Traveling through Naruto, I am Uchiha Obito?

"what?!"

Kai's expression changed slightly. The powerful force brought by the Gate of View made him instantly unleash his chakra in an attempt to break free from the suction of the swamp. However, the viscosity and suction of the Yellow Spring Swamp used by the Rubik's Cube far exceeded that of ordinary swamps, and it instantly and firmly sucked him down from the waist!

It's now!

A sharp light flashed in the Rubik's Cube's eyes! He suddenly tossed his head!

"Ninpo Technique: The Technique of Random Lion's Hair!"

His signature black spiky hair instantly transformed into a living black python, growing and extending wildly with lightning speed! With a sharp whooshing sound, it precisely wrapped around Kai's waist and arms, which had just escaped the mud and hadn't yet fully broken free!

"Huh?!" Kai felt an immense binding force, the incredibly tough hair digging deep into his skin and muscles, which had become tougher from opening the Gate of View! He struggled fiercely, his terrifying strength causing his hair to stretch straight, making a teeth-grinding squeaking sound, but the Rubik's Cube's fully activated Lion's Mane Technique, combined with the slowing effect of the Yellow Spring Swamp, temporarily restricted the movements of this humanoid beast!

"It's over, Kai!" Rubik's Cube shouted, his hands forming hand seals once more! A powerful surge of chakra gathered in his palms, clearly preparing to deliver a decisive blow to the bound Kai!

"..." Kai looked at the chakra gathering in the Rubik's Cube's hand, feeling the binding of his hair and the mud, and the intense fighting spirit on his face receded like the tide. The violent green steam around him quickly dissipated, the blood vessels under his skin disappeared, and his powerful aura instantly weakened.

He... proactively closed the sixth gate, the View Gate.

"Huff...huff!..." Kai gasped for breath, sweat pouring down his face, but a relieved and extremely satisfied smile appeared on his face. He gave the Rubik's Cube a thumbs up, his teeth gleaming in the sunlight.

"Incredible! Mr. Rubik's Cube! Your tactics and strength are impeccable! I have lost this youthful duel!"

The chakra gathered in the Rubik's Cube's hand slowly dissipated, and the tangled lion's mane wrapped around Guy loosened, causing the Swamp of the Underworld to harden back into earth. Looking at Might Guy, who was tired but had a bright smile, he couldn't help but feel a sense of respect.

"You flatter me, Mr. Kai."

The Rubik's Cube also smiled.

"You are also the strongest taijutsu ninja I have ever encountered."

"Whoa whoa whoa—!!!" Kai instantly regained his energy. Although his body was trembling from exhaustion after opening the high gate, he still excitedly waved his fist.

"Failure is the best nourishment for youth! Next time! Let's make a promise for an even more exciting clash!!"

Before the Rubik's Cube could respond, Kai continued:

"It's a deal! This is youth!!" Kai's roar echoed across the training ground once again.

Lee was so moved that he burst into tears, Tenten was speechless at her worry for Guy, and Neji was still thinking about their battle.

However, to Rubik's Cube's surprise, after saying goodbye to Kai and the others, Rubik's Cube encountered another unexpected guy on his way back to Naruto's house.

Chapter 27 Gaara

The streets of Konoha were bustling with activity in the afternoon. Cube was working on his newly acquired Vortex Sealing Technique scroll when a sharp cry and arrogant shouts from a child interrupted his thoughts. Looking in the direction of the sound, he saw a small group of people gathered at the street corner, the atmosphere tense and on the verge of conflict.

In the center of the crowd, Kankuro of Sunagakure was playfully lifting Konohamaru into the air with his hand. Konohamaru's face was flushed red, but he continued to struggle.

Nearby, Naruto, Sakura, and Konohamaru's two friends glared angrily, with Naruto yelling loudly in fury:

"Damn it! Put Konohamaru down right now!" Before he finished speaking, he had already pounced on Kankuro.

"Hmph, Konoha's genin brats, all they can do is bark?" Kankuro's fingers twitched slightly, and chakra threads extended silently, causing the oncoming Naruto to stumble.

"Kankuro, that's enough. Don't forget the mission." Temari frowned, reminding him in a low voice, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible helplessness. She didn't approve of her brother's pointless provocation, especially on someone else's turf.

"Tch, sister, you're just being too cautious. It's just teaching that arrogant brat a lesson..." Kankuro said dismissively.

Just then, a lazy voice broke in:

“Hey, bullying children is not a respectable hobby, Mr. Puppet Master of Sunagakure.”

Rubik's Cube pushed through the crowd and strolled in slowly. His gaze was immediately drawn to Temari.

Her blonde hair was styled into four flamboyant fan shapes, and her beautiful face carried the unique heroic spirit and wildness of a desert woman. The tight mesh lining and waist-revealing outfit outlined her tall and powerful curves. Especially her pair of long, straight legs, which were faintly visible under the mesh stockings, instantly brightened up Rubik's Cube's eyes.

"Oh? Another busybody?" Kankuro, seeing that the Rubik's Cube was dressed in civilian clothes and didn't look like a Konoha ninja, became even more disdainful.

"Want to be a hero?"

As if ignoring Kankuro's provocation, the Rubik's Cube looked directly at Temari, a bright, even slightly frivolous, smile spreading across its face:

“This beautiful lady, your charm truly makes the streets of Konoha pale in comparison. Especially those breathtakingly beautiful legs, they are simply a masterpiece! May I ask if I may have the honor of knowing your name?” He paused, silently adding in his mind.

"Well, I already knew that."

The undisguised admiring (or rather, lecherous) gaze lingered on Temari, making the usually cheerful Temari feel uncomfortable and annoyed. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and her fingers unconsciously tightened around the three-star fan.

"Damn it! I'm talking to you!" Kankuro was completely ignored and enraged. He flung his hand, which was controlling the chakra threads, and sent a huge rock by the roadside hurtling straight at the demon's face!

"Watch out!" Naruto and Sakura exclaimed.

The flippant look on Rubik's Cube's face vanished instantly. He didn't even make a big movement, just casually raised his arm and threw a punch.

With a muffled thud, the oncoming boulder was shattered by his punch!

"The Rubik's Cube said in a deep voice."

"My strength can even shatter rocks."

"Wh...what?! This can't be real, right?!" Kankuro's pupils constricted in disbelief. Smashing rocks with bare hands? What kind of power is this?!

Temari, standing to the side, was also stunned. She had initially thought he was just a lecherous fool who didn't know his place, but it seemed she'd really messed with him. Not wanting the situation to escalate, she quickly urged Kankuro:

"Put him down!"

Kankuro hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly let go, tossing Konohamaru towards the Rubik's Cube. The cube easily caught the stunned Konohamaru, gently placing him in Naruto's arms as he rushed over, and clapped its hands. It then turned to Temari again, as if it had merely brushed off some dust, and suggested with a beaming smile:

"It has to be this beauty from Sunagakure who can reason with me. I know there's a really good dumpling shop nearby. Would you have time to visit? We could have a good 'exchange' there."

"You..." Temari was both embarrassed and angry. Her three-star fan instantly opened to reveal one star, with a subtle fluctuation of wind-attribute chakra. The man before her possessed unfathomable strength; beneath his frivolous attitude lay absolute confidence. Instinct told her that even if he was teasing her like this, even if she felt a surge of shame and indignation, she absolutely could not act rashly.

“Interesting…” A cold, hoarse voice, yet suppressing a feverish excitement, rang out, like the hiss of a rattlesnake in the desert.

Gaara, who had been silent all along, slowly raised his head. His bloodshot eyes, with heavy dark circles, were now fixed on the Rubik's Cube, filled with an almost manic desire. The Rubik's Cube's seemingly effortless attack displayed a power far beyond that of ordinary Konoha ninjas.

“A powerful…prey.”

The gourd stopper on Gaara's back loosened slightly, and fine sand slowly seeped out as if it were alive, swirling at his feet and radiating a chilling killing intent. He licked his slightly chapped lips, a morbid smile of excitement, a mixture of loneliness and destructive desire, appearing on his face.

"Finally... I've met an opponent worth crushing. Your blood... will surely taste delicious!"

A heavy killing intent filled the air, as if the air itself had frozen. Naruto and Sakura instantly felt short of breath, as if they had fallen into an ice cave, and instinctively retreated.

Kankuro also dropped his disdain and retreated to Gaara's side with a serious expression. Temari gripped her three-star fan tightly, her gaze shifting warily between Gaara and the Rubik's Cube, her heart filled with worry—this mysterious and powerful man had ignited Gaara's dangerous state.

Sensing the intense killing intent and the subtle sound of sand rubbing together, the last trace of flippancy on the Rubik's Cube's face vanished. He observed the excited Gaara with interest, his gaze turning serious, a slight smile playing on his lips:

"Oh? A Jinchūriki of the One-Tailed Beast? This aura... is indeed quite interesting. However, little guy, if you want to taste my blood, this little bit of sand won't be enough."

"How...how did this guy know...?"

"Damn it, then our plan is ruined..."

When Rubik's Cube revealed his identity, Temari and Kankuro's expressions changed drastically, and they fell into anxiety.

Unlike them, Gaara's eyes were even more somber and cold, his bloodlust even stronger, as he stared intently at the Rubik's Cube.

Just then, a figure flashed down from a nearby tree. Sasuke, who had been lying in wait, used a Body Flicker Technique to block Naruto and Sakura, looking at Gaara with a wary expression as his aura grew increasingly ominous.

Gaara ignored the noisy Naruto and scanned the two, Rubik's Cube and Sasuke, with a battle-ready gaze.

"What are your names?"

"Huh? Me? My name is Naruto Uzumaki! I'm the future fire..."

“It’s not you,” Gaara interrupted coldly, “it’s those two guys with black hair.”

"Huh?!?!" Naruto froze, then gritted his teeth and glared at Sasuke beside him, who was looking at him with a mocking expression.

"Swirl Cube, just call me Cube."

"Sasuke Uchiha."

Gaara grinned, revealing a chilling smile.

"Very well... You deserve to be killed by me. See you in the Chunin Exams."

After saying that, he turned and left. Temari and her brother exchanged glances. Before leaving, Temari glanced at Sasuke and whispered a reminder, "You'd better not face Gaara." Then, she gave the Rubik's Cube a complicated look and quickly followed.

Rubik's Cube looked at the handsome Sasuke beside him with a sullen expression.

"Tsk, being handsome is a good thing." He considered himself handsome, but his inherited earthy appearance was more masculine, which was indeed different from Sasuke's delicate "elegant appearance".

But... the Chunin Exams? If Gaara knew I wasn't even participating, wouldn't he be furious? Anyway, I'll probably beat him up sooner or later.

As his thoughts raced, the Rubik's Cube began to work out:

With Gaara's One-Tailed Beast added, we now have the chakra of the Two-Tailed, Four-Tailed, and Five-Tailed Beasts. Naruto will have to wait until he defeats the Nine-Tailed Beast in his One-Tailed form before he can obtain its chakra; there's no rush. The remaining beasts can be dealt with quickly, but the Three-Tailed Beast is the most troublesome…

Watching Gaara's departing figure, a faint smile played on Rubik's Cube's lips. Perhaps... he could try to bring this guy to his side? After all, Gaara was different from Naruto, who might be influenced by Ashura's chakra; he could be changed...

Chapter 28 Kakashi's Confession (Not Really)

(More people are reading today, so here's another chapter.)

Naruto's family

"That's why there are so many people today."

Rubik's Cube, wearing an apron, looked on in surprise at the "spectacle" in the living room.

Naruto was jumping around chasing Jiraiya, shouting that he wanted to learn "super powerful ninjutsu"; Sasuke sat cross-legged in the corner, closing his eyes and concentrating, with faint chakra fluctuations around him, trying to ignore the noise around him; Sakura sat not far from Sasuke, cupping her cheeks in her hands, her eyes sparkling as she stared at Sasuke, her cheeks flushed, completely immersed in her infatuation.

As for Kakashi... well, he seemed to be leisurely leaning against the window, holding that unchanging book "Icha Icha Paradise" in his hands, but the Rubik's Cube keenly sensed that his dead fish eyes always seemed to drift towards him, who was busy in the kitchen, with a complex emotion in them.

"Hey, shrimp head south, steamed goose heart."

The Rubik's Cube muttered something under its breath, then curled its lip in disdain. Of course, it understood that Kakashi was "longing for his father while gazing at his son."

Seeing his face, which bore a striking resemblance to Obito's when he was young, Kakashi must have been harboring some old grudges.

Unfortunately, Rubik's Cube had no interest in the "bonds of friendship" in Konoha. Compared to this "father's friend" who was immersed in sad memories, Rubik's Cube was more interested in the young Hanabi (his sister-in-law).

The kitchen was piled high with ingredients; preparing meals for so many people was no small task. Naruto and the others had originally wanted to come and help, but Rubik's Cube flatly refused.

After asking Naruto to help out last time, the kitchen had already severed ties with him. Sasuke's skills were good, but Rubik's Cube declined, mainly because he was afraid Naruto would shift his focus away from Jiraiya—seeing Jiraiya so annoyed by Naruto made him feel especially good to eat.

Kakashi closed his book at some point and strolled over slowly.

"Need any help?" His voice was still languid, but his eyes were more serious than usual.

Rubik's Cube was deftly dicing carrots when it heard this. It looked up and said in surprise:

"Oh? Mr. Kakashi, are you going to help? If it's not too much trouble, could you please peel and cut those potatoes over there into chunks? I mean, rolling cuts, please. Thank you."

Kakashi didn't say anything, silently picked up the potatoes and peeler, and stood by the sink next to the Rubik's Cube. The only sounds in the kitchen were the clatter of the knife against the cutting board, the rushing water, and Naruto's boisterous chatter coming from the living room.

A moment of silence followed. Kakashi's gaze involuntarily fell upon the Rubik's Cube's profile once more. Those familiar features, especially those eyes, seemed to possess a certain magic under the kitchen light, stirring up long-buried memories. He slowed his movements as he peeled the potato.

“You…” Kakashi’s voice, slightly hoarse, broke the silence of the kitchen. He paused, as if choosing his words carefully, his gaze still fixed on the Rubik’s Cube’s face, filled with deep longing, “You look… a lot like someone I used to know. Very much like them, especially the shape of your eyes and hair.”

The Rubik's Cube's flipping motion paused almost imperceptibly, but it didn't stop or turn around; it simply responded with a faint sound.

“I know, you mentioned it when we first met.”

Kakashi took a deep breath and continued, his voice low and solemn:

“His name was Uchiha Obito… he was my best friend.” His peeler paused unconsciously on the potato. “He… was a true hero. He sacrificed himself without hesitation to protect his comrades…”

As Rubik's Cube listened, it awkwardly thought to itself:

'A hero? Ha, what he did in the second half of his life had nothing to do with heroism...'

Kakashi watched the figure of the Rubik's Cube busily working at the stove, a figure that seemed to overlap with a deeply etched image from his memory. A thought that had been lingering in his mind for a long time surfaced:

'This level of similarity...it can't be a coincidence! He must be Obito's relative! A bloodline left behind by Obito! Obito's...nephew? Or even a closer cousin?'*

This realization struck Kakashi like an electric shock. Guilt, longing, and a strong sense of responsibility to protect his comrades surged into his heart instantly.

"Rubik's Cube..." Kakashi's voice was soft, yet unusually solemn. He put down the half-peeled potato, turned around, and looked directly at the Rubik's Cube.

The Rubik's Cube finally stopped flipping around, and he raised an eyebrow at Kakashi, waiting for what was to come.

"Could he have guessed it? No way? But he is Kakashi after all, so who knows?"

The Rubik's Cube thought to itself

The eye Kakashi revealed no longer held its usual laziness and playfulness, but instead shone with a resolute light.