Naruto: Growing Stronger Through Healing

"Rin!"

Rin, who had left home early and was on her way to Konoha Hospital, heard a familiar voice calling out to her.

She turned around and saw none other than Obito Uchiha jogging toward her, waving enthusiastically.

"Good morning, Rin! When did you get back?" Obito asked, grinning.

Rin shook her head slightly at his impulsive energy, then smiled warmly.

"Good morning, Obito. I got back the day before yesterday. I've already completed an S-rank mission, so you'll need to work hard too."

Those words struck Obito like a spark.

"Hmph! Just watch—I'll complete an S-rank mission sooner or later," he declared with absolute confidence. "After all, I'm the man who's going to become Hokage!"

"Well," a calm voice suddenly cut in, "you still have to become a ninja first."

Kurenai's voice rang out as she approached, Shizune walking beside her. The two of them were naturally heading toward Konoha Hospital as well.

"I've already submitted my graduation application!" Obito said quickly, straightening his goggles. "In just over a month, I'll be a real ninja too!"

Given his age, he could have stayed in the Ninja Academy longer. But Obito didn't want Rin to pull too far ahead of him.

Asuma and several other classmates felt the same way.

"In that case," Rin said gently, "I'll congratulate you in advance on becoming a ninja, Obito."

Those words immediately made Obito beam. Rin really was the best.

"Hey, Rin, you're congratulating him too early," Kurenai said with a teasing smile. "Obito will probably fail the Clone Jutsu again, just like before. He can't graduate like that."

As soon as she said it, Shizune covered her mouth and giggled.

Obito's face flushed bright red. "You...! How dare you look down on me? I've already mastered the Clone Jutsu!"

Just as the group was chatting, a familiar figure appeared not far away.

Aoshi had just finished his daily training and was preparing to head to work at Konoha Hospital.

Once a habit formed, it was hard to break. If he skipped training even for a day, his whole body felt off.

"Good morning, Aoshi-sensei!" Rin was the first to notice him.

With her greeting, the others finally realized Aoshi had arrived and quickly followed suit.

Kurenai was the most direct—she rushed over and wrapped her arms around his, calling out happily, "Brother Aoshi!"

The others were already used to this. After all, Kurenai had always called Aoshi her older brother, and their closeness was no longer news.

"Good morning, everyone," Aoshi replied with a smile, letting Kurenai cling to him without resistance.

"Well then, Obito," Rin said, "we're heading to the hospital with Aoshi-sensei. See you later."

"You should hurry to the Academy," Shizune added. "Don't be late again."

Rin's words made Obito scratch his head in embarrassment.

He did arrive late often—but that was only because he kept running into elderly people who needed help.

"I definitely won't be late today!" he declared confidently.

After that, Rin, Kurenai, and Shizune left together with Aoshi.

Obito, meanwhile, sprinted toward the Ninja Academy. But almost immediately after, he ran into another elderly woman who was struggling to walk.

He forgot his promise in an instant. "Grandma, be careful! I'll help you cross."

"Thank you," the old woman said softly.

"You're welcome. It's nothing," Obito replied, smiling brightly.

What Obito didn't notice was that as she spoke, the elderly woman glanced subtly in the direction Aoshi and the others had gone.

A strange glint flashed through her slightly narrowed eyes.

That single glance was enough. Aoshi's senses stirred immediately.

Sensing that the gaze had returned to her, the elderly woman quickly turned her attention back to Obito and praised him quietly.

"You're truly a kind-hearted child."

Obito just grinned foolishly.

But Aoshi had already noticed something was wrong. A normal elderly person observing him wouldn't trigger his sensory perception.

"Aoshi brother, is something wrong?" Kurenai asked softly, noticing the subtle shift in his demeanor. She glanced back toward Obito.

Rin and Shizune followed her gaze.

"Sigh… looks like Obito's going to be late again today," Rin said helplessly.

"It's fine," Aoshi replied calmly. "Let's go, or we'll be late."

Even as he spoke, Aoshi quietly expanded his sensory perception. In an instant, the truth was revealed.

That "elderly woman" was a White Zetsu. Clearly, it was a spy sent by Uchiha Madara to monitor Obito Uchiha.

After all, Obito was a crucial chess piece. But to Aoshi, this discovery was an unexpected delight.

He had originally planned to use Rinne Path Orochimaru later to approach Danzo and implant the Zero-Tails.

Now, however, he had found a far better option. Thoughts raced through his mind, yet his expression remained perfectly calm.

Soon, he and the three girls arrived at Konoha Hospital.

After entering his office and closing both the door and the windows, Aoshi immediately formed hand seals.

Summoning Jutsu!

Rinne Path Orochimaru appeared at once.

The objective was simple—kill that White Zetsu.

The moment Rinne Path Orochimaru emerged, he summoned a small snake and slipped directly into its mouth.

Even if the original contractor died, a summoning contract did not vanish.

The technique could still be used.

Under Aoshi's watchful gaze, the small snake slithered out through the window.

It quickly located the White Zetsu.

The Zetsu had already parted ways with Obito and was preparing to sink into the ground in a secluded area.

But Rinne Path Orochimaru would not allow that.

He burst out from the snake's mouth, raised his hand, and instantly used Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, tightly binding the White Zetsu.

"Bastard!" the White Zetsu cursed, struggling violently.

But in the next instant, it was killed outright.

White Zetsu excelled at infiltration and disguise—but in direct combat, it was utterly inadequate.

Any ordinary jōnin could defeat one with ease. Let alone Rinne Path Orochimaru.

As the White Zetsu died, its body reverted to its original form.

Unlike an ordinary White Zetsu, this one had a spiral-shaped face, with a hollow void where its right eye should have been.

Aoshi's eyes narrowed as he observed through Rinne Path Orochimaru's vision.

"It's Tobi!"

This appearance was unmistakable.

Tobi was a special variant among the White Zetsu—one capable of enveloping a host and amplifying their abilities.

In the past, it had enveloped Obito, allowing the heavily injured boy to smash a massive boulder with a single punch.

Later, it had even enveloped Yamato during the Fourth Great Shinobi War, enabling the use of Wood Release: Wood Human Technique.

"This… is an unexpected harvest," Aoshi murmured.

Deep underground, in an unknown location within the Ninja World.

Uchiha Madara, who had been slumbering there, suddenly received a report from the White Zetsu main body.

Tobi… had been killed.

Madara's eyes snapped open. A terrifying fury surged across his face.

Tobi was a special White Zetsu he had personally created using Hashirama's cells. How could it have been eliminated so suddenly?

"Investigate immediately," Madara said coldly. "I want to know exactly what happened."