Chapter 360: Going Home
In the aftermath of the war, the Hidden Leaf Village was rebuilt at an astonishing speed. With the assistance of numerous Wood Release users, reconstruction was hardly a difficult task.
The original high commands of the Sand, Mist, Stone, and Cloud villages had been completely wiped out. Personnel dispatched by Konoha had taken over control of these villages and begun the construction of a railway network connecting the five great nations.
In the Sand Village, Uchiha Cho took charge as the leader. She utilized the puppet of the former Kazekage, Rasa, to endlessly produce Gold Dust, ensuring the village had the funds to operate.
In the Mist Village, Hyuga Saori remained behind, becoming the new Mizukage—though, in reality, a Mizukage subordinate to Konoha.
In the Stone Village, Uchiha Shisui and Anko became the rulers, though Kyosuke pulled many of the strings from the shadows.
The Rain Village was placed under the proxy management of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio. Might Duy simply wasn't cut out for administrative work, so the trio had to handle the political affairs there.
As for Hiruzen Sarutobi, he seemed ten years younger. He had become the most important person in this new era of Konoha.
With the four great ninja villages forced into surrender, making them truly feel like part of Konoha required more than just oppressive policy; it required a thorough "brainwashing" with the Will of Fire. Thus, Hiruzen was busier than ever.
Of course, no matter how busy he was, spreading the Will of Fire was a labor of love for him.
Rain Village, Akatsuki Base.
The news of the earth-shattering battle at Konoha had long since spread throughout the ninja world. Upon learning that all nine Tailed Beasts were now under Kyosuke's control, Obito and Dark Owl (Nagisa) suddenly felt a profound sense of emptiness.
Their original goal, the hope they had clung to, had completely vanished. It wasn't strange that they felt lost.
"...Mr. Dark Owl, do you still require me to awaken the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan for you?" Orochimaru, having been invited into the organization, asked Dark Owl with a strange expression.
"No need."
Faced with Orochimaru's question, Dark Owl could only respond with helplessness. But then, a third voice abruptly appeared in the room, causing her pupils to dilate in shock.
Her head snapped up, and she glared at Orochimaru with hatred. "You dared to betray me?"
"Hehe. This can hardly be called a betrayal. Perhaps... I am saving you. Wouldn't you agree, Kyosuke-kun?" Orochimaru said in his raspy voice.
Indeed, the unexpected arrival was Uchiha Kyosuke.
Ignoring Orochimaru and making no attempt to soothe Nagisa's anger, Kyosuke simply recounted the truth of his deductions—the reality of Madara Uchiha's manipulations.
Hearing that all her suffering had been orchestrated by Madara, Nagisa's breathing became ragged. She wasn't the only one; Obito, who had appeared at some point, was equally shaken.
When they finally realized each other's true identities, they exchanged a bizarre look. Neither had imagined that the other was someone they knew from the past.
In truth, smart as they were, they had suspected there might be problems with their path. But having been consumed by hatred, they had only wanted to vent their anger on the world.
Even now, although they knew the truth, Kyosuke alone couldn't persuade them to turn back... but there was someone who could.
"Obito."
A single call froze the ambitious man who had walked in the shadows under the name of Madara Uchiha.
"Rin..." Looking at the girl stepping out of the shadows, Obito raised a trembling hand, wanting to touch her but terrified he might hurt her or find she was an illusion.
Watching the tears fall from beneath Obito's mask, Kyosuke spoke slowly. "I used the Gedo Art of Rinne Rebirth to resurrect Rin's soul into a clone body cultivated from Hashirama cells. Do not doubt it; she is the real Rin."
"Also... very few people know of your existence as the 'Masked Man.' I have already fabricated a reason for your disappearance all these years. As long as you nod, Uchiha Obito will return to the village as a hero of Konoha. I guarantee it."
"I... I... I have already..."
"Oh, honestly, you're such a handful! Just come with me!" Seeing Obito hesitate, Rin, who had already been briefed, stepped forward. She grabbed him and dragged him out of the room, following Orochimaru.
"...Kyosuke, do you think this fixes everything...?" Nagisa's voice trembled.
"The Second Elder is waiting for you at home. If I don't bring you back, I'm going to get scolded."
"...Hmph. I knew you would resurrect Grandfather. But don't think I'll forgive you so easily! The pain I've suffered all these years, you..."
Before the girl could finish her sentence, Kyosuke stepped forward. He gently removed the mask from her face, looked at her features which had changed over the years, and pulled her tightly into his embrace.
"Let's go home."
"...Mn."
(The End)