Chapter 13 — The Day of a Hundred Challenges
The morning air in the Uchiha district was crisp, carrying the faint scent of damp earth.
By the time Akira reached the Academy training grounds, Obito was already there — waving both arms like he'd been waiting for hours.
"Akira! Today's the day I beat you. I've got three challenges lined up!"
Akira tilted his head. "Three? That's ambitious. You planning to actually finish one this time?"
Obito puffed his cheeks. "Hah! Just you watch!"
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Challenge One — Shuriken Accuracy
The first exercise was simple: hit the moving target.
The wooden dummy slid along a track, its head and torso marked with red circles.
"Loser buys the winner dango after school," Obito declared.
Akira sighed. "I don't recall agreeing to this."
"You're already here. That's agreeing enough!" Obito grinned, tossing the first shuriken.
It hit the edge of the target, wobbling the dummy. "Hah! Not bad, right?"
Akira stepped forward, adjusting his grip almost lazily.
His first throw struck the center of the head target.
The second, mid-step, hit the torso mark.
The third landed exactly where the first had — a perfect grouping.
"…" Obito stared. "You've been practicing behind my back!"
"It's called consistency," Akira replied mildly. "You should try it."
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Challenge Two — Obstacle Course
By midday, the sun was high and the air warm. The instructors had set up the Academy's obstacle course: rope climbs, balance beams, water jumps.
"Okay, THIS time, I'm winning," Obito insisted.
Akira smirked. "Then you'd better start running."
Obito shot off like a rocket, leaping over the first hurdle.
Akira followed, his movements precise, never wasting a step.
Halfway through, Obito was ahead — until his foot slipped on the wet beam.
"Who put water here?!" he shouted, splashing into the shallow pool.
Akira passed him silently, hopping across without breaking pace.
"Not fair! You're like a cat!" Obito called from the water.
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Challenge Three — Sparring
By late afternoon, they were in the sparring ring.
"Last challenge," Obito said, shaking water from his hair. "One round. I win, you admit I'm better."
Akira lifted a brow. "And if I win?"
"…Then I buy you dango AND admit you're better."
The spar began. Obito charged head-on, fists swinging.
Akira sidestepped, redirecting the strikes with minimal effort.
Obito managed a solid feint and almost caught him — but Akira swept his leg, sending him down gently but decisively.
Kakashi, leaning against the fence with a book, closed it quietly.
He's not just talented… he's controlling exactly how much he shows, he thought. Why?
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Obito groaned on the ground. "Fine… dango's on me."
Akira offered him a hand up. "You'll win one someday."
"Yeah, yeah. Just don't vanish before then."
Kakashi's gaze lingered on them both, unreadable behind his mask.
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