"Yahiko, watch out!"
Just as Yahiko was about to give up resisting and prepare himself to face death—
Konan made her move.
With a swift motion of her hand, countless sheets of paper flew out from her sleeves, forming a violent whirlwind that blocked the flames in front of Yahiko.
Although the paper was quickly consumed by the fire—causing the flames to burn even more fiercely—
those brief moments bought Yahiko a precious chance to recover.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
Yahiko retreated rapidly, escaping the encroaching flames while quickly forming hand seals.
A wall of water rose up, briefly slowing the spread of the fire.
He leapt several times in quick succession and finally escaped the range of the Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet.
But before Yahiko could steady himself—
Uchiha Obito suddenly appeared right in front of him.
"Die."
Obito swung the kunai in his hand and thrust it toward Yahiko's throat.
Yahiko barely managed to twist his body aside and evade the first strike.
But Obito reacted instantly.
The moment the attack missed, he reversed his grip and stabbed again.
This time—
Yahiko had no chance to dodge.
His body simply couldn't react in time.
Am I… going to die again?!
"Paper Release: Shuriken!"
At that critical moment—
Konan attacked again.
Dozens of shuriken folded from paper shot toward Obito.
Obito's body stiffened slightly.
In the end, he abandoned the killing strike against Yahiko and retreated, avoiding Konan's attack.
"What a nuisance."
His first instinct had been to evade using Kamui's intangibility, but that ability was far too distinctive.
Not wanting to expose his identity, Obito suppressed the urge.
Konan quickly rushed to Yahiko's side.
"Yahiko, are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
Yahiko's expression was grim as he stared at Obito.
"So this is Konoha's ANBU… they're really strong."
Since beginning his journey, most of the opponents Yahiko had encountered were merely insignificant rogue ninja.
Even when mediating conflicts between Konoha and Iwagakure shinobi, serious battles had rarely occurred.
The last time they were surrounded by supposed Iwagakure ninja, Nagato had resolved the situation.
This was the first time Yahiko had faced such a powerful enemy.
Against Obito, he felt completely helpless.
His fingernails dug deep into his palms.
The sense of powerlessness filled him with intense self-loathing.
"Yahiko…"
Konan noticed something was wrong and called softly, concern evident in her voice.
"I'm fine."
Yahiko slowly exhaled before speaking with determination.
"Konan… his main target is me."
"I'll do my best to hold him off. When the chance comes—run."
Konan froze for a moment.
Then she immediately shook her head.
"No! I will never abandon you!"
In truth, Konan had known Yahiko even longer than Nagato had.
Her bond with Yahiko carried emotions far deeper than simple friendship.
No matter what—
she would never leave him behind to escape alone.
Yahiko looked at her seriously.
"Konan… whether you or I die here, it would mean nothing."
"But if I die protecting you—then at least my death would have meaning."
"And besides…"
"I promised Nagato that I would protect you."
Seeing the resolve in Yahiko's eyes, Konan fell silent.
"Have you two finished discussing it?"
Watching Yahiko's determination, Obito suddenly found the situation amusing.
Instead of attacking immediately, he deliberately altered his voice and said:
"I have a suggestion."
"If you tell me where that red-haired boy is, I might spare you."
"No chance!"
Yahiko refused without hesitation.
"Even if I die, I will never betray Nagato!"
Beneath the mask, a faint smile appeared on Obito's lips.
"You might not care about your own life…"
"But what if it's hers instead?"
In the next instant—
Obito vanished.
He reappeared directly in front of Konan and reached for her throat.
His speed was overwhelming.
Yahiko couldn't react at all.
Konan barely managed to respond.
She attempted to escape using a Paper Clone substitution, but Obito seemed to have already seen through her intention.
From his palm—
a sharp black chakra rod suddenly extended and pierced through Konan's shoulder.
Drops of blood splattered into the air.
The black rod appeared to contain a strange substance that disrupted the flow of chakra inside her body.
Konan instantly lost the ability to perform any ninjutsu.
Crack.
Obito snapped the rod in half, leaving part of it embedded in Konan's shoulder to continue suppressing her chakra.
Then he pulled her close and pressed the remaining fragment against her throat.
Everything happened in a single instant.
By the time Yahiko reacted—
it was already too late.
"Don't move."
Obito's cold voice stopped Yahiko from rushing forward.
"Now make your choice."
"Do you want this girl… or that red-haired boy?"
Yahiko froze in place, his body trembling violently.
Pain and conflict filled his eyes.
If the one dying were himself—
Yahiko would not hesitate for even a moment.
But both Konan and Nagato were his comrades.
How could he possibly choose between them?
Behind the mask, a satisfied smile appeared on Obito's face.
Yes.
That's it.
Feel pain.
Understand pain.
Only then would you see the true nature of this world.
A world filled with endless tragedy—
one that had no reason to exist at all.
It was a pity that Nagato himself wasn't here.
Otherwise…
this moment would have been even more perfect.
"Yahiko…"
Seeing the agony on Yahiko's face, Konan felt her heart ache.
This choice could never be left to him.
A trace of determination flashed in her eyes.
Yahiko sensed something wrong.
His heart suddenly tightened.
"Konan—don't—"
But before he could finish—
Konan suddenly lunged forward.
Straight toward the black chakra rod in Obito's hand.
Thud.
Warm blood burst from her neck—
splattering across Yahiko's body.
His eyes widened, but his gaze became completely vacant.
Looking down at the blood covering his hands, Yahiko's body trembled uncontrollably.
"Ya…hiko…"
The light in Konan's eyes gradually faded as her body collapsed toward the ground.
"I…"
"Why…"
"Konan…"
"AAAAAAAH!!!"
The pain crushed Yahiko's chest until he could barely breathe.
Words failed him completely.
He fell to his knees, letting out a heart-wrenching scream.
If Yahiko had been born into the Uchiha Clan, this level of anguish might have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Obito silently stepped back a few paces.
Behind the mask, his single eye stared fixedly at Yahiko.
Let me see…
What choice will you make?
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Sagamaster789