Chapter 46: Wait—He's Going to Kill Uchiha Itachi?!
"This kid really doesn't follow the rules… He was actually just going to walk away and ignore it?"
Inside the Kamui dimension, Black Zetsu stood alongside Obito, unable to hold back his comment.
Obito snorted coldly before responding.
"Hmph. That's why Konoha is rotting from the inside. Back then, we were willing to give everything for this village—especially Rin."
"Now that I think about it, Rin truly gave her life in vain… Hmph, Konoha…"
Obito had spent enough time in Kirigakure to understand why Rin had chosen to die by Kakashi's hand.
It was for the village.
She sacrificed herself to prevent the Three-Tails from going berserk within Konoha.
That was the kind of person she was—willing to die for the sake of others.
Obito understood it, but that didn't mean he could forgive Kakashi—or accept Rin's decision.
The only thing he wanted now was to create a world where Rin was truly alive—where she and Kakashi still existed together.
"..."
While Obito was caught up in his own emotions, Black Zetsu glanced at him subtly, hiding his thoughts.
(Rin? That girl? We were the ones who got her killed…)
Of course, he wouldn't dare say that out loud.
He knew all too well just how insane Obito had become in Kirigakure, all in the name of avenging her.
After all, it was Obito himself who had orchestrated the Three-Tails being sealed inside Rin, and the Mist's relentless pursuit had ultimately forced her to choose death at Kakashi's hands.
The tragic irony?
Obito had been nothing more than a pawn in Madara's script.
And now, this pawn had begun accumulating more and more power…
If he ever learned the truth, things might get messy.
"That kid's making a move."
Shaking his head, Black Zetsu dismissed his thoughts. It didn't matter—Obito had a 'bomb' implanted in his chest.
If he ever turned against them, they could just detonate it and reunite him with Rin in death.
Turning his focus back to Haruta, Black Zetsu noticed him drawing a kunai.
"What's he doing?"
"Who knows?"
Obito remained aloof, looking down at the scene with disdain.
"Whatever he tries is meaningless. What, does he actually think he can kill Uchiha Itachi?"
However, before Obito could finish his thought—
Haruta's quiet voice rang out below.
"Looks like someone's trying to frame me… Who could it be?"
Holding his kunai, Haruta tilted his head, seriously contemplating the situation.
"And this guy—sneaking out in the middle of the night… Is he on a mission?"
"What's the goal of the one setting me up? What do they actually want?"
"More importantly… there's no way I can explain this, is there?"
"No other evidence, no witnesses—just me at the scene."
"Whoever dumped his body here must've planned everything out."
"Once Uchiha Itachi wakes up, he'll assume I did it, won't he?"
"But besides me, who else can use Flying Thunder God?"
"Or… was it not Flying Thunder God, but another space-time technique?"
Not bad.
Hearing Haruta muttering to himself, Obito and Black Zetsu both nodded subtly.
To be able to assess so much information in an instant, to nearly guess their entire plan—this kid was sharp.
Intelligence gathering and analysis were among a shinobi's most crucial skills.
And Haruta had just proved himself highly capable.
"Looks like there's no other way…"
Haruta let out a sigh.
"After all, I'm a member of Root. And Lord Danzo despises the Uchiha."
"No matter how I explain it, I can't clear my name. I might even drag Root into this mess."
Still murmuring to himself, Haruta slowly walked toward the unconscious Itachi.
His kunai glinted coldly in the moonlight.
"Sorry, but I can't let this involve Root. That means I'll have to inconvenience you a bit."
"You just became a Chūnin, and I was one of the proctors during your exam. I do feel a little bad about this…"
"But hey—if you can help out your examiner one last time, I'm sure you'd be okay with that, right?"
…What?
What did he just say?
Both Obito and Black Zetsu froze.
An ominous feeling crept into them.
And then—
Haruta continued.
"Just promoted to Chūnin, full of enthusiasm. To prove yourself as a great Uchiha, you decided to take on a solo mission."
"Unfortunately, the mission was harder than expected. And without any backup…"
"You died alone."
Wait… he's actually going to do it?!
Obito and Black Zetsu were stunned.
They never expected him to be this decisive!
Sure, Haruta was an Anbu operative. But Itachi wasn't just any Uchiha.
He was the clan leader's son.
His death would send shockwaves through Konoha.
Besides, Itachi was deeply embedded within the Anbu. He had solid relationships within its ranks.
By their logic, Haruta should have hesitated. He should have followed Anbu's protocols.
Yet now—
They realized this little bastard didn't care.
He would do whatever it took to survive.
"Oh, right—since you're such an exceptional Uchiha, your eyes would be highly coveted."
Haruta twirled his kunai between his fingers.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he grinned.
"Don't worry. I'll take your eyes with me and carry on your will."
That was it.
Obito snapped.
This was exactly what he had once said to Kakashi, while trapped beneath the boulders.
Haruta's words mirrored his own.
"Rest in peace. Maybe, once your body turns to bones, I'll 'accidentally' stumble upon it and bring you back home."
Haruta's gaze turned cold, his aura growing sharper.
"That way, you can reunite with your family in the afterlife, right?"
"Alright. It's time for you to go. Goodbye, Uchiha Itachi."
You lunatic!
Obito completely lost it.
Itachi was a vital seed, a key piece in his plans.
No matter what, he could not let Itachi die here.
And yet, he had inadvertently set up the perfect scenario for Itachi's death!
"STOP!"
With a furious roar, Obito erupted from the Kamui dimension.
He had to stop Haruta immediately.
Even if Itachi had to die eventually, this was not how it was supposed to happen!
At the very least, someone needed to witness it—so they could manipulate Shisui's emotions.
"Hmph?"
But just as he emerged—
A kunai was already hurtling toward him at blinding speed.
And in that instant—
Haruta vanished.
His voice, carried by the wind, whispered right into Obito's ear—
"Finally, you showed yourself, you bastard!"