Chapter 5
Sasuke's demeanor shifted as he set the bowl aside, a seriousness overtaking the light atmosphere. The change didn't go unnoticed; Naruto's smile faded, replaced by a furrowed brow of concern.
"Sasuke, what is it?" Sakura asked, sensing the shift.
Sasuke's eyes hardened, a flicker of the old avenger flashing within them. "The one who ambushed me... it was Obito."
The name hung in the air like a shuriken poised to strike. Naruto's eyes widened, and Sakura's hand flew to her mouth. Hinata's gentle expression turned to one of shock, and the room fell into a stunned silence.
Kakashi, who had been standing quietly in the doorway, unnoticed until now, felt a jolt of disbelief. "Obito?" he echoed, his voice betraying a rare break in his composure.
Sasuke nodded, his gaze meeting Kakashi's. "Yes. He's alive, and he was waiting for me."
"But how?" Naruto struggled to understand. "We all thought... after the war..."
Sakura's mind raced, her medical expertise colliding with her shinobi instincts. "Could it be a trick? Genjutsu or a transformation technique?"
Sasuke shook his head. "No. It was him. I'd recognize his chakra anywhere. He didn't say much, but his intentions were clear. He's planning something... something big."
Kakashi stepped into the room fully, his visible eye creasing with concern. "We need to inform Tsunade immediately. If Obito is involved, this is a serious threat."
Hinata nodded in agreement. "I'll send a message to my father. The Hyuga can help with surveillance."
Sakura stood up, her resolve hardening. "I'll go with Kakashi to see Tsunade. We need to start preparing now."
Naruto looked from one face to the next, his fists clenching at his sides. "We beat him once; we'll do it again. We're not the same shinobi we were back then. We're stronger."
Sasuke's eyes met Naruto's, a silent vow passing between them. "We'll need to be," he said quietly.
As the group dispersed to take action, the weight of the situation settled on their shoulders. The past was resurfacing, a ghost they thought they had laid to rest. But they were no strangers to adversity; they had faced darkness before and emerged victorious.
Kakashi lingered for a moment, his thoughts on his former student, the boy he had once believed dead. "Obito..." he murmured, the name a whisper of past regrets and battles fought.
Naruto placed a hand on Kakashi's shoulder, offering a silent strength. "We'll face this together, Kakashi-sensei. Like we always have."
With a nod, Kakashi placed his hand over Naruto's. "Together," he agreed.
The room emptied, leaving only the echo of determination behind. They were shinobi of the Leaf, bound by their will of fire, and they would stand united against whatever darkness threatened their home. This was their promise, their duty, and their unbreakable bond.