The war, waged fiercely on the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain, reached a temporary halt as the Iwagakure-led three-nation coalition retreated. Though this battle ended inconclusively, the fear it instilled in the hearts of warriors on both sides was undeniable.
The Yellow Flash of Konoha had faced off against three formidable opponents alone, his commanding presence searing an unforgettable image into the minds of thousands of ninjas. On the opposing side, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, Rōshi, demonstrated devastating power, reshaping the very terrain with terrifying ease.
Yet, everyone knew the war was far from over. The forces of Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Amegakure had united with a shared goal, and such an alliance would not rest until victory was absolute.
Despite the retreat of the coalition forces, Konoha's troops remained stationed on the border. Rōshi's fearsome techniques had drastically transformed the landscape, leaving the area scarred with rivers of molten lava and jagged craters.
A loud crash echoed across the area. Near the warped terrain, torrents of water cascaded down, but this was no natural phenomenon—it was the work of skilled water-style ninjutsu. The ninjas of Konoha were working tirelessly to cool the searing remnants of magma. Though the lava had begun to solidify, its heat, fueled by chakra, lingered dangerously.
The relentless efforts of the Konoha ninjas gradually dispelled the intense heat, but their work was far from over. The once-bright sky dimmed as steam and mist blanketed the area, casting an eerie pall over the land.
A kilometer away, Konoha forces had established a makeshift camp. Initially built to treat the wounded, it now served as the main outpost for their defensive operations. Outside one of the larger tents, Minato Namikaze pulled back the curtain and stepped inside.
The first sight to greet him was Kakashi Hatake, seated at the edge of the tent. The young ninja held a dagger in his hand, his white hair disheveled and marked with faint signs of battle. Despite minor injuries, Kakashi's chakra flow was steady—he was in no immediate danger.
"Minato-sensei," Kakashi said, attempting to stand as his teacher entered.
"Rest. You've done enough for now," Minato replied gently, placing a firm hand on Kakashi's shoulder. Kakashi hesitated before nodding, allowing himself to relax.
Minato's gaze shifted toward the far side of the tent. There, Obito Uchiha stood silently by Rin Nohara's side, his eyes fixed on her with unwavering concern. He seemed unaware of Minato's presence, wholly absorbed in watching over her.
Minato's expression softened, but there was a flicker of something deeper—concern, perhaps even unease. The war had forced unimaginable challenges upon them all, and Obito had risen to meet one such challenge in a way that stunned even Minato.
According to the war statistics delivered to him earlier, Obito had managed to defeat a Jonin from the enemy forces—a feat unexpected from someone of his current rank. Though Obito's progress had been steady under Minato's tutelage, his skills had only recently surpassed those of an average Chunin.
What truly astonished Minato was the revelation that Obito had awakened his Sharingan during the battle. Not only that, but his Sharingan manifested with two magatama immediately upon activation. Such an occurrence was unprecedented, even among the most prodigious Uchiha.
Minato, well-versed in the clan's history and its legendary dojutsu, could recall no record of such an event. Even Uchiha Yoruki, regarded as a genius of his generation, had awakened his Sharingan with just a single magatama.
What made Obito so unique? The question lingered as Minato quietly observed him.
"Obito," Kakashi called, but Minato gently motioned for him to stop.
"Let him be," Minato said softly, his gaze briefly settling on Rin before he disappeared in a flash of yellow light.
News of the battle and Obito's Sharingan awakening soon reached Konoha, though the war's urgency left little room for celebration among the village's leadership. Within the Uchiha clan, however, the event stirred intense interest.
The activation of the Sharingan, even at its most basic level, was a cause for pride among the Uchiha. Each new pair of Sharingan carried the potential for evolution, and Obito's double-magatama awakening was unlike anything the clan had seen before. Unfortunately, with many of the clan's elites deployed to the front lines near Kirigakure, the initial excitement gradually faded.
Deep underground, in the shadows of an ancient hideout, Uchiha Madara sat in silence. His frail, withered form rested against a stone wall, his breathing shallow and labored. Yet his presence radiated an indomitable aura.
In the dim light, White Zetsu emerged from the ground, his distinctive pitcher-plant-like form taking shape.
"You've returned," Madara said, his voice barely audible yet commanding. "What's the situation?"
"The coalition of Iwagakure, Amegakure, and Sunagakure clashed with Konoha on the border," White Zetsu began, recounting the battle in meticulous detail. He spoke of Minato Namikaze's extraordinary feats, holding his own against Hanzo, the Fourth Kazekage, and the Four-Tails Jinchuriki simultaneously.
Madara's brow furrowed slightly as he absorbed the information. The young man he had once dismissed had grown into a formidable warrior—one capable of holding his own against legends.
"There's one more thing you'll find interesting," White Zetsu added, a sly smile creeping across his face.
"Don't keep me waiting," Madara said, a faint chuckle escaping his lips.
"In this battle, a boy named Uchiha Obito awakened his Sharingan," White Zetsu revealed. "And when his eyes opened, they already had two magatama."
Madara's frail hands trembled as he processed the news. Even as the most powerful Uchiha in history, he had never witnessed an awakening of this kind.
White Zetsu continued, "You were looking for a successor, weren't you? Perhaps this boy is a better choice than the one you previously selected. Uchiha Obito is also a disciple of Minato Namikaze."
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