's words left everyone present unable to stay composed.

Sharingan, Wood Release, and extremely strong concealment ability—who on earth is this guy?

Could it really be Danzo?

At that moment, aside from Minato Namikaze, the others gave the Third Hokage a fleeting glance, and his complexion darkened further.

Yet at that moment he truly began to doubt.

Though they guard against the Uchiha Clan, now their attitude toward the Uchiha Clan remains cautious and restrained.

Minato Namikaze is not Itachi Uchiha; before he died he said he would reveal some information.

The information was probably "Beware of the Uchiha Clan—Madara…" unfinished, and then he died.

And Danzo is extremely extreme, always pondering how to eliminate all calamities.

Moreover, regarding the Wood Release experiment, is Tuan Zang really doing it, or is he doing it together with Orochimaru?

"We know about this matter."

The Third Hokage pinched his forehead and, with a slight headache, spoke.

"We will investigate thoroughly; such shameless scoundrels must no longer run amok in Leaf Village."

The Uchiha Clan must strengthen its defenses; if you need ANBU, you can contact Minato Namikaze or contact me.

Also, the reconstruction of the Uchiha Clan needs to be accelerated; at the very least, people must not be able to enter it casually without being detected.

This time he is dealing with you; your strength can handle it, but next time they face others, it's uncertain.

Leaf Village will provide more support and reinforcement, helping you accomplish all this, but there's one thing I want to say.

"Third Hokage, please speak."

Yuzhi, hearing the Third Hokage so generous, knew he had profited and that this mission was now secure!

"I hope this matter remains confidential and not be spoken of, at least not casually for now."

Wood Release is too important to Leaf Village, and Sharingan is even the most crucial asset of your clan.

Therefore, before the investigation is clarified, we

"... will be just like in Grass Country, right?"

Yuzhi said with a smile, then nodded.

"I understand, Lord Hokage."

"You've worked hard; to encounter this during the New Year Festival."

The Third Hokage smiled, reached out to pat Yuzhi's shoulder, and then said meaningfully.

"Keep up the good work; I am also nearing retirement, and enjoying a peaceful old age is something I never even dreamed of."

"I look forward to you and Minato creating a better future."

That statement makes the meaning very clear!

Zhuan Qin Xiaochun and Shui Tu Men Yan exchanged a glance, but said nothing, as some matters were already settled.

Ziraiye laughed heartily, nodded at Yuzhi, then placed a hand on his disciple, while Minato Namikaze wore a broad smile.

As the Third Hokage left with his two assistants, he whispered to Yuzhi.

"Please continue to guide me in the future, Yuzhi-kun."

"And please, Senior Minato, also guide me."

Yuzhi also showed a smile, then teasingly asked.

"Do I need to change my wording now?"

"No need, never need to, this is better."

Minato Namikaze immediately shook his head, and just as he and Ziraiye were about to leave, he suddenly winked at Yuzhi and Ying.

"Do your best, you two."

"Don't trouble Yuzhi; he's so popular, how could he be like you?"

Ziraiye laughed scoldingly, reached out to pat Minato's head, and the two hurried away.

Obito probably never even dreamed that his inexplicable appearance this time would bring so many benefits!

"Your ability to talk nonsense is truly strong."

When everyone, including the ANBU, had left, Hikari suddenly whispered a laugh and scolded.

"I realized I was fooled by you back then; I really have no good solution, because everyone gets duped by you."

"Don't talk nonsense; I haven't deceived anyone."

Yuzhi couldn't stand hearing that, glared at Hikari and said softly.

"This is slightly concealing some important information, as well as information expressed through guided means."

Anyway, that's roughly how it is, and some matters they have the right to know, and the right not to know.

I also have the right to speak, and the right not to.

"Speak in human language."

"... I told them everything; though slightly concealed, it's all true, how they think is up to them."

Yuzhi felt a little regretful; he still wanted to utter two long, difficult sentences, but was cut off.

"Are you guiding them to think in another direction?"

Hikari understood at this moment, then asked humorously.

"Is someone about to have bad luck?"

"Not sure; probably not unlucky, but that guy truly isn't a good person."

Yuzhi nodded, then glanced at his system's interface, and laughed.

"Forget it, we won't meddle with their affairs; after all, our goal this time has been achieved, and we have what we need."

"We gave that guy a lesson; he'll probably be honest from now on, and even if he spouts nonsense, no one will believe him."

Yuzhi stayed here, naturally to avoid possible future mishaps.

Whether it's the Nine-Tails incident or that idiot Obito eavesdropping on Hikari's words, both must be watched.

Now they've left an impression on the Third Hokage, so later if Obito does anything, they can't blame Yuzhi and his group.

Moreover, this time he picked up an arm of Obito!

Unwittingly, Obito became a great person again, even a gold‑coin‑exploding great person.

"By the way, I recently learned an eye technique; interested?"

"What eye technique?"

"An eye technique that can control a tailed beast."

Yuzhi smiled, and his gaze turned to his system panel.

【New Side Quest acquired】

【1. Tell everyone the truth about Obito】

【2. Conceal the truth about Obito and frame others】

【Reward: Unknown】

【Completed: Concealed the truth about Obito and framed others】

【Reward obtained: Tail Beast Control Technique】

——

Although the New Year Festival caused a few minor mishaps due to Obito's sudden appearance.

But it didn't dampen anyone's spirits; after fighting for so long, couldn't we relax a bit?

Next came music, then dance, as everyone celebrated the tumultuous forty‑seven years of Leaf Village.

Yuzhi also returned with Hikari to Kakashi and the others, and fortunately no one asked what had happened.

Of course, even if they were asked, they had reasons to deflect.

"Yuzhi, Hikari, these are your Jonin gifts."

At the start of the New Year bell, Lin smiled and presented two items before them.

"Congratulations on becoming Jonin. The gifts aren't valuable, but I hope you'll like them."

"Thank you, Lin."

Yuzhi politely took it; the item Lin gave was a medical ninja pack. Strictly speaking it's useless to him, but it's the little girl's sincere gesture.

"Did you sew it yourself?"

Hikari stared at Lin's hands, then after a while asked.

"My skill is poor, please don't."

"No, this is one of the best gifts I've received."

Lin opened shyly, but before she could finish, Hikari laughed and interrupted, took the medical pack, slung it on his waist, and then solemnly said.

"Thank you, Lin. I'll keep it on me at all times."

Yuzhi saw this and gave a slight nod; if it weren't for someone like Lin, full of warmth and kindness.

He had no better way to make Hikari, whose heart was extreme, listen to him and try to integrate into his clan and village.

Although Lin's role seemed minor, Yuzhi knew it was her kindness that made Hikari gradually change.

"You lucky bastard, why are you so popular?"

As Yuzhi pondered, Asma, who was watching the nearby Hong, said enviously.

Kakashi, Akai and Aoba glanced at Hikari and Lin, then all nodded.

Yuzhi, who had been lost in thought, turned and glared at Asma, but then he laughed himself.

Being popular has never been a bad thing.

Moreover, Yuzhi noticed that Asma, who had been a superficial brother before, was drawing closer to being a true brother.

In the original story, Asma's performance had always been good; he was never satisfied with his father's actions.

It might be because he never retired, confident his decisions were right, or after the Hyuga incident his 'Rebel Son' trait fully erupted.

In the end he 'betrayed' his rank and turned to serve a lord.

But life under the lord was unsatisfying; despite good friends, the lord's cowardice and incompetence made him realize the true 'Jade' was still in the village.

Even though he still wasn't thrilled with his father, after realizing 'the most important thing for the village isn't the Hokage', he eventually returned.

He still constantly wore the 'Guardian Twelve Guardians' emblem, and diligently went about his own affairs.

Although his Genin squad drew criticism, it was clear they were being groomed as the next Hokage's troops.

Strictly speaking, his biggest misfortune, as a guy without 'full reliance on father', might be having Hong as a girlfriend, which makes people resent him.

Yuzhi held no ill thoughts toward him; making friends is enough, even if only superficial brothers, and it's fine if the bond becomes genuine.

"Alright, let's not talk about this during the New Year Festival."

Yuzhi shook his head, then laughed.

"Being popular isn't my fault; good looks are innate. Look, Kakashi wears a mask—does that make him any less popular?"

"You guy."

Kakashi was momentarily speechless; back then he caused trouble in the East, and didn't expect Yuzhi to repay him now.

As expected, Asma's eyes widened with lingering resentment, giving Kakashi a headache.

Fortunately, at that moment fireworks suddenly lit up the sky, drawing everyone's attention.

Everyone looked up at the dazzling fireworks, silently making New Year wishes.

"Happy New Year, Hikari."

Yuzhi quietly approached Hikari and whispered.

"I hope the coming year we become ever better."

"Happy New Year, Yuzhi."

Hikari nodded, looked at the fireworks, and gave a radiant smile.

"We'll definitely get better and better."

——

"Damn. That damned woman—who is she really?"

In a cave within the dense forest of Leaf Village, the space rippled slightly as Uchiha Obito's figure collapsed on the ground.

He muttered curses, his clothes blackened with scorch, and most notably one of his arms had vanished.

He never expected that he would, without realizing it, have that woman leave a mark on him.

The terrifying thing about this mark is that it can silently affect him with illusion technique, making him unable to tell whether he is in reality or in an illusion.

This even made him unsure whether he had entered a space, and as a result he was burned severely by Fire Style!

If it weren't for Xuanwo Lian's desperate warning, and his own Mangekyou Sharingan providing some resistance, he would have truly been burned to death here.

"What kind of technique is this, exactly?"

Obito muttered inwardly, unable to comprehend that woman's power.

"It can control with illusion technique and even drain my chakra?"

After Obito sensed the clue, he immediately activated Izanagi to restore his condition, but unfortunately he could not return to the time before the mark was placed. (In the original, he used Izanagi after being blown up by Konan, yet remained injured, possibly due to lack of preparation.)

Therefore the only thing he could do was to grit his teeth and cut off his own arm!

But the woman seemed to sense his intention, and as he severed his arm, she wildly drained his chakra.

In that instant, he felt he would truly die on the spot, but fortunately he had White Absolute Cells, which prevented him from being completely drained.

And at the final moment, he used his remaining chakra to activate Kamui, which allowed him to escape the disaster.

But now he has essentially lost his combat ability, and that woman truly left a deep impression on him.

Such nonchalance, such leisurely demeanor, even deliberately showing a flaw, was all to make his true form appear, then strike with a thunderous blow.

All of this is just like when he first opened his eyes and faced Yuzhi.

The same humiliation, unbelievably occurring repeatedly to him, made him unable to accept it at all.

"It's all Yuzhi's fault! Why is it always him? Why is it always him? Why does everyone keep gathering around him!"

Obito let out a hysterical shout in his mind, but at that moment, brilliant fireworks suddenly lit up the sky.

Cheers rang throughout Leaf Village, and blessings were everywhere.

Obito stared blankly at the fireworks in the sky, and at that moment his heart seemed to grow even colder.

The bustle belongs to them; he has nothing at all.

"I am the forgotten one, the person abandoned by the entire world!"

He slowly stood up, gazing at the fireworks in the sky, and at that moment he clenched his fist.

Originally he thought of taking revenge on Leaf Village, releasing the Nine-Tails to destroy Leaf Village.

Now that thought became unwavering; this world never accommodated him, so his revenge on this world was only natural.

"You will regret it; all of you will regret it."

Obito's voice was low and hoarse, and under the moonlight his Three Tomoe appeared eerie and ghostly.

And his breath, cold as an irredeemable ice.

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