🏥 Konoha Medical Ward – Late Afternoon
Masaki sat with his arms crossed, staring at Guy's unconscious body in a hospital bed.
"I told him not to fight the bear," he muttered.
Obito winced. "He said it insulted his youth by blinking slowly."
Masaki sighed. "At this rate, the bears will form a union."
Rin entered, brushing her hands clean from chakra treatment.
"You're his teacher?" she asked, puzzled.
Masaki nodded. "Mentor, life coach, and unwilling babysitter."
She smiled gently. "He's going to be fine. His muscles are already regenerating. You must train them hard."
Masaki glanced at her, noticing the focus in her chakra control, the soothing calm of her presence.
> System Notification:
Potential Disciple Detected: Rin Nohara
Trait: High Chakra Control
Emotional Link: Curiosity & Compassion
Role: Healer / Tactical Support
> > Do you wish to initiate Guidance Bond?
Yes.
Definitely yes.
---
🌸 Private Garden – Later
Masaki met her outside the hospital. He'd brought her a small scroll kit as a "gift."
"You control chakra better than most genin twice your age," he said plainly. "But your ninjutsu isn't lethal. And you're already too gentle to fit most squads."
Rin tilted her head. "Are you trying to compliment me or recruit me?"
"…Both."
She smiled.
"Then I accept. But only if I don't have to fight bears."
"Non-negotiable," he deadpanned.
They shook hands.
> Disciple Acquired: Rin Nohara
Healing Rate of Party +20%
Masaki gains passive "Stabilizing Presence": small boost to chakra regeneration when Rin is nearby.
---
⚔️ Next Day – Training Grounds
A crowd had formed. A smug boy with a Byakugan stood before Obito.
Name: Hyuuga Baito. Arrogant. Tall. Hair like a wet mop.
"You've improved too fast," Baito sneered. "No one goes from flunking basics to matching jonin taijutsu in two weeks."
Obito frowned. "So… you're mad I train harder than you?"
"I'm saying you're cheating. You probably bought a scroll from the Black Market. You're nothing but a fraud!"
Obito cracked his knuckles. "Alright. Let's test that theory with fists."
---
🥊 Fight: Obito vs Hyuuga Baito
Baito opened with standard Gentle Fist strikes—fast, precise, and aimed at chakra points.
Obito slipped the first two, parried the third, and ducked under the fourth. His eyes flashed.
Masaki's voice echoed in his mind: "Anticipate. Don't just react—predict."
He countered with a low leg sweep, followed by an upward elbow to Baito's jaw. The Hyuuga staggered.
Obito dodged a chakra palm and landed a shoulder slam that sent Baito skidding.
The crowd gasped.
Obito stood tall, breathing hard but steady.
"No black market scrolls. Just a teacher who believes in me."
---
> System Update:
Obito's Self-Confidence +15
Trait Unlocked: Momentum Fighter – Combo attacks gain bonus speed if first hit lands successfully
Masaki earns +1 Influence
---
🕷️ Later That Night – Masaki's Cellar
He returned home to find a young man sitting on his porch.
Slick hair. Neutral smile. Civilian clothes too neat.
"Masaki-san," the stranger said. "My name is Haruto. I'm a historian... interested in obscure training methods. Thought we might chat sometime."
Masaki's eyes narrowed.
> ROOT. Obvious. Terrible actor. Smells like suppressed chakra and lies.
"Oh," Masaki said, smiling. "A historian. Of what era?"
"Warring States Period."
"Perfect. Do you know what happened to the last man who tried to catalog forbidden taijutsu styles in that era?"
Haruto blinked.
Masaki's eyes were sharp and unblinking.
"They buried him in a scroll."
Haruto chuckled nervously. "A joke?"
Masaki leaned in. "Only if you leave now."
The air around him turned heavy, subtle chakra pressure filling the space like a rising tide.
Haruto stood. "I'll… be back."
Masaki smiled politely. "Looking forward to it."
He closed the door.
---
📊 System Update
> Disciple Acquired: Rin Nohara
Support + Tactics + Healing bonus
> Obito Growth Milestone Unlocked:
Confidence Surge. Rival Defeated.
Next Phase: Emotional Catalyst pending (Hokage Eye or Tragedy Route)
> ROOT Suspicion Level: HIGH
An operative has marked Masaki for deeper investigation.
Bluff rolls now at disadvantage during surprise interrogations.
> Masaki Trait Gained: "False Friend Radar"
Enhanced perception when detecting deceit during conversations. Adds passive resistance to manipulation.