The scene became extremely awkward for a moment.
That unpleasant little incident was finally settled only after the shop owner's repeated mediation…
Uchiha Jingyan's decisiveness caught everyone off guard. Especially compared to his previous gentle, scholarly image, the contrast was so strong that people didn't know how to react.
As for Uchiha Obito—
While walking toward Kakashi's house, Obito noticed that many of the girls' gazes were still fixed on Jingyan, and he felt like his "spotlight" had been stolen…
It wasn't the first time Jingyan had stepped in for him.
He was already used to it… Last time, Jingyan had directly broken that Hyuga guy's arm!
That wasn't a big deal…
The problem was—today was supposed to be his moment to shine, right?
So why were all those girls staring at Jingyan instead?
Forget it.
Women were too troublesome.
Training hard and becoming Hokage was the real deal.
Once he became Hokage…
Not just Konoha—girls from the entire ninja world would all be looking at him!
Obito fantasized happily.
...
"You came early. Dinner hasn't started yet."
"But this dinner is for me too, isn't it?"
Inside the Hatake clan residence, in the main hall.
Hatake Sakumo looked at the man before him and laughed heartily.
This guest—strictly speaking his junior—was also one of his very few close friends in Konoha.
Different from mere colleagues, different from comrades who could entrust their backs to each other—this man was someone he could truly open his heart to.
One of the Three Legendary Sannin: Orochimaru.
Sakumo respected Orochimaru's talent and vision.
Likewise, Orochimaru also acknowledged Sakumo's strength and insight.
In the original story, when Kakashi later visited his father's grave, there were often fresh flowers there.
Those were Orochimaru's tribute—the regret of losing the only person in the ninja world who truly understood his ideals.
So when Orochimaru later defected and all the ANBU sent after him were killed, Kakashi alone survived.
"No matter what, I'm glad you came," Sakumo said with a smile.
Right now, Konoha saw him as a useless man who abandoned a mission and broke the rules—a sinner.
That Orochimaru would still come, even while busy preparing to command the front lines against Sunagakure, truly made him happy.
The smile was genuine…
But the sorrow in his eyes couldn't be hidden.
"Emotions are mostly useless things," Orochimaru said hoarsely.
"But still, thank you for inviting me, Sakumo-kun."
Sakumo waved his hand in thanks.
He understood—this was Orochimaru's way of comforting him.
Both of them valued life, respected it, cherished its worth.
People couldn't understand why he abandoned the mission to save his comrades, so they questioned him.
Orochimaru's meaning was simple: it didn't matter whether others understood.
Sakumo knew that.
But still…
"Kakashi! Take my Great Fireball!"
"Idiot! Our enemy is Jingyan-san, you idiot!"
"I don't care! Fire Style—Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Suddenly, noisy shouts and震动 came from outside, shattering the calm in the hall.
Sakumo's face darkened.
"Sorry, Orochimaru-kun. I've failed in discipline…"
Making such a racket while guests were present was truly rude.
Sakumo was about to go catch the three little brats.
But Orochimaru stopped him.
"Sakumo-kun… I heard Kakashi has graduated too. It's been a long time since I saw him…"
Orochimaru actually wanted to go watch the three kids train.
Sakumo was stunned, then laughed.
"That's fine."
"My son is not very promising—you can give him some guidance."
They smiled at each other.
The next moment, both appeared near the Hatake training ground.
The three kids were fighting intensely.
It was a chaotic brawl.
Everyone had two enemies—except Obito.
His target never changed.
No matter what, beat Kakashi—even if that meant getting sneak-attacked by that bastard Jingyan!
"Jingyan! Don't hit me first—hit Kakashi, okay?!"
"Fire Style! Flame Dragon Ray—become light, my Flame Dragon!"
"Ah! Obito, you idiot! He's targeting you like that and you still help him beat me?!"
"I'm beating YOU!"
...
Outside the field.
Watching this joyful fight, Sakumo finally smiled.
His son… had found two really good friends.
Beside him—
Orochimaru's eyes were burning with excitement!
That child was using the jutsu he had left behind!
Putting one C-rank jutsu inside another C-rank jutsu?
A genius idea!
And that technique that changed the form of a jutsu without changing its hand seals…
Even Orochimaru admitted he had never thought of such a thing.
Besides mastery and experience with Fire Style, how brilliant a mind was needed to imagine this?
Orochimaru clearly noticed—the power of that technique had increased, and its speed had undergone a qualitative leap!
"Jingyan-kun…"
Orochimaru licked his lips excitedly. His heart was in turmoil!
What a genius child…
The Uchiha don't deserve him.
That old Third Hokage doesn't deserve him either!
Only me!
Only I am worthy to teach and guide him on the right path!
After a long while, when Sakumo came back to his senses, the man beside him was already gone.
The fight finally ended.
His son didn't win—the winner was that interesting kid who once came to ask him for money.
"What will your futures become, I wonder?" Sakumo murmured.
There was expectation in his voice—
But even more, a longing for release…
Yes.
His son had two such good companions.
Then he…
Perhaps had nothing left to worry about.
T/N:
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