Chapter 482: Two Worlds
In the mirror's images, that aged, skeleton-like old man announced his name—"Uchiha Madara."
Rin didn't recognize this name, yet it sounded somewhat familiar. She seemed to have heard it in certain historical records of Konoha or occasional words from older generations, but the impression was extremely vague.
At this moment, watching the mirror's scenes, she finally confirmed one fact: Obito truly hadn't died back then. It was this old man calling himself Uchiha Madara who'd saved him in that desperate situation.
By rights, Rin should feel grateful toward someone who'd saved her comrade's life. However, when her gaze fell on that wrinkled face with obsessive flames burning deep in the eyes, an inexplicable chill crept up her spine, making her shudder.
The following images confirmed her vague unease. Uchiha Madara used some bizarre methods to help Obito recover mobility, even seemingly granting him new power. But simultaneously, Madara's words were like a serpent's whispers, constantly drilling into the boy who'd just struggled back from death's edge.
He repeatedly spoke of disappointment in this world filled with war and suffering, painting a picture of an illusory paradise he would create called the "Moon's Eye"—where only eternal victory and peace existed, no loss, no sorrow, everyone satisfied in beautiful dreams.
He'd saved Obito precisely because he valued him, wanting to mold him into a helper and successor for executing this "great plan."
But—
The young Obito in the mirror, despite his broken body, still had clear and determined eyes. He refused Madara's guidance repeatedly, his only thought to leave this place and return to Rin and Kakashi's side.
Return to that world with sunlight and comrades—imperfect yet real. Seeing this, Rin's heart relaxed slightly, feeling both relieved and proud of Obito's resilience.
She lifted her head, glancing at the grown-up "Obito" in reality who'd retreated several steps, stealing glances at her with fear, guilt, and pitiful eyes.
This made the bad premonition in Rin's heart press down more heavily. She pressed her lips together, returning her gaze to the mirror in her hands.
Another reason—calculating the time... next should be... the moment of my own death, right...
---
The mirror's light and shadow flowed mercilessly, pushing time toward that instant she didn't want to recall yet couldn't avoid.
The scene switched to that gloomy forest. Her heart had a curse seal placed on it. Then, to prevent enemies from using her to harm the village, she resolutely, actively rushed toward the lightning crackling in Kakashi's hand...
And the teenage Obito who'd just desperately used his newly acquired power to finally reach the battlefield. The urgency and worry on his face, the instant he saw the scene before him—his most precious Rin rushing toward Kakashi's lightning—froze instantly, then was swallowed by incomparable shock, bewilderment, and immediately following world-collapsing enormous despair.
Immediately after, the Obito in the mirror changed.
Rin witnessed the most unfamiliar Obito in history.
That clumsy boy with a brilliant smile who kept "protecting comrades" on his lips disappeared. In his place was a "monster" with terrifying eyes, emanating bone-chilling violence and killing intent.
He used Wood Style Rin had never seen—cruel and efficient, showing no mercy, gleefully venting through the brutal slaughter of all the Kirigakure ninja present.
Battle's purpose was no longer "protection" but pure destruction and revenge, every strike carrying hatred wanting to tear everything before him apart.
Watching this Obito, Rin's heart ached until she could barely breathe. However, what rose in her heart wasn't fear or disappointment.
It was bottomless heartache and sorrow, plus self-blame that would drown her.
It's because of me... because of my death...
That Obito became like this...
She desperately hoped the mirror's next images would show a turning point—hoped that after venting initial grief and fury, Obito could struggle out from hatred's abyss.
Hoped he would ultimately choose to return to Konoha, under Minato-sensei's guidance and comrades' care, slowly healing his wounds, becoming the person she knew again—perhaps more mature and steady, but with a core still gentle and kind. The Uchiha Obito she knew.
---
Present day, within the Land of Hot Water's borders, deep in the Ember organization's underground base.
In a comfortably furnished room with independent living facilities, the atmosphere was extremely awkward.
"...Mm, the test results are confirmed. Congratulations, you're expecting."
A medical ninja in casual clothes with practiced technique set down simple testing instruments, announcing the conclusion in a steady tone, though his eyes held barely concealed subtlety.
"...Huh?"
Uchiha Shisui stood beside the bed. Hearing this sudden diagnosis, the calm expression he'd been maintaining shattered instantly, leaving only blankness.
He opened his mouth bewilderedly, ultimately only releasing a short breath full of confusion, seeming not to comprehend this simple statement.
The medical ninja's expression grew even more peculiar. When he'd received orders to conduct a routine physical examination for this black-haired woman being "personally supervised" by Ember's supreme combat commander, his mind already held some speculation.
This scene... a woman seemingly "confined" here for some reason—it was hard not to imagine certain forceful scenarios.
However, the current diagnosis results, plus the black-haired woman lying in bed who, upon hearing "you're expecting," showed enormous joyful excitement blooming on her face... didn't look unwilling at all.
What exactly was this situation... confinement? Captivity? Or some kind of... mutual consent under special preferences?
The medical ninja quickly extinguished his increasingly outrageous speculations, deciding to maintain professional standards—absolutely don't ask what shouldn't be asked. The less known about important people's private affairs, the better.
"Um, doctor..." Shisui finally recovered his voice, his throat somewhat dry. He tried understanding the situation, but the question he asked seemed even clumsier. "May I ask, 'expecting'... specifically refers to what kind of condition? And when you said 'congratulations,' that means..."
Before he finished speaking, the medical ninja's faintly contemptuous gaze choked his words back. That look clearly said: Still playing dumb? Don't want to take responsibility?
Shisui immediately felt his scalp tingle. He realized if he continued acting like a clueless idiot, in the doctor's heart, he'd cement the terrible image of "playboy who toys with women's feelings and plays dumb to escape after learning of pregnancy."
He forcibly suppressed the shock and chaos churning inside, working hard to restore his usual calm expression, asking in as steady a tone as possible:
"...I understand. Then, what should I do next?"
Seeing Shisui finally acknowledge it and adopt an attitude of preparing to take responsibility, the medical ninja's expression relaxed slightly. He cleared his throat, entering professional guidance mode.
"First, don't be too nervous. The timing is still very early, probably only about a month. At this stage, the most important thing is paying attention to the pregnant woman's emotional regulation—maintaining a happy mood, avoiding anxiety and major emotional fluctuations as much as possible."
He glanced at Uchiha Yuu, whose expression remained excited as she gently placed a hand over her lower abdomen, then at Shisui who was trying to stay composed but clearly had stiff body language. He added: "...As her partner, your attitude and support are very important."
"Next are lifestyle habits. Cigarettes and alcohol must be strictly avoided from now on, whether for the pregnant woman herself or you—preferably don't expose her to them at all."
Shisui numbly nodded, mechanically engraving these words in his mind. Smoking and drinking? Neither he nor Yuu had such habits anyway, so that wasn't a concern.
"Then, avoid intense exercise, though appropriate gentle activity is fine. Maintain seven to nine hours of adequate sleep daily—absolutely no staying up late. Diet requires special attention: prohibit raw meat, raw eggs, unpasteurized dairy products and similar foods that might carry bacteria or parasites..."
The medical ninja carefully explained early pregnancy precautions item by item, from nutritional supplementation to possible early reactions, leaving nothing out. Shisui listened extraordinarily seriously, chewing over every word repeatedly, afraid of missing anything.
Until he solemnly handed the prescribed prenatal vitamins and precaution checklist to Shisui, then was personally escorted—somewhat dazed—by Shisui from this place that resembled both a safe house and a secret love nest.
The heavy door gently closed, isolating the outside world.
Shisui stood alone in place. He looked down at the small vitamin bottles in his hand and that sheet filled with prohibitions and instructions. The tactile sensation was real, yet he still felt a strong sense of unreality.
Expecting... Yuu she... is pregnant? With my...?
I'm... going to be a father?!
This realization finally broke through barriers, clearly surfacing in Shisui's consciousness.
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......ok
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