The next day, everyone arrived at school.
They arrived early, eager for the graduation ceremony and team assignments. Everyone, that is, except one person: Obito Uchiha.
"Everyone, check if everyone's here. If we're all present, we'll begin promptly," the principal announced, surveying the crowded courtyard.
With so many students, he couldn't possibly recognize each one individually, so he instructed the students to check for their classmates themselves.
It didn't take long for Obito to be discovered missing.
"Obito! It's him again!" Takuma groaned, covering his face.
He had hoped that Obito's streak of punctuality over the past two weeks meant he had finally turned a corner, but today's mishap proved him wrong.
'Seriously...'
"Hahaha, did the Black Cat block his way again?"
"Maybe it was the old lady this time."
The group burst into laughter.
Obito's excuses for being late were so numerous that his classmates had memorized them all.
Rin couldn't help but feel a twinge of worry. She had deliberately left Raj at home today to prevent him from causing trouble, but what if he had actually intercepted Obito on the way?
Then she reconsidered. Raj might be formidable, but Obito had been training diligently lately.
He shouldn't be held up so easily.
With this thought, she silently prayed for Obito to arrive soon.
Outside Konoha Village.
Obito was helping an elderly woman with a bent leg walk from Konoha's streets to the village outskirts. The area gradually became deserted, with only trees and mountains stretching as far as the eye could see.
Growing suspicious, he politely asked, "Grandma, where exactly is your house?"
"Right... here!"
The "old woman's" hair suddenly grew wildly, her face twisting into a grotesque, sinister mask. She let out a bloodcurdling shriek like a vengeful ghost.
Terrified, Obito instantly released her, collapsing to the ground and scrambling backward while screaming in terror.
The next moment, he saw the "old woman" squatting on the ground in an unnatural posture after being released.
In that instant, he understood.
"Raj!!! You tricked me again," Obito roared in fury, struggling to his feet and charging toward the "old woman" with murderous intent, looking ready to beat her senseless.
"Friendly reminder: you're going to be late," the "old woman" cackled, pointing toward the Ninja Academy.
"Aaaah! I'm going to be late!"
Obito snapped out of his daze and sprinted toward school.
Raj reverted to his true form, circling happily behind Obito.
'This guy's been tormenting me for days.'
'Since Rin wasn't planning to take me this morning, I went out early and waited on Obito's route to school, then transformed into a frail old woman.'
'He fell for it hook, line, and sinker.'
'He's improved quite a bit - he's worth 300 points now.'
Raj glanced at his panel, secretly pleased.
'One bag of Ninja Cat Special Food secured.'
Raj trailed behind Obito. Despite Obito's significant progress, shaking off the cat proved remarkably difficult.
Eventually, Raj even darted ahead of Obito, turning back to stick out his tongue and make faces.
Obito ran, shouting all the way. By the time they reached the school, the playground was already deserted.
"It's all your fault! Waaah..."
The grown-up boy burst into tears right at the school gate, leaving Raj momentarily disoriented.
'Shouldn't Rin be waiting here?'
Then Raj sniffed the air. No trace of Rin's scent.
'She hadn't left the school yet.'
"Meow!" Raj called out, then leaped forcefully over the wall into the school grounds.
Obito froze for a moment before scrambling after him, following the cat all the way to the classroom.
Inside, Rin was waiting alone. Hearing the commotion, she looked up, her brow furrowing in annoyance.
"Obito, Raj? Did you cause trouble again and make Obito late?"
"Meow~"
Raj jumped onto the desk, remaining silent. At this point, anything he said would only make things worse.
Silence was golden.
"Rin, am I going to fail graduation?"
Obito wore a mournful expression.
"That's not true! I already submitted your paperwork and even picked up your headband. As for team assignments..."
"Team Seven is you guys," a voice came from behind Obito.
Rin and Raj glanced up.
'As expected, it's Kakashi.'
Raj sighed softly.
There was bound to be trouble in the team now, but that was fine. At least they'd earn some points.
Besides, having another Guy-style Obito would have been unbearable.
With that thought, Raj's mood instantly brightened.
"You!"
Obito's eyes widened, clearly shocked to see Kakashi. He stared at him for a long moment, then exclaimed, "You're our Jonin leader?
But you're just a Chunin..."
"I'm a teammate," Kakashi replied, sitting down and closing his eyes to rest, maintaining an aloof demeanor.
In reality...
"Meow!" Raj meowed, then leaned in to stare at him.
Kakashi glared back coldly.
"Why are you our teammate? Aren't you a Chunin?"
"Because you're too weak - the Dead Last," Kakashi snapped back irritably.
He'd already grown familiar with Obito after days of being pestered for "duels," though their relationship was far from friendly.
"Meow~ Being a Chunin and hanging out with Genin, you're pretty weak too."
Raj immediately sided with Obito.
This was his specialty. He'd been stirring up trouble like this for days.
Sure enough, the two soon erupted into an argument, only stopping when they heard faint footsteps approaching.
They pricked up their ears, listening intently.
Closer and closer!
Raj leaped onto the doorframe, his four paws gripping the narrow ledge as he waited for the person outside to arrive.
"Stop it!"
Rin scrambled to her feet, trying to intervene, but it was too late.
"Hey, little guy."
Golden hair, a warm smile - his face was slightly different from the manga version, but close enough for Raj to recognize him instantly. The future Fourth Hokage, Minato!
Knowing that jumping on Minato wouldn't faze him, Raj simply hopped back onto the desk.
The three students quickly rose and bowed respectfully.
"Good morning, Teacher."
"Haha, good morning everyone! I just got back to the village, so I'm a bit late. Let's head upstairs to chat," Minato smiled.
His smile was always disarmingly approachable, radiating genuine warmth.
Yet Kakashi knew this man's reputation: Minato, Konoha's elite Jonin.
"Yes, teacher," they replied in unison.
The group followed him to the rooftop, where the three students and the cat sat facing Minato.
Even the usually aloof Kakashi couldn't maintain his composure before this Jonin, let alone...
At that moment, Kakashi seemed incapable of arrogance. Both Obito and Raj had thoroughly worn him out.
He only managed to maintain a semblance of pride in front of Rin.
Next, Minato, following his usual routine, asked about their hobbies and interests.
After everyone had answered, Minato turned to Raj.
"Little one, what about you?"
"Meow?"