Chapter 37: Chapter 37. Obito's Realization
Chapter 37. Obito's Realization
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What's wrong with a kid being a little fatter?
Yuto couldn't understand his older brother at all. Fugaku had stormed over, scowling, and scolded him fiercely over something so trivial. Wouldn't it be better if he spent more time at home with his kids instead?
With a sigh, Yuto mused, "Honestly, as the Uchiha Clan Leader, he's really too irresponsible!"
"Kids shouldn't eat too much of that kind of stuff," Suzune said with a gentle smile. "But Yuto, you can't go spoiling them like that."
Sometimes Yuto could be quite unpredictable.
"I just want them to have a happy and complete childhood." Yuto shrugged, spreading his hands. "Brother Fugaku, on the other hand, is so reserved. He cares about his kids but doesn't know how to show it. He won't talk about what's on his mind and wouldn't even think of disciplining them. I'm genuinely worried about Itachi's healthy growth."
"…"
Everyone seemed to understand him, except…
Suzune gave him a puzzled look. "If that's the case, why do you want to discipline the kids?"
"It's all for their own good!"
"…Sometimes I don't understand your reasoning, Yuto," Suzune said with a faint, exasperated smile. She didn't pursue the topic further and changed the subject. "By the way, everything you asked to be prepared is ready. What should we do next?"
"It's all set?" Yuto paused, then smiled, stretching lazily. "By the way, are the flyers ready?"
"Yes, just as you asked, with a big discount for the Chunin Exams. Ninjas from all villages with a headband get a 20% discount. But…we haven't been open that long, and with discounts like these, aren't you afraid of losing money?"
"Don't worry—we won't lose a thing!" Yuto's eyes glinted as he stood up. "Alright, let's go check it out!"
"Okay!"
…
Yuto had invested a lot to get this promotion rolling, so he made sure to plaster ads for his BBQ joint and milk tea shop all over Konoha.
If it weren't for the requirement to hang the village's welcome message at the main gate, he would've draped a huge banner right over it. So, for now, he had to put that idea on hold.
Everywhere in Konoha—shopfronts, houses—he'd placed his Yuto BBQ and Yuto Bubble Tea ads in prominent spots. He even put advertisements on free napkins, tables, chairs, and public restrooms.
After inspecting everything, Yuto felt quite satisfied. With the Third Hokage's approval, he'd even posted a few D-rank missions at the Hokage's office, and the ninja had diligently carried them out.
For the most part, the ninja of this era—especially from the Five Great Villages—had a solid sense of duty. As long as a mission was reasonable, they'd strive to complete it.
So, after ensuring everything was in place, Yuto rewarded his helpers with a nice meal at the BBQ joint.
With the preparations mostly done, all he needed to do now was wait for the Chunin Exams to begin.
After dinner, the evening was winding down. As a devoted and warmhearted boss, Yuto was now walking his secretary home.
The two strolled side by side under the moonlight, Yuto deep in thought. Suzune occasionally glanced at him, a soft smile on her lips, but suddenly… Yuto halted, clutching his stomach with a pained expression as he stared ahead.
Suzune blinked, a bit worried. "What's wrong?"
Then she looked where he was staring…
A young boy stood ahead, clenching his fists with a sorrowful expression, staring fixedly into the distance. His eyes…
"They've awakened?!"
The Sharingan?
Obito Uchiha?
But why did Yuto look like he had a stomachache?
…
The timeline shifts back a bit.
The night was approaching. Minato's team had returned to the village after completing their mission.
"I'll go handle the mission report. You guys… take a few days off to rest," Minato said, smiling helplessly at the eager trio.
Since he couldn't stop them from entering the Chunin Exams, all he could do as their teacher was cheer them on.
"Thank you, Minato-sensei!"
"Make sure you rest too, Sensei!"
"Got it!"
With the three responding excitedly, Minato felt a bit relieved. After a brief hesitation, he called out to Obito, who was walking away, "Obito, wait a moment."
"What is it, Minato-sensei?" Obito turned back, slightly impatient. "I was about to ask Rin to go out for milk tea with me!"
The banner he'd seen earlier—[I just want to hold you in my hands]—was such a beautiful advertisement. It made him want to invite Rin out for milk tea right away. Why were there suddenly so many milk tea ads around the village? And barbecue ads too?
What happened to the Hokage? Why did he allow that man to plaster ads all over Konoha?
Ugh, that guy is so abominable!
Obito sighed in frustration and looked at Minato curiously, "Did you need me for something, Minato-sensei?"
"Nothing." Seeing the innocent friendship in his student's eyes, Minato smiled gently, "Did Rin agree?"
"No!" Obito said, disappointed. "Rin has been acting a bit different lately. She used to always go out with me."
"Heh."
That ninjutsu of yours… girls would definitely be scared if they saw it.
It's terrifying!
Minato forced a chuckle, then, taking a deep breath, he looked at Obito seriously, "If possible, try not to use that ninjutsu during the Chunin Exams."
"Huh?" Obito didn't understand. "Why?"
"Well… it doesn't look good!" Minato sighed, patting Obito on the shoulder. "That technique isn't exactly… a proper ninjutsu. Obito, if you can avoid it, you should."
"Alright…" Obito nodded.
He actually felt the same. Although he'd inherited a legendary Uchiha skill, it didn't seem like a proper ninjutsu. Sometimes it made his hands smell bad and got him dirty.
And ever since he'd used it on Guy…
He'd earned [respect], sure, but he also seemed to have lost… some friends. People didn't joke with him like they used to.
So.
If he didn't need it, no need to use it.
Obito puffed out his chest, smiling proudly. "I'm going to be the future Hokage, so if I don't need to use that ninjutsu, I won't."
"I believe in you, Obito!" Minato nodded with a smile. "You'll definitely become a great ninja!" After hearing Obito's promise, he felt a sense of relief.
After all, in the Chunin Exams… if Obito went too far, he'd be quite embarrassed as the team leader.
"Well, I'll leave first. Give it your all, Obito!"
With that, Minato disappeared in a flash.
Obito shrugged, smiled, stretched, and mumbled to himself, "Since Rin's not coming, I'll just head home. It's been a while since I visited Grandma. I wonder how she's doing now."
Is she still dancing every day?
Turning around happily, he started running toward home.
But then.
After running a short distance, he suddenly stopped, staring ahead in shock.
Rin?!
And… Kakashi?!
The two of them were walking into Ichiraku Ramen together!
Why would Rin turn down his milk tea invitation to go eat ramen with Kakashi? If she wanted ramen, he could have done that too! Why had she refused him just moments ago?
Standing there in shock, he stared at the scene ahead.
The autumn wind blew gently, brushing past the figure who stood frozen, gazing at the entrance of Ichiraku Ramen.
Amidst the gazes of passersby, the young figure seemed especially desolate.
"Why?!" Obito's face filled with sorrow as tears involuntarily welled up in his eyes, whispering to himself over and over, "Why? Why?"
The three questions of life.
Suddenly.
He thought of how distant Rin had been with him recently.
Was it… inevitable?
Sadness filled his heart.
Pain shot through his eyes.
Obito quickly covered his eyes but kept staring at Ichiraku Ramen.
Standing there silently.
At that moment.
He seemed to understand.
[Keep women out of your heart, and your ninjutsu will ascend!]
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