"You... you are..."
Kakashi's eyes widened in shock at the familiar yet unfamiliar face.
"Obito..."
"You're alive..."
Uchiha Obito burst into laughter. "Look at the expression on your face, Kakashi."
"We've come this far, there's no need to pretend anymore."
Kakashi refused to believe it. He had mourned for over a decade, only for his dear friend to stand before him now.
"But you're alive, why didn't you return to Konoha..."
"Kakashi!" Obito's emotions suddenly became agitated.
"I am a pessimistic person. The dreams I once held have long turned into illusions."
"Now, I prefer to believe in my own two hands."
"To change the future."
"No wish in this world can ever be fulfilled, so I will lead the world into the dream of the Infinite Tsukuyomi."
"The current world holds too many truths that cannot be spoken."
"I want to create a world where heroes do not need to justify themselves before a monument..."
Obito's words struck Kakashi to the core. He was in extreme shock.
"Shut up!"
"Nonsense!"
Naruto stepped forward and directly silenced Obito.
Obito looked at Naruto with a grin. "The word 'hope' is pale and empty."
"You keep talking about hope, but hope only postpones problems, leaving nothing but emptiness and reality in the end."
Naruto suddenly recalled memories from his childhood.
The reliance placed upon him by his father and master.
Thinking of the present, could he truly live up to them?
"You're wrong."
Suddenly, Jiraiya stood before Naruto.
"The Nine-Tails was entrusted to Naruto by the Fourth Hokage. While they had no choice at the time."
"But as Naruto grew, he came to regard the Nine-Tails as a companion."
Kurama was being pulled by chains, but his eyes remained fixed on Naruto with determination.
"Don't give up!"
"You are Uzumaki Naruto!"
This was the first time Naruto had been encouraged by Kurama.
The Nine-Tails entrusted all its remaining power to Naruto.
Naruto's form transformed once more.
Simultaneously activating Sage Mode and Nine-Tails Mode.
The immovable stone, the right hand that cannot be washed clean.
The Sharingan that cannot be turned off, this was a story between Obito and Kakashi.
Because of his father's past actions, Kakashi chose to abandon his companion and continue the mission.
Which led Obito to deem him cold-blooded and trash.
Memories flashed before Kakashi's eyes.
His emotions began to spiral out of control.
"Kakashi, you are the best Jonin..."
"Speaking of which, I still owe you a gift..."
"Now that I'm ready, I'll give you this eye as a gift for your promotion to Jonin..."
But now, memories were like a shattered mirror.
Facing the reality before him, Kakashi's heart ached.
"Kakashi, the way you are now seems hypocritical!"
Obito's right eye dilated.
"Fire Style: Great Flame Dance!"
Naruto raised his hand, and nine tails surged forth.
Instantly deflecting the fiery storm.
Suddenly, a figure plummeted from the sky.
Boom!
Thick smoke billowed around.
As the smoke cleared, Uchiha Madara's figure slowly emerged.
He held Gaara in his right hand and slammed him heavily onto the ground.
Obito was not surprised by Uchiha Madara's appearance.
It seemed everything was proceeding according to plan.
"You're quite slow."
"I'm already bored."
Uchiha Obito raised two fingers, and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path in the air spewed out a chain that pierced Gaara's body.
The One-Tail, Shukaku, was instantly pulled out.
"Gaara!"
Naruto, full of distress, wanted to rush forward but was held back by Jiraiya.
"Now we just need those two."
Obito said calmly, looking at the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails being pulled by chains on the other side.
Uchiha Madara's appearance signaled the defeat of the Five Kage.
Jiraiya realized the gravity of the situation. Their only option now was to find a way to sever the chains binding the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails.
And then protect Naruto and escape.
"Nagato betrayed me. I should have used Rinne Tensei to revive you."
"But in the end, you died by your master's hand."
Obito said calmly to Uchiha Madara.
"It doesn't matter, this body seems to have more power..."
Uchiha Madara tilted his head, revealing blood-stained zombie teeth.
Obito turned back to Kakashi. "Back then, I used my memories of Rin and you as the sole pillar for my survival."
"But it turned out like that."
"It was you!"
"Who personally killed Rin!"
Kakashi's face was filled with terror, sweat trickling down his forehead.
Deep down, he knew he hadn't intended to kill Rin.
Rin had run into his Chidori!
But facing the current Obito, he couldn't explain himself.
He even felt that it was truly his fault.
Obito slowly closed his eyes.
That bloody night.
He had held Rin's lifeless body amidst countless corpses, consumed by despair.
"Rin..."
"I want to..."
"Create a world where you exist again..."
It was from that moment, witnessing Rin's death, that Kakashi's Sharingan resonated with his emotions.
How much despair could lead a Two-Tomoe to evolve into Mangekyo?
But his kindness prevented him from striking his former comrade, Kakashi.
Uchiha Madara watched Obito and Kakashi with amusement.
"Time is running out, Obito. It seems you still have feelings for Kakashi."
Obito snorted. "From that night onwards, my heart died!"
At this moment, the Allied Shinobi Forces launched an attack.
Uchiha Madara leaped towards the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails.
"Beasts are just beasts."
"Looking half-dead, yet still struggling!"
Bang!
Uchiha Madara delivered a heavy kick to the Eight-Tails' body.
The Eight-Tails was sent crashing to the ground by the blow, and the chains of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path retracted swiftly.
The Eight-Tails was dragged in directly.
"Bee!"
Before that, the Eight-Tails left a tentacle within Killer B's body, thus saving his life.
Kurama glared at Uchiha Madara with hatred. "You will ultimately fail!"
Naruto sprinted towards Uchiha Madara.
But he was too late.
Driven by Uchiha Madara's power, Kurama was swallowed by the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
Thus, all nine Tailed Beasts were captured.
The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path was successfully activated and let out a sky-piercing roar.
Naruto's heart suddenly stopped beating.
"Naruto!"
Jiraiya caught Naruto's falling body.
At the same moment, Sasuke slowly woke up on the experiment table.
He opened his eyes and looked at his hands.
Suddenly, Kabuto Yakushi appeared before him. "Heh heh, feel your body."