Not long after, the two of them arrived at the infirmary of the Ninja Academy.
Because Obito had fainted before, the school nurse, a mature woman, decided to give him a complete medical examination for safety's sake.
Having completed his mission, Kakashi said his goodbyes and left the two.
However, just before leaving, the school nurse pulled him aside and secretly handed him an ointment.
She looked at him with sympathy and said it was such a pity that he had haemorrhoids at such a young age.
Judging by the way he walked, they seemed to be quite severe.
Kakashi opened his mouth a few times, but in the end, he couldn't find the words to refute her.
So, he could only leave the infirmary with a darkened expression.
—Though he still took the ointment.
It wasn't until almost noon that Obito hurriedly ran out of the infirmary and headed toward the rooftop of the school building.
"Darn it, I had already made an appointment with everyone to meet on the rooftop and report the results of my duel with Kakashi."
"Everyone must be getting impatient by now."
"I hope they don't think I ran off to cry…"
Feeling nervous, Obito soon reached the staircase leading to the rooftop, pushed open the door, and walked inside.
He followed his planned entrance, scratching the back of his head and forcing a smile as he said:
"Sorry to keep everyone waiting!"
"Haha, sorry, I lost again..."
But midway through his words, he realised that the rooftop in front of him was empty—there wasn't a single person in sight.
"Huh?"
Obito's arm, which was scratching the back of his head, instantly froze.
Could it be that they got tired of waiting and left out of impatience?
That was Obito's first thought.
However, another, even more unsettling possibility lingered in his mind.
Could it be that everyone was already disappointed in him, so they left without waiting?
Thinking of how Natsuhiko-Sensei also left him to Kakashi before walking away, Obito couldn't help but entertain this possibility.
Although Obito usually acted carefree, he was actually quite sensitive.
From a young age, he had been distanced from most of his clan and the village because he wasn't like a typical Uchiha.
So, after undergoing special training with Natsuhiko-Sensei, he gradually became friends with members of his study group, like Guy and Asuma, and grew closer to Rin.
He truly felt pleased.
No matter how challenging the special training was or how unusual Natsuhiko-Sensei's requests were, he endured it all, not just to defeat Kakashi but also to prolong his time with everyone.
However, Obito was just now realising something.
After losing to Kakashi, it seemed he no longer had a reason to continue the special training.
He might not even have the qualifications to stay in the study group he had joined through the back door...
Just like the empty rooftop, Obito's heart suddenly felt hollow.
He even felt like a wandering ghost with no place to belong.
But just as he lowered his head and prepared to turn around and leave...
A hand suddenly reached out from the void before him and grabbed his wrist tightly.
It was... Rin's hand.
Obito recognised it instinctively, then looked in the direction of the arm...
And then he saw the previously empty rooftop scene dissolve like a mirage, revealing the true sight hidden behind it.
In addition to Rin, who was holding his hand, there were also Natsuhiko-Sensei, Teacher Kushina, Guy, Asuma, Kurenai, and Ebisu—all smiling at him.
Moreover, the rooftop was decorated with various decorations, and in the middle, there was a long table filled with delicious food and even a large cake.
As Obito looked on in shock, everyone said in unison:
"Happy Birthday, Obito!"
Obito was dumbfounded for a while before slowly realising what was happening.
Oh, right, today was February 10th—his birthday.
He had forgotten entirely because of the duel with Kakashi.
He hadn't expected everyone to remember!
For a moment, Obito felt overwhelmed with emotion.
If he hadn't already cried all his tears, he felt he would have started crying again.
But there was still one question...
"Doesn't anyone blame me for letting you all down?"
After hesitating for a few seconds, Obito mustered the courage to ask.
To his surprise, everyone's expressions turned a bit odd.
Eventually, it was Asuma, who always spoke his mind, who broke the silence first:
"Obito, is there a chance—I'm just saying, a chance—that we never actually expected you to beat Kakashi?"
"Huh?"
Obito's eyes widened in disbelief.
Kurenai added somewhat reluctantly, "After all, even my father praised Kakashi, saying he's a genius better than me, so it's normal you couldn't beat him, Obito."
Ebisu adjusted his sunglasses and said, "Judging by the fact that Kakashi is graduating today to become a Genin, the outcome was obvious from the start."
"I heard from the teachers that you actually gave him quite a challenge and made him go all out. Honestly, that's already impressive."
Obito looked at them in disbelief.
"Wait, weren't you all saying earlier that you were confident in me and waiting for my good news?"
Asuma replied with exasperation, "You hadn't fought Kakashi yet back then, so of course, we had to say encouraging things."
"Just like how a condemned man gets a good meal before his execution..."
Obito took a few steps back, his hands trembling as he pointed at them, unable to find any words other than curses.
Then he looked at Guy and Rin with a hopeful expression.
As founding members of the "Beat Kakashi Special Training Group," indeed, they had some faith in him, right?
But then he saw Guy walk over, pat his shoulder, and say with an uncontrollable smile:
"Obito, I'm really sorry about your defeat, too."
"But as per our previous agreement, Kakashi's first and all future matches now belong to me, Guy!"
He gave a thumbs-up, pointing at himself with a dazzlingly bright smile.
It was clear he was happy that Kakashi's first loss hadn't been to Obito.
Rin, too, put her hands together apologetically and said she was sorry.
Meanwhile, Natsuhiko-Sensei just stood there smiling at them, occasionally swatting away Kushina's hand as she reached for the food.
Darn it, is this how they really see me?!
Obito gritted his teeth in frustration, feeling all his earlier emotions instantly wiped away.
Everyone but Rin was unforgivable!
However, it seemed no one noticed his feelings as they crowded around him, asking for details about his fight with Kakashi.
Kurenai was curious, "Did Kakashi use genjutsu? What was its effect?"
Asuma eagerly asked, "Obito, did you get to see White Fang's sword technique? Was it better than my 35 million Ryo Sword Style?"
Ebisu demanded details: "The final moves were described vaguely by the teachers, so Obito, what technique did you really use?"
Hearing everyone's barrage of questions, Obito, who had been pouting, felt his storyteller instincts kick in...
"Oh, fine!"
Obito found a chair, stood on it, cleared his throat, and said,
"Since you're all so sincerely asking, I will generously tell you..."
But just as he was about to start narrating the director's cut of "Obito vs. Kakashi: The Dawn of Justice," the rooftop door suddenly opened again, catching everyone's attention...
Obito instinctively looked over and was shocked to see that standing in the doorway...
It was none other than Kakashi, whom he thought he wouldn't see for a long time!
(End of Chapter)
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