Chapter 31 – A Day of Peace That Wasn't
The morning sun cast a golden glow over Konoha. For once, the academy had given its students a free day, a chance to rest and spend time outside their usual routine.
Akira had been planning to quietly train, maybe read one of the scrolls Jiraiya left behind before heading off on his mission. Peace and silence—that was his plan.
But peace never lasted long around Obito Uchiha.
"AKIRA!"
The voice cracked through the air like thunder. Akira groaned, his quiet morning already shattering before it began. Turning, he saw Obito barreling toward him, waving his arms like a child who had just discovered sugar for the first time.
Behind him, Kakashi trailed with a book in hand, muttering, "You're so loud this early in the morning. Are you trying to scare the birds out of the village?"
"Hey! Birds like me!" Obito puffed his chest, before tripping over his own foot and face-planting into the dirt.
Akira sighed but couldn't stop the small smile tugging at his lips. So much for quiet… but maybe this isn't so bad either.
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The three of them ended up in a quiet field just outside the village. The grass swayed in the breeze, and the river nearby hummed softly. Akira laid back on the ground, hands behind his head, letting the clouds drift by above.
Obito, however, couldn't sit still for more than a minute.
"Look! That cloud looks like a shuriken!" he shouted.
"That one looks like ramen!" he added moments later.
"That one looks like Jiraiya-sama's hair!"
Akira nearly choked. Kakashi, without looking up from his book, muttered dryly, "More like his stomach…"
Obito gasped dramatically. "Don't disrespect the Toad Sage like that!"
Kakashi turned a page. "He'd probably laugh if he heard it himself."
Akira chuckled softly. This was peace, wasn't it? Not silence. Not solitude. But noise, laughter, bickering. Something alive.
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At some point, Obito decided they needed to "train."
Which really meant he ran around the field, trying to chase a dragonfly while Kakashi ignored him and Akira shook his head.
"Obito," Akira finally called, "what exactly are we training for?"
Obito froze, pointing proudly at the bug buzzing above. "Reflexes! Precision! Speed! If I catch it, I'll be faster than Kakashi!"
"You won't," Kakashi said flatly.
"You'll see! I'll—AHHH!"
Obito lunged, missed, and fell straight into the river with a huge splash.
For a moment, there was silence. Then Akira burst into laughter, holding his stomach. Even Kakashi's lips twitched ever so slightly.
Spluttering, drenched, and glaring at them both, Obito yelled, "YOU TWO ARE THE WORST FRIENDS EVER!"
But even he couldn't hide his grin.
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As the sun dipped lower, painting the sky orange, the three of them lay together on the grass, watching the world settle.
Obito dozed lightly, muttering nonsense even in half-sleep. Kakashi read until his eyes grew heavy. And Akira looked at them both, feeling the weight of the future pressing against his chest.
Maybe this is what will matter most in the days to come. Not missions, not strength… but bonds like these. Even if they're noisy, chaotic, and imperfect.
He closed his eyes, letting himself drift with the sound of Obito's snoring and Kakashi's steady breathing.
It wasn't the peace he planned for. But maybe it was the peace he needed.
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🌅 End of Chapter 31
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