Half an hour later.
Obito successfully completed the transplant operation and recovered as before.
The ample power of his dual Kamui, and his rebirth after regaining his sight, made him overjoyed.
In fact, Orochimaru also released the seals on his body, restoring Obito's chakra and all his powers.
However, young Obito didn't dare to get cocky like 'Bright Sasuke' again.
Especially when he thought of the 'marks' Minato-sensei had left inside and outside his body, his heart trembled, immediately extinguishing all inappropriate thoughts.
Only the word 'loyalty' remained in his mind.
"Hmm, his recovery is excellent!"
Orochimaru stared at him, licking his lips in praise, and unconsciously reached out towards Obito.
The latter immediately reacted, jumping to his feet.
As if remembering some horrifying experimental experiences...
At the same time, Kamui also activated, causing Orochimaru's hand to pass through Obito's waist, failing to touch his kidney.
"Phasing?"
"Tsk tsk tsk, these dual Mangekyou Sharingan eyes are truly extraordinary!"
Orochimaru clicked his tongue in admiration, clearly still very interested in Obito's Kamui.
"Orochimaru, what else do you want to do? I've already reached an agreement with Minato-sensei, you can't..."
After long-term experiments and training, although his power had recovered, Obito temporarily couldn't overcome the lingering psychological trauma. How could he dare to resist this perverted Orochimaru?
He could only use Minato-sensei as a shield.
"Alright. I have no intention of doing anything to you; you are now free."
"Cherish this time well. Besides, Minato has allowed it. The Rin you're always thinking about is in that room. Before starting the mission, you can go see her."
"Anyway, 'Obito,' don't even think about escaping and doing bad things! Or you can guess how it'll end, right?"
Orochimaru pointed to the adjacent room, smiling mysteriously.
In a sense, he actually hoped Obito would make another mistake; if that happened, after recapturing him, Obito would be entirely his!
Obito's heart trembled, but it was immediately overcome by the joy of being able to reunite with Rin.
"Really? I can see her?"
"Go on. I still have research to do, so I don't have time to play around with you."
Orochimaru burst into a puff of white smoke and disappeared from the lab; clearly, it was just a clone.
His real body had already started preparing for Juubi revival experiment; he had no time to continue casually chatting with Obito.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Obito was stunned, as if still not fully aware.
In a short time, he transformed from a prisoner who wanted to die but couldn't, into a Konoha ninja who regained his freedom?
Although temporary, this feeling made Obito feel like a dream, filled with emotion.
"That's right, Rin!"
After regaining his senses, Obito immediately ran towards the room Orochimaru had pointed to before disappearing.
He initially thought that even if his bonds were released, Konoha wouldn't allow him to meet Rin so they could use Rin to threaten and completely control him.
Unexpectedly, he misjudged.
Of course, Minato-sensei would never use Rin to threaten him; Rin was Kushina's beloved student...
Indeed, everything was the fault of the wicked Orochimaru!
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Obito burst through the door.
The next second, the warm, white moonlight immediately greeted his eyes.
Even with an Edo Tensei body, even with lingering slime on her body; in Obito's eyes and heart, Rin remained a pure and untainted figure, like a being from another world.
"Rin!"
"You... are you really Obito?"
Rin looked at Obito, with a deep expression of surprise and joy on her face.
Clearly, she already knew everything that had happened; and also knew the story of Obito being saved by the elderly Madara, then continuously manipulated by Black Zetsu and others.
Although the current Obito was vastly different from his appearance in her memories, that burning feeling and tone of voice were very familiar to her.
"It's me! It's me!"
Obito hurriedly approached Rin, longing to hug her again. However, he stopped just before touching Rin, not daring to get any closer.
Because the mistakes and sins he had committed now exploded and drowned Obito's consciousness.
The guilt caused by these sins made Obito absolutely not dare to touch Rin, afraid of defiling the white light in his heart.
Only in front of Rin would all of Obito's false toughness and ferocity instantly crumble.
Or rather, only in front of Rin would he shed all his masks, showing his truest and most vulnerable self.
"I'm sorry, all of this is my fault!"
"I failed to protect you, I also failed to save you..."
"Even being manipulated, hurting Konoha Village, hurting sensei and sensei's wife..."
"I, I don't deserve to meet you..."
Obito knelt on the ground, his mind shattered, continuously condemning and apologizing to himself.
After learning that the Infinite Tsukuyomi was just a trick, the false beliefs instilled in him by Black Zetsu and Madara also collapsed!
Now remembering his actions of hurting 'baby Naruto' and Kushina, he naturally felt extremely regretful and hated himself.
Because of this, he felt even less worthy of facing Rin.
*SLAP!*
A clear slapping sound echoed, Rin harshly slapped Obito's left cheek.
Obito's head snapped to the side, his left cheek also looked red.
"This slap is for Kushina-neechan! She and sensei were so kind to us; after all, you shouldn't have hurt them!"
Rin criticized sternly.
She wasn't a mere prop; she had many ways and strengths. The fact that she could unhesitatingly commit suicide at Kakashi's hand already surpassed ninety-nine percent of Konoha kunoichi...
As for Obito's attack on Minato's couple, that was also the thing she could least accept.
"Sorry, sorry... I..."
Obito was speechless, his heart aching, he could only keep apologizing.
Rin's slap didn't hurt much, but disappointing and disgusting his loved one was the greatest punishment for Obito, even more terrifying than killing him!
And just when Obito despaired.
"But, I don't blame you!"
Rin took a step forward, directly embracing the kneeling Obito, and caressed his horrible right cheek, muttering comfortingly:
"You were also manipulated by the enemy."
"Sorry, I couldn't accompany you to face it together... Leaving you to bear all of this alone."
"And, Obito, you've tried so hard, haven't you? You've also suffered a lot, haven't you?"
"It's alright, just say everything! I'll listen with you."
Hearing this, Obito immediately froze in place, his entire body trembling.
This was the first time someone, after he had turned evil, so gently analyzed his pain and difficulties, and comforted his suffering...
He was just a 14-year-old boy.
Facing a world-war level disaster and calculations from behind-the-scenes masterminds equivalent to the Six Paths level, Obito basically had no right to resist.
He did make mistakes, but he was also deceived, driven mad by Rin's death...
This pain and helplessness, was Rin the only one who realized it from the beginning?
At this moment, all his exhaustion and grievances, in an instant, exploded and spilled out.
Acidic tears streamed from Obito's eyes like a waterfall, instantly drenching his face, unstoppable...
"Rin! Forgive me! Rin! Huaaa—!"
"You still like to cry? Kushina-neechan will surely laugh at you again if she sees this. But this is the last time; I'll keep it a secret for you. So cry as much as you want, just let it all out..."
Rin smiled while stroking Obito's head, gently patting his back, just like when they were little.
Although Obito was much bigger now, in her eyes he would always be her most important friend!
"Huaaaaa—!"
Obito completely let go of all his defenses, crying uncontrollably without caring about his appearance. He looked so childish, so fragile, so sad, and also so messy...
However, under the gentle comfort of his beloved white light, Obito regained his confidence, and unconsciously became filled with spirit and courage.
'For Rin, for Kakashi, for the village...'
'The me now, full of power, fears nothing!'
Where are the enemies?
Obito even felt that he could now defeat ten Otsutsuki!