The training ground of Konoha Village's Ninja Academy.
It was another graduation season.
Young men and women gathered in groups of three to five, all of them graduates preparing for this year's graduation exam. They chatted or spoke excitedly about their ideals, waiting for the exam to begin.
"Hey, hey, have you heard? It seems two students, two years younger than us, are taking the graduation exam with us!" Rin Nohara looked around at her classmates, revealing the news she had just received from the teacher.
"What? Early graduation, just like Kakashi! And there are two of them! What is Hokage-sama thinking, allowing two kids to graduate in the same class as us?!" Hearing this, Uchiha Obito, who was nearby, openly expressed his displeasure.
"Hey, hey, you seem to be a kid yourself, talking about others here! Be careful not to pass the graduation exam; that would be a huge embarrassment!" Shiranui Genma, with a senbon in his mouth, crossed his arms and adopted an arrogant posture, sneering.
"Genma, you! Are you saying I'm not as good as two juniors who have trained two years less than me?!" Uchiha Obito instantly became enraged, rolling up his sleeves and preparing to charge over, clearly ready to fight at the slightest provocation.
Rin Nohara and Kurenai Yuhi, who were standing nearby, quickly came to mediate.
"Alright, Obito, the exam is about to start. You two should quiet down!"
It must be said that the goddess's words were effective. The moment Rin Nohara spoke, Uchiha Obito immediately calmed down, but his angry eyes still met Shiranui Genma's across the space, as if sparks were flying between their gazes.
Seeing this scene, Rin Nohara helplessly rubbed her forehead.
"If the news is correct, these two early graduates seem to be your clansmen, Obito. They're called Uchiha Chishimo and Uchiha Shisui." Asuma Sarutobi, who had been silent, spoke up.
This statement drew exclamations from everyone around, including Uchiha Obito. They had no doubt about the accuracy of Asuma Sarutobi's words, nor did they question the source of his information, after all, he was a "Hokage's son"; those who knew, knew.
Hearing that both were his clansmen, Uchiha Obito couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion. Although he hadn't heard much about Uchiha Shisui, he knew Chishimo! They were old acquaintances!
In Uchiha Obito's view, Chishimo was one of his few friends in the clan. Unlike those who despised him for shaming the Uchiha Clan, Chishimo wouldn't deliberately avoid him, nor would he look at him with contempt.
Most importantly, Chishimo, like him, enjoyed helping the elderly, which made Obito, who was always late due to helping the elderly, feel as if he had found a kindred spirit.
But what he didn't expect was that Chishimo could be recognized by Third Hokage-sama and graduate early?
Could Chishimo be a great genius?
Because Uchiha Obito had little status in the clan and rarely stayed within the Uchiha Clan's compound, he was unaware of the news that Chishimo had become Uchiha Fugaku's disciple.
However, Uchiha Obito did not feel any psychological discomfort because of this. On the contrary, when compared to a certain arrogant Kakashi, who had a bit of talent, Obito instantly felt how wonderful the amiable Chishimo was, and his goodwill towards Chishimo increased rather than decreased.
Just as Uchiha Obito was immersed in his self-serving fantasy, a voice from the side pulled him back to reality.
"Obito, since they are your clansmen, do you know them? What kind of people are they?" Kurenai Yuhi blinked her big eyes, staring at Obito with curiosity.
Hearing this, everyone's gaze shifted to Obito, awaiting his reply.
"Well, I don't know Uchiha Shisui, but I do know Chishimo. We're very good friends!" Uchiha Obito felt himself become the center of attention and, for a moment, stammered a bit.
"So, what kind of person is this Uchiha Chishimo exactly?"
Although Asuma Sarutobi had learned from his father that there would be two early graduates, he didn't know the specifics about them. He was also very curious: what kind of people could earn the attention of his father, the Hokage?
Speaking of his friend, Uchiha Obito once again reverted to his carefree, fearless self.
"Chishimo, he's a very good person. We often help elderly people who need assistance on the streets!"
"..." Everyone fell silent, beginning to worry about Obito's expressive abilities.
"Is that all?"
Noticing the various degrees of helplessness on the faces of those around him, Uchiha Obito also realized that his previous explanation had been a bit too concise and awkwardly scratched his head.
"Of course not! I'm telling you, Chishimo is very handsome, even among our Uchiha Clan, he's the handsome type! And unlike most clan members, Chishimo is very easy to get along with!"
"Are there no other aspects? Like strength or something."
"Uh, that..." Uchiha Obito's gaze began to drift. How would he know such things? Even the fact that Chishimo possessed talent recognized by Hokage-sama was something he had only just learned from Asuma Sarutobi today.
Seeing Uchiha Obito's stammering appearance, everyone already knew that no useful information would be gleaned from him.
"Hmph, he doesn't even know the other's strength, and he calls them good friends?" Shiranui Genma resumed his taunting mode.
Uchiha Obito immediately retorted in exasperation: "What do you know? We friends don't talk about that at all!"
"Is it that you don't want to talk about it, or that you're not worthy of talking about it?"
"Ah, ah, ah, Shiranui Genma, you..."
"Alright, everyone, quiet down!"
Uchiha Obito, who was about to lunge forward, was interrupted by a sudden voice. He looked in the direction of the sound.
A Middle-aged Teacher walked from the direction of the school building, followed by two short young men. One of the young men was remarkably handsome, with deep, bright eyes, while the other, though slightly less attractive in appearance, had a gentle smile that gave people a refreshing feeling.
Upon seeing the two distinct young men, the girls in the crowd were instantly captivated, their eyes sparkling with infatuation. Chishimo had no doubt that if the occasion allowed, these girls would likely transform into hungry wolves and pounce.
Even Kurenai Yuhi's small face was slightly flushed, staring at Chishimo's face in a daze, unconsciously muttering, "Obito really didn't exaggerate this time!"
This scene made Asuma Sarutobi, who was watching from the side, grit his teeth, and his gaze towards Chishimo was filled with intense hostility.
Chishimo was currently quite awkwardly exposed to numerous fervent gazes. Suddenly feeling a gaze filled with hostility, he also looked over curiously.
After all, he was the Hokage's son. Although Chishimo had never met him, he had seen many portraits, and he recognized this "Hokage's son" who was hostile to him at a glance. Then, seeing the red-eyed girl beside him, who was staring at him in a daze, he understood. So, this was a case of jealousy.
Noticing the situation here, Uchiha Shisui, who was beside him, smiled and teased, "Not bad! You just got here and haven't even said a word, and you've already made an enemy!"
Chishimo gave Shisui an annoyed glare but said nothing. He didn't care much about Asuma Sarutobi; he wasn't his father, and as long as the other party didn't provoke him, he couldn't be bothered to cause trouble for him.
Compared to those infatuated girls, Rin Nohara, who stood beside Uchiha Obito, was the calmest. Although slightly surprised, that was all.
This made Uchiha Obito, who had been nervously anxious, let out a huge sigh of relief. If Rin Nohara had also shown such an expression, he truly wouldn't have known how to face Chishimo.