The three of them sat quietly at the table.
For some reason, Obito and Kakashi looked at each other almost in unison — one glancing up while the other looked down — before both quickly averted their eyes, clearly unwilling to greet one another.
Hayashi was certain this was their first encounter. Judging by the atmosphere around them, these two would undoubtedly clash sooner or later.
Hayashi picked up his ice cream, took a bite, and then glanced at the two brats with a slight smile.
"One is named Kakashi, and the other is Obito. You should get to know each other," he said casually.
Obito curled his lip and spoke with a serious air, trying to sound authoritative.
"So your name is Kakashi? Not bad, not bad. It's decent enough," Obito said with a cocky grin, "I am Uchiha Obito. Remember my name, because I will be the one who becomes Hokage one day."
Perhaps finding Obito's proclamation a little foolish, Kakashi simply snorted in response.
"Hey, you brat…" Obito bristled. He rolled up his sleeves, clearly ready to punch the white‑haired boy. Yet with his mother and Hayashi present, he settled for a few threatening gestures before sitting back down indignantly.
Just then, the wind chime above the shop door jingled once more, and a girl wearing traditional Hyuga attire stepped inside.
"I have something to attend to. You two stay here for a bit," Hayashi told the boys, then stood and walked toward the newcomer.
Watching from a nearby table, Obito eyed Kakashi for a few seconds before leaning in and whispering, "Hey Kakashi, do you know who that pretty girl is?"
Kakashi didn't even lift his eyelids. He focused on his milkshake with the same serious expression he always wore, unwilling to engage in conversation.
Obito snorted, undeterred. "Look at her clothes and her eyes — she's obviously from the Hyuga Clan."
Of course that wasn't the point. The real issue was something else entirely.
"This is already the third attractive girl I've seen Big Brother Hayashi go on a date with," Obito continued.
"There was another girl named Mikoto before, who was from the Uchiha Clan just like me… and another red‑haired one… Hey, are you even listening to me?" he asked, adjusting his goggles irritably.
He was a child born into the esteemed Uchiha Clan, destined — at least in his own mind — to awaken the Sharingan and to one day govern the entire ninja world. Yet here he was being ignored by this white‑haired brat who looked even younger than him.
How was that possible?
In truth, Obito had disliked Kakashi from the moment he first saw him.
It wasn't because Kakashi was handsome, he assured himself silently.
"No… definitely not that," Obito thought stubbornly.
"Then why do I hate him?" he wondered, genuinely puzzled.
At that moment, Kakashi finally finished his milkshake. He wiped his mouth calmly, then turned to Obito with mild irritation.
"If you say one more disrespectful thing about my sensei, I'll beat you up," Kakashi warned evenly.
"Sensei?!" Obito blinked — like a cat whose tail had just been stepped on — glaring fiercely back at Kakashi.
"Is your dad the Third Hokage?" he probed next.
Kakashi rolled his eyes dismissively.
Obito remained relentless.
"Then are you from a great family?" he pressed.
Kakashi shook his head. The Hatake Clan was small and hardly considered a major family in the village.
Obito smacked his lips and muttered resentfully, "Then there's no reason for it. Why would he take him instead of me? What's so special about this white‑haired brat? He's not even as handsome as I am."
At last, Obito thought he had found the cause of his dislike toward Kakashi.
Kakashi slowly lifted his head and asked blandly, "What did you just say?"
"Nothing," Obito lie‑turned, quickly redirecting the conversation with forced confidence.
"Kakashi," he continued with a new tone, "of the pretty girls around here, who do you think is the best‑looking? Has our sensei ever told you?"
Kakashi turned toward him with irritation in his eyes.
"What do you mean 'our sensei'? My sensei said I am his only disciple!"
Obito slammed his palm down on the table in frustration, glaring back.
"Speak from your heart! Where else could he find a disciple as talented as me? Once I awaken my Sharingan, not even ten of you will be a match for me!"
Kakashi simply closed his mouth and refused to engage any further.
Unfazed, Obito continued with a straight face, "In private, you must call me Big Brother or Brother Obito. And when you go to the Ninja Academy, I'll look after you."
Nearby, the Hyuga girl looked away from the bickering children with mild annoyance. She was Himeji, and her calm expressions betrayed no real interest in their playful feud.
"You've already started teaching Kakashi?" she asked quietly, observing the scene.
Hayashi nodded. "Yes. Although I think it may be a bit early, Brother Sakumo insisted."
"What do you think of the boy?" Himeji inquired gently.
"Superb talent," Hayashi replied thoughtfully. "But that alone doesn't mean much. Many ninjas are unremarkable as children, yet the future can hold anything."
"Like Senior Jiraiya?" Himeji asked with curiosity.
"Yes," Hayashi said with a faint smile, "and there's another person I have high hopes for."
"Who?"
"Might Guy."
Himeji blinked, confused for a moment.
"Is that the boy who loves wearing tight clothing?" she asked with a hint of amusement.
"That's him. If you'd like, you could take him as a disciple."
Himeji shook her head gracefully.
"I practice the Gentle Fist style," she replied thoughtfully. "I've seen Senior Duy train before, and he clearly focuses on the Strong Fist style, which doesn't suit me."
"That's fair," Hayashi agreed. "Then I will take him as a disciple as well."
Himeji glanced toward Obito and Kakashi once more, the two still locked in their verbal sparring, and asked gently, "But will you take this child as a disciple too?"
Hayashi chuckled lightly. "No, I'll pass on that one."
Could he take Obito? Did Hayashi dare?
Naturally not.
If this child ended up following a future path of violence and chaos, and harmed his sensei as a result, would Hayashi as the sensei be blamed?
One of the most notorious truths of the ninja world was that some prodigies proved themselves by defeating their mentors.
Himeji tilted her head thoughtfully.
"Isn't he part of your clan? I see you have a good relationship with his mother Kyoko, so why not take him?" she asked.
Hayashi paused, considering the question.
"You know the current situation between the Uchiha Clan and Konohagakure," he explained quietly. "For the clan to progress, it's important to reduce barriers between them and other families."
"The easiest way to do that right now is for other Jonin to teach children from the Uchiha Clan, while Uchiha Jonin teach children from other families."
Himeji considered his logic and nodded gently, understanding the wisdom behind it.
She folded her hands in her lap and said softly, "In the past, you didn't care much about clan matters. Now that you might become Clan Chief yourself, it seems you've started to pay attention."
Hayashi smiled and remarked with a modest shrug, "I wouldn't say I've taken it to heart. The clan is stable right now. Besides, I won't be around much soon. I need to go."
"Are you going on another mission?" Himeji asked with concern.
"No," Hayashi said calmly, "I'm heading to Ryūchi Cave."
"Ryūchi Cave?" she echoed, puzzled.
"Yes. One of the Three Great Holy Lands. I need to improve my strength. I have a feeling that another great Ninja World War will happen before long."
Himeji was silent for a moment, then nodded and asked, "Do you know roughly when you're leaving?"
"At least a month, at most three," Hayashi replied.
"And how long will you stay?"
"That's hard to say," Hayashi said with quiet honesty, "but after I leave, please help guide Kakashi for a while."
Himeji nodded without hesitation.
"Come back soon," she said warmly.
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Powerstones?? (´ε｀ )
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