"Eternal… Eternal Mangekyō?"
Obito felt his entire worldview being overturned.
"After Madara lost all his family members, he awakened the Eternal Mangekyō. With its power—at the very peak of the shinobi world—he wanted to lead his clan in sweeping across the ninja world," Kakashi explained calmly.
"However, his eternal rival, Senju Hashirama, possessed strength that was equally unmatched."
"In the end, the two clashed in an epic battle. Madara was defeated, and the Uchiha clan chose to surrender."
"Having lost everything, Madara wished to die. But his former best friend, Senju Hashirama, reminded him of their childhood dream."
"When they were young, they used to sit atop a mountain and talk about building a ninja village together—an end to the chaos of the warring era."
"Eventually, Hashirama's sincerity moved Madara. The two joined forces, ended the strife in the Land of Fire, and founded Konohagakure."
"Due to the power of both Madara and Hashirama, many clans joined them, and Konoha gradually grew to the size we know today."
"Oh, and by the way, it was Madara who came up with the name 'Konoha.'"
"So that's how it was…" Rin murmured, listening intently from the side.
"In fact," Kakashi continued, "when the village was first founded, Hashirama told Madara personally that even though he had no family left, he could treat everyone in the village as his new family."
"He even asked Madara to be the head of the village."
"And Madara agreed."
Obito's eyes widened in disbelief. He abruptly raised his head to look at Kakashi.
"Yes," Kakashi nodded. "If everything had gone smoothly, the First Hokage would have been from the Uchiha clan."
"But do you remember what I told you about how the Uchiha gained power?"
"Except for Hashirama, no one else wanted Madara to be Hokage. The strongest opposition came from his own younger brother, Senju Tobirama."
"Tobirama always believed the Uchiha were an evil clan."
"During the wars, some Uchiha killed their own brothers to gain power and evolve their Sharingan. Many of them were obsessed with strength."
"Tobirama eventually became Assistant Hokage, and the Uchiha were pushed away from the village's core leadership."
"Madara, seeing no future for his clan in Konoha, tried to rally them to leave. But most of the clan, having gotten used to peace, refused. So Madara left alone."
"Years later, he returned to fight Hashirama once more."
"This battle was his end. Hashirama also died sometime later, when Tsunade was just a child, worn out by grief and overusing his strength. Tobirama became the Second Hokage."
"From then on, the name 'Madara' became taboo in Konoha. And the immense power of the Uchiha clan became something the village leadership deeply feared."
Kakashi turned toward Obito.
"So, Obito. Do you think the Uchiha are an evil clan?"
"How could they be? Of course not!" Obito retorted instantly.
"Yeah, Obito's always been so kind," Rin added quickly, trying to support him.
Obito had lost his parents young. He was often clumsy, did silly things, and had average grades. But his heart remained warm and compassionate. He even helped old ladies carry their groceries—strangers he'd never met.
That was why Rin recognized him as a true friend, caring for him like a younger brother.
Of course, technically speaking, Obito was older than both Kakashi and Rin. But his more childish mindset often made him seem like the youngest.
"Oh? Then how do you explain the arrogant attitude many in the Uchiha clan show toward other villagers? Or the poor reputation they have in the village?"
Kakashi's voice was calm, but pressing.
"That's because… because…" Obito stammered, unable to find the right words.
"That doesn't mean the Uchiha are inherently evil," Rin said firmly. "Kakashi, you don't think that either, do you?"
"Right," Kakashi finally smiled, his expression softening.
"The Uchiha are definitely not evil."
"In fact, they're a clan that values love more than anyone else."
"But because their love runs so deep, when they lose someone important, the pain becomes unbearable—and they often lose control."
"So, when the Second Hokage said they were evil, it was rooted in prejudice."
"But even so, his concerns weren't entirely wrong. Unchecked power can be dangerous. And a force that strong—if not properly guided—can become destructive."
"That's why the Second Hokage made a mistake. The First Hokage's approach was the right one."
"He wanted Madara to become Hokage and take on the responsibility of protecting the village."
"If the Uchiha's deep love could be directed toward the whole village, if they could feel warmth and trust from everyone, those dangerous instincts wouldn't awaken."
"After all, suspicion only breeds more suspicion. But trust? Trust leads to more trust."
Kakashi let out a sigh.
"What a shame. If Madara had become Hokage and Hashirama had been his assistant, they could've balanced each other out."
"Madara would have gradually earned the villagers' trust, and under Hashirama's influence, he wouldn't have gone to extremes."
"If that had happened… peace might have lasted for a hundred years."
But Kakashi knew that was just wishful thinking. In any world, the prejudice in people's hearts was like a mountain—hard to overcome.
Even if that were solved, there was still Ōtsutsuki Chenxiang lurking in the shadows, and the age-old entanglement between Indra and Ashura—love, hatred, reincarnation.
Just thinking about it was exhausting.
Still, Kakashi's main purpose was to prepare Obito mentally and emotionally.
In the original timeline, Obito was manipulated, driven by hatred, and ended up walking a dark path—killing even his own teacher and his teacher's wife, despite how kind Minato and Kushina had been to him.
Sigh… mental health really should be cultivated from childhood.
"So Obito," Kakashi said, voice lowering slightly, "if you want to become Hokage, you'll eventually have to face Konoha's leadership—especially the Third Hokage and others who inherited the Second's mindset."
"They don't trust the Uchiha. They'd never allow one of you to become Hokage."
"What would you do in that situation?"
"I… I don't know," Obito said honestly. "But I believe one thing. Only those who earn the recognition of all the villagers deserve to be Hokage. If they don't recognize me now, I'll just keep working until they do!"
"Well said."
"In that case, you need to focus on two key things from now on."
"First, train hard and grow strong enough to protect the village."
"Second, go out of your way to make friends at the Ninja Academy. Build connections and earn trust."
"As for training, we'll practice together every night. Rin will join too."
"Uh-huh!"
"Okay!"
Both Obito and Rin nodded eagerly.
"Also, don't reveal that you've awakened the Sharingan just yet," Kakashi warned.
"You're seven years old and already unlocked the second tomoe. That's… terrifyingly talented."
"If word gets out, the clan elders and even the village higher-ups will pay attention—and not in a good way."
"You might be forced to graduate early, and that's not ideal."
"Why?" Obito asked, confused.
"Because the academy is the best place for you to form bonds with other clans' children. The future of the village depends on these connections."
"Of course, I'm not asking you to make friends with ulterior motives. Just be yourself."
"You said it yourself—if you want to become Hokage, you need the whole village to accept you."
Obito nodded thoughtfully. Kakashi was saying things he had never considered before.
"Also, I want you to seriously think about something."
"Imagine if the vision I created this afternoon… actually happens someday."
"Could you truly endure that pain and still protect the village with all your heart?"
Obito said nothing. He couldn't answer.
The image of Rin and Kakashi dying in front of him… it was burned into his mind.
He didn't want to face that question. Just the thought of it sent him spiraling into despair.
Kakashi didn't press further. He understood.
After all, he had asked himself the same question before.
As a transmigrator, Kakashi had no natural attachment to this world. If not for Rin, Obito, and Guy, the loneliness might have consumed him.
They were his anchors—the light that kept him sane.
If one day, all three of them were taken from him…
Kakashi wouldn't destroy the world. His values were too stable for that.
But he would make sure the mastermind paid—with blood.
After giving Obito time to think, Kakashi finally revealed his true purpose.
"Obito, I want you to remember two things: why you awakened your Sharingan… and everything I've told you today."
"Today, I used someone you care about to stage a fake tragedy to help you awaken."
"But one day, an enemy may use the exact same method—only this time, people will really die."
"No matter how angry you are, once you calm down, I want you to recall my words."
"Don't let the enemy use the cracks in your heart to turn you into their puppet."
Obito didn't fully understand, but he nodded and remembered Kakashi's words carefully.
Seeing this, Kakashi let out a long breath.
Damn, this is exhausting. Talking people through their trauma is way harder than taijutsu.
No wonder Naruto had such a tough job.
"By the way, Rin," Kakashi turned to her, "while Tsunade is still in Konoha, you should learn as much as possible from her."
"She has some techniques that suit you really well. Try to convince her to teach you."
"I will!" Rin responded immediately, her eyes full of determination.
She took in every word Kakashi had just said. For the first time, she caught a glimpse of what he was truly thinking.
Her intuition told her that something was weighing heavily on him—as if he was constantly being pushed forward by invisible pressure.
Kakashi, I don't know what's troubling you… but I'll share that burden with you.
She made up her mind.
"All right. From today onward, we're officially teammates who will fight side by side," Kakashi said with a smile.
"Let's train hard—and get stronger together!"
And most importantly… let's survive together.
Kakashi added silently in his heart.
"Yeah! Let's do our best!"
"Let's go!"