Kakashi's expression looked a little unnatural.
Jingyan also became serious.
"What time?"
It had finally come.
The rumors in the village.
These past few days, D-rank missions had been boring. But within that boredom, the conspiracy targeting the Hokage's half-sleeve—Konoha's White Fang—was unfolding exactly as planned.
Kakashi was experiencing it personally.
The father once admired by everyone had, in just a few days, become a sinner in the mouths of villagers.
He was angry—so angry that he often wanted to draw his blade and argue.
But beyond anger, there was helplessness.
He wanted to help his father.
But he knew that even raising his voice a little would only make things worse.
So he endured it.
Every day, he complained about boring missions just to exchange that for his father's comfort and encouragement—hoping it would ease his father's pain.
But lately, it was becoming harder.
His father's encouragement grew perfunctory, and the forced smiles hurt Kakashi's heart.
Using this chance—when his father was meeting old friends—Kakashi, in his father's name, invited his teammates.
He hesitated when making this decision.
His father's situation wasn't something a kid under six could change.
But deep inside, he had a strange feeling…
Uchiha Jingyan—this teammate he could one day entrust his back to—seemed to have already seen through everything.
Maybe because of his Uchiha background, he knew something.
That was Kakashi's conclusion.
This teammate looked indifferent to everything, yet always viewed things from a strange, unique angle.
That made Kakashi feel safe.
A partner worth trusting with everything.
"Probably around eight in the evening… It's still early. Want to eat something first?"
"My treat."
Since he was asking for help, Kakashi was uncharacteristically generous.
The three went straight to a dessert shop to get some sugar.
This shop was famous too—sweet but not greasy, great taste, popular with both men and women.
It was already evening, but business was still good.
They waited a bit before finding seats.
Jingyan saw many familiar faces.
Classmates from the same year—like a certain bowl-cut boy, a boy already entering his rebellious phase, and several girls conquered by sweets.
Future ending-kicker Might Guy.
The Hokage's second son, Sarutobi Asuma, who like him had wind and fire attributes.
Also future Orochimaru's disciple and curse-mark container Mitarashi Anko, and her good friend Yūhi Kurenai.
Only one person was missing—the girl Obito once dreamed about, Nohara Rin.
Jingyan heard she was preparing for early graduation too, but as a medical ninja.
When Obito was hospitalized, Jingyan even saw her helping at the hospital.
Jingyan really had influenced Obito.
Before, Obito trained for only one goal—defeat Kakashi.
Partly to impress the girl he liked, but mostly just to show off.
What kind of person was Jingyan?
A youth educated by Kyushu ideals, determined to benefit humanity!
Under his influence, Obito quickly abandoned those "incorrect" goals.
Now, every second Obito spent training was purely… for showing off.
Like right now.
"Yo! Aren't you guys my former classmates—my future subordinates five years from now?"
"I just finished a mission entrusted to Konoha! To see you after serving the village—what luck!"
"Come, come! Today this ninja treats! You guys still live on allowance—don't be shy!"
Obito was extremely inflated.
He had finally turned things around.
Hard training paid off—Uchiha Obito was no longer the same as these ordinary students.
He secretly glanced at where the girls were sitting.
Good.
The effect was nice.
Only Rin wasn't there—that disappointed him a little.
But his arrogance annoyed someone badly.
"Uchiha Obito, what are you so proud of as a mere genin?"
"Don't think I don't know—your missions are just trivial D-rank chores. The pay probably isn't even my daily allowance!"
"And… don't tell me you passed because Kakashi carried you!"
Sarutobi Asuma mocked Obito mercilessly.
As the Hokage's son, he had the insight—and the confidence—to expose Obito's fragile bragging.
But the moment he finished speaking—
A kunai suddenly appeared at his neck.
Sharp, cold, glinting with killing intent.
The voice of its owner was even colder.
It was Uchiha Jingyan.
A guy whose taijutsu was negative, yet had raised Body Flicker to LV2.
For a mage, mobility was life—and Jingyan knew it well.
"You think… you have the right to be arrogant?"
T/N:
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