Chapter 43. Let's Call it "Thousand..."
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Kakashi vaguely remembered.
At that moment, Obito's eyes had turned red!
With his Sharingan activated, his speed and reflexes improved significantly. It was as if he had transformed into the God of the Ninja World. Even against more than a dozen enemies, he didn't lose the upper hand at all.
Tags exploded when he said they would, and behind the buttocks… he appeared when he said he would.
All his swift maneuvers terrified the opposing female ninjas, leaving them trembling and cursing loudly, "Shameless Konoha ninja!"
Then, without looking back, they fled.
Yes, there had initially been more than a dozen enemies.
After Obito's dazzling display of skill, fewer than ten opponents remained. His relentless moves, combined with a flurry of attacks, left the enemy panicking and dodging frantically, but Obito fearlessly pressed forward. As the tide turned in their favor, the three of them managed to surround and defeat their enemies.
Especially that final Kumo ninja… Omoi.
Obito's expression grew intense. His hands suddenly crackled with lightning, resembling a lightning spirit as bolts danced around him. His speed increased further, and his scarlet Sharingan locked onto his target.
In the blink of an eye, the enemy was defeated.
The scream that followed was louder than usual.
Kakashi hesitated, looking at Obito. "That ninjutsu…?"
"Oh, you mean that ninjutsu?" Although Obito's hands were temporarily injured, he couldn't hide his confident grin. He felt victorious, especially in front of Rin. "It's something I came up with on the spur of the moment, inspired by Sensei's taro balls. I tried it today and didn't expect it to actually work! Of course, it's not fully developed yet, but because the lightning nature jumps around like the chirping of a thousand birds, I decided to call it 'Thousand—'"
As soon as the words fell...
"Shut up!" For some reason, Kakashi felt an urge to yell in his heart.
"What's wrong? You yelled at me? Why did you yell at me?" Obito frowned and looked at him. "Are you jealous because I developed a ninjutsu?"
"…"
Jealous? Oh, I'm so jealous!
Kakashi stared at the babbling Obito with a complex expression and sighed. "Obito." He paused for a moment. "You're really… a talented person!"
"Hahaha! I've already told you that I'm a genius!"
As Obito laughed boastfully, Kakashi added with a conflicted tone, "Also, the corners of your mouth… there's some stuff on it."
"Ahhh~!" Obito jumped up, panicked, and glanced nervously at Rin, who turned her head in embarrassment. "I'm going to brush my teeth first!"
This couldn't keep happening every time he did it—it was ruining his glorious image!
I need to figure out how to avoid this from happening in the future.
As Obito dashed off, Rin and Kakashi looked at his retreating figure with complicated expressions. Finally, both of them exchanged a look. They sighed and nodded seriously.
This technique is forbidden!
They agreed they needed to report to Minato-sensei and stop Obito from using it recklessly!
...
"Achoo!"
"Minato, are you feeling unwell?" Sarutobi Hiruzen's thoughts were interrupted by Minato's sneeze. The Hokage frowned and looked at Minato with concern. "Should I have a medical ninja examine you?"
"No need." Minato shook his head with a polite smile. "My nose just felt itchy. Thank you for your concern, Lord Hokage."
Still, his smile seemed slightly strained.
Hiruzen, however, could guess the source of Minato's troubles. He sighed and shook his head. "Thank you for taking care of Obito. It must be tough."
"No, this is something I should do."
"That kid seems to have strayed onto the wrong path in his pursuit of strength," Sarutobi Hiruzen remarked, rising from his seat and setting down his pipe. He gazed out the window thoughtfully. "After all, it's natural for young people to be competitive, but I hope you can guide him back to the right path."
Is it because of Kakashi?
Yes!
Kakashi is indeed a genius!
"I… will," Minato replied with a wry smile.
"I heard he's awakened the Sharingan?"
"Yes."
"What a genius~" Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed before smiling gently at Minato, who stood with a wry smile. "Don't worry. Obito will definitely understand... that he's walking the wrong path. His technique relies too heavily on surprise. If other ninjas knew of it, they would definitely be prepared, and that's not difficult."
The limitation is too great, such as its range of attack. Therefore, it is only effective when catching opponents by surprise. Once it is known… it's actually very easy to counter.
Looking at Minato, who seemed to nod in understanding, Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled again. "You may go now. Don't worry—since Orochimaru doesn't see it as a problem, it means everything is fine. After all, this is the Chunin Exams."
"Yes, Lord Hokage." Minato visibly relaxed, bowed respectfully, and walked out, carefully closing the door behind him.
And Sarutobi Hiruzen, now alone, genuinely didn't seem to care. After all, a Genin with a one-tomoe Sharingan pulling off a clever trick wasn't worth fretting over.
At this moment, the thing that worried Sarutobi Hiruzen more was Kumogakure and Kirigakure. From the beginning, both villages had been testing the waters, targeting Konoha ninjas. If the two villages truly joined forces…
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, shaking his head sadly. "What a troublesome era we live in~"
He rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.
Then…
His gaze shifted to the bounty document on the table—his best friend's worth: 400 million ryo. Frowning, he muttered, "I wonder what Danzo has been up to lately."
...
"That Danzo has sent so many people to follow us for so many days! What does he want?" Yuto glanced outside, shaking his head in exasperation. "You know, I'm just an ordinary rich person!"
Inwardly, he made a decision.
That's right!
It was time to raise the prices!
Over the past two days, rumors about Konoha ninjas and Kumo ninjas fighting over Yuto BBQ had unexpectedly boosted business at his barbecue joint.
It felt almost like a grand festival.
The profit he made was substantial. With the Yuto VIP system and its special customer-attracting features, Yuto was confident that the "Yuto" brand would gradually gain widespread recognition.
He was already halfway to success!
The other half would come when he expanded his businesses into other countries.
Of course, that was still a bit premature to consider now.
And yet… he couldn't help but wonder about Obito's so-called "Gone Crazy."
Could it be that something happened to Rin? Had she encountered a tragedy, causing Obito to awaken his Mangekyo Sharingan and begin a frenzied slaughter to create a world where Rin existed?
Impossible!
Thinking about the recent rumors of Obito's great display of power during this period, Yuto's mouth twitched again. "Impossible, right?"
Didn't Minato tell him this was just an exam and not to go overboard?
This could be bad.
If Obito went completely berserk and stabbed everyone... Yuto didn't even want to imagine it!
He worried that Obito might end up following in his ancestor Madara's footsteps, walking a similarly lonely path.
To forge a world that recognizes him through the power of the Thousand Years of Death!?
With a sigh, Yuto thought: [Madara, the stand-in you picked is truly exceptional. Don't worry.]
...
Meanwhile…
Kushina had left, taking that sly little fox with her. As a Jinchuriki, she couldn't linger too long around someone like him—a Uchiha, even if he hadn't awakened his Sharingan yet. Who knew what the higher-ups might start suspecting?
Maybe they were already suspecting this rich man of having ulterior motives?!
Yuto shook his head sadly, glanced at Suzune nearby, and pondered for a moment. "In a few days, would you like to go watch the Chunin Exams together?"
The first two rounds weren't open to the public, but the final one-on-one matches were. Many people visiting Konoha during this time came specifically to enjoy this unique "ninja sports festival".
"?" Suzune blinked in surprise before nodding softly. A small smile appeared on her face as she replied, "Yes!"
...
Soon…
The three-day survival competition in the Forest of Death concluded successfully.
Rumor had it that Konoha had produced a formidable ninja. As soon as he appeared, the surrounding enemies avoided him, unwilling to risk a confrontation, and willingly surrendered their stone tablets.
Even team leaders from other villages expressed understanding and didn't blame their teams.
It was a truly bizarre scene!
...
Afterwards, following a day of rest—which gave Yuto's BBQ another income boost—
Today.
Under sunny skies and warm weather, the final stage of the Chunin Exams arrived as scheduled.