Obito nodded.
He followed Namikaze Minato, one after the other, into the study.
"Sensei!"
Obito bowed with respect.
It was obvious—
Since Rin hadn't died in this version of events, Obito wasn't nearly as extreme as in the original story.
On the contrary, he still held deep respect for his teacher.
After all, this was the man who had dared to defy the Hokage for the sake of his students!
"Mm. Obito, sit down," Minato said with a smile. "Sensei knows… you seem to have feelings for Rin.
"It's not just me—Kushina knows, Kakashi knows, even Rin herself knows.
"But at the same time, you should also see that Rin's feelings aren't for you.
"As a man, my advice is that you let it go.
Sometimes letting go is also a form of love.
Let Rin pursue her own happiness."
Yes.
The reason Minato had called Obito here was to comfort him.
What else could he do?
Both Rin and Obito were his disciples—he couldn't play favorites.
Now that Rin's side was settled, it was time to soothe Obito's heart.
"Sensei, I…" Obito looked embarrassed, but still muttered, "I don't—I don't like her that way, you're overthinking."
Minato sighed.
"You can't fool anyone."
Obito fell silent, only able to sigh as well.
He understood Minato's intentions—his teacher wanted him to let go and seek his own happiness.
But how could it be that easy?
To him, Rin was his white moonlight, the one and only.
All his life—
Because of his temperament, he never got along well within the Uchiha clan, and had few friends there.
Even at school, many classmates disliked his earnest kindness.
Only Rin—
only she stayed by his side, played with him, comforted and encouraged him when he was down.
In Obito's heart, Rin was irreplaceable.
But at the same time—
Because of Rin's kindness toward him, he couldn't bear to see her sad.
If Rin liked Uchiha Kai, then…
Even if he was unhappy, he could only accept it.
Just like Minato said:
as long as the one he loved could be happy, that was enough.
Having thought it through, Obito drew in a deep breath and spoke solemnly:
"Minato Sensei, I understand.
As long as Rin can truly be happy, I have no complaints.
"But if Uchiha Kai ever hurts her, I will never forgive him.
That's my vow!"
Obito's voice was firm, his teeth clenched.
And as he spoke, the pattern in his Sharingan spun into the shape of a pinwheel—
Mangekyō Sharingan!
Minato's eyes narrowed.
Even as Obito's teacher, this was only the second time he had truly seen it.
Most of the time, he subconsciously overlooked this fact, treating Obito as just another junior.
Only now, seeing it with his own eyes, did he suddenly realize:
Obito was already a powerhouse.
With that thought, Minato couldn't help but ask:
"Obito, do you know your current strength yourself?
"And as an Uchiha, there are techniques I can't teach you.
Are there any clan jutsu you need to learn? If so, don't hesitate—ask Kai-kun to guide you a little.
"We're all on the same side. Don't be shy about it."
Yes—
he had completely forgotten about this before.
He'd always assumed his own strength was more than enough to guide Obito.
But now he remembered: Obito was an Uchiha.
On the other side, Obito had indeed nodded earlier, saying he'd let Rin pursue her happiness.
But the moment he heard the name Uchiha Kai, he couldn't help but shout in protest.
Damn it!
That guy had stolen his white moonlight, and now his teacher wanted him to ask that same man for guidance?
What kind of sick joke was that?!
Without a shred of hesitation, Obito bellowed:
"No! Absolutely not!
"As for Uchiha's Susanoo—I can already use it. It's a technique rooted in the Mangekyō itself.
Once I awakened my Mangekyō, I was able to master it instinctively.
"Sensei, if you don't believe me—attack me and see!"
He practically barked the words, unwilling to ever bow his head to his rival in love.
To drive the point home, he even invited Minato to test him personally.
Minato's lips twitched.
He hadn't expected such a strong reaction.
But fine—
He was curious about Obito's Mangekyō ability.
Without another word, he drew a kunai and lunged at Obito with blinding speed.
Yet—
Obito didn't move.
He simply stood there, making no attempt to dodge.
Minato's heart skipped.
"Not good!" he thought, hurriedly trying to pull back.
But it was too late.
The kunai stabbed forward—
yet struck only empty air, as though Obito's body weren't even there.
"…What?"
Minato's eyes widened.
His hand had gone straight through Obito.
After a moment of silence, he asked in disbelief:
"Obito… this is your Mangekyō ability?"
"Yes, Sensei," Obito answered calmly. "Unless I choose to attack, no technique can touch me.
"And this isn't all my Mangekyō can do. Next, please don't resist—I'll let you experience it yourself."
Minato gave a small smile and nodded without hesitation.
He had no reason to fear his own student.
Obito placed his right hand on Minato's shoulder.
At once, their bodies began to twist and spiral—
and when Minato opened his eyes again, he found himself in a strange new space.
"This is…?"
Minato was stunned.
Obito smiled faintly.
"This is my Mangekyō ability—the Kamui space.
"I can pull anything or anyone into it.
"Now, Sensei, you understand."
Minato nodded slowly.
Yes.
With this ability alone, Obito was already beyond the level of an ordinary elite Jounin.
Even if Minato himself fought him, he might not be able to kill him outright.
At best, it would be a draw.
With a quiet sigh, Minato said:
"Obito, I'm relieved.
You already have the qualifications of an elite Jounin—perhaps even beyond.
"Even I may not be your match anymore.
"From now on, work hard. There will be many things I'll need your help with.
"Right now, your reputation hasn't spread. But after a few wars, once your name echoes through the village, do you really think you'll have trouble finding a wife?
"Obito—keep at it!"
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