TitoVillar
patreon
NBB Chapter 21: The One Who Should Have Died
🕑 Added 2025-05-23 23:31:58 +0000 UTC“Who are you? Why have you come to Konohagakure?”
Sarutobi Hiruzen stepped forward. He didn’t recognize the face, but his gaze fell sharply on the wooden spikes in Obito’s hand—and that crimson Sharingan in his eye.
“Wood Release? And the Sharingan?”
A heavy feeling sank in his chest. And he wasn’t alone—Shimura Danzō, standing beside him, was visibly shaken as well.
Wasn’t that night… handled cleanly?
How could there still be a remnant alive?
Could it be… they’d been played by Uchiha Itachi?
“Hmph.”
Obito snorted coldly as he staggered upright, his form starting to blur and twist.
His eyes swept across the crowd before landing once more on Kitagawa Gen, who now stood protectively in front of Sasuke and Naruto.
He knew that whatever he had planned today was no longer possible. The last thing he wanted was to be cornered by Konohagakure’s shinobi.
Especially since… this brat seemed to have figured out his abilities.
“Who I am doesn’t matter. After all, we’ll meet again soon enough.”
“Attack!”
The surrounding shinobi had no idea what was going on, but Shimura Danzō had clearly lost his patience. He roared the command.
The moment his voice rang out, several kunai flew through the air—reaching Obito in the blink of an eye.
[Clang—]
[Clang—]
[Clang—]
The kunai passed straight through Obito’s body and embedded themselves in the ground behind him, as if he were a phantom. And just like that—he vanished.
“He’s gone?”
Jiraiya frowned, quickly hurrying over to check on Naruto. But soon, he let out a sigh of relief.
“The seal is fine, though some of his chakra was drained. Looks like that guy had a real temper.”
“Gen, what exactly happened here?”
Guy, supporting Kakashi, approached Kitagawa Gen. His question immediately drew the attention of Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others.
“Guy-sensei, I’m not really sure of the details either,” Kitagawa Gen replied, putting on an innocent face—though he couldn’t help but feel a bit regretful inside.
Damn it, that guy ran off too fast!
Couldn’t you have at least left me a hand before escaping?
He glanced over at the still-dazed Kakashi, then gave a small nod to himself.
What’s done is done. Time to finish the mission.
“Naruto and I were on our way home when we ran into Sasuke. That’s when I sensed someone tailing us. I took a quick peek and saw from his outfit that he wasn’t from the village, so…”
It wasn’t that he couldn’t explain having sensed an enemy—just that the identity itself had been revealed to him by the system, so this was the only excuse he could give.
“So you struck first?”
Jiraiya glanced at the raging flames nearby and gave a small nod.
“Also, that allowed you to alert us?”
“Yes.”
Kitagawa Gen nodded immediately. After a brief moment of thought, he added: “Besides, that guy is probably working with Biwa Jūzō and Uchiha Itachi. Sasuke and I talked about it earlier—he didn’t deny it. And he has a Sharingan.”
“That’s certainly possible.”
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded nearby, though the realization only gave him a bigger headache.
But he still had questions in his mind, so he stepped in front of Kitagawa Gen. Forcing a kind smile onto his aged face, he asked: “Gen, you had close contact with that man—and even fought him. What’s your assessment of him?”
The way that man had just vanished made Hiruzen’s eyelids twitch. Not to mention the wooden spikes in his hand—that was especially chilling.
And yet, this kid Gen had clearly made that man suffer a heavy blow. Hiruzen had no choice but to inquire further.
“Hokage-sama.”
Kitagawa Gen remained respectful. After some thought, he continued: “That guy seems to use a very peculiar space-time technique—he can teleport objects, and even himself. No matter how you attack, it’s almost impossible to land a hit.”
“Because I ambushed him, I was able to detect this ability. Both Sasuke and Naruto saw him completely ignore the flames.”
As he spoke, he turned toward the two younger boys.
One of them looked completely dazed, seemingly lost as to what had happened, while the other was currently being handled by Jiraiya—likely reinforcing the seal.
Still, Sasuke eventually snapped back to his senses. His expression was complicated as he gave a small nod, though his gaze couldn’t help but drift toward Kitagawa Gen.
This guy…
He’s that strong?!
“Space-time technique?”
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a tingling numbness at his scalp. He knew all too well the power of such abilities—after all, Namikaze Minato was a master of Flying Thunder God Technique!
“Oh right, Hokage-sama.”
Just as he was about to ask Gen how he had managed to hurt that man, Kitagawa Gen suddenly spoke again.
“There was something strange about that guy. The moment he made a move, Naruto had an intense reaction—he turned into his current state. There may be some deeper connection there… after all, Naruto—”
“A strong reaction?”
Hiruzen’s forehead twitched. Jiraiya had said earlier that 'the guy had a bad temper'.
And now, a very unpleasant thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.
Could it be…
“Also, while I was waiting for reinforcements, he said, ‘Konoha’s people are always late.’ His words were filled with resentment.”
Seeing that no one responded, Gen simply kept going.
“And… it seemed like he had some connection to Kakashi-sensei.”
“Kakashi?”
That single word made everyone turn their eyes toward the still-dazed Kakashi—just as Kitagawa Gen spoke again.
“Yeah. He kept saying Kakashi-sensei was useless. It sounded like there was bad blood between them.”
“Also, his Sharingan was in his right eye, while Kakashi-sensei’s is in his left. Don’t you think that could mean something?”
“!!!”
That series of comments struck everyone like a bolt of lightning, their nerves on edge. And Kakashi, who had already been in a daze, now looked completely hollow.
“Wait… you don’t mean that guy is—”
Guy, standing off to the side, couldn’t help muttering softly—though he quickly fell silent.
Because… that man had died a hero of Konoha.
For a moment, no one said a word.
Even Kitagawa Gen couldn’t help glancing at Kakashi, whispering in his heart, “Sorry…”
But just then, his eyelid twitched, and he subtly lowered his head.
[Side Mission Complete: Don’t Get Cocky, Dead Last]
[Calculating Rewards…]
[Kakashi’s Personal Mission Complete: Help Kakashi Reconnect With His Old Friend Uchiha Obito]
[Calculating Rewards…]
Seeing the prompts, he pursed his lips slightly.
“Some things… it’s better to rip off the bandage early.”
...
"What do you all think about this matter?"
It was late at night inside the Hokage’s office.
After sending Naruto, Sasuke, and Kitagawa Gen home, Sarutobi Hiruzen gathered everyone directly involved in tonight’s events.
Though he had considered sending Kakashi to the hospital, the man clearly wouldn’t sit still. It was better to address everything in one go.
"This is a troublesome matter."
Jiraiya rubbed his temples and decided to speak from his own perspective.
"I’ve examined Naruto’s condition. The Nine-Tails’ intense reaction is highly unusual. It’s possible that the incident back then really was connected to this guy. After all, that space-time technique—"
"Hmm, indeed."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. Spatial jutsu seemed to be the only thing capable of dealing with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
"And he possesses the Sharingan… perhaps even the stronger Mangekyō Sharingan."
At that moment, Shimura Danzō finally spoke. His face was dark, and his voice was cold.
"That space-time technique might very well be a dōjutsu of his. I can’t think of any other spatial jutsu capable of reaching that level."
"The Flying Thunder God was developed by my sensei, the Second Hokage. The only thing likely to counter it would be the Mangekyō Sharingan."
"And only those eyes would be capable of controlling the Nine-Tails and causing the tragedy from ten years ago!"
"Hmph, those damn Uchiha..."
"Perhaps."
Sarutobi Hiruzen gave a vague nod but couldn’t help shooting a glare at his old comrade.
The earlier analysis had been objective and well-reasoned—but what was the point of ending with 'those damn Uchiha'?
They were all dead already. Was that not enough for you?
And if that man really was who they thought he was, wouldn’t Kakashi be in serious trouble too?
Turning his head, Hiruzen looked at Kakashi, who had remained silent. After a moment of contemplation, he asked in a low voice: "Kakashi, what’s your take on all this?"
"Hokage-sama, I…"
Kakashi had regained much of his composure by now, but he still faltered at the question.
To be honest, he didn’t quite believe that the man was Uchiha Obito. In his memory, Obito had been an incredibly kind person, someone filled with the Will of Fire.
He had even saved his life back then and had supposedly died a heroic death… So how could he possibly—
