Inside the Classroom – Ninja Academy, Konoha Year 42
The teacher roared with growing fury, but Obito remained slumped over his desk, fast asleep—completely oblivious to the killer intent building behind the podium.
"Obito, wake up. The teacher's staring at you," Rin whispered, nudging him gently a few times. No response.
But Haneda, seated beside him, took a more direct approach—he pinched Obito's side and gave it a sharp twist.
> "Yamero—AHH!!!"
Obito shot upright with a yelp. He glared at Haneda and pointed dramatically.
> "You bastard, Haneda! Are you picking a fight with your big brother Obito?!"
Haneda ignored the outburst and coolly pointed toward the front of the class.
> "The teacher caught you sleeping again, dead last loser," he whispered flatly.
> "Huh?!!"
Obito's eyes darted to the podium. Seeing the teacher's darkened expression, he scratched his head awkwardly and forced a crooked smile.
> "S-Sorry, sensei! I really didn't mean to fall asleep!"
The teacher stared at him silently for a few seconds, sighed deeply, then straightened his posture with renewed fire.
> "Obito! How many times have you slept in class now?!"
He didn't give the boy a chance to answer.
> "Late to class, sleeping through lectures, dead last in every exam... I'm not even from the Uchiha Clan, and I'm ashamed for you!"
> "Just look at your peers—every other Uchiha in this Academy is ranked in the top ten. And then… there's you!"
The classroom fell into an awkward silence.
Even the sparrows on the window ledge scattered from the intense aura the teacher gave off.
Obito looked down, voice dry and quiet:
> "Haneda's also from the Uchiha Clan, and he's a dead last loser too…"
The teacher's gaze shifted to Haneda, who sat upright with a totally innocent expression.
He snorted and barked:
> "Get out!!"
---
Corridor – Outside the Classroom
The warm breeze drifted through the hall, but it didn't reach the chill in Obito's heart as he sulked against the wall.
> "Damn it, Haneda… You said you'd help me study, but you only 'helped' when the teacher was already staring!"
He muttered to himself, knowing deep down it was his own fault. Still, blaming someone else felt easier.
After a few complaints, his mood brightened. He squatted down, resting his chin on his hands, and stared at the distant Hokage Rock.
> "One day… I'll be carved up there."
A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.
> "Yo, Obito. Staring at the Hokage Building again?"
He didn't need to turn around to recognize the voice. Haneda. That bastard.
> "Of course! I'm gonna be Hokage, y'know!" Obito replied without hesitation.
Haneda chuckled. "Nice dream. But honestly, you don't really look like Hokage material, dead last loser."
Obito stood and gave him a look.
> "Why are you even out here? Did you get kicked out too?"
Haneda casually shook his head, hands in his pockets.
> "Nah. I saw you sulking by yourself, so I thought I'd keep you company."
Obito looked away. "Like I believe that," he grumbled.
But as much as he grumbled, his heart stirred.
---
> [Ding! Uchiha Obito's Favorability +20]
[Current Favorability: 203]
[Favorability surpassed 200 — Reward: Two-Tomoe Sharingan, +0.2 Chakra]
Haneda smirked quietly. Tsundere much?
> "He's clearly touched, but he can't admit it. Typical Uchiha."
Haneda never considered himself good at comforting people. But sometimes, just being there was enough. Obito would get over it soon—probably fall asleep in class again tomorrow.
Yep, that's Obito for you.
> "System. Open panel."
A translucent blue screen appeared before his eyes:
---
[Uchiha Haneda]
Strength: Genin (89/100)
Chakra: 0.6 units
Attributes: Fire, Wind, Lightning
Bloodline Limits:
– Sharingan (Two-Tomoe, Not Awakened)
– Sage Body (61% Purity – Not Awakened)
Special Abilities: None
> (Note: Dojutsu power can be stored. Awakening the Sharingan is at the host's discretion.)
(Note: One chakra unit ≈ Young Kakashi's total chakra pool.)
---
> "0.6 chakra units, huh… Should be enough to release a basic S-rank ninjutsu, theoretically."
He recalled how young Kakashi nearly collapsed after using Chidori once. At that age, his chakra pool was barely a thimble.
> "Still a long road ahead…"
---
After School – On the Way Home
Since both Haneda and Obito lived in the Uchiha clan compound, they walked together under the setting sun.
Obito cleared his throat awkwardly.
> "So, um… how'd you get out of class during the lecture?"
Haneda smiled lightly. "I just told the teacher I needed some air."
He patted Obito's shoulder.
> "I don't exactly pay attention in class anyway. Felt more useful being outside."
Obito paused for a moment, recalling something Haneda had once said—tsundere.
> "He totally left the room for me…"
Obito wasn't the sharpest kunai in the pouch, but even he could tell this was a rare gesture from his friend.
They had grown up together. Bickered endlessly. But Haneda had always had his back.
---
> [Ding! Uchiha Obito's Favorability +1]
[Ding! Uchiha Obito's Favorability +3]
[Current Favorability: 210]
[Reward: Partial Sage Body — Current Awakening Progress: 61%]
Haneda blinked at the system messages.
> "Didn't even say anything deep this time… and it jumped 13 points?"
A Sage Body fragment, too? That was a huge reward. Once favorability passed 100, the growth rate slowed drastically. But this—
> "Obito's really soft on the inside, huh?"
Haneda was in a great mood.
> "Guess I'll treat myself. And maybe Obito, too. Eating alone's kind of boring."
"Hey, Obito~ Free tonight? I'm treating us to a nice meal."
"Huh???"
Obito blinked, then turned. "What did you just say?"
"Don't play dumb, dead last loser. I said I'm treating you to a feast."
Obito raised an eyebrow. "You're paying? …Okay, I can ignore that insult then."
But his expression shifted.
> "Ah… I already promised Rin we'd go to the lantern festival."
Haneda shrugged. "Then bring her along. A treat's a treat."
"Really? Alright!" Obito's face brightened immediately. "Rin will love that."
The two kept chatting on their way through the clan district. Soon they reached Obito's doorstep.
Obito waved. "See you tonight!"
"Don't be late, dead last loser," Haneda replied with a smirk, walking off at a lighter pace than usual.
> "BASTARD HANE—DAAA!!!"
Obito's voice echoed behind him.
Haneda's grin widened.
> "Tch… that guy's a handful. But not a bad one."