"Obito-kun, please take out the money and count how much we have!" Black Zetsu said, rubbing his hands together in excitement.
Obito was snapped out of his thoughts by Black Zetsu's eager voice.
He activated his Mangekyō Sharingan and summoned the massive stash of money he had recently received from the Uchiha clan.
Both men stared at the mountainous pile of cash, their eyes gleaming with greed and disbelief. Without wasting a moment, they began counting.
After what felt like ages, Black Zetsu let out a gasp. "A total of 1.8 billion ryo!"
As expected from a clan with roots tracing back to the Sengoku period—the Uchiha clan's wealth was staggering.
Obito was just as shocked. Even though he had long suspected the Uchiha were powerful, the sheer magnitude of their hidden fortune was overwhelming.
However, his expression soon darkened. His thoughts drifted back to his own childhood—how he had relied on his grandmother for everything. Despite being part of the Uchiha, the clan's support was minimal. The so-called subsidies they gave him barely covered living expenses.
It wasn't until he became a ninja and began accepting missions that their living conditions slightly improved.
And now, here he was, staring at nearly two billion ryo, realizing that all that wealth had been hoarded while countless clan members like him suffered in silence.
"They had so much money... and yet they couldn't help their own people?" Obito muttered bitterly.
He clenched his fists. "If they weren't willing to spend this money for the sake of the clan, then I'll spend it for them..."
After dividing the spoils, Black Zetsu said, "Obito-kun, we've drained Konoha dry. There's nothing left to take—we should move on to another village."
Obito nodded. They had already plundered every major clan in Konoha. What remained was either worthless or already secured by others.
Truth be told, the combined wealth of all of Konoha's prominent clans didn't match what they had just taken from the Uchiha.
It was indeed time to move.
The two of them packed up their belongings and prepared to leave under the cover of night.
Just as they were about to set off, Obito suddenly paused and turned to look back at the direction of Konoha Village.
Black Zetsu noticed and asked, confused, "What's wrong, Obito-kun?"
"You wait here. I need to take care of something—I'll be back soon."
Without further explanation, Obito disappeared into the shadows, heading straight for the village.
---
Inside Konoha Village
Knock knock knock.
"I'm coming!" a small voice shouted from inside a modest-looking house.
A little boy with spiky blond hair rushed to the door and swung it open.
"Grandpa Hokage!" the boy beamed.
"Little Naruto," Sarutobi Hiruzen said kindly, "Grandpa came to bring you your living expenses."
He handed Naruto a small envelope.
"Thank you, Grandpa Hokage!" Naruto said with a grateful smile. But as he took the envelope, he noticed something—it felt lighter than usual.
He looked at the envelope, then back at Hiruzen.
"Grandpa Hokage," Naruto asked hesitantly, "Why is there less money this time? Did I do something wrong?"
His big, round eyes looked up at the Third Hokage, filled with confusion and a hint of sadness.
Hiruzen felt a twinge of guilt.
He rubbed Naruto's head and said gently, "It's not your fault. There have been some thieves in the village recently... a lot of money was stolen, so we've had to cut back on expenses for everyone."
"Ohh... I see." Naruto clenched his fists angrily. "That thief is so mean!"
His small voice trembled with frustration. It was already hard enough for him to get by—and now, thanks to some thief, it would be even harder.
"You should try to save what you can," Hiruzen advised. "I have some matters to attend to, but I'll come see you again soon, alright?"
"Okay! Goodbye, Grandpa Hokage!"
After Hiruzen left, Naruto shut the door and sat down on the floor. He looked at the envelope in his hands, sighed, and mumbled, "This won't last me long... I guess I'll have to go hungry again."
He had experienced this countless times. Sometimes he'd even had money but couldn't buy food—shopkeepers would turn him away as soon as they saw who he was.
Tears welled up in his eyes.
"Mom... Dad... where are you..." he whispered through sobs.
Knock knock knock.
Naruto quickly wiped his tears and rushed to the door again.
"Coming, Grandpa Hokage!" he shouted.
He swung open the door—only to be surprised. Standing there wasn't Sarutobi Hiruzen, but a tall man wearing a mask, carrying multiple large bags.
"Who are you?" Naruto asked, puzzled.
"Hello, Naruto," the man said warmly. "I'm your father's student."
Naruto's eyes lit up. "Uncle! You knew my dad?!"
Obito stepped inside, frowning as he looked around the house.
The furniture was old and damaged. The room smelled faintly of mold. There was a carton of expired milk sitting on the table.
Obito's heart sank.
This was the son of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki—and this was how he was being raised?
"Uncle, do you really know who my dad is?" Naruto asked, wide-eyed and full of hope.
Obito's heart ached. The tragic fate Naruto endured—it was all his fault. If it hadn't been for the Nine Tails Rebellion, Naruto would be living like the Hokage's son, not like a stray dog in the village's shadows.
Obito didn't respond right away.
"Uncle? Uncle?" Naruto tugged on his sleeve.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Obito smiled and rubbed Naruto's head.
"Of course I do. Your parents are... out on a long mission. They'll be back in a few years."
Naruto's eyes sparkled with hope. "Really? They're coming back?"
Obito nodded. "Yes, but you mustn't tell anyone. If people find out, they won't be able to return safely."
"I promise! I won't tell anyone!" Naruto said solemnly.
"Also, you mustn't tell anyone I was here today."
"Got it, Uncle!"
Naruto was overjoyed. All these years, he thought he was an orphan—but now, he knew he had parents. They hadn't abandoned him; they were just out protecting the world.
He wasn't a parentless child after all.
But Obito suddenly paused.
He sensed the Nine Tails' chakra swirling faintly within Naruto.
Even though Naruto hadn't started training yet, this chakra would eventually interfere with his development.
He activated his Sharingan.
Naruto blinked—and instantly froze in place.
---
Inside the Sealed Space
A vast, ominous cavern surrounded them. Enormous bars towered in front of Naruto, behind which stood the gigantic Nine Tailed Fox.
"You filthy Uchiha! I'll kill you!" the beast roared, its crimson eyes glaring at Obito.
Naruto was terrified. He had never seen anything like this before.
He instinctively hid behind Obito.
"Quiet, Nine Tails," Obito commanded.
With a single glare, he cast an illusion—instantly subduing the furious tailed beast.
---
Back in the real world, Naruto blinked and returned to his senses.
"Uncle... what was that big fox?"
"Just a pet," Obito said calmly, as if nothing had happened.
He reached into his cloak and pulled out a thick envelope.
"This is your pocket money from your uncle. I have something to attend to now, but I'll come visit again soon."
Naruto beamed and accepted the envelope. "Thanks, Uncle!"
"Remember—keep everything a secret. Not a word to anyone, okay?"
"I promise!"
Just as Obito turned to leave, he stopped.
"By the way, Naruto... do you know someone named Kakashi?"
Naruto tilted his head in confusion. "Kakashi? No, I don't know anyone by that name."
Obito's expression darkened slightly. "I see."
Then, with a soft voice, he said, "Naruto... my name is Obito."
And just like that—he vanished into thin air before Naruto's eyes.
Naruto rubbed his eyes in disbelief. "Did I imagine that...?"
But when he looked around and saw the bags of food, the thick envelope in his hand—he knew it wasn't a dream.
Someone had come. Someone who had known his father. Someone who had cared.