10:04 AM.
Drake and Rin sat on a large rock, basking lazily in the sunlight.
"Phew~ I'm so full."
Rin rubbed her stomach, looking completely satisfied.
"You really ate a lot," Drake glanced at her as he packed away the lunchboxes.
"Ah… well…" Rin blushed awkwardly.
She had promised to eat "just a little", yet ended up devouring three entire portions by herself.
"By the way… why did you even bring food?" Rin quickly changed the topic.
"I cooked but didn't have time to eat. So I just brought it along," Drake replied casually.
"They're coming back," Rin whispered, nudging him lightly.
In the distance, three figures were walking toward them.
The difference was clear.
Obito and Kakashi looked completely drained, while Minato remained calm and composed.
Obviously — the bell test had failed.
"Kakashi! This is all your fault! If you'd held him off a little longer, I would've gotten the bell!" Obito complained while walking.
"Idiot," Kakashi muttered wearily.
From start to finish, he had been the only one actually fighting.
What had Obito done?
He had just rushed in mindlessly when Kakashi was already exhausted — not even pretending to be subtle.
If that worked, it would've been a miracle.
At least Drake and Rin had self-awareness. They'd sat on the rock the entire time, not making things worse.
"Ugh, I was so close…" Obito tossed Kakashi aside and ran over to Drake and Rin, sighing dramatically.
"It's okay. Failure is the mother of success," Drake said casually.
"Yeah! You'll get it next time!" Rin added encouragingly.
Being comforted by his teammates, Obito instantly perked up again.
See?
These were real teammates. Not like that dead-fish-eyed Kakashi.
In the center of the field, Minato announced the result.
"Since you failed, the punishment begins now."
As he spoke, a lunchbox suddenly appeared in his hand.
"Eh? Sensei brought food too?" Rin whispered.
No wonder…
No wonder Sensei and Drake were both late — they both brought their own meals?
"Since the mission failed, the four of you will share only ONE lunchbox today!"
Minato's expression was serious.
"As for who gets to eat it, you'll decide among yourselves."
With that, he placed the lunchbox on the rock.
POOF!
A flash of movement — and he vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.
————
An awkward silence filled the air.
Obito glanced at the lunchbox, swallowed hard, then looked at his teammates.
Naturally, his gaze avoided Kakashi and stayed between Drake and Rin.
Because those two were his true teammates.
Kakashi, having burned a ton of stamina, merely glanced at the lunchbox — and his stomach growled loudly.
As for Drake and Rin?
They exchanged a look of perfect understanding.
"I give up the lunchbox."
"Me too."
As soon as they spoke, a warm surge flooded Obito's heart.
This is what real teammates look like!
Even Kakashi, upon hearing this, looked slightly surprised beneath his mask.
"…Because I used the most stamina, they're giving it to me?" he thought, somewhat moved.
High above, on a tree branch.
Minato watched with a faint smile.
"I didn't expect this."
"I thought their teamwork was hopeless… but this is an unexpected gain."
"Giving up food for others… that's also a form of team spirit."
He continued observing, curious to see who would ultimately eat the only lunchbox.
One box.
Two hungry people.
How would this be resolved?
Due to Drake and Rin stepping aside, both Obito and Kakashi instinctively looked toward them, seeking guidance.
Rin had no idea what to do.
So naturally… her eyes turned to Drake.
And suddenly, Drake realized —
All three of them were staring at him.
"Cough."
Feeling the pressure, he stood up.
"It's simple. You each get one."
Each get one?
But there's only one lunchbox.
Just as Rin was about to question him—
Drake reached into his clothes and pulled out another box.
Rin: 😐
Obito: "YOU HID FOOD?!"
Kakashi: "Tch."
Minato (on the tree): "..."
Sometimes… explanations are necessary.
"Originally, I prepared five meals."
"Four for our squad, plus one for Sensei."
"But Rin ate three portions earlier… so now there's only one left."
With that explanation, Rin's face turned bright red.
She desperately wished she knew Earth Release so she could bury herself.
Unfortunately, she didn't.
On the bright side though—
One meal for Obito.
One meal for Kakashi.
Perfect balance achieved.
"This kid Drake… is full of surprises."
Minato pressed a hand to his forehead, unsure how to describe this dead-last genius.
Punish him for breaking the rules?
But he did bring food for everyone.
And technically, Minato never said they weren't allowed to.
If anything… Drake displayed actual concern for the team.
And due to this unexpected act, the tension between the four of them clearly softened.
Watching Obito and Kakashi eat side by side, Minato mused:
"This teamwork exercise… might've actually worked."
"And the one holding it all together…"
"…is the dead-last, Drake."
————
After lunch.
On the rocks of the training ground.
Four figures sat in a circle — Team Nine.
Yet the atmosphere was strangely quiet.
No one spoke.
Obito sat beside Kakashi.
Rin sat beside Drake.
As for why this strange seating arrangement happened?
"Drake is trying to make me reconcile with Kakashi? Never happening!" Obito fumed inwardly.
"Tch." Kakashi shot Obito a sideways glance, pride oozing from every pore.
"Drake… do you really think they'll make up like this?" Rin whispered.
"Arrange? What arrangement?" Drake blinked in confusion.
What did he arrange?
I didn't arrange anything!
I literally did nothing!!!
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