Tenshin smiled awkwardly and reached out to pat Kakashi on the shoulder. "You're not any worse than me. A temporary gap doesn't prove anything."
"Until the very last moment, no one knows who the true first place is." Tenshin comforted.
Kakashi naturally understood this truth. Even without Tenshin's words, he was able to adjust his mindset.
"I know, of course," he replied with a hint of pride.
Tenshin chuckled softly. In his eyes, Kakashi was just an ordinary kid, filled with a strong sense of competition, typical for someone of his age.
Aside from his slightly annoying attitude, there was nothing really problematic.
As the two chatted, a figure suddenly appeared in front of them in a flash.
"Fugaku-sensei." They both stopped and politely greeted him.
Uchiha Fugaku gave a slight hum and spoke. "After a month of adjustment, our team has developed basic teamwork."
"After submitting an application, I've taken on a C-rank mission to gather intelligence from Windfire Town on the border."
"Tomorrow morning, we'll meet at the village entrance. Any questions?"
Upon hearing this, both Tenshin and Kakashi were thrilled. "No questions!" they said excitedly.
Having spent over a month doing D-rank missions, they were both tired of them. Now, the opportunity to take on a higher-level mission felt like winning the lottery, and they couldn't contain their joy.
Seeing their excitement, Fugaku's lips curled slightly in a rare smile. "Don't be late tomorrow morning. Get a good rest tonight."
"Understood." Tenshin and Kakashi nodded, and then they watched Fugaku vanish in an instant.
Kakashi, still excited, took quick steps, seemingly eager to go home and prepare the necessary items.
Although Tenshin was also excited, he wasn't quite as eager as Kakashi. He silently walked along the street, his thoughts wandering. Suddenly, he remembered someone.
Sigh... I should go meet her, otherwise, she'll come looking for me and find the house empty.
Having made up his mind, Tenshin broke into a light jog and headed toward the Ninja Academy.
When he arrived, he found the school just letting out. Groups of young students poured out, their faces lit with innocent smiles.
Standing under a large tree across the street, Tenshin watched them, feeling a silent appreciation for the quiet passage of time.
If only there were no wars, no Black Zetsu and his ilk.
But sadly, there are no "ifs." Everything required him to give his all to change.
"Tenshin-oniisan, were you waiting for me?"
As he was lost in his thoughts, a familiar child's voice suddenly reached his ears.
He snapped back to reality and saw Uchiha Shisui in front of him. He managed to force a stiff smile. "Yeah."
"I'm going on a mission tomorrow, so I wanted to let you know."
Just as they were talking, Kurenai walked out of the academy and immediately spotted Tenshin under the tree.
She rushed over, calling out excitedly, "Tenshin-oniisan, what are you doing here?!"
Tenshin's eye twitched slightly, and he awkwardly scratched his head. "Ah... I'm going on a mission tomorrow, just came by to check in."
Shisui, with his sharp senses, noticed something and glanced between Tenshin and Kurenai. He suddenly asked, "Tenshin-oniisan, you didn't come just to see me, did you?"
Before Tenshin could respond, Shisui flashed a bright, childlike smile and ran off into the distance. "I won't disturb you guys."
(TL: Damn Shisui is also a genius Homie Talent)
Kurenai looked at Shisui's retreating figure in confusion. "Who was that little brother?"
"Oh... that was Uchiha Shisui, my cousin," Tenshin quickly explained, still a bit distracted.
Kurenai didn't think much of it and then smiled shyly. "Are you really here just to tell me that you're leaving tomorrow?"
"Ah... yes, yes," Tenshin scratched his head again, still unable to shake off the awkwardness.
At that moment, Nohara Rin and Uchiha Obito came out of the academy, both noticing Tenshin and Kurenai under the tree. Without missing a beat, they both ran over.
"Hey, Tenshin," they said in unison.
Tenshin greeted them one by one, while Kurenai pouted, seeming a bit annoyed by their interruption.
"Tenshin, what are you doing here? Did you miss me, the genius?" Obito said as he slung an arm around Tenshin's shoulder, speaking arrogantly.
Rin chuckled softly and, with a playful glance at Kurenai, said, "Obito, he's not thinking about you."
"Huh? Then who?" Obito asked, clueless.
"Cough, cough!" Tenshin's mouth twitched as he quickly explained, "I'm going on a mission tomorrow, so I just came by to check in with everyone."
"A mission? That's awesome!" Obito exclaimed, momentarily getting lost in thoughts of his future ninja career, but quickly shifting his attention back to Rin.
Rin, excited, asked, "What about Kakashi? Is he going too?"
"Of course. We're on the same team," Tenshin replied.
Rin nodded thoughtfully, as if some idea was forming in her mind.
Obito, noticing this, suddenly leaned in. "You're not going to see Kakashi, are you?"
"None of your business," Rin pouted, then waved at Tenshin and Kurenai before quickly running off.
Obito stood there, feeling dejected, then looked down at Tenshin and asked, "Why can't Rin like me?"
Tenshin chuckled softly. In the original story, Rin did indeed have a special affection for Kakashi, but in his opinion, it was more of an admiration.
And Kakashi never reciprocated, while Obito had always been there by Rin's side, leaving an indelible mark on her heart.
If not for Uchiha Madara and Black Zetsu manipulating things from behind the scenes, Rin and Obito might have had a happy ending.
"Go after her! I believe in you, Obito!" Tenshin patted him on the shoulder, giving him a strong push.
Obito, who had no intention of giving up, was energized by Tenshin's encouragement. With determination, he said, "I will make Rin like me!"
With that, he dashed off, chasing after the disappearing figure of Rin.
Phew... finally, they're gone.
Tenshin let out a breath and turned to Kurenai, who was still pouting, and said, "Let's go, let's take a walk."
Kurenai, being a little girl at heart, immediately pictured the sweetness of a stroll together and forgot all her complaints. She smiled brightly and ran ahead, reaching out to take Tenshin's hand.
Tenshin noticed this and, although he felt reluctant, he was moved by Kurenai's happy expression and held back the urge to pull away.
After all, they were just kids. Holding hands shouldn't be a big deal...
As Tenshin hesitated, a soft, delicate hand suddenly grasped his. A warm body leaned in beside him.
A gentle fragrance filled the air and wafted into his nose, freezing him in place for a moment.