Whether Obito actually thought that way was something Natsuhiko knew all too well.
That guy had already gone completely off the deep end. At this point, he'd gladly watch the entire world burn.
In the original story, Obito had even played a role in the Uchiha Clan's massacre. How could someone like him possibly hope that Kakashi would protect the clan?
But right now, Obito was officially listed as dead.
And that gave Natsuhiko the perfect opportunity to make use of it.
Not only could he help Kakashi work through his tendency to spiral into self-blame, but he could also use this angle to make him realize that everything he had done was still the right choice.
After all, from Kakashi's perspective, even Obito would have thought the same way.
The dead don't get to have opinions—
and even someone pretending to be dead is no exception.
...
With Kakashi's issue resolved, Natsuhiko let out a quiet sigh of relief. Still, he knew full well that this was only the beginning. There were plenty of problems waiting for him down the line.
"For example… this kid's chakra is a serious issue."
Kakashi was like a child holding a weapon he couldn't properly wield.
After all, he wasn't a true member of the Uchiha clan. His body simply wasn't suited to handling even a standard Sharingan without strain.
And now, thanks to Natsuhiko's interference, Kakashi had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan far earlier than he ever should have—
The worst part?
He couldn't even control it.
The result was obvious: his already limited chakra reserves would become even more strained.
Natsuhiko was counting on Kakashi to get things done. If something as basic as chakra limitations ended up reducing his efficiency…
That would be incredibly frustrating.
"…I'm really starting to sound like a capitalist hanging people from streetlights."
The thought made him pause, a wry smile tugging at his lips.
Somehow, his mindset had changed more than he realized. Instead of thinking about anything else, his first concern had become whether someone could continue working and generating value for him.
Shaking his head helplessly, Natsuhiko pushed the thought aside.
Kakashi's situation would require observation… or perhaps finding another way to improve his chakra capacity.
"Though… I wonder…"
A thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.
"Can I plant the fruits I already possess… and give them to someone else?"
It wasn't a new idea. Natsuhiko had considered it long ago, but his own limitations had held him back—especially his chakra reserves.
And beyond that, there was the matter of trust.
He hadn't been sure whether he could truly trust whoever received those fruits. And if he couldn't trust them… dealing with the aftermath would become another massive headache.
But now?
That didn't seem like much of a concern anymore.
Trust or not, his strength was enough to deal with any potential problem.
And his chakra reserves had grown significantly. As long as he maintained the Three-Tails' cultivation and his own combat readiness, nurturing a few mid-level seeds wasn't much of a burden anymore.
"…Maybe I can use Kakashi as a test subject."
Natsuhiko had always believed in preparing for the worst.
He wouldn't deny that he was considering using Kakashi for experimentation—but at the same time, he genuinely was thinking about Kakashi's well-being.
In the original story, Obito never took back his eye from Kakashi.
Part of that was pride—he didn't believe he was any weaker than Kakashi at that point.
But more importantly, it was his way of severing that bond completely, ensuring Kakashi would never discover that he was still alive.
Especially since, back then, there was no Natsuhiko.
There was no "Hao Asakura" rampaging through the battlefield while wielding the power of the Nine-Tails.
Obito had already been beaten twice by Natsuhiko—once under each of his identities.
And the second time?
Natsuhiko had relentlessly targeted the weakness of Obito's missing eye, pressing the attack with ruthless precision.
Natsuhiko could already picture it clearly—going forward, his clashes with Obito would only increase. And more often than not, Obito would end up on the receiving end of yet another harsh lesson.
Delivered under different identities, using entirely different methods—each one unforgettable.
At the end of the day, Obito's weakness was firmly in Natsuhiko's grasp. If he didn't find a way to compensate for it, then he would remain completely at Natsuhiko's mercy.
Because of that, Natsuhiko had to stay cautious. If Obito were ever pushed into a corner, there was a real chance he might lash out and go straight to Kakashi—ripping out his eye to complete himself.
Which made one thing abundantly clear:
Strengthening Kakashi wasn't just necessary—it was a move that accomplished multiple goals at once.
If Kakashi grew stronger, he might no longer have to fear Obito. After all, the Kakashi of the future had managed to stand tall even without Obito's presence.
And beyond that, a stronger Kakashi could take on more responsibilities, fully realizing his value within the ANBU.
But more importantly than anything else—
If Natsuhiko could truly enhance Kakashi's strength…
Then he could use that same ability to draw a large number of people to his side.
In the world of shinobi, being a lone wolf was never an easy path. Even someone as powerful as Uchiha Madara had relied on the White Zetsu to carry out his plans.
Natsuhiko had no intention of walking that solitary road.
Back in his academy days, he had made quite a few friends. Unfortunately, his time in the ANBU had made it nearly impossible to deepen those relationships.
On top of that, he had only spent three years at the academy before leaving. Building lasting, meaningful bonds under those circumstances had never really been an option.
"Even though I'm now the head of the ANBU, with a large number of shinobi under my command—and I've even expanded the entire organization…"
He let out a quiet breath, his thoughts sharpening.
"How many of them are truly loyal to me? That's impossible to say."
"But if I had a way to enhance their abilities… to improve their chakra, even their understanding of their own power…"
Then—
There was no doubt he could gather a group of people who would willingly stand behind him.
Of course, he also understood something just as important:
An ability like that could never be revealed carelessly. If word got out, it would bring him nothing but disaster.
So when it came to choosing candidates, he would need to proceed with absolute caution—gathering every piece of information, waiting for the right moment to act.
Otherwise, if he handed someone power only for them to turn around and betray him, killing them afterward wouldn't undo the damage.
"…I'll start with the people closest to me. The ones I trust. Then expand gradually."
At present, the one he trusted most was Renge. Her mother was in his household, and they shared the same clan—there was a foundation there that couldn't easily be shaken.
After her came the four from the Senju group, who had also proven themselves reliable.
Beyond them were Kakashi, Pakura, and Sora.
It wasn't a large number—but it wasn't small either.
For someone like Natsuhiko, who had risen to the position of ANBU Commander with little backing—relying purely on strategy and strength—this was perfectly reasonable.
And these people would be his primary focus.
He intended to experiment carefully, especially with Renge and Kakashi.
If the results were promising, he could continue expanding his approach.
If not, he could stop before things went too far.
"…Looks like it's time to gather some more seeds—especially low-level ones."
With that decision made, Natsuhiko quietly added the task of acquiring low-tier seeds to his agenda.
...
Meanwhile, Kakashi—having finally received an answer that satisfied him, one that stirred something deep within his heart—
No longer felt any guilt over the choices he had made.
Instead of feeling relieved, Kakashi found himself filled with regret—regret over how poorly he had performed, over how he had completely failed to grasp the true meaning behind the change in his eyes.
But it was clear that there was nothing more for him to do now. Natsuhiko had no intention of pushing things to the point of no return.
In this situation, all Kakashi could do was sigh and wait for another opportunity—though deep down, he had a faint feeling that such a chance might never come.
"Dismissed."
After sorting everything out, Natsuhiko spoke calmly.
"Go back and get familiar with the power of your eyes. Even if you can't fully control them yet… they're still Obito's gift to you. In the future, the help they'll bring you will be beyond imagination."
"…Yes, Commander."
Kakashi nodded lightly. He hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head.
"I'm sorry, Commander."
"It's fine."
Natsuhiko waved a hand dismissively, a faint smile forming as he looked at Kakashi.
"You don't need to apologize. I didn't tell you everything, after all. And not having access to deeper knowledge about the Sharingan is perfectly normal."
He paused, his gaze sharpening slightly.
"But Kakashi, there's something you must always remember."
"You're no longer an ordinary shinobi. You've already reached a certain height—and I believe that in the future, you'll stand even higher."
"But the higher you stand, the greater your responsibilities. Your mindset has to grow along with your position."
"Sometimes, you can't let emotions guide your actions. Even if you have your own thoughts—like how you weren't satisfied with today's mission—you can still leave room while completing it."
"That way, you'll have more space to negotiate."
"In the future, don't let your actions be ruled by emotion. Understood?"
With that, Natsuhiko said no more. His chakra stirred faintly as he turned away.
There was no need to continue. Some things had to be understood on one's own.
Truthfully, Natsuhiko knew he probably shouldn't have said so much. But Kakashi was someone he trusted. In fact, if circumstances allowed it in the future—if he ever became Hokage—he had even considered entrusting the ANBU to Kakashi.
The kind of ANBU Commander he envisioned wasn't someone overly ambitious like himself, nor someone rigid and inflexible like Takumi Murashima.
It had to be someone who could grow through experience—someone who could uphold Konoha's rules and carry out his orders, yet still retain their own sense of judgment and individuality.
Kakashi stood there in a daze, watching as Natsuhiko's figure flickered and vanished. Slowly, he raised a hand to cover his Sharingan.
Everything that had happened tonight felt like a dream.
Not only had he received Obito's gift… he had also come to understand just how poorly he had performed.
Natsuhiko's words struck him deeply, forcing him to confront his own shortcomings.
It wasn't even about whether he could defeat Uchiha Tatsumi.
His attitude alone had been a serious problem.
…Maybe I really did disappoint them.
Kakashi murmured softly, but soon, his gaze hardened once more.
But I won't disappoint you again… Natsuhiko. Obito.
...
Within the Uchiha clan compound, Uchiha Haru and Uchiha Shin stood in silence.
Now that Natsuhiko had resolved the situation, Haru had finally managed to capture Uchiha Jin and the others.
But this mission had gone far from smoothly.
If anything, their performance could only be described as poor.
Of course, it wasn't just them—the ANBU support units hadn't done much better either.
Even Kakashi, the division commander, had been defeated.
And yet… his performance had still far surpassed theirs.
In fact, the way Kakashi used his Sharingan was leagues beyond that of them—true-born Uchiha—both in skill and effectiveness.
The contrast was simply too great—so overwhelming that it left them utterly ashamed.
And that wasn't even the most suffocating part.
What truly weighed on them was Natsuhiko's strength.
The man who had defeated both Uchiha Haru and Kakashi—Tatsumi—had been terrifying in his own right: arrogant, overwhelming, and the kind of person who inspired fear at a single glance.
Yet even someone as formidable as Tatsumi seemed like a mere child standing before a fully grown adult when compared to Natsuhiko.
There had been no chance to resist.
No possibility of victory.
What made it even more shocking was that Natsuhiko hadn't even used the massive lizard he had summoned during the Nine-Tails incident, nor the Wood Release techniques that had made the Senju clan famous across the shinobi world.
Instead, he had relied on something no one had ever seen before—something seemingly connected to his eyes.
"…Has he really become this strong?"
Uchiha Shin let out a weak sigh, but soon curiosity flickered across his face.
"What exactly… are his eyes?"
"I don't know," Uchiha Haru replied, shaking his head. "But I could feel an overwhelming pressure from them—something absolute."
He hesitated for a moment before speaking more cautiously.
"There's never been any record of the Senju possessing unique ocular abilities. Maybe… it has something to do with his parents?"
"Don't say that."
Uchiha Shin immediately cut him off, his voice sharp.
He had no intention of leaving behind anything that could be used against them.
After the decline of the Senju clan, while some members had maintained internal marriages, many had gradually integrated with ordinary civilians.
Because of that, unusual traits appearing in later generations weren't entirely impossible. After all, in times of war, even commoners might have once had distinguished bloodlines before fading into obscurity and eventually settling in Konoha.
But even so, this was not something to discuss lightly.
Natsuhiko was, after all, the only one in all these years who had inherited the First Hokage's legacy—someone capable of wielding Wood Release.
If there were doubts about the purity of his bloodline, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Not to mention, he was the head of the ANBU, a man who held immense power—and someone they themselves depended on in certain ways.
If they provoked him, the outcome would be disastrous.
"…Let's leave it at that. We should go see Uchiha Jin."
Uchiha Shin shook his head firmly before speaking again.
"By the way, how is the clan handling things? Tonight's disturbance wasn't exactly small."
"I understand, Father."
Uchiha Haru nodded quickly, not daring to dwell on the topic any further. "Please rest assured—while the situation was chaotic, with the ANBU's assistance, it's mostly under control. As for what comes next…"
"You don't need to worry about that. I already have a way to handle it."
"…Yes, Father."
Following behind Uchiha Shin, the two soon arrived at a room deep within the compound.
After Natsuhiko had defeated Uchiha Tatsumi, Haru had rounded up everyone involved and confined them together.
He knew his father would have things to say—whether to old allies or old rivals—and whether they accepted it or not, that was something Shin himself would deal with.
And indeed, Uchiha Shin had every intention of doing just that.
Having come this far, he had already secured the upper hand. He could now face them from the position of a victor.
When he pushed open the door and stepped inside, his movements were calm and deliberate.
The elders within appeared composed on the surface, but their eyes betrayed far more complicated emotions.
Some were filled with despair.
Others were lost in thought.
A few couldn't hide the fear creeping through them.
And then there were those who had already accepted reality—men who understood that in the end, victory and defeat defined everything. They simply lifted their chins and looked at Uchiha Shin in silence, their expressions indifferent.
"…I never wished for things to come to this."
Uchiha Shin sighed softly as he walked toward them, his voice steady and calm.
"But it seems the outcome was inevitable."
He didn't say anything harsh. Even as the victor, facing members of his own clan—some of whom had once fought beside him—he simply couldn't bring himself to speak cruelly.
"…You've won, Uchiha Shin."
Uchiha Jin slowly shook his head, his tone calm, his expression steady.
"It was a clean victory. And… I think I understand now."
"…Oh?"
Uchiha Shin was momentarily taken aback.
He had expected mockery—perhaps bitter accusations, or outright refusal to accept defeat. It wouldn't have been surprising if Jin had claimed that Shin had only won by relying on outside help, or accused him of betraying the clan's pride and traditions.
After all, whether he admitted it or not, Shin had indeed reached this point by aligning himself with Natsuhiko. He had cooperated with the Senju—there was no denying that.
Even if he hadn't known Natsuhiko's identity at the time, the truth remained the same, and Shin had no real argument to refute it.
But he had never intended to argue in the first place.
If it came down to it, he would rather bear the burden of criticism—rather be branded with infamy—than watch the clan fall into ruin or fade into nothingness.
Besides… the Uchiha had allied with the Senju once before.
That was how Konoha had come into existence.
Still, Jin's calm reaction was unexpected. For a moment, Shin couldn't quite make sense of it—
But only for a moment.
Realization quickly dawned on him.
Jin hadn't become the clan's elder simply because of his achievements on the battlefield. More importantly, he possessed a sharp and perceptive mind.
A clan didn't survive on strength alone—it needed people who could think, who could guide others forward.
Jin was one of those people.
It was precisely because of that—and because his thinking had grown too extreme—that Shin had been forced to act against him.
"…What I mean is, I think I understand why you chose to make a move against me."
Jin lifted his head, his gaze unusually clear. There was even a trace of ease in his expression, as though he had finally accepted something long unresolved.
"But I have a question."
"You were the one who sought out that member of the Senju clan, weren't you?"
"When did you find him? And… who exactly is backing him?"
"I found him before he even used the Senju name." Uchiha Shin let out a quiet sigh, a wry smile crossing his face as he recalled his first meeting with Natsuhiko.
It hadn't been a pleasant encounter.
But it was that very meeting that led to the next… and eventually, everything that followed.
"As for who stood behind him, I initially believed it was the Third Hokage."
He shook his head lightly.
"But later, I realized… it was the Fourth Hokage."
At this point, there was no longer any need to hide anything. This conversation had always been the purpose of his coming here.
After hearing everything, a faint smile appeared on Jin's face.
In that moment, he had confirmed many things—and those answers allowed him to fully understand Shin's intentions.
"…I see. It hasn't been easy for you."
The smile faded slightly as his expression turned more serious.
"If I'm not mistaken, when you sent Shisui into the ANBU, he didn't give you an answer at first… but later, he agreed. Is that correct?"
"…Yes."
Shin nodded without hesitation.
"And it was during that time that I learned, for the first time… that he was already a division commander in the ANBU."
"An ANBU division commander at such a young age… truly remarkable."
Jin nodded slowly, a hint of admiration in his voice. Someone who could reach that position so early was clearly far from ordinary.
"Then I would guess that when you approached him again later, he agreed to your proposal."
He paused briefly, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"But at that time… he must have given you two choices."
"Either you continue the stalemate, while they openly support you—widening the rift between you and us until the clan collapses entirely."
"Or… you choose a different path. A far more ruthless one—one where only a single voice remains within the clan, ensuring a complete and stable transition."
"I assume… I'm not wrong?"
Uchiha Jin's eyes were sharp and focused as he stared at Uchiha Shin. In response, Shin let out a quiet breath and nodded firmly, admiration flickering across his face.
That day… those two choices…
They had been like wild weeds in early spring, impossible to suppress, spreading uncontrollably through his mind and feeding his growing ambition.
Uchiha Shin would never forget it.
It was that very moment that had changed everything.
"…Then it seems I was right. In that case, I understand everything that followed."
Jin's expression grew calmer, as though piecing together the full picture of Shin's transformation had finally put his mind at ease.
"You chose the second option. Compared to the first—which would have torn the clan apart completely—it was never something you could accept."
"And you couldn't afford to miss an opportunity that might lead the clan toward growth. So you chose the second path."
"That's why Shisui entered the ANBU. And not just him—others followed as well. I imagine those who acted tonight were among them."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"A clever move. After all, Namikaze Minato is not Sarutobi Hiruzen. Choosing him was far wiser."
Jin fell silent after that, his gaze still fixed on Shin, as though waiting for confirmation.
At this point, his heart had already settled.
From the moment Shin began to change… to the attack that had taken place tonight—everything had once confused him, angered him, even filled him with resentment.
But now, after seeing it all unfold, he realized something—
He understood.
Not just the shift in Shin's attitude… but the reason behind it.
"…That's right. As expected of you, Jin."
After a long silence, Uchiha Shin suddenly laughed.
"You're still as sharp as ever. You saw through everything so quickly."
"…And yet, I've still grown old." Jin shook his head lightly, ignoring the looks from the other elders as he continued calmly.
"Especially after witnessing that man—Senju Natsuhiko."
"After seeing his power, everything became clear. Why you made the choices you did… why you took this path."
"At first, I thought you were simply after power. After all, authority brings influence."
"Then I believed you had been completely subdued by Sarutobi Hiruzen—that you had betrayed the Uchiha clan."
"But now I understand… you're still the same person. It's just that no one ever truly understood the path you chose."
He let out a faint sigh.
"The truth is, the clan has no way to withstand Konoha's might… especially with someone like that ANBU division commander among them."
Jin's voice wasn't loud. It almost sounded like he was speaking to himself—yet at the same time, it carried clearly to everyone present.
The memory of Natsuhiko's performance that night lingered vividly in his mind—the effortless way he had crushed Uchiha Tatsumi, as if it were nothing at all.
That alone was unforgettable.
And more importantly… Jin knew full well—
Natsuhiko hadn't even gone all out.
To put it bluntly, judging by the power he had displayed during the Nine-Tails incident, if Konoha truly intended to eliminate the Uchiha clan…
Natsuhiko alone would likely be enough.
The Senju and Uchiha had always been at odds. If someone like Natsuhiko were to act without restraint, he would show no mercy.
By then, the entire clan could very well be reduced to ashes overnight.
What could a single clan possibly use to stand against an entire village?
At that thought, bitterness filled Jin's heart.
The reality was simply too cruel—so cruel that it was almost impossible to accept.
If not for Uchiha Shin's decision… the clan might have continued walking straight toward destruction.
Taking a deep breath, Jin steadied himself.
He had already lost. And with that loss, everything was gone.
But even so, he refused to appear utterly defeated—like a stray dog stripped of all dignity.
"…He's no longer just a division commander."
Uchiha Shin fixed his gaze on Uchiha Jin, hesitation flickering briefly in his eyes before he finally seemed to make up his mind.
"…On the night of the Nine-Tails attack, he personally killed the former ANBU commander, Takumi Murashima. Right now… he is Konoha's ANBU Commander."
"…What?"
Jin froze for a moment—then, instead of shock alone, a deeper smile spread across his face.
"…What a calculating man. And ruthless, too."
"And the task he gave me… wasn't just to unify the clan under a single voice."
Shin looked at him seriously, speaking each word with deliberate clarity.
"The clan head is not fit to lead. And back then… we joined forces to reject Uchiha Madara."
"You—!"
The smile on Jin's face vanished instantly. He stared at Shin in disbelief, clearly not expecting such an answer.
"Do you understand what that implies?"
"I do," Shin replied calmly, lifting his chin slightly, his expression cold but resolute. "Because I agreed to it. And… I've come to think the same way."
"If the Senju and Uchiha of the past could cast aside their hatred and unite, then why can't we?"
"We ourselves once rejected our own clan head. So why can't we do it again—this time, even replacing him?"
"I know that from the moment I chose to cooperate with him, I would always be under his suppression. I know that this alliance may reduce me to nothing more than his subordinate."
"But I also know that without this cooperation, our future is nothing but darkness—and the clan itself may cease to exist."
"So I chose to accept it. Between two benefits, I take the greater. Between two harms, I take the lesser."
"And everything that follows… I will bear it alone. I will never pass this burden onto future generations of the Uchiha."
As he finished speaking, Shin fell silent. His gaze was unwavering—every word had come straight from the depths of his heart.
The elders he had captured all looked at him in silence. After hearing his exchange with Jin, they had already understood why Shin had made his choice.
And now, they understood even more clearly the weight of his resolve.
It was heavy—painfully so.
And yet… it was necessary.
After a long while, Jin finally let out a bitter smile and shook his head.
"…It seems I've truly lost this time. Completely."
"In methods, in vision… even in resolve. I've lost to you, Shin."
"…In truth, we all lost to the Second Hokage." Shin slowly closed his eyes before pulling out a kunai. When he opened them again, his gaze was calm as he looked at Jin.
"…Are you ready?"
"Of course." Jin nodded with a faint smile. At this point, he no longer had any regrets.
"I understand why you have to kill me. Because of my influence… isn't that right?"
"Yes." Shin nodded. "Natsuhiko told me—some people must die. Those people are the core of opposition. They shape the thoughts of others."
He raised the kunai, its tip aimed at Jin's throat. "You can make them quiet, and they will be quiet. But what if you tell them to take up arms?"
"…Then I truly do need to die." Jin suddenly smiled, a trace of pride surfacing in his expression.
"But I have one request. Allow me to end my own life—and you can act as my witness."
"…I'm sorry. I refuse." Shin rejected him without hesitation. A faint blue glow suddenly flickered along the edge of his kunai.
Jin sighed softly and closed his eyes.
The sharp whistle of the blade cutting through the air rang out beside his ear—
—but in the next instant, he froze in shock.
The kunai had grazed past him, slicing through the air before embedding itself heavily into the wall behind him.
"From this moment on… you are already dead." Shin's voice rang out once more.
"I refused because I know I cannot stand against Natsuhiko's influence alone. I refused because I am unwilling to be completely suppressed… to become nothing more than a subordinate."
"So I need someone to stand with me."
"Even if this is my way of resisting him… even if it may bring great trouble."
He paused briefly, his eyes steady and unwavering.
"…I don't regret it."
...
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