Seiji and Uchiha Obito stood face-to-face.
The atmosphere grew tense, the crowd of academy students holding their breath.Obito was no longer the goofy class clown who sometimes made a fool of himself. With his double-tomoe Sharingan awakened, a wall had formed between him and his peers—a suffocating distance they could no longer cross.
Moments ago, he'd erupted in a burst of fury, and now the others regarded him like a future squad leader, radiating authority they didn't dare casually question.
Obito's lips curved as he spread his hands, twin tomoe spinning ominously in his eyes."Uchiha Seiji, in front of these eyes, your attacks are worthless. An Uchiha without Sharingan can't even compare to me."
Seiji squinted, ignoring the boast, and muttered inwardly to Tobirama:"Does awakening your eyes really change someone's personality this much?"
Tobirama's gaze fixed coldly on Obito."He opened his eyes through anger and jealousy toward you. After awakening, those emotions are magnified by ocular power. A man filled with such feelings will naturally twist, becoming extreme—and his words will follow."
Seiji nodded sagely."Got it. Thanks, Dora-Tobirama."
Tobirama snorted. He had no idea what "Dora" meant, but guessed it was praise, so he let it slide.
Jealousy and anger… emotions most easily amplified.
Seiji spread his hands, mirroring Obito, his voice clear and steady."Obito, why are you angry? My fight with Rin followed the rules of shinobi combat. Yes, I used genjutsu, but Rin never gave up. She was still trying to seize victory.
If you think me cushioning her fall or healing her wound was 'crossing a line'… then you've missed the point. By interfering, you ignored her efforts. That's what you should apologize for.
You're not Rin's boyfriend. Your warped possessiveness blinds you.
I don't have Sharingan, but let me remind you—don't let emotions and power cloud your sight. A shinobi's clearest, calmest heart is their greatest strength."
The crowd nodded in agreement, moved by Seiji's words.
Umino Ikkaku's eyes softened with approval. That's the Will of Fire, he thought. Rules or no rules, he wouldn't let this boy be harmed today.
At the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi, watching through his crystal ball, murmured:"Uchiha Seiji… a special child. Perhaps… a bridge between the Uchiha and the village."
Tobirama, beside him in spirit, rolled his eyes so hard they might've cracked.If some innocent student had spoken those words, he'd call it proof of the Will of Fire spreading.But out of Seiji's mouth? Something felt wrong. Deeply wrong.
The urge to argue with him for the sake of it itched at Tobirama's bones.
Obito, meanwhile, was unraveling. His Sharingan flickered as he stole glances at the crowd—every face wore agreement with Seiji. Rage surged hotter.
To Obito, Seiji's words condensed into one insult:"I didn't touch Rin. And even if I did, you have no right to interfere."
Why?! He'd known Rin for years—she cared for him!And this sanctimonious bastard dared to say such things, dared to lecture him in front of everyone?
Obito's fury peaked. Sharingan blazing, his hands flew through seals faster than the eye could track. He drew in a great breath.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
A blazing inferno roared from his mouth, its heat sucking the air from the lungs of onlookers, painting the training field in violent orange-red.
Ikkaku and Kakashi's eyes widened. This wasn't the jutsu of an academy student. Even among chūnin, Obito's fireball was powerful. Worse, fueled by Sharingan reflexes, his seal speed had outpaced all expectation.
Which meant—Seiji would have to face it alone.
Ikkaku cursed inwardly, readying to intervene too late, fearing Seiji would be gravely burned—
Then, in an instant, a towering column of water surged upward, swallowing the fireball whole. The flames hissed out like snuffed candles, and the roaring flood crashed forward, consuming Obito completely.
"Water Style: Water Colliding Wave."
Seiji smiled as he met Obito's stunned gaze through the torrent."This is one of my favorites—a technique created by the Second Hokage himself."
He clapped his hands shut. The raging water twisted, folding inward, condensing into a dense sphere around Obito.
A prison of water.
Chains of current shot out within, lashing Obito's limbs, binding him spread-eagle in a humiliating "X."
Obito's eyes widened with disbelief. He thrashed, bubbles streaming from his mouth, but resistance was pointless.
Bound, suffocating, straining for breath—Obito caught sight of Rin nearby. Panic spiked.Not like this. Not in front of her.
He fought harder, shame mixing with desperation. But the water sphere held firm. His limbs weakened as oxygen drained away.
Seiji walked forward, calm as ever, and met Obito's eyes with a small smile."Not bad, Obito. Not bad at all."