From this perspective, Rin had no reason to forgive or accept the actions of an Obito who had deviated so far from his true self.
Therefore, when Rin delivered that heavy slap to Obito's face, Kawasaki could only think of one phrase: he deserved it!
Obito was unwilling to face a world without Rin, yet he expected everyone else to pay the price for his pain. Such selfishness was simply unacceptable.
Although the physical damage was negligible to Obito's enhanced body, the devastating blow to his psyche could not be ignored. There was likely nothing more painful in this world than being rejected by the one person you trusted most.
In that instant, the slapped Obito was completely stunned. While the physical sensation was no more than a mosquito bite to him, the psychological scar it left was immeasurable. He never imagined something like this could ever happen—being struck by the person who once meant everything to him.
Hearing her accusations, a desperate Obito screamed hysterically, "Who cares if anyone else lives or dies? I only need you with me! You're just a shell brought back by the Reanimation Jutsu! The real you would never treat me like this!"
Any lingering hope Rin might have had was now completely extinguished. Her gaze, as cold as ice, swept over her former friend.
"We have become strangers to each other."
"I can never acknowledge someone like you, who so casually scorns the value of others."
"I have no more expectations for you."
As she finished speaking, a cloud of steam rose from her body, and her form began to fade. Without giving the stunned Obito another glance, she turned and called out, "Kakashi!"
Tears welling in his eyes, Kakashi quickly responded, "Yes, I'm here!"
Based on Orochimaru's earlier explanation, this was the process of the Reanimation Jutsu being undone.
"These years must have been hard for you, haven't they? But from now on, please don't let yourself fall into despair."
"Stop him. He's no longer the person he used to be."
As large, ash-white fragments began to fall from her body, Kakashi felt as if something was caught in his throat, rendering him speechless. He knew their time was running out.
"I understand, Rin! Leave it to me!" he managed to say.
In her final moments, the girl offered a faint smile. "You've certainly grown up to be quite handsome…"
With those words, her entire being dissolved into countless points of light. All that remained on the ground were several paper talismans and the remains of the White Zetsu clone that had served as the sacrifice.
Kneeling on the ground, Obito's ears echoed with her words.
"No support… No understanding… No longer staying for you… Never coming back…"
Tears streamed down his cheeks, his face contorted into a hideous,狰狞 snarl. A roar filled with grief and unwillingness shattered the silence.
"Impossible!"
At the same time, not far away, Kawasaki sensed a powerful chakra fluctuation through a special method. He raised an eyebrow, wondering if the Rinnegan was causing Obito to have a mental breakdown.
A piercing scream followed.
Clutching his head, Obito rolled on the floor, enduring an unprecedented level of agony.
Kawasaki slowly approached his still-stunned friend and offered a word of comfort. "Believe this. She left because she no longer has any lingering attachments. The responsibility now falls on your shoulders."
His resolve rekindled, Kakashi answered firmly, "I understand, Sir!"
Meanwhile, in a newly constructed laboratory within Konoha, a machine designed to absorb natural energy was being modified. The goal was to adapt it for producing medicine. Given that the village was likely infiltrated by White Zetsu, combined with the existence of the Spore Technique, preparing countermeasures in advance was crucial.
Just days ago, he had tasked Karin with using her special abilities to search the village, and she had indeed found several潛伏者 lurking within. He personally captured two of them. One was used as a sample to summon Rin Nohara, while the other became a research specimen.
Just as he was concentrating on his dissection work, he suddenly paused and looked thoughtfully toward the outside. "Interesting," he mused. "She released the Reanimation Jutsu on her own."
Back at the scene, two kunai were stuck in the ground where they had passed through an intangible figure. Looking at the enemy wailing on the ground, Kakashi felt a complex mix of emotions, but he knew he could no longer hesitate. He drew the long sword from his waist, preparing to attack.
"Why can't I?" he demanded, his eyes cold.
After a fit of crazed laughter, Obito's expression became unnervingly calm. "Fine, do whatever you want with me…" He then added with another laugh, "This is how it should be, Kakashi! We should have done this a long time ago."
Obito's expression was vicious and twisted as images flashed through his mind, all of them shattering into pieces. He said maliciously, "Do you know how I found out about Kushina's due date all those years ago?"
Kakashi frowned, not understanding why Obito would bring that up.
"It's because you told me! Right in front of my parents' memorial stone!"
Kakashi's heart seized. He had indirectly caused the deaths of his sensei and his wife.
Seizing the moment of shock, Obito opened a vortex and quickly disappeared into it.
Kawasaki had just raised his hand, making two subtle hand signs to someone in hiding. The message was to let Obito go. The person hidden in the shadows was Itachi.
Kawasaki then led Kakashi away, knowing his friend still had an unfulfilled wish. Kakashi had been pestering Orochimaru for some time, insisting on reviving Rin Nohara. He believed she was the only one who could persuade Obito to come back.
But only Kawasaki knew it was all pointless. Obito would never accept the Rin of the present. A man as stubborn as Obito wouldn't immediately repent when his hopes were shattered. Instead, he would find a new reason to fuel his actions. Obito was already mad; no one could bring him back. Even a reanimated Rin was useless.
However, Rin's disappointment had caused his psyche to collapse completely. In this state, Obito had no capacity to wield the Rinnegan. The Rinnegan was a treasure that required immense mental fortitude to control; otherwise, its power would consume its user. With his mind so fragile, Obito was clearly unable to use it any longer.
Without the Rinnegan and with the Gedo Statue sealed away, Obito would have his hands full from now on. This provided the Uchiha clan with a valuable window of time to grow.
The reason for not killing Obito was that he was no longer a major threat. He could still escape using Izanagi, at the cost of one Sharingan at most. But killing him would risk exposing the fact that Itachi possessed the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan. Furthermore, there were many villagers nearby; using Susanoo would cause massive casualties. The best solution was to have Itachi remain hidden.
The Uchiha clan still needed time to develop. Both Orochimaru's research and their own personal growth required more time.
Whether it was the Fourth Great Ninja War or the revival of Madara Uchiha, Kawasaki was confident he could guide the Uchiha safely through it. But before confronting the Otsutsuki clan, he had to maintain a low profile. He would use Madara, Black Zetsu, and Kaguya as stepping stones for the Uchiha clan's rise.