In truth, Obito never asked Nagato whether it was worth it or not. And Nagato himself didn't know—he simply reached the conclusion to go. And just like that, the question of worth was set aside.
Obito had intended to ask Konan and Kakuzu how Nagato's mind arrived at such a decision. He stepped out of the house, but then paused mid-step.
Worth or not… what does it matter? Even if I knew, what would it change? All that matters is the decision to go or not to go. Everything else is trivial.
For the first time in ages, Obito sat quietly on his porch for ten minutes. In the eleventh minute, Kakashi, who had recently started working part-time at the public library, returned home—bringing a few discounted oranges from the supermarket.
Kakashi said, "Hey, crybaby, want some oranges?"
Yes.
Obito looked at Kakashi, eyes forming crescents from his smile, and half a second later, he made up his mind.
Kakashi… I don't like this world, but you live here. Even if I must risk my life, I will protect this world. Worth or not, just having you here is reason enough to act without hesitation.
"I want some! I want some! Why are you home so early today? Isn't there supposed to be overtime tomorrow because the director is inspecting?"
"Well, the director said Shigure-sama's schedule changed, so no need to come tomorrow. No overtime for us~"
Shigure—well, the only Shigure in this village. If the schedule changed, it must mean Konan entrusted village matters to Shigure.
Obito's expression darkened. Nagato had made this decision; Konan followed him without hesitation; Konan would join unquestioningly. And here he was, wasting ten minutes fretting over something so small.
Pathetic.
As shame and guilt surged, Obito hadn't even blushed yet when Kakashi handed him the peeled oranges.
"Here. Try it. Sweet or not—if not, I'll make the seller refund it. He said if it's not sweet, money back."
The green peels were meticulously removed, even the white pith separated and stacked neatly. Obito took an orange, peeled it further, popped a segment into his mouth—and the sweet-tart juice flooded his senses. The sweetness made his nose sting, and tears rolled down.
"Eh? Eh? Is it that bad?"
Kakashi teased.
Obito shook his head vigorously.
"No, no, it's amazing, Kakashi!"
"Then why the tears?"
"I… I just… sniffle… I just feel… Kakashi, you're still alive. That's… really, really great…"
Kakashi drew a long line of black across his face, utterly exasperated at Obito's melodrama—but after all these years, he had grown used to it. He kicked off his shoes and sat beside Obito on the porch. He didn't offer a tissue or more oranges; instead, he spoke differently.
"Crybaby, the director and I took the day off. Tomorrow, we're going to see Sakura."
"Huh?"
Obito's tears stilled as confusion crept in. Kakashi didn't look at him; he looked at the dry willow in the courtyard. That willow had been dug up from Konoha by Obito while Kakashi was unconscious. Every plant, every piece of furniture—the tea set, the sofa, the bed canopy—came from Konoha.
Kakashi had once thought Obito's home was like a free inn—come and go at will, no payment required. But in truth, Obito remembered the placement of every item perfectly. Even the three volumes of Icha Icha Kakashi kept on a shelf were in exact order. That's why, when Kakashi returned from the hospital and stepped into this yard, he felt like he was home.
For Kakashi, wherever Obito is, that's home.
"Let Sakura help you transplant your eyes back."
"No! Kakashi, what do you—"
Obito's face twisted in anger, but he didn't get to finish. Kakashi's exposed eye curved into a crescent moon smile.
"You'll face many dangers ahead, won't you?"
"You… how do you know?"
"Honestly, I don't. Just guessing. Since yesterday, you've been uneasy, and I heard you fought Urashiki. I've thought a bit. I don't know the full strength of the Otsutsuki clan, but Rinnegan only works at full potential when you have both eyes, right?"
"No, no, I'm strong enough with one eye. Kakashi, stop imagining things—"
"Then let me come with you."
A soft sound cut off Obito's protests. Kakashi's crescent smile widened.
"Obito, I've given up being a ninja. Working at the library doesn't need the Rinnegan. But you're different. Fighting the Five Great Nations, or anything else—you'll be in danger. No matter what you do, as long as you have your eyes, I can be at ease."
"But, but—"
Obito stammered, frustrated. Kakashi laughed, kneading his asymmetrical face as if trying to reshape it perfectly.
"No buts. It's settled. Consider it temporarily lent to you. Return it when you come back. But tell me—how exactly are you going to 'court death' this time?"
Obito finally freed his face from Kakashi's grasp, confessing honestly:
"Nagato decided to strike the Otsutsuki world. I decided to go with him."
Kakashi's heart skipped a beat. One Urashiki alone could push the godlike Akatsuki to the brink. How many more like him—or stronger—awaited in the Otsutsuki world?
"You're not joking, Pain?"
Kakashi couldn't believe it. Obito hoped Nagato was joking too. But the words had been spoken—they would act. He sighed, elbows on the porch, reclining in relief.
"If he says it, it's decided. In a few days, we leave. I don't know who else will go, but I've decided to go with them."
"Everyone's uncertain about that world. Keeping this one as the battlefield seems safer—at least we have the terrain advantage."
"I thought so too at first." Obito glanced at Kakashi and sighed.
"But this way, this world becomes the battlefield. Kakashi… honestly, I still don't know if it's worth it. But as Nagato said, I just feel we should do it. So we do."
Lands reduced to battlegrounds are strewn with ruin. The innocent caught in the crossfire often suffer more than those fighting in the war.
...
The complete fanfic (Chapter 261) is already available on P@treon(.)com/Crimson_Lore