Instead of thinking about Naruto ships, I found that I am still thinking about Obito’s character after rereading this chapter. As I stated earlier, it made me sad watching Obito as he tried to pull Naruto to his side as I almost interpreted it as Obito trying to form a strange friendship with Naruto. By being turned away, however, we see Obito alone again.

And the more I think about it, Obito has been alone in so many other ways throughout this series.

Although we can’t say that Obito was born an orphan like Naruto, we know for certain he was born a black sheep of the Uchiha Clan, an outcast and a loser who was nothing more than a crybaby ninja. Perhaps what is the most tragic, however, is how alone Obito is when Madara begins forcing his beliefs upon Obito. It is at this crucial time, at this time of crisis in Obito’s life when he is most need of comrades, of a loving companion, and yet once again, Obito is completely alone. As Rin lays cold and lifeless in Obito’s arms, there is no one there to slap sense into him, to tell him to stick to his beliefs like how Hinata did with Naruto in this chapter. No one is there to hold Obito’s hand and dissuade him from Madara’s plans and through such loneliness, Obito falls to darkness.

As Obito observes Hinata and Naruto’s interaction in this chapter, we see Obito look upon them with this expression:

Given how Obito usually maintains an emotionless expression, I felt that this panel was really heart-breaking as it seems to reflect Obito’s realization of his own isolation in the world. I think Obito understands that he could have been just like Naruto if only someone had been there for him and yet fate decided that he would continue to be alone, just like from the beginning. The only person Obito can cling to at this rate is the Rin that he may bring back through Tsuki No Mei. But even that is starting to appear like a far-fetched hope for Obito now with the might of the Shinobi Alliance restored as Naruto regains hope. 

Loneliness eats from the inside and tears an individual apart, driving them to madness. We saw such an effect in Gaara earlier in the series, but he was saved. Unfortunately for Obito, he appears past the point of saving.