Chapter 56: Uchiha's Alien
"Do you want to head back together?" Shisui asked as Obito packed up his test papers.
"You're going home early today?" Obito looked at him, puzzled.
They were both from the Uchiha Clan, and their homes weren't far from each other. But they rarely walked back together—Shisui usually stayed behind longer.
It wasn't that Obito didn't want to train more, but he was always worried about making Grandma anxious if he got home too late.
"Yeah. Mugetsu-sensei said we should rest early today to prepare for tomorrow's training," Shisui replied with a nod.
He usually stayed late because no one was waiting for him at home anyway. Whether he trained more or wandered around didn't make much difference.
"Then you'd better rest well. Tomorrow's training's probably going to be brutal," Obito said, his voice laced with concern.
If Mugetsu had specifically said to get more rest, that meant Shisui's training tomorrow wouldn't be easy. Mugetsu hadn't told him the same thing, so clearly, Shisui's regimen was on another level.
"I've got a hunch. It'll probably focus on strengthening physical endurance," Shisui said thoughtfully.
Mugetsu had mentioned that the new Body Flicker Technique placed extra pressure on the legs. Physical training was inevitable.
"Maybe I'll get thrown into a sparring match with you," Shisui added with a playful grin. "If that happens, I'll go all out."
"I hope not..." Obito clasped his hands together, silently praying to the Sage of Six Paths.
He'd watched Shisui practice the Body Flicker Technique while doing homework—it was terrifying. Shisui moved way too fast. In a real fight, Obito knew he wouldn't even be able to react, let alone fight back. Just the thought of sparring with him made his head ache.
"If that were the case, Mugetsu-sensei would've definitely warned you too," Shisui said with a laugh, watching Obito's exaggerated prayer.
To be honest, neither Obito nor Guy could pressure him in a serious fight, so there was no reason for Mugetsu to arrange a spar. Unless... he just wanted to challenge Obito.
As they walked down the road, Obito suddenly stopped. Shisui turned and gave him a questioning look.
"Hold on, Shisui. That Grandma over there looks like she needs help," Obito said, pointing to a hunched old woman carrying a large bundle.
Shisui looked in the direction he pointed. Sure enough, an elderly woman was struggling to walk down the street.
Was Obito always this observant? Shisui hadn't even noticed her.
Obito quickly approached and, after a short conversation, offered to carry her load and walk her to her destination.
"Don't worry, Grandma, I'm stronger than I look! I'll be a ninja next year!" Obito said with a wide smile, patting his chest.
Then, to prove his point, he even performed a short Taijutsu routine. It must've worked, because the old woman finally handed over her luggage.
Obito led the way, the Grandma followed, and Shisui walked quietly behind them, deep in thought.
After they helped her home, the two resumed their walk. Not long after, Obito stopped again—to help another Grandma, this one using a cane.
It finally clicked for Shisui. This was why people called Obito an anomaly.
From a young age, Uchiha children were taught one principle above all: strength is everything. Ninjutsu comes first. Power is the ultimate goal. As long as you're strong, nothing else matters.
Shisui wasn't old, but even at his age, his strength and talent were already recognized. Older kids in the clan followed his lead without question.
But Obito... Obito was different. He didn't obsess over training like the others. He was far more interested in helping people—especially elders. That might be why he was able to notice things that even Shisui overlooked.
When they finally stepped into Uchiha territory, they ran into a familiar face.
"Shisui," called a voice. It was Tekka, a peer from their clan. He gave Shisui a small nod, then looked at Obito with a puzzled expression.
"Tekka," Shisui greeted in return.
"I'm heading home," Obito said quickly, eager to get back to his Grandma. He gave Shisui a quick wave and took off.
He didn't greet Tekka. They weren't close.
"Mhm," Shisui nodded.
"Why were you with him?" Tekka asked, unable to hide his curiosity.
To Tekka—and most Uchiha kids—Obito had always been the odd one out. Poor grades, low motivation, and a weird, cheerful attitude. He didn't act like an Uchiha at all.
Even after Obito's test results improved, people still thought of him as strange.
"Is there something wrong with that?" Shisui replied.
"Not really. I was just surprised. After all... he's Uchiha Obito," Tekka muttered.
"Once you get to know him, you'll see—Obito's a good guy," Shisui said simply.
He didn't elaborate. After a few words, he turned and headed home.
Tekka watched his back, a thought lingering in his mind. Did Obito get stronger because Shisui taught him some kind of secret training?
He didn't want to admit it, but ever since the last test, the thought of losing to Obito gnawed at him. He had been training relentlessly just to make a comeback during the final exam.
---
The next morning, Shisui and Obito arrived early at the training grounds in the South Border Forest.
Just as Shisui had guessed, Mugetsu had prepared a full-on physical workout.
Push-ups and squats were only the beginning. He had to swim laps and run the entire perimeter of Konoha. The intensity was far greater than anything he expected.
"Isn't this too much for someone my age?" Shisui couldn't help but ask.
Sure, people said a ninja's body had infinite potential. But overtraining at a young age could leave lasting damage.
Obito wandered over, curious about the training—and was immediately shocked. Compared to what Shisui had to do, his own routine looked like a stroll in the park.
"Normally, I wouldn't push a student this hard," Mugetsu said. "But I've prepared special medicine. It relieves fatigue and repairs the body after training."
Shisui blinked in surprise. Secret medicine? If it was something with real effects, then the workload made sense.
Mugetsu wasn't the type to push someone beyond reason. If this was part of a plan, it had to be for a good reason.
"Sensei... how much does that medicine cost? My family left me a lot of money," Shisui said seriously.
Though his parents and grandparents were gone, he had inherited everything they left behind.
"You don't need to worry about that," Mugetsu said with a smile. "Your hard work is the best reward I could ask for."
There was something genuine in his voice, and Shisui felt it.
To be honest, the warmth Mugetsu gave him was greater than anything he received from his own uncle.
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