Half a month later, at the main gate of Konoha Village.
"Wow, we're finally back. I was so tired these past six months traveling outside. Konoha Village is the best."
Kushina stretched her arms wide, embracing the sky. This "trip" to the Land of Grass had added a little more weight to her, how annoying!
Lin Yu was handing over their passes to an unknown gate guard. He couldn't help but feel speechless when he heard Kushina's words. You were clearly just playing around for half a year!
With Mikoto, the wonderful cook, around, the daily menu never repeated. If she felt down, she could always go find some Stone Ninjas to vent her frustrations on. It was practically a vacation!
It was just tough on a group of Stone Ninjas, with at least two hundred of them having been beaten up by Kushina. It could be said that Kushina was the one who gained the most battle achievements, aside from Lin Yu!
Even more than Jiraiya, which made Jiraiya grit his teeth in anger. He actually couldn't keep up with a little girl. It was all thanks to Orochimaru disturbing his state of mind!
Why would he blame Orochimaru? Wasn't it because Lin Yu mentioned Orochimaru in front of him every day, causing him to feel a trace of guilt and think he owed Orochimaru an apology?
Orochimaru always cared about him, yet he had been away for years and never visited. This truly made Jiraiya feel uneasy.
"Let's go, Mikoto, we're going shopping!"
It's worth mentioning that after more than half a year of interaction, Kushina and Mikoto's relationship had returned to the "passionate" best friend stage, where they could talk about anything!
Kushina pulled Mikoto along and said to Lin Yu, "Lin Yu, Mikoto and I are going shopping! I'll leave the mission report to you!"
"Ah..."
Before Lin Yu could reply, Kushina, holding Mikoto's fair and tender arm, disappeared down the street. Mikoto gave Lin Yu a helpless look before following Kushina.
She also hadn't been to the Konoha commercial street for a long time and missed it dearly!
"This... isn't this supposed to be my move?"
Lin Yu sighed helplessly. This kind of lazy behavior was his specialty! It seemed he needed to find some more simple-minded teammates next time!
Yes! Obito would be good, so naive and easy to trick!
...
"Damn it! Kakashi, just you wait, I'll definitely defeat you next time!"
At Konoha Training Ground 37, Uchiha Obito, bruised and battered, leaned against a tree stump. His clothes were tattered. Whether it was from fire jutsu or something else, Obito's eyes were red. Coupled with his current angry expression, he looked like he had been bullied by Kakashi.
"Tch! A dead last is still a dead last. After half a year of training, your strength is still this little!"
Kakashi, with one hand in his pocket, glanced sideways at Obito with his white hair, acting very arrogant!
"Damn it! If you have the guts, let's spar again!"
"Obito, don't be impulsive. You can't beat Kakashi."
Rin Nohara, bandaging Obito's wounds on the side, advised him.
"Rin, just watch. I'll definitely bring Kakashi down!"
"Rin, step aside. I'll be careful not to make Obito look too bad!"
Just as the two were about to clash, two untimely voices spoke simultaneously.
Gurgle~
Gurgle~
Both Obito and Kakashi blushed and clutched their stomachs. Their eyes met, and they said in unison, "Your stomach is growling!"
Then they glared at each other simultaneously. "I'm not hungry!"
"Hmph!"
Both turned their heads away and snorted. Their level of synchronicity was enough to make them a model couple.
Rin Nohara beside them chuckled, "Alright, you two. It's getting dark. Ever since we graduated early, we've almost lost track of time."
That's right, Obito and Rin Nohara had also graduated early after Kakashi. After all, the graduation requirements for the Ninja Academy were very low: proficiency in the three basic ninjutsu and passing the science exam.
However, that last part had held Obito back for several months, which also meant he had less training time than Kakashi.
And now, Konoha was in the midst of the most critical period of fighting against four enemies, making it impossible for extra Jonin to be their instructors.
Some newly graduated Genin were even deployed to the front lines. After all, if the front lines couldn't hold, their loved ones would also be in danger.
"Hmph, I'll let this slide for now. Kakashi, don't think that just because you've become a Chunin, I'll admit defeat. I, Uchiha Obito, will become Hokage!"
Obito stood up and declared his grand ambition to Kakashi. If the bruises on his face were a little less, and one of his panda eyes was gone, Obito would be quite handsome at this moment!
Kakashi looked at Obito with disdain, his expression evident. He completely didn't believe Obito could become Hokage. The probability was akin to him falling in love with Obito, a mere 0.001%!
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
...
On the streets of Konoha, Obito and Kakashi walked side by side. Both had their heads turned away, but sometimes they would secretly glance at each other. Upon realizing the other was looking, they would immediately snort and look away, their faces blushing.
Why is this guy Obito always sneaking glances at me!
Why is this guy Kakashi always sneaking glances at me!
"Yo! What a coincidence, all three of you are here!"
"Teacher Lin Yu!"
The one who greeted Obito and the others was Lin Yu, who had just emerged from the Hokage's office.
Lin Yu swore he would never report missions in person again! He had gone at noon and wasn't released until close to evening. How infuriating!
Your Hokage's office doesn't have air conditioning! Who wants to stay there for so long! Do you think you're Tsunade like Shikaku?
"Teacher Lin Yu, when did you get back? Did you complete the mission?"
Obito excitedly ran up to Lin Yu. He hadn't seen Lin Yu for half a year, and he had grown taller again!
Lin Yu patted Obito's head. Good, still no change in his brain. It shouldn't be too hard to trick him!
Lin Yu smiled, "Just got back not long ago. As for the mission, it was naturally a piece of cake!"
"Tch! Cocky!" Kakashi's eyes held a hint of joy, but this didn't stop his sharp tongue.
"Teacher Lin Yu, long time no see. Thank you for teaching us ninjutsu. Everyone has graduated early! Kakashi has already been promoted to Chunin!"
Rin Nohara politely thanked Lin Yu and shared some updates about everyone.
"It seems you all worked very hard during my absence. How about this, today the teacher is treating. Tell me what you want to eat!"
Lin Yu's eyes lit up when he heard that all three of them had graduated, and his mood improved immediately, completely forgetting that his pockets weren't exactly overflowing with cash!
"Ichiraku Ramen! Let's go to Ichiraku Ramen! I haven't seen Big Brother Teuchi in a while either!"
The thought of Ichiraku Ramen's deliciousness made Obito, whose stomach was already rumbling from hunger, instantly forget his previous "grudge" with Kakashi!
He pulled Lin Yu and Kakashi along and dashed towards Ichiraku Ramen, leaving Rin Nohara standing alone, her mind in disarray.
Lin Yu was a little bewildered: Hey, Obito! You can hold Kakashi's hand, what do you mean by pulling me along?
Kakashi: I... this rascal Obito is holding my hand!
Since being kissed on the cheek by Obito last time, Kakashi had added a new routine to his morning: washing his face! Ten times or more!
Now, there was another one: he had to wash his hands after meals!