On the residential street, Obito carried the still-dazed Kakashi on his back, muttering,
"I told you to confess earlier, but you insisted on being tough. Now your persona is shattered! How will you act aloof from now on!"
"Sigh, I'm truly worried about Kakashi's future."
Kakashi remained in a daze, it was unclear if he heard Obito's words. It looked like he would need several days to recover.
After sending Kakashi home, Obito returned to the Uchiha compound. He had been away on missions for many days and wanted to take a few days off. He would resume training after Master Lin Yu returned.
Similar to Mikoto's background, Obito's parents had sacrificed themselves long ago. He was raised by his grandmother and now lived alone in a small house, visiting her occasionally.
The Uchiha compound was somewhat desolate. Most of the clan members had gone to the battlefield, leaving behind only the elderly, weak, women, and children. Obito walked along the familiar streets. He didn't have much affection for his clan, in fact, he felt quite estranged.
His family was not wealthy; they were ordinary. His talent was not particularly outstanding either. Despite his hard work, he had never garnered any attention from the Uchiha clan.
Obito had no friends within the Uchiha clan, so he deeply cherished the friendships he had made with his classmates at the Ninja Academy, especially Kakashi and Nohara Rin. Now, perhaps, Uzumaki Lin Yu could be added to that list.
Growing up in solitude from a young age, Obito highly valued emotional connections. He longed for affection and recognition from others.
Conversely, once what he loved was destroyed, he would become even more deranged and extreme than an ordinary person.
Of course, the current Obito was still a sunny and warm-hearted boy. If he encountered anyone in need of help, he would never stand idly by!
Take Kakashi, for example. He had helped Kakashi change his clothes and tucked him into bed before leaving! I, Uchiha Obito, am truly a helpful person!
Swish, swish, swish!
Thwack, thwack, thwack!
Obito heard the sound of shurikens hitting their targets. He glanced around slightly. How had he ended up at the training grounds in the blink of an eye?
Was he too absorbed in his thoughts?
"Puff, puff, puff!"
A young boy was throwing shurikens with all his might. The small vest he wore was soaked through. His face, with its small, round nose, was full of seriousness.
Whoosh~ Thwack!
"Wow, bullseyes every time?"
Obito couldn't help but exclaim in amazement from the side. This kid's shuriken throwing was too accurate. Whose child was this?
"Who!?"
Obito, clapping, walked forward and said with a smile, "Don't be nervous. I'm also a member of the Uchiha clan. My name is Uchiha Obito!"
"My name is... Uchiha Shisui!"
The young boy, who was Uchiha Shisui, replied a bit shyly.
"Your shuriken throwing is excellent. Who did you learn from?"
"I... practiced it myself!"
Perhaps sensing that Obito was different from other Uchiha clan members, the gentle Shisui spoke with a touch of awkwardness.
"You practiced it yourself?! You... you shouldn't be old enough for the Ninja Academy yet, should you?"
"I can enroll next year."
Obito was somewhat surprised. Was this another Kakashi? They say the Uchiha clan is known for producing prodigies, and indeed, he had just encountered a genius boy in the training grounds.
Damn it! Why don't I, Uchiha Obito, have this kind of talent! At Shisui's age, I was still playing with mud.
Obito could predict that Shisui would be another one to graduate early. Thinking this, Obito couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. He, Uchiha Obito, was also capable!
"Then I won't disturb your practice. See you another time!"
Obito waved goodbye to Shisui. He wanted to go home and take a good nap, and then go play with Kakashi tomorrow!
Seeing Obito turn around as if about to leave, Shisui couldn't help but speak, "Um... can you teach me ninjutsu! Please!"
"Teach you ninjutsu?"
Obito's expression, with his back to Shisui, was somewhat strange. It was a mix of disbelief, wanting to laugh but unable to, and a feeling of accomplishment.
Could I, Uchiha Obito, actually teach someone ninjutsu? Are you sure this wouldn't be detrimental to his future?
Although Obito really wanted to experience the thrill of being a teacher, he was self-aware enough. He knew his own strength clearly. As a teacher, his knowledge was still too lacking.
However, he could teach one or two ninjutsu!
Obito turned around, his eyes sharpening, and said, "You want to learn ninjutsu from me?"
Shisui nodded earnestly, "Yes. The elders in the clan said I'm too young and they'll teach me after I enroll in the Ninja Academy. But I can't wait."
Obito asked, puzzled, "Can't wait?"
"The village is suffering from the calamity of war. As a member of Konoha, I should stand up for the village! I want to go to the battlefield!"
"Huh?!"
Obito was stunned. This Uchiha was acting strange. Could he be a spy from the Hokage's lineage in disguise?
Although Obito's own dream was to become Hokage, he didn't possess the Will of Fire. He just wanted to gain everyone's recognition and protect those he cared about, nothing more.
Moreover, after following Master Lin Yu for so long, Obito had been thoroughly brainwashed by him. The Will of Fire that Sarutobi Hiruzen preached at the Ninja Academy had long been forgotten!
Will of Fire? What is that? Is it more important than Kakashi?
"Um... Shisui, isn't it too early for you to go to the battlefield? It won't be too late to consider it after you graduate from the Ninja Academy."
"I'll consider it! Bro... Brother Obito?"
Obito excitedly walked over and patted Shisui's head, "Yes! From now on, you're my younger brother, Shisui."
Finally, he wasn't the younger brother anymore! Obito felt tears welling up in his eyes.
"Then, Brother Obito, teach me ninjutsu quickly!"
Obito: ...So, you still want to go to the battlefield, don't you!
This stubbornness, why did it look so familiar! Isn't this just like me! It's so annoying!
"Then watch closely! This is our Uchiha clan's exclusive ninjutsu, the Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Just as Obito was about to form hand seals to demonstrate to Shisui, Shisui stopped him with a small hand, "Brother Obito, I've already learned this ninjutsu. Can you teach me something else?"
"You've learned it? You learned it yourself too?"
"Yes!"
Obito drooped his head. He was getting a bit frustrated now. Had everyone been cheating? Were they all this formidable?
When will my cheat, Uchiha Obito, arrive? I don't want to live this life of envy and jealousy anymore!
Obito said helplessly, "Then I'll teach you another move. Watch closely! This move is called Water Style..."
"Wait, Brother Obito. My chakra nature doesn't have water. I need to master chakra nature transformation before I can use Water Style," Shisui said, nodding his small head, reciting the information from a book as if memorizing a text.
Chakra nature transformation? What is that?
Obito felt like the little guy in front of him was insulting his intelligence. Why hadn't he learned about this at the Ninja Academy, and Master Lin Yu hadn't told him either?
It was just that after the chakra test paper last time, Master Lin Yu had simply said: "All five elements? Just like me."
And hadn't explained anything else, which left Obito feeling very awkward now!