Masaki quickly learned two things about the Hidden Leaf Village.
First, everyone loved to talk about the Will of Fire.
Second, the Will of Fire burned brightest when you were being watched.
From the corner of his eye, Masaki spotted the third chunin that week pretending to "sweep the street" near the orphan dorms. The sweeping stick never actually touched the ground.
He'd only been in Konoha for five days, and already the higher-ups were suspicious.
"Note to self," he muttered, closing his notebook. "Teaching Obito in public is a great way to end up having tea with Danzo—and by tea, I mean assassination."
That night, he pulled Obito aside behind the training grounds.
"Lesson one: secrecy."
"Why are we whispering?" Obito asked, holding a candle upside down.
Masaki fixed the candle, then whispered, "Because if we get caught training off the grid, we might lose the chance to control our futures."
Obito blinked. "...That sounds dramatic."
"It is. Welcome to real ninja training."
> System Notice: New Training Mode – [Shadow Discipleship]
Secrecy enabled. Training progress is halved, but timeline interference is hidden from village authorities and Fate Stabilizers.
"Shadow mode, huh," Masaki muttered. "Good. Let's make you stronger without anyone noticing."
---
📜 [OBITO UCHIHA – GROWTH CHART]
> (Visible to Masaki only through the System UI)
---
📍 [Current Status]
Trait Value
Bond Level C (Growing Loyalty)
Chakra Control D+
Taijutsu D
Ninjutsu D
Mental Focus D–
Emotional Instability High
Type Tragic Fate
Hidden Potential S
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🧠 Affinity Chart (Unlocked Through Observation)
🔥 Fire Release: Natural affinity – unlocked
❤️ Compassion: Deeply attached to people
🌀 Identity Crisis: Latent
👓 Sense of Inferiority: Triggered when around Kakashi
🌘 Fate Shift Point: Kannabi Bridge Mission (Locked)
---
🌱 Training Record (Week 1)
Training Topic Result Notes
Tree Walking (Chakra Control) 55% Mastery Can stick for 3 seconds
Leaf Balancing 87% Blames the wind for failures
Basic Evasion Drills Partial Still trips often
Taijutsu (Stick Defense) Moderate Now blocks 2/5 hits
Mindset Conditioning Underway Slight increase in confidence
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💠 System Commentary
> "Your disciple is unstable but deeply driven. Your teaching is altering his emotional foundation. Continue shaping him and a new path will emerge."
---
🔒 Secret Night Training – Day 6
The moon was high. Crickets chirped. And Obito was yelling at a tree.
"WHY. WON'T. YOU. LET. ME. STICK!"
Masaki sat under the tree, sipping tea from a stolen mess-hall cup. "Yelling at the tree won't help. Focus your chakra to your feet, then walk. You're thinking about Kakashi too much again."
"I am not!"
> System Ping: Mental Interference – Jealousy Detected (–5% Training Efficiency)
"Try again, Obito," Masaki said. "You're not Kakashi. You're you. And if you ever want to reach your own future, stop chasing his."
Obito took a breath. Focused.
One step. Two.
Five seconds later, he slipped and rolled down the trunk like a noodle.
Masaki cracked a grin. "Better."
---
🌌 Later That Night – Masaki's Room
The system pulsed softly in his vision as he reviewed Obito's chart again.
> Shared Growth: "Tree Walking" synced 55% to Host. + Passive Chakra Sensation Gained You can now feel chakra fields. Slight boosts to footwork and mobility.
Another line appeared:
> Mini-Achievement Unlocked: "The Whispering Flame" – Keep training secret for 7 days.
Reward: Chakra Gate Recognition (unlocked chakra node map)
You may now attempt to unlock your own chakra manually.
Masaki's heart beat faster.
"I don't need the village's help. I'll open my own damn chakra."
---
🌑 Elsewhere – ROOT Surveillance Outpost
Two masked ninja sat watching from a hollow tree, silent and hidden.
"He's getting too close to the Uchiha boy," one said.
"The Third doesn't mind. He thinks it's harmless."
"Danzo disagrees. Shall we report the pattern?"
The second figure didn't answer. Instead, he stared as Masaki, alone in his room, sat cross-legged and began pushing chakra into his lower dantian like a monk.
"…He's not as ordinary as we thought."