"Rin!"
The clear morning air of Konoha had only just begun to warm under the rising sun when a familiar, energetic voice called out from behind.
Nohara Rin, who had left home early and was walking toward Konoha Hospital, paused mid-step. She turned around, her long hair swaying lightly, and saw a familiar figure running toward her.
Uchiha Obito.
He waved enthusiastically, his trademark goggles slightly crooked as always.
"Good morning, Rin! When did you get back?"
Rin blinked for a moment, then smiled gently.
"Good morning, Obito," she replied. "I returned the day before yesterday."
There was a subtle sense of pride in her voice.
"I've already completed an S-rank mission. You should work hard too."
Obito froze for half a second.
Then—
His eyes lit up with determination.
"Just watch! I'll complete an S-rank mission sooner or later too!" he declared loudly. "After all, I'm going to become Hokage!"
His confidence was absolute.
Rin chuckled softly.
"Then you'll need to become a ninja first."
Before Obito could respond, another voice cut in.
"That's assuming you can even graduate."
Yuhi Kurenai stepped forward, her arms crossed, her expression teasing yet sharp.
Beside her stood Shizune, who covered her mouth with a small giggle.
The two of them were also on their way to the hospital.
Obito's face instantly flushed red.
"I've already submitted my graduation application!" he protested, adjusting his goggles hurriedly. "In just over a month, I'll officially be a ninja!"
At his age, he could have continued his studies at the academy for another year.
But Obito had made his decision.
He didn't want to fall behind Rin.
Other students, including Sarutobi Asuma, had chosen the same path.
"Then I'll congratulate you in advance," Rin said warmly.
Her encouragement instantly lifted Obito's spirits.
"Rin really is the best…" he muttered, grinning foolishly.
But Kurenai wasn't about to let him enjoy the moment for long.
"Don't celebrate too early," she said bluntly. "If you fail the Clone Technique again like last time, you won't graduate at all."
Shizune laughed openly this time.
Obito's face turned even redder.
"Hey! Don't underestimate me!" he shouted. "I've already mastered it!"
At that moment—
Another figure approached.
Qing Shui.
He had just finished his morning training, his body still radiating faint traces of exertion. Exercise had long since become a habit for him—something he simply could not skip.
If he missed even a single day, he would feel restless.
"Good morning, Teacher Qing Shui!" Rin called out immediately.
The others quickly followed.
Kurenai, however, was the fastest.
"Big Brother Qing Shui!"
She rushed forward without hesitation, grabbing his arm affectionately.
The others didn't find this strange at all.
After all, it was well known that Kurenai treated Qing Shui like an older brother, and the two shared a close bond.
"Good morning," Qing Shui replied with a faint smile.
He glanced at the group briefly, his expression relaxed.
"Well then, Obito," Rin said, turning back, "we'll head to the hospital first. See you later."
"You should hurry to the academy, or you'll be late again."
Obito scratched his head awkwardly.
He did have a habit of being late.
Though, in his defense, it was usually because he stopped to help someone in need.
"I won't be late today!" he declared confidently.
Rin smiled.
Then she, Kurenai, Shizune, and Qing Shui walked off together.
Obito watched them leave.
Then he turned and ran toward the Ninja Academy.
But—
Just as he rounded a corner—
He stopped.
An elderly woman stood by the roadside, struggling to walk.
Without hesitation, Obito rushed forward.
"Grandma, be careful! Let me help you."
The old woman smiled kindly.
"Thank you, child."
"It's nothing!" Obito replied cheerfully. "It's what I should do."
He supported her carefully, guiding her across the street.
His face was bright with genuine sincerity.
However—
What he didn't notice—
Was that the old woman briefly turned her gaze toward the direction Qing Shui and the others had gone.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
A strange glint flickered within them.
That single glance—
Did not escape Qing Shui.
Even though he had already walked some distance away, his senses were sharp enough to pick up on subtle anomalies.
He slowed slightly.
Something was wrong.
"Big Brother Qing Shui?" Kurenai asked, noticing the change in his expression.
Rin and Shizune also looked at him curiously.
Qing Shui didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he extended his perception discreetly.
And then—
He saw it.
The truth.
That "old woman"—
Was no ordinary civilian.
It was a White Zetsu.
A spy.
Sent by Uchiha Madara.
Its target—
Was Obito.
Qing Shui's eyes flickered faintly.
So that's how it is…
Obito, after all, was a crucial piece in Madara's long-laid plan.
Surveillance was only natural.
But for Qing Shui—
This wasn't a problem.
It was an opportunity.
Originally, Qing Shui had planned to use Pain Orochimaru to establish contact with Danzo and implant the Zero-Tails within himself.
But now—
A better option had appeared.
A rare one.
A special White Zetsu.
Afei.
Qing Shui remained outwardly calm.
"Nothing," he said lightly. "Let's go. We'll be late."
The group continued toward the hospital.
Once inside his office, Qing Shui closed the doors and windows.
His expression shifted.
Without hesitation, he formed hand seals.
"Summoning Jutsu."
In an instant—
Pain Orochimaru appeared.
The figure stood silently, its presence cold and eerie.
Qing Shui gave a simple command.
"Eliminate the target."
Pain Orochimaru nodded slightly.
Then—
A small snake slithered out from its mouth and slipped out through the window.
Even if the summoner died, the contract remained valid.
Through this connection, Qing Shui could observe everything.
The snake moved swiftly.
It tracked the White Zetsu effortlessly.
At that moment, the disguised "old woman" had already parted ways with Obito and was heading toward a secluded area, preparing to sink into the ground.
But—
It was too late.
The snake suddenly stopped.
Then—
Pain Orochimaru emerged from within it.
Without hesitation—
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Dozens of snakes burst forth, wrapping tightly around White Zetsu's body.
"Damn it!" the creature hissed, struggling violently.
But its resistance was futile.
In terms of combat ability—
White Zetsu was weak.
Its strength lay in infiltration, not battle.
Against Pain Orochimaru—
It stood no chance.
In the next instant—
It was killed.
Its body reverted to its original form.
And Qing Shui—
Watching through the connection—
Was slightly surprised.
Because this was no ordinary White Zetsu.
Its face was spiral-shaped.
Its right eye was a hollow void.
"This…"
"It's Afei."
A rare individual among the White Zetsu.
A special existence capable of merging with others and amplifying their power.
In the original timeline—
It had once fused with Obito, granting him immense strength even in a weakened state.
Later—
It had even controlled Yamato, enabling the use of Wood Release techniques on a massive scale.
Qing Shui's lips curled slightly.
"What an unexpected gain…"
At the same time—
Deep underground—
In a hidden, unknown chamber—
A pair of eyes suddenly opened.
Uchiha Madara.
His expression darkened instantly.
"Afei… was killed?"
The information had reached him through the White Zetsu network.
But this—
Made no sense.
Afei wasn't just any White Zetsu.
It was enhanced with Hashirama's cells.
How could it be eliminated so easily?
Madara's gaze turned cold.
"Investigate."
His voice echoed in the darkness.
"I want to know… exactly what happened."
Above ground—
Konoha remained peaceful.
Unaware—
That the gears of fate had just shifted slightly.
And that someone—
Had begun to interfere with destiny itself.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)