When Obito heard Tsunade say that, he instantly felt awkward. Scratching his head, he said, "Tsunade-sama, sometimes you're actually quite like that A from Kumogakure, the one said to be the future Fourth Raikage."
Tsunade immediately grew interested, "You mean that A from the A-B combo? How am I like him?"
At that moment, Rin tugged on Obito's clothes and quickly cut in, "Tsunade-sama, don't listen to Obito's nonsense. He's never even met that A. I'll just go play with Obito first, we won't disturb you."
Tsunade felt a bit displeased, "Rin, your Obito used such a despicable trick to snatch you away from me, and you don't plan on giving your teacher an explanation?"
Rin stuck out her little tongue, "What explanation does Tsunade-sama want?"
Tsunade put on a mischievous smile, stretched out her hand, and said, "What we agreed on last time, the apprenticeship fee. Ten million ryo."
Rin puffed up angrily, remembering how in another world she had sworn never to give Tsunade-sama any apprenticeship fee. She said, "Tsunade-sama, I don't have that much money. How about, next time I come see you, I'll bring some strawberries?"
Tsunade smirked, "You don't have money, but Obito does. As the Eighth Elder of the Uchiha clan, and having carried out several S-rank missions, that kid Obito is filthy rich. Ten million ryo is nothing to him."
Rin didn't want Obito to waste money, and was just about to stop him, but Obito pulled out a sealing scroll and tossed it to Tsunade.
"Tsunade-sama, there's one hundred million ryo inside. Thank you for teaching Rin so much. I really haven't had the time to properly thank you."
Tsunade's eyes lit up. Whatever resentment she'd had just now over Obito using blood to make her dizzy was gone in an instant. She praised, "Good boy, you really know how things work. Fine then, if you come looking for Rin to play in the future, I won't stop you anymore."
With money in her hands, Tsunade's fingers itched. She wanted to go gamble right away.
Obito smiled, wrapped an arm around Rin, and said, "Then, Tsunade-sama, goodbye."
As soon as he finished, their figures vanished completely.
———
In Konoha, by the side of a river, Obito and Rin appeared near a bench.
From here, the Hokage Rock could be seen clearly.
Rin blinked, curious, "Obito, why did you bring me here?"
Obito pulled Rin down to sit on the bench, then raised his head to look at the three huge faces on Hokage Rock.
He sighed, "Rin, in my past life, it was right here that I swore to you, saying one day I'd become Hokage. And it was also here that you swore you'd always watch over me."
Rin gave Obito a knock, "You brought me here just to say these mushy words again? Haven't you already said it plenty of times?"
But Obito looked at Rin very seriously, taking her hand, "Rin, I don't mind saying it again."
"In the future, I might not become Hokage anymore. But I will always, always stay by your side, until forever."
Rin was also moved for a moment. In her mind appeared the scene from another world. Her other self, resurrected by Edo Tensei, saying those words to the other Obito in front of the entire ninja world.
That was what she felt was the most romantic, most enduring confession of all.
She nodded, "Then Obito, I'll say it again too, I'll always watch over you, until forever."
The two of them looked into each other's eyes, their gazes never shifting. In the end, neither knew who moved first, but they embraced each other tightly.
Beside them, the river flowed gently, the white clouds drifted slowly in the sky. Even the three Hokage stone faces seemed to glance in their direction, their expressions softening with kindness.
Obito felt the moment had come. If not now, then when? He raised Rin's chin, preparing once again to launch a sneak attack…
But suddenly, a roar came from afar, "Hey, brat over there! What are you doing, let go of my daughter!"
Obito and Rin, hearing that familiar voice, nearly jumped out of their skins. They hurriedly let go of each other.
Turning their stiff necks, they saw Nohara Haruki storming toward them.
Compared to the Nohara Haruki Obito had seen in the Fourth War. Temples already graying, face covered in wrinkles and the marks of age, this Nohara Haruki looked very young and full of vigor.
'So Rin's father, more than ten years ago, hadn't yet become so worn down. What on earth had caused him to appear so aged later?'
'It was Rin!'
Obito's face went pale.
'Doesn't that mean… right now, just bullied Nohara Haruki's precious daughter?'
'F*ck!', He had never imagined his meeting with Rin's father in this world would be under such an embarrassing circumstance.
By then, Nohara Haruki had already come close. He grabbed Rin's hand in one swift motion, pulling her behind him and away from Obito.
Hands on his hips, his expression blazing with rage, he glared at Obito, "Brat, what were you trying to do just now?"
Obito stammered, "Uncle, calm down. Just now, I was only discussing some ninja knowledge with Rin."
Nohara Haruki wasn't buying it at all, "Discussing knowledge? And discussing it by hugging? If I hadn't shown up, would you have kissed her already? You're still just a kid, and you want to steal my daughter's first kiss?"
At the side, Rin nearly fainted. Her so-called first kiss? That had long been stolen, by none other than this bad guy Obito.
Then Nohara Haruki turned to his daughter, "And Rin, you too. How could you so casually be tricked by this brat?"
"You're Tsunade-sama's disciple, the future subordinate of the Fourth Hokage, Minato. You're my precious treasure!"
"Rin, I know the ninja world is dangerous, so I won't suppress your feelings. But at the very least, you should tell your father first!"
Rin didn't dare look at her father. With guilt, she lowered her head and whispered, "Dad… actually, Mom already knows about this."
Nohara Haruki froze, "Your mom knows? Don't tell me…"
He turned again to Obito, "You're that so-called 'Black Fang of Konoha,' Uchiha Obito from Minato's team?"
Obito couldn't help feeling that the nickname sounded especially embarrassing when spoken by Rin's father. He muttered, "Uncle, that is indeed my title. I know it sounds terrible, but don't worry, it's only temporary…"
Then, to their astonishment, Nohara Haruki suddenly made an epic face-change.
He broke into a warm smile, reached out, and patted Obito's head, "So you're Obito, huh? Uncle has heard of you for a long time, you're a good kid."
"Back when the Yellow Flash captured the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, people said you were just a tagalong. But Uncle saw right away you were no ordinary boy, that you'd definitely achieve great things."
"Haha, so you were just studying ninja knowledge together earlier? Uncle doesn't know much about ninja stuff, so I misunderstood."
"Well then, I won't bother you anymore. Study hard, learn more."
With that, Nohara Haruki raised his fist toward Rin, giving her a cheering gesture. Then, with a puff of smoke underfoot, he spun on his heel and ran off without hesitation.
Obito and Rin stood there in the wind, stunned and bewildered. After quite a while, Rin finally reacted, embarrassed, "Obito, today, come have dinner at my house. I've already invited you before, and you promised. This time you're not allowed to go back on your word."
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