Chapter 31. No! I'm Not!
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Perhaps his words were too shocking, because when they got to the shop, Uchiha Obito still looked dazed.
Yuto didn't expect that Obito would actually believe his offhanded nonsense!
Not like Nagato—who wasn't the slightest bit gullible! Not a cute kid at all!
If Obito really did meet Madara one day... that would be a sight to see! Would Madara faint in outrage over the damage to his reputation?
The shop was bustling with customers that day.
Even Asuma and his group were there!
"Boss Yuto!" Guy was the first to greet him as he entered. After all, Guy had once worked here delivering orders to earn extra cash. Although he was now in a squad and went on missions outside the village, he was still grateful.
When they saw Obito… everyone looked around and asked, "Huh? Where's Kakashi?"
"Kakashi… Kakashi's in the hospital." Obito averted his gaze, unsure of how to explain.
And fair enough.
In hindsight, it was pretty embarrassing to have used that technique in front of Rin.
After hearing Yuto's words, Obito made a decision.
He would never use it again! Uchiha Obito was aiming to be Hokage, after all. Such a trivial technique—he didn't need it to grow stronger!
Just then—
"Huh? Was your mission that dangerous?" Asuma, the carefree second son, sipped his tea and looked at Obito. "Even Kakashi was hurt, and yet you're fine? Not very ninja-like, huh?"
"…"
Obito's brow twitched, and he shouted, "I'm strong! You should know I took down a Jonin single-handedly this time!"
"Heh~"
Except for Guy, everyone else looked skeptical.
"Alright, since you're here, can your dad get us half off on our orders today?" Asuma teased, picking his nose. "Haven't seen you in a while, but it seems like your bragging's only grown, Obito."
Before, he'd just make up little stories, but now he's claiming he soloed a Jonin?
Where did he get the nerve?
Was it… Rin?
"My dad's been dead a long time, you jerk!" Obito was furious that his rare moment of glory was being dismissed. "I really did beat a Jonin! Ask Minato-sensei if you don't believe me!"
At that, everyone looked a bit surprised.
After all, if he was telling them to check with Minato-sensei, maybe… it was actually true?
"You really took down a Jonin by yourself?" Shiranui Genma picked his senbon needle up from the table in shock. "No way! Even if you flung kunai randomly and somehow hit the target, that's just not possible!"
They'd been classmates for years—they knew each other well.
If Obito could even throw a kunai without missing, it would be a miracle blessed by the Hokage himself!
"Hmph! I'm going to be Hokage, so a Jonin's nothing!" Obito said proudly, lifting his chin. "It was easy!"
"…"
Yep, that's the same Obito.
So…
They didn't believe him.
Except for Guy… who clenched his fists in a fit of inspiration and shouted, "I can't believe you've become so strong, Obito! I challenge you!"
He… believed him!
Guy had planned to challenge Kakashi this time, but seeing how strong Obito had become, he decided to start with him and leave Kakashi for later.
Kakashi would surely be even stronger!
Just as he spoke—
"Alright, Guy! Obito's just had a stroke of luck this time," Asuma said, throwing an arm around Guy's shoulder. "No need to bully him. Let's just make him buy us milk tea!"
This comment…
It made Obito, who was about to refuse, raise an eyebrow and say proudly, "I accept your challenge! It's time for you all to see the power of the future Hokage!"
"What?! You're really going to fight him?" Some of them looked at Obito in surprise. "Maybe don't—let's all just drink milk tea since it's rare to see each other. Someone's bound to get hurt!"
"A lowly Genin isn't going to injure me!" Obito insisted. "To the training grounds!"
"…" We're just worried you'll get hurt!
But—
It looked like there was no stopping them now.
"There's plenty of space out back!" Yuto, ever the fan of a good spectacle, smiled. "You can fight out there. And if Obito wins, I'll cover your orders today!"
"That's why you're Obito's… I mean, that's why we respect you, Yuto-senpai!"
Asuma decided not to egg on the already-fuming Obito.
Alright, let them fight.
It's Obito, after all—no way it'll be fatal!
…
After a short while...
The group arrived at the courtyard.
Obito stood on the right, Guy on the left, both glaring at each other.
"All right… begin!"
With the referee Shiranui Genma's casual call, both let out a battle cry, charging at each other like two kids about to scuffle.
Halfway there, Obito abruptly halted, forming hand seals with both hands. The crowd immediately recognized it—it was the Great Fireball Jutsu!
They stared at Obito in amazement. "Could it be that Obito already knows how to use the Great Fireba—"
Before they could finish, Obito's face turned red, as if his throat was blocked. At that moment, Guy had already closed in!
With a yell, Guy leapt into the air, extended his right leg, and—under everyone's stunned gaze—kicked Obito square in the face.
BAM!
Obito was sent flying!
The crowd covered their faces.
"…"
A tense silence filled the air.
A gentle breeze blew, but it couldn't dispel the awkwardness.
"Still the same, huh?" Asuma muttered irritably. "That Jonin he took down… could it have been some kid with the name Jonin?"
"…"
It was possible!
"All right, stop it with the banter!" Kurenai said, exasperated. "Let's go check on Obito!"
But before they could do that, Obito managed to stagger back up, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. "Hmph! Didn't expect you to get so strong, Guy. I was just going easy on you!"
And with that—
"Let's go again!"
"What, again?" The crowd looked on, exasperated.
"This is youth!" Guy was fired up. Not waiting for anyone to stop him, he charged forward. "Obito, you really have gotten stronger!"
In the past, he'd be down with just one kick, but now, Obito was standing back up—that was progress!
With a sudden dash—
This time, Obito didn't go for the Great Fireball. Instead, he flung a barrage of shuriken. The surprise attack briefly stalled Guy's advance.
In that instant…
Obito, used to this rhythm, swiftly maneuvered behind Guy.
As quick as lightning—
He bent both knees, straightened his torso, and, with his hands forming a sign, struck decisively!
Before anyone could react—and under the shocked gaze of Uchiha Yuto—
A scream pierced the air.
Guy collapsed, clutching his rear, his face twisted in pain, eyes filled with disbelief. With a trembling left hand, he pointed at Obito. "You… you're so dishonorable!"
With that, everyone snapped out of their shock, looking in horror at the defiant figure standing tall, then glancing back at Guy. "Quick! Quick! Where's a medical ninja?!"
...
Sunset.
As the sun dipped behind the horizon, the golden autumn light bathed the village as though it were ablaze.
A golden glow covered everything.
Meanwhile...
In Konoha's Hospital.
Inside a certain hospital room.
Kakashi looked out at the sunset, sighing and shaking his head.
He was thinking he should probably request a team change from the Hokage. With Obito around… he was definitely not feeling any of the bonds that Minato-sensei talked about.
Suddenly...
The door opened.
A hospital bed was wheeled in, carrying a familiar figure lying face down with his buttocks up.
Kakashi's eye twitched at the familiar sight. Could it be…
"Young people these days play so recklessly!" The medical ninja muttered, shaking their head. "Lie down—an hour minimum before you can sit again! If you've got questions, ask the guy next to you. He got here before you!"
"…"
No!
Don't ask me!
I don't know anything!
I want to be discharged!
Just as Kakashi felt his stomach clench in anxiety and thought about going home...
"Yo~" Guy turned his head, brightening as he saw Kakashi. "It's Kakashi! Could it be that you…?"
Before he could finish—
"No! I'm not!"
Kakashi's shout cut him off, and he rolled over, pulling the covers over his head.
This is it! I need to change teams!