Early the next morning, in the Land of Snow.
"Oh? You mean Konoha Village invited Snow Hidden Village to participate in the Chunin Exams this time?"
Obito didn't even look away from his screen at first. He only paused when his game character got flattened by a Goomba wearing a cheap ninja headband.
In the room, he lowered the controller and raised a brow with interest.
On the massive TV in front of him, Super Ninja was still paused — a glorified knock-off of Super Mario with a chakra meter slapped onto the HUD. Not that Obito minded. A good bootleg was still fun.
After going absolutely wild on Izumi day and night, he'd decided he deserved some cool-down time.
And really — there was no greater joy than gaming with a refreshed, post-chaos mind.
Anyone who'd ever lived understood that universal truth.
"That's right," Terumi Mei said as she handed him a scroll, looking a bit too awake for this hour.
Obito opened the scroll, skimmed half a sentence, and immediately yeeted it onto the couch like it offended him personally.
Over the years, the Land of Snow and the Land of Fire had traded so much that their economic relationship was basically "friends with benefits." So a Konoha invitation wasn't surprising.
Obito leaned back, stretched, and a slow playful smile began twisting on his face.
"Just let Yugao lead the team."
"Yugao?" Terumi Mei blinked, slightly stunned.
"…You don't mean you want Kimimaro and the others to actually take the Chunin Exam, right?"
Obito's smile turned feral.
"That's right~"
He held up a finger like a professor announcing tomorrow's homework.
"Temporarily register Karin, Haku, Kimimaro, and Hinata as Snow Hidden Village genin. Let them go cause some… educational experiences."
Hearing that, Terumi Mei let out the longest, most exhausted sigh known to mankind as she pinched her forehead.
"Jeez...Obito. You are sending four genetically illegal children to participate in an exam for little academy brats. Do you understand what restraint means? Or mercy? Or not violating international ninja laws?"
"They are kids too, Mei," Obito said with the most innocent expression in the history of liars. "So I really don't see the problem."
Mei stared at him with a speechless expression.
He stared back with an innocent one.
Finally she groaned and flopped dramatically onto the couch.
"Oh my god… you're going to traumatize somebody's entire childhood. Do you know how unforgiving kids memories are? Some poor little genin is going to be forty years old one day, rocking in a corner, whispering, 'Snow Hidden… never again…'"
Obito handed her the second controller. Mei took it instantly, already mashing buttons like she wanted to beat him and relieve stress at the same time.
"You're being dramatic, Mei. And if they cry, they weren't meant to be ninjas."
"Well, whatever…" she sighed.
Then she added with a completely heartless shrug:
"Kids bounce back. Or they don't. Either way, not my problem."
She clicked into multiplayer mode without missing a beat.
"If they can't handle a little emotional devastation at their age, then honestly… what are they even doing in this career path?"
Obito nodded like a proud, morally questionable sensei.
"See? That's what I'm talking about. We're doing a good job."
--
Subsequently, after finishing a few rounds of the game with Mei (and losing spectacularly at least once), Obito eventually made his way to the training grounds.
He found Yugao drilling with her blade, sharp movements cutting through the cold morning air.
As soon as she noticed him approaching with that grin, her eyebrow twitched — always a warning sign.
Obito told her the plan.
Her reaction?
Exactly the same as Mei's.
Yugao stopped mid-swing, stared at him, and rolled her eyes so hard it looked like she was trying to see her own brain.
"You want Kimimaro and the others to… bully a bunch of genin?" she asked flatly.
"I'm asking them to go out and see the level of the next generation from those Great Ninja Villages," Obito replied, hands behind his back like he was giving a noble, responsible explanation.
Yugao looked at him.
Obito went on seriously, straight-faced:
"Well, and also to let those genin understand the cruelty of the ninja world."
Yugao crossed her arms, deadpan.
"So your goal is child discipline through trauma."
Obito nodded solemnly.
"Exactly. It builds character."
"I'll go, I'll go!"
At that moment, Karin shot her hand into the air so fast her red hair practically exploded upward.
"I haven't been to Konoha yet!" she said with a bright grin, already vibrating with excitement.
Twelve-year-old Karin was still technically a kid, but her body had been developing extremely well.
Obito's red items had boosted everyone's physique, and Karin's was no exception. Her beauty was already miles ahead of her anime counterpart.
One major difference?
No glasses.
In the original timeline, Karin spent her childhood surviving harsh conditions, squinting at books under miserable candlelight, and basically destroying her eyesight before she even hit puberty.
But under Obito's care?
Karin's eyes were perfect.
Her vision was sharp enough to see a mosquito land on a tree from twenty meters away. (Which she bragged about once and was probably a lie.)
Her personality was even louder than before — flamboyant, confident, energetic and her choice of clothing didn't help either.
She wore a black jacket with a bold lining, a crisp white shirt underneath, and fitted black pants. A full biker getup.
If someone didn't look closely at her curves, they'd probably assume she was a handsome delinquent boy ready to start a motorcycle gang.
Karin tossed her hair back dramatically.
"Besides, Konoha needs to see what REAL talent looks like."
Yep — a Gilgamesh with red hair.
That was the first thought that crossed Obito's mind as he looked at Karin striking her little biker-gang pose.
"And with those damn chains," Obito muttered under his breath, "she even feels like Gil using Enkidu… just more… Karin-flavored."
"Are you going to let Hinata participate too?"
Yugao asked, her gaze sliding toward Hinata with a hesitant frown. It wasn't fear…
Just the universal expression of a babysitter realizing one of her kids might accidentally encounter a problem.
Hearing this, Obito casually glanced at Hinata beside him.
Twelve-year-old Hinata had already begun developing beautifully... curves forming early, posture straight, long dark hair flowing gracefully down her back thanks to Obito's constant "trust me, long hair is better" comments.
With good food, proper sleep, and a complete lack of Hyuga-family stress, she had grown both physically and mentally in ways her anime version could only dream of.
Yugao bit her lip.
"If Hinata goes… Konoha might notice something."
Obito shrugged like she was overthinking life.
Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek black blindfold... one he had specifically crafted for this moment.
Making this stupid thing hadn't been easy, but once he figured out the trick, it was just another day of Obito doing unreasonable genius things.
"Hinata, come here," he said.
Hinata blushed instantly, looking like someone had just whispered something indecent to her.
Still, she stepped forward obediently, hands folded nervously in front of her, eyes fluttering shyly.
Obito gently tied the blindfold around her head, stepped back, and admired the result.
What now stood before him was:
Mini Gojo Satoru but adorable.
The Jujutsu Kaisen–style black uniform, the matching blindfold, the pretty face…
She looked like a chibi version of Gojo who could accidentally melt the hearts of half the exam participants.
Obito nodded with satisfaction.
"I prepared this for you. With this, no one will notice your eyes... as long as you don't use Gentle Fist. Just stick to ninjutsu. Shouldn't be hard for you, right?"
Hinata's face brightened instantly.
Her eyes (behind the blindfold) sparkled.
She smiled the cutest smile known to mankind.
"Y-Yes, my lord… I will. T-Thank you very much…"
Her voice trembled with excitement and shyness at the same time.
Yugao watched the transformation and finally smiled and exhaled, shoulders relaxing.
"I see… that's actually impressive. If that's the case, then it's fine."
"What about Izumi?"
Yugao narrowed her eyes, slowly looking Obito up and down with clear suspicion.
Izumi Uchiha wasn't here today — which could only mean she was busy. Or rather… busy with something last night that made her unable to appear now.
Over the years, Izumi had gone from quiet and withdrawn to someone who fully accepted life here, growing close with Yugao and genuinely respecting everyone in this little faction.
"She… well, she had a rough mission yesterday and is still resting."
Obito shook his head with mock seriousness.
Yugao instantly shot him the "I know what kind of man you are" look.
Obito coughed and immediately changed the subject.
"Anyway—Karin, take this opportunity to restore the Uzumaki clan's name by showing them your greatness."
Obito smiled.
"Yes, yes, I intended to… but honestly, I'd prefer to have the surname Uchiha if you ask me…"
Karin replied smoothly, winking at him, her gaze practically burning holes into his uncovered face. Ever since Obito stopped hiding it, she had gotten bolder by the day.
"Karin-chan…"
Hearing that, Hinata's face flushed slightly.
Karin-chan is so bold…! Hinata thought, genuinely impressed and flustered.
"Boink~"
Obito flicked Karin's forehead without hesitation.
"Don't make a fuss."
"Tch, why~"
Karin pouted, clearly dissatisfied. Then her eyes drifted down to her own slightly budding chest… before sliding over to Hinata's considerably larger "cannonballs."
A tiny flash of envy sparkled in her eyes.
"My Lord… you don't have to worry about their safety. I would—"
At that moment, Kimimaro, who had been standing silently in the background like a perfectly disciplined statue, finally stepped forward.
His posture was straight. His expression calm.
His eyes unwavering.
He bowed his head slightly — not in weakness, but in absolute loyalty.
"If danger appears," Kimimaro said, his voice steady and absolute,
"I will erase it before it even touches them."
He placed a hand over his chest.
"My life exists to protect your people and your will, my Lord. If anyone dares to harm Lady Karin, Haku, or Lady Hinata… they will face me first."
Then he lifted his gaze, full of unwavering respect.
"I swear upon my bones. Not a single one of them will be hurt while I still draw breath."
"..."
Holy shit… that was cool. I felt like Sung Jinwoo for a second, Obito thought inwardly, speechless.
The others were loyal but Kimimaro?
Kimimaro took that loyalty and ascended into a different realm entirely.
"Kimimaro… to think you think so dearly of me." Haku blushed slightly on the side, clearly happy.
"Kimimaro, how many times have I said not to talk so extreme… Their strength is also strong, and you should try to have some fun there. Haku, take care of him… I'm not confident with him."
"Yes, my Lord. Leave it to me," Haku said with a bright smile.
"…"
Kimimaro's body suddenly stiffened as if he had just committed a grave sin. He froze like a stone statue.
"My Lord… how could I make my Lord worry… damnit… damn me…" Kimimaro muttered, cursing himself under his breath.
Everyone present flinched and took a tiny step back.
Shit, he's crashing out again, they all thought in unison.
Obito quickly signaled Haku, who repeatedly reassured Kimimaro that everything was fine…
while Obito and the others quietly slipped away.
--------------------------------------
Support me at patreon.com/Arthorain and read upto 50 Advanced Chapters and R-18 Content!
--------------------------------------
Update schedule: 7 chapters/week
Every 300 power stones = 1 Extra Chapter
By voting with [power stones], you can easily get double the number of chapters.