The kata continued, cycling through until Yamato's limbs were completely numb from the effort. A final, decisive palm struck at the heart of the target, a death blow if there ever was one, leaving him panting and tired, but no less furious.

Still, when the words came, they echoed weakly in the absence of noise, desperately holding onto the shreds of his self control in more ways than one.

"Please, Obito. As a Hokage, I know you have to ask the question, have to know why I froze up.."

He leant against the target, head hung between his still heaving shoulders and gaze fixed firmly on the ground.

"..But as a friend, please trust me. I will deal with this, now that I know that it's something to be dealt with, just.. Don't make me raise those ghosts, I can't-" He shook his head, took a deep breath and forged on "If I need it, I'll come to you, I'll ask for help, but if you have any faith in me at all, exercise it now and just this once, let it be.."

It was all he could say and the only thing he could offer.