A Match Made in Heaven
Tai Yi's Lightning Release Body Flicker Technique had received another major boost thanks to adjustments in his training. His earlier shortcomings were being filled one by one.
It wouldn't be long before he reached Jōnin-level combat power, and once he accumulated enough merit, his promotion would be all but guaranteed.
Honestly, if Shirō hadn't read Naruto in his past life, he might have mistaken Tai Yi for the protagonist. Look at this guy—every mission seemed to reward him the most.
Shirō always ended up the most exhausted, while Tai Yi reaped the greatest gains. He had awakened his two-tomoe Sharingan at a young age, stimulated at the time by Shikamaru's incident. Though his evolution to three tomoe was interrupted, his current two-tomoe Sharingan was already at its peak, and reaching the final tomoe was only a matter of time.
And once he had the three tomoe, with more training, Tai Yi would probably become an elite Jōnin before turning twenty.
In contrast, Shirō hadn't gotten any real tangible benefit from these missions. Half the time, he was acting as Tai Yi's "Ninjutsu porter."
That was the classic "otherworld protagonist template"… except Shirō wasn't born into the right world or clan.
Of course, Tai Yi was an Uchiha, but he wasn't the "protagonist's son" like Sasuke, nor did he enjoy the same plot armor. Compared to those overpowered monsters of destiny, Tai Yi's path would always be harsher.
Thinking this way, Shirō's heart felt lighter. After all, he had his own kind of "plot armor" too—his system. And it was nothing to scoff at.
---
A month later, Shirō and his team escorted the minister back to the Land of Fire's capital. After completing the handoff, they didn't linger. Ninja were, at their core, a military force, and too much interaction with politicians was… inconvenient.
So after bidding farewell to the minister, they boarded Giant Bird No. 2 and returned to Konoha.
Once the mission report was submitted to the Third Hokage, Shirō split off from Tai Yi and strolled home alone.
Training was important, but proper rest was also part of efficiency. A balance between cultivation and relaxation—that was the best way forward.
---
"Kakashi! What did you say!?"
"What? Do you have a problem, dead last?"
"Damn it! I'll duel you! This time I'll win!"
"Tch, you just lost to me."
The noisy argument drew Shirō's attention. He turned and spotted Kakashi and Obito bickering as usual, while Rin watched quietly, the peacekeeper in their little trio.
Seeing them, Shirō couldn't help but smile. Their childish quarrels felt warmer, more human, than his own heavy path of missions and cultivation.
"Yo, Kakashi, Obito—you two seem pretty close," he said with a grin, nodding politely to Rin.
"Big Brother Shirō, hello," Rin greeted softly.
"Tch. Who's close with this dead last?" Kakashi sniffed.
"Exactly! Who's close with this arrogant Kakashi?" Obito fired back.
And the two were off again.
"Hahaha, I never said you were friends. Anyway, the timing's perfect. Let's go eat. My treat."
"This…" Rin hesitated, glancing at Kakashi. They weren't particularly familiar with Shirō, and she felt shy.
"Let's go, Rin," Obito urged. "This guy's loaded anyway."
"What do you mean 'this guy'? Call me Senior Brother!" Shirō laughed, reaching out to poke Kakashi's fluffy silver hair.
"Damn it! I'll get you back someday!" Kakashi snapped.
"I'll be waiting."
The four of them headed off, laughter trailing behind.
---
To be honest, Shirō was relieved to see Kakashi acting like this. In the original timeline, Kakashi had always been unnaturally mature for his age—silent, serious, like an adult trapped in a child's body.
Unlike Shirō, who had transmigrated with an adult's mind, Kakashi had grown into that state far too early. Yes, children in the ninja world matured quickly, but Kakashi's case was extreme.
After all, Kakashi was only five. In Shirō's past life, at five years old, he'd been playing in the mud… not worrying about missions and survival.
That was why Shirō wanted Kakashi to enjoy his childhood, at least until Sakumo's tragedy struck. After that, Kakashi's smile would disappear, and Shirō wasn't sure how to prevent the event from unfolding as it had in the manga.
His current strength and reputation were still insufficient. If things went as canon dictated, he had no clear solution.
But for now, at least, he could make sure Kakashi had friends—real ones who'd stand by him. Maybe that would soften the blow when the worst happened.
From the way Kakashi, Obito, and Rin interacted, things seemed to be going well. This "naturally matched trio" was bonding as tightly as they were meant to.
---
Soon they arrived at a ramen shop—not Ichiraku, since Teuchi hadn't opened yet, but still a cozy little place. Ramen was cheap, filling, and easy to get hooked on. A good habit to cultivate early.
"How about it, Kakashi? How've you been getting along with your classmates?" Shirō asked as they settled in.
"...Fine," Kakashi replied curtly.
Rin leaned forward. "By the way, Kakashi… why don't you take off your mask while we eat? It must be uncomfortable."
"I'm used to it. I don't want to."
"Hmph, must be because you're ugly!" Obito jabbed.
"Obito! Apologize!" Rin snapped.
Obito flinched. "Tch… sorry, Kakashi." He scratched his head, embarrassed. If Kakashi really wore the mask for that reason, then his words would have been cruel.
"It's fine," Kakashi said flatly. "Why would I care about the words of a dead last?"
"Who are you calling dead last!?" Obito shot up.
"Whoever answered," Kakashi replied coolly.
Rin sighed. "Not again…"
"Haha, don't worry," Shirō chuckled, turning to Rin. "This is just how they show affection."
"...I guess so." Rin shook her head, but smiled faintly. She let the two argue and instead used the chance to ask Shirō about mission experiences. She wanted to ask about ninjutsu too, but wasn't close enough to him yet to bring it up directly.
Shirō patiently answered her questions. With their talents, Rin and Obito would definitely be on the same team as Kakashi in the future. Helping them now might plant seeds for later.
At the same time, Shirō subtly tried to guide Obito's thinking. If Madara's plan couldn't be stopped, having a way to soften Obito's heart could reduce the danger he posed.
Because, truthfully—even compared to Madara—Obito's Kamui was the single most troublesome ability.
But the Sharingan reflected the user's heart. If Shirō wanted to deal with Kamui, he'd have to find another way—one that didn't rely solely on force.
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