"Really?" Obito, who had looked downcast and awkward just a moment before, suddenly came alive, his energy fully restored. With a renewed spirit, he declared, "I want grilled rice balls, red bean dumplings, braised pork... and, well—"
"Stop right there!" Yun Kong quickly interrupted. "You do realize I'm the one treating you, right?" He felt his legs regaining strength, so he removed his arm from around Obito's shoulders. Looking at him seriously, Yun Kong's gaze became so intense that Obito started to avoid eye contact.
"So… you're not treating me anymore?" Obito asked, his voice small and hesitant.
Yun Kong lightly knocked on Obito's head. "A true man's word is as good as gold. Once spoken, it's like water spilled on the ground—you can't take it back."
"What are we going to eat, then?" Obito asked softly. No one had ever treated him to a meal before.
"Of course, we're going to my house. Whatever my mom makes, that's what we'll eat!" Yun Kong replied, as if it were the most obvious answer.
"Isn't it a bit improper for me to show up empty-handed?" Obito asked.
"Do you have money to buy a gift?" Yun Kong shot back. Obito quickly shook his head. "Since you don't, what could you possibly bring?"
"Uh… I guess that makes sense," Obito replied slowly.
How on earth did this guy ever become the feared big boss in the future with this level of intellect? Yun Kong cursed silently.
As soon as they stepped outside the school gate, Yun Kong's father appeared, greeting him warmly. "So, have the classes been assigned yet?"
Indeed, no parent's heart is not dedicated to their children. Yun Kong's father, who ran a small shop, had been waiting there all morning. Yun Kong couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude.
"They're assigned. We're dismissed for today, but classes start officially tomorrow," Yun Kong answered. "Oh, and this is my new friend—Obito, from the prestigious Uchiha clan. I invited him over for lunch."
Yun Kong was busy introducing Uchiha Obito to his father, not noticing the slight pause on his father's face when he heard the word "Uchiha." But almost instantly, his father's smile returned as he warmly greeted Obito.
Obito, polite as ever, stepped forward and bowed deeply, saying, "Good day, sir."
"Oh, no need to be so formal," Yun Kong's father responded quickly. "Our Yun Kong here, ever since he was born, never cared much for socializing. Six years of school, and not a single friend. I thought he was just a quiet kid, but look at him, making a friend on the first day! Let's go home—Yun Kong's mom has probably finished cooking by now!"
Yun Kong's father welcomed Obito with enthusiasm, leading them toward their home.
"Hey, Dad, weren't you tired from standing all morning? My legs went numb just from the morning assembly. Why didn't you just stay in the shop?"
"No, I'm fine," his father replied without even looking back. "I was just watching the shop all morning. I only came when I noticed other parents taking their kids home, actually. I just got here."
Oh, come on. Yun Kong cursed internally. Talk about parental dedication. Was everything I said just now a complete waste? He sighed, his face visibly falling.
"So, Obito, where's your family?" Yun Kong asked casually.
"My grandmother's quite old, so she doesn't go out much," Obito replied softly.
"What about your parents?" Yun Kong asked absentmindedly, only to immediately regret it—Obito had only mentioned his grandmother, so it was obvious something had happened with his parents. Without thinking, Yun Kong had inadvertently struck a nerve.
"My parents died in battle when I was very young," Obito replied.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know," Yun Kong apologized. No wonder Obito had no love for the village of Konoha later on; after Rin's death, he probably lost his grandmother too, leaving him with no one.
"It's okay!" Before Yun Kong could dwell on his mistake, Obito continued, "My parents died protecting the village. They're heroes. When I become Hokage one day, I'll keep fighting to protect the village, just like they did."
Well, scratch that apology. With someone this thick-skinned, what else could he do? Yun Kong could only nod, half-heartedly responding to Obito's rambling.
"Oh, by the way, Obito, do you have a younger brother named Shisui?" Yun Kong asked, breaking into Obito's monologue.
"No, my parents died when I was young, so I didn't have a chance to have siblings."
"Do you know someone from your clan named Shisui?" Yun Kong inquired.
"Not really," Obito replied. "There are a lot of people in the Uchiha clan. Honestly, I don't know half of them, especially kids around our age."
"Why's that?" Yun Kong asked, confused.
"Those from prominent families usually start intense training from a young age to become outstanding shinobi, so I don't see them much. I'm just a branch member of the Uchiha, and with my parents gone, I don't know many people. Besides, they don't really think much of me," Obito said, his voice sounding a bit distant. Though his tone was steady, there was an underlying sadness to it.
"At my age, I've only trained in basic physical techniques, not even learning our Uchiha clan's signature ninjutsu, Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu," Tobi's voice trailed off.
Upon hearing Tobi's lament, Yun Kong felt the words he had intended to comfort him with rise to his throat, only to be swallowed back down. Damn it. You haven't even learned one ninjutsu, and here I am, not even knowing how to refine chakra!
I should just find somewhere to cry for a bit, Yun Kong thought, cursing inwardly: Damn it, this is the difference between commoners and noble families. No wonder it's so hard for commoners to rise up. Since ancient times, there's only been one example—Fourth Hokage.
But is the Fourth Hokage someone we can replicate? That's no longer a miracle; it's a divine act. People like us, mere mortals, could never replicate it!
Yun Kong's young heart was deeply shaken by Tobi's words. Slowly, he lowered his head, suddenly feeling the incessant chatter from Tobi in his ear was unbearably annoying.
This is what we get for being at the bottom, what are we supposed to do as commoners?
Well, at least I'm still young. It's not like there haven't been late bloomers before. Yun Kong rubbed his cheek, suddenly feeling an overwhelming weight of pressure.
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