The sun hung low on the horizon, its golden rays spilling across the earth, bathing the land in a warm, radiant glow.
Obito hummed a cheerful tune as he strolled home, hands behind his head, swaying slightly with every step.
"Like the sunlight breaking through the night, dawn comes softly, something-something~"
In his previous life, he was a mischievous kid, and now, after merging with another mischievous soul, his personality had taken a wild turn even he couldn't predict.
Before long, Obito stopped in front of a small house.
"Finally home!"
He kicked off his shoes haphazardly by the door and skipped inside.
"Granny, I'm home~"
A faint rustling sound came from inside. Soon, an elderly woman with white hair and a kind, gentle face emerged, her expression brimming with affection.
"Obito's back!" She reached out and ruffled his hair with a doting smile.
"Hungry? Granny will whip up something tasty for you."
Obito grinned from ear to ear and nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes, please!"
Granny was his only family in this world. In the bleak reality of Naruto, where finding a ninja with both parents was like spotting a unicorn, having even one loving relative was a luxury.
(People like Sakura… seriously, she doesn't know how good she's got it.)
After dinner with his granny, Obito retreated to his room to ponder his plans for the future.
He was clueless about ninjutsu, and taijutsu wasn't much better. The original Obito hadn't exactly been a prodigy in that department either.
Ironically, during his time as an avid Naruto fan, Obito had self-taught a single move. A technique so diabolical it could make anyone feel the anguish of a thousand years of torment.
…The infamous Thousand Years of Death!
(T/N: Using the full weight of their body, the user thrusts these four fingers between the target's buttocks.)
But with his current lack of speed, Obito dared not use it recklessly. Getting caught mid-move would likely earn him a solid beating.
He sighed, at a loss, before finally lying down.
It wasn't that he didn't want to work hard—it was just that his current abilities wouldn't allow it.
Before long, he drifted into a deep sleep.
...
The Next Day
At the ninja academy, Obito burst into the classroom, panting heavily.
"Sorry, sensei!" he gasped, bowing repeatedly.
"I was on my way to school and ran into an old granny who needed help, so…"
The teacher, hearing the all-too-familiar excuse, looked thoroughly unimpressed.
"Obito, if I'm not mistaken, this month alone, you've already helped over ten old grannies."
The classroom erupted in laughter, each student wearing a smug, amused grin.
Rin sighed, rubbing her temples in exasperation.
"Obito-kun, you could at least come up with a better excuse…"
Kakashi, meanwhile, remained as cold and indifferent as ever. If there was one thing he despised, it was someone like Obito who lacked any sense of punctuality or commitment.
"I…" Obito faltered, at a loss for words. Even he found it baffling how he managed to encounter grannies needing help every single day.
Sometimes, he suspected these grannies were plotting together to ambush him in shifts.
The teacher heaved a long sigh and waved him off.
"Fine, fine, just take your seat."
Relieved, Obito quickly shuffled to his spot next to Rin.
Time flew by as the day progressed.
Immersed in class, Obito almost forgot the passage of time until a soft voice snapped him out of his concentration.
"Obito-kun, Obito-kun, class is over!"
Obito groggily lifted his head from the desk, stretching lazily as he wiped drool from the corner of his mouth.
Next to him, Rin had already packed her bag and was preparing to leave.
"See you tomorrow, Obito-kun," she said with a bright smile.
Watching her cheerful expression, Obito couldn't help but smile back.
"See you tomorrow, Rin."
Back home after another meal with his granny, Obito returned to his room, contemplating his training regimen.
Just as the thought crossed his mind, a familiar system prompt appeared in his head, accompanied by a glowing interface.
[Option 1]: The path of a ninja demands diligence. Train tirelessly through the night, young one. Reward: 0.01 units of chakra.
[Option 2]: True training comes from balance. Eat well, sleep well—it's all part of the process. Reward: 0.01 units of chakra.
Obito stared at the options, deep in thought.
If his guess was correct, the "units" referenced here had to be an old-school measurement—probably a nod to Kakashi.
In that case, the choice was obvious.
Without hesitation, Obito flopped onto his bed and pulled the blanket over his head.
If only there were a soundtrack of Coffin Dance to accompany this moment…
The next morning, Obito woke up feeling noticeably stronger.
It seemed the 0.01 units of chakra had come through.
After getting dressed, he stepped out cautiously, his expression serious. As he walked to school, he darted his eyes around warily, his behavior akin to a thief sneaking around.
When the academy came into view, Obito finally breathed a sigh of relief.
But as he rounded the final corner, his heart sank.
There, standing in his path, was yet another old granny.
"…Seriously?"
Caught off guard, Obito froze. Before he could think of a plan, another system prompt appeared.
[Option 1]: Pretend you didn't see her and walk straight to school. It's perfectly normal for a member of the Uchiha clan to miss a person with their 'inherited nearsightedness.' Reward: Arrive at school on time.
[Option 2]: Help the granny cross the street, as usual. Reward: +1 to moral integrity.
[Option 3]: It's been a long time since anyone hugged this granny. Carry her to the other side of the road. Reward: Respect for Elders buff.
[Respect for Elders Buff]: Grants +1 goodwill from individuals over 60 years old.
Obito hesitated, weighing the options. The third reward was undoubtedly the best.
Who knew? It might even come in handy if he ever had to deal with Danzo.
But carrying a granny across the street? That was a tall order for a six-year-old kid!
With no other choice, Obito steeled himself and approached the elderly woman.
"Granny, let me help you!"
The old woman's face lit up with a warm smile.
"What a sweet chi—???"
Her expression froze mid-sentence as Obito scooped her up in a princess carry.
Struggling under her weight, Obito huffed and puffed his way across the road.
The granny, meanwhile, was flooded with a mix of emotions. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined being carried like this at her age…
When they reached the other side, the system promptly chimed in his head.
[Choice completed! Reward: Respect for Elders Buff acquired!]
Obito exhaled, setting her down gently before darting off toward school.
The old granny watched his retreating figure, a newfound fondness in her gaze.
What a lovely boy…
Back at the academy, Obito once again faced his teacher's deadpan stare.
"So, let me guess," the teacher said flatly.
"You helped another granny on your way to school?"
Obito nodded enthusiastically, his expression full of amazement.
"Sensei, how did you know? You're incredible!"
The teacher was at a loss for words.
"…Just take your seat."
He sighed, resigning himself to the fact that this was Obito's peak performance.
----------------
Read 10 chapters ahead for free on my patreon, read pinned message!
+70 chapters on patreon.com/Jixo