Haruki arrived at the Uchiha compound and heard unusual noises before even entering. The sounds were like the clashing of shuriken, and there were intense chakra vibrations in the air. Clearly, a duel was taking place.
Haruki raised an eyebrow. He loved watching fights, especially between two Jonin. As one of the few people who could move freely within the Uchiha compound, he witnessed the sparring ninjas.
One was his student, Uchiha Mikoto. The other, slightly older, had black hair and a square face with a stern expression—Uchiha Fugaku.
Both had three-tomoe Sharingan. Their shuriken speed was astounding. The Sharingan had predictive abilities, and with both combatants having them, it became a game of predicting the other's predictions.
Haruki could tell that Uchiha Fugaku, with his rich experience and more practiced use of the Sharingan, would likely win. It was expected; Uchiha Mikoto's Sharingan was newly awakened and still developing. Despite this, she was already among the top of her peers. Uchiha Fugaku was the current number one prodigy and was destined to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan in the future.
"Hey, you don't seem to be from the Uchiha clan?" A sudden voice came from behind Haruki. He turned but saw no one.
"Here! Right here!" An indignant voice called out. A small boy, about three or four years old, wearing dark athletic clothes and a sun visor, was jumping up and down to get Haruki's attention.
"You're not from the Uchiha clan, are you? Why are you here?" the boy demanded.
"What's your name?" Haruki thought he recognized the boy but wasn't sure.
"Uchiha Obito. And you?"
"Haruki. Your future teacher."
"Ah?" Obito exclaimed in surprise. "Don't lie to me. You're not my teacher!"
"Are you already in school? You don't look five or six yet."
"Hmph, I'm an Uchiha!" Obito said, hands on hips. "Starting school two years early isn't unusual."
Haruki was slightly taken aback but agreed. In the original series, Kakashi graduated at five, implying he entered school at two or three. Obito was his classmate.
"Then your teacher will soon be me," Haruki said, reaching to pat Obito's head, but the boy dodged.
"Impossible!"
"Haven't you heard my name?"
"Do you think you are…" Obito paused, his eyes thoughtful. He recalled hearing about a teacher named Haruki—Mikoto's teacher.
Realizing the truth, Obito turned to run, but Haruki grabbed his collar.
"Teacher, I'm sorry!" Obito said, trembling.
"What are you sorry for?"
Haruki let go, smiling.
"I… I…" Obito stammered, unable to explain, then realized he hadn't done anything wrong.
Clearing his throat, he said, "Nothing."
"Really?" Haruki asked, amused.
"I guess a famous person like Haruki wouldn't hold a grudge against me?" Obito said, trying to backtrack.
"Of course not," Haruki replied, shaking his head. Obito breathed a sigh of relief. He often feared teachers because of his frequent tardiness.
"It's over," Haruki said, looking at the training ground where Mikoto was making a reconciliation gesture. As he expected, she had lost.
Mikoto seemed downcast. Haruki knew her well enough to know she hated losing, especially since she had gained her Sharingan through his intervention.
Uchiha Fugaku, on the other hand, looked complex. His almost fiancée, favored by Haruki, had awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan and reached Jonin level—almost as strong as him. In the absence of the Mangekyo Sharingan, the three-tomoe Sharingan was key to the Uchiha clan's core affairs.
The Uchiha clan, proud and strength-oriented, contrasted with the Hyuga clan's hierarchy.
"Teacher?" Mikoto noticed Haruki and approached him.
Fugaku hesitated, swallowing his words. He eyed the famed medical ninja Haruki without malice.
Obito, at Haruki's feet, stuck out his tongue, relieved he hadn't offended him.
"I lost," Mikoto said, dejected.
"You did well," Haruki encouraged. "No one succeeds overnight. Opportunities like that are often traps."
Mikoto nodded, understanding but still impatient from memories of that fateful day.
"Haruki," Fugaku said, "thank you for your help with Mikoto. Without you, our clan might have missed a genius."
"It was no trouble. Mikoto is my student."
"Not every teacher is as dedicated as you," Fugaku replied sincerely. "Why are you here today? If you need help, I'm at your service."
"I could use your help. I need some kids to participate in the celebration."
"A celebration?" Fugaku thought of the festival's traditional Kagura dance. "Alright."
"Including him," Haruki pointed to Obito, who tried to sneak away, only to slump in resignation when Fugaku agreed.
"You said you wouldn't hold a grudge!" Obito protested silently.
"One more thing, I need to visit the Ninja Cat's territory."
"I'll take you," Mikoto offered before Fugaku could reply, summoning a small white cat.
"Mikoto, why did you summon me?" the cat asked, her voice surprisingly young.
"Take us to see Granny Cat," Mikoto said.
"Follow me," the cat agreed.
Haruki was surprised. The Ninja Cats were known for being temperamental and greedy, making them hard to deal with, yet this cat was an exception.