"That Shinji guy actually awakened the Sharingan!"
"Hiss!"
Obito leaned against a tree trunk, cursing under his breath. The lingering pain from the Genjutsu made him suck in a sharp breath.
A twinge of bitterness welled up in his heart. If only he could possess those eyes too.
He was envious.
His gaze shifted to the training field, where Kakashi was drawing the blade from his back, completely overwhelming Asuma with his sharp, family-inherited swordsmanship.
Obito pondered for a moment, recalling that Kakashi's father had once been a renowned shinobi of Konohagakure, but had ultimately taken his own life.
Remembering this, his expression instantly turned grave.
He had always viewed Kakashi as a rival, but ever since that incident, Kakashi had changed. Kakashi grew stronger and colder by the day.
Not only had Kakashi graduated early from the Ninja Academy, but now he had even leaped to the rank of Jonin, while Obito himself had only just been promoted to Chunin.
Clenching his fist, he muttered quietly, "If I had the Sharingan too, I could definitely catch up to Kakashi."
Obito wanted to chat with Rin, only to find her gone!
"Rin?"
He frantically looked around and finally spotted that familiar figure on a bench not far away.
"Dammit, that Shinji guy is sitting so close to Rin, and Kurenai is right there too!"
Obito's cheeks flushed instantly. Watching Shinji with a girl on each side, envy and jealousy twisted together in his heart.
He pressed his lips tightly, feeling sour inside.
"And he's chatting so happily with Rin?" He pricked up his ears, but could only make out muffled sounds. "Can't hear clearly. Need to get closer."
He stood up, crouched low, and carefully crept closer.
"So, what are Kakashi and Obito usually like?"
Hearing their conversation, Obito's heart skipped a beat. So they were talking about him and Kakashi.
Suppressing his inner excitement, he looked at Rin with anticipation, happily imagining in his mind, "Rin must think I'm a mature and reliable man!"
However, the next second, Rin's gentle voice shattered his illusion.
"Obito is very passionate, but sometimes he's so reckless it's worrying. He feels like a little brother who needs looking after."
There are three great illusions in life: I can turn this around, someone is calling my name, and she likes me.
"I'm not a little brother!"
Tears welled in Obito's eyes. His Adam's apple bobbed as he wanted to shout at the sky, but found he had no strength left.
...
The spar between Kakashi and Asuma concluded, ending in Kakashi's victory. The two walked off the field side by side, Asuma's face still bearing traces of unwillingness.
Seeing this, Minato called out the names Kurenai and Rin, signaling them to proceed with the final match.
To be honest, Shinji was most looking forward to this duel.
Not because he thought their skills were top-tier, but purely because watching two pretty girls spar was far more pleasing to the eye than watching two burly guys pummel each other.
Shinji nodded silently to himself: he loved watching girls fight the most.
Just then, Kakashi, who had just left the field, casually gestured with his thumb towards the bench and asked, "What's wrong with that idiot?"
He had spotted Obito sitting there with his head hung low, looking as if the sky had fallen.
Asuma's gaze followed, also noticing something off about Obito.
Shinji shrugged. He couldn't exactly say that Rin had just unintentionally given Obito a "good guy card," which had upset him so much.
He had even thought that Rin's careless remark might have stimulated Obito enough to awaken his Sharingan.
But nothing happened.
Perhaps in Obito's heart, everything about Rin was perfect and flawless?
Truly worthy of being the number one romantic in the Naruto world.
What a shame, though. Rin only sees you as a little brother, while I've already succeeded in holding her hand.
A man has to take the initiative, Obito. You're still too young.
Thinking this, a faint smile curled at the corner of Shinji's lips as he casually explained, "Probably just feeling a bit down after losing to me."
That statement carried a double meaning, one only he understood!
Kakashi snorted lightly, his tone full of disdain. "Isn't that only natural for a dead-last?"
A minute later.
"Huh?"
This time, Kakashi was genuinely surprised. He eyed Obito suspiciously, thinking to himself: Why didn't this idiot jump up and argue with him like he always does?
He had grown accustomed to the fixed pattern of "him mocking, Obito retorting."
Yet at this moment, Obito remained with his head lowered. In his heart, the sky was still collapsed.
...
The final match concluded with Kurenai Yuhi securing the victory.
The two walked off the field arm in arm, neither particularly concerned about the win or loss, their faces only showing slight breathlessness and smiles after the training.
Minato was very satisfied with this joint training session. He had clearly seen the strength of Shinji's team.
Especially since he had discovered a promising seedling.
His gaze fell on Shinji as he pondered internally:
"Probably before long, his strength will catch up to Kakashi's."
"For the Uchiha Clan, as long as they awaken their eyes, their power increases extremely quickly."
Turning to the six of them, he announced clearly, "Nine o'clock in the morning, three days from now, gather at the village entrance. For now, dismissed!"
Minato turned and left first, leaving only the six of them on the training ground.
It was already evening, the sky gradually darkening as the evening breeze began to pick up.
Everyone was hungry and tired, feeling somewhat drained.
Asuma suddenly spoke up with a suggestion, "How about we go eat some barbecue? What do you think?"
His gaze unconsciously drifted toward Kurenai. In truth, she was the only one he really wanted to invite.
Kakashi shook his head lightly. "I won't go. I'm heading back first."
Obito weakly raised his hand. "I won't go either. I'm a bit tired today."
Kurenai Yuhi offered a gentle smile. "My father is waiting for me. Maybe next time."
With three people suddenly dropping out, especially Kurenai declining as well, Asuma immediately deflated, saying dejectedly, "Then... then next time."
He let out a soft sigh.
He had liked Kurenai Yuhi for so long, yet there had been no progress at all.
Seeing there was nothing else, Kakashi turned and left. Obito did the same, even forgetting to say goodbye to Rin, walking straight away, his retreating figure looking particularly desolate.
Rin watched his back and muttered softly, "Why was Obito acting so strange just now?"
Shinji chuckled inwardly.
The group then disbanded on the spot.
Seeing Rin about to leave, Shinji quietly tugged at the corner of her clothes.
Nohara Rin paused, quickly turning to look at Shinji.
Shinji silently moved his lips, mouthing the words, "Slow down a bit."
Her cheeks flushed, and she couldn't help but tighten her grip on her clothes, unconsciously slowing her pace.
Gradually, the two deliberately fell behind, until only Shinji and Rin were left.
They walked side by side, and the atmosphere began to turn tender.
Shinji deliberately coughed.
"Ahem, Rin, let me walk you back."
Rin's heartbeat suddenly quickened, and she replied softly, "Thank you, Shinji."
"Not at all. But I didn't expect to be with you on the front lines this time."
"It's not just me, there's also Minato-sensei and the others."
"Rin, I'll protect you!"
"Mhm!"
Rin's voice grew softer and softer, and Shinji had to listen carefully to catch that faint "mhm," making him smile inwardly.
He slowly moved closer to Rin. Their hands accidentally brushed, and Rin always instinctively pulled away.
Finally, Shinji's right pinky gently hooked onto Rin's left pinky.
He felt her hand trembling slightly, but she didn't pull away.
Shinji grew bolder, no longer satisfied with just that, and took the chance to firmly hold her hand.
Their fingers intertwined, and they walked hand in hand toward the residential area of Konohagakure.