The First Experiment of Pure Land
After displaying the divine power of Kamui to traverse space, Uchiha Obito arrived at Konoha's Heroes Cemetery.
This was one of the few places he frequented besides the Mizukage Building in Kirigakure. Here lay his parents, his former teacher Namikaze Minato, himself in the eyes of the world, and the only light in his heart—Nohara Rin.
Feeling the gentle breeze rustling the grass, Obito's chaotic emotions settled, his expression hardening with renewed determination.
After seeing the Flying Thunder God Kunai at Kakashi's home, he confirmed his suspicions—Minato-sensei did not perish in the Nine-Tails attack, but had instead resurfaced as the leader of Uzushio Village. While publicly aiding Konoha's recovery, he had been secretly investigating the Akatsuki organization.
The reason Minato had yet to confront him directly was simple—he feared the "Madara" persona Obito had assumed and wasn't certain he could kill him outright. Instead, he was biding his time, waiting for the perfect moment.
It was almost laughable—both master and student had returned from the dead, each seeing the other as an enemy. But then, the shinobi world itself was a farce, a cycle of deception, betrayal, and endless war. For the living, it was nothing short of hell.
Standing before Rin's grave, Obito activated his Kamui, phasing into the earth.
Rin's body was still…
A few seconds later, he resurfaced, retreating into the shadows. He couldn't pinpoint his emotions—was he relieved that her remains were undisturbed, or regretful that Rin had not defied fate and played a cruel joke on the world by returning as well?
Either way, his next stop was Anbu Headquarters.
If he could pinpoint Naruto's location, the Eye of the Moon Plan could proceed without hindrance.
—
Obito's departure was as fleeting as the wind, yet Hatake Kakashi immediately sensed the spatial distortion.
Gazing at the fractured tree branch, Kakashi's expression darkened. He knew the masked man had been here.
That same demon who orchestrated the Nine-Tails' attack. The one who led Uchiha Itachi down his tragic path.
But Minato-sensei's final letter to Naruto had stated plainly—the masked man was someone they all once knew. That alone made the truth undeniable.
Obito.
Kakashi didn't want to believe it.
But analyzing the facts objectively, there was no other possibility. The masked man's Kamui bore an unmistakable resemblance to his own Sharingan ability, and if it weren't Obito, then back when he'd been attacked by Kirigakure's Anbu, he never would have returned to Konoha with Rin's body. He would have been eliminated by Konoha's Anbu long ago.
But what had twisted Obito into that masked demon? Had the world he saw been even crueler than Kakashi's own experiences?
As an Anbu, Kakashi had witnessed Konoha's darkest secrets. He understood how one could be consumed by hatred. But why had Obito turned his wrath on Minato-sensei and Kushina-san—two people who had only ever loved him without reservation?
Sighing, Kakashi turned toward the mirror and lifted his forehead protector.
Beneath it, the Sharingan swirled ominously, its three tomoe ever vigilant—a reminder of his burden, and the key to his strength as "Konoha's Technician."
If Obito was truly the masked man, then his ability to manipulate space-time should have the same origin as Kakashi's own Sharingan.
But how to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan? That was the real question.
If he could succeed, not only could he stand against Obito, but he could also dismantle Danzo's corrupt faction and ensure Jiraiya's ascension as the Fifth Hokage.
Power dictated influence in the shinobi world. And the Mangekyō would be his ultimate leverage.
—
In Uzushio Village, Naruto awaited a reply from Kakashi.
But aside from their lack of personal rapport, there was another issue—Kakashi's chakra reserves were limited. Sending a message over such vast distances was no simple task. Even a Jōnin could be drained by the sheer chakra cost.
Using the Rinnegan's telepathic communication was much more efficient, and the Magic Lantern Body Technique even allowed for real-time video chats.
However, at this rate, Akatsuki's secret communications network—once an underground operation—was beginning to feel more like a casual chat group.
Ending his conversation with the "inner spy" Kakashi, Naruto stepped out of his office. As he listened to Hōmon's development report, he made his way toward the Uzumaki Temple.
Following the Battle of the Land of Waves, Uzushio Village had solidified its foothold.
However, economic conflicts between the Land of Waves and the Land of Whirlpools were surfacing—both had the potential to thrive as port hubs and tourist attractions, yet their growth depended on the surrounding great nations, limiting their expansion.
Additionally, the enrollment rate at Uzushio's Ninja Academy was alarmingly low. At present, only orphans filled the ranks.
Then again, given the internal strife fueled by the Akatsuki, orphaned children in smaller nations were in no short supply. These parentless souls, devoid of ties, made for the most easily molded shinobi—just as the Akatsuki had once recruited its members.
After hearing the report, Naruto gave two orders.
First, to actively recruit scientific researchers and develop chakra technology. Unlike ninja training, which required years of effort, technological advancements could be mass-produced and immediately applied.
After all, the future shinobi landscape would see little difference between Academy students, Genin, and lower-ranked ninja. Even elite Jōnin would be no match for mass-produced Scientific Ninja Tools, and only Kage-level individuals would maintain dominance over conventional shinobi forces.
Second, to eliminate the feudal lords of the Land of Waves and place the entire country under Uzushio Village's direct administration. Cutting out the middlemen would prevent corruption and ensure financial efficiency.
Having given his directives, Naruto pushed open the temple doors and entered.
Upon seeing Uzumaki Ashina, he smiled.
"Did the old patriarch develop any new sealing techniques? Any progress in the Pure Land research?"
Ashina's expression was unusually urgent. "Enough small talk! I need your help for an experiment—one that requires your direct assistance."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "What kind of experiment?"
Leading the way, Ashina replied, "It's related to the Pure Land. I plan to return there myself. Undo the Edo Tensei."
Naruto hesitated.
Releasing the Edo Tensei would leave Ashina's soul unbound, free to return to the afterlife. But there was another issue—the Reanimation Jutsu required a living sacrifice.
When Naruto voiced this concern, Ashina gave a reassuring nod and gestured toward a wooden box nearby.
"My original body is inside. I just dug it up—it's more than sufficient for the technique."
Naruto fell silent.
Most dead feared desecration of their remains, believing the deceased should not interfere with the world of the living. But here was Ashina, actively exhuming his own body for the sake of research.
It seemed he and the Second Hokage had indeed been close. Perhaps, in another life, he and Orochimaru could have been kindred spirits.
Still, Naruto asked out of respect, "Won't this be considered grave robbing?"
Ashina scoffed, rolling his eyes. "I am the deceased in question. And I am the head of the Uzumaki Clan. Who dares to say I desecrated my own remains?"
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