Lies flowed out of his mouth like water, getting more and more out of hand, as he carried on with his wildly exaggerated self-introduction.
He completely slipped into the genius template of Kakashi.
"Now I've even awakened the Uchiha Clan's ultimate eye— the Mangekyo Sharingan. Compared to me, Kakashi's like heaven and earth. Plus, unlike that stuck-up Kakashi, I'm warm-hearted. When I was at Ninja School, I made it a point to help at least a dozen old ladies every day. A Ninja with off-the-charts talent and top-notch morals— that's totally me."
After saying that, he nodded proudly, as if giving himself some well-deserved approval.
"Wow, Obito, I had no idea you were this amazing."
Lin smiled gently, and there was a faint, indecipherable glint in her eyes too.
Obito's face flushed, and he coughed, saying, "Heh heh, it's really nothing, you know, can't help it, awesome people like me just can't hide their dazzling brilliance. I still have a lot to learn."
The first time he'd ever been bathed in Lin's admiring gaze, Obito felt himself floating a little, and his vanity got a huge sense of satisfaction.
Kakashi, sorry, your life achievements are all mine now. It's not my fault you're not here, right? Obito accepted it all without any guilt at all, and then carefully racked his brains again, wondering if there was anything else legendary about Kakashi.
And then, those honors would all belong to Uchiha Obito.
"Good timing, you two are both here."
A sudden voice came from nearby— Hakushi had shown up.
"Ah!" Seeing Hakushi appear, Obito jumped, his face changing a few times as he stammered out, "Y-You... why are you here? When did you show up?"
"When did I come? That's an interesting question." Hakushi answered with a strange smile. "Actually, I just got here a little while ago, I didn't overhear your earlier conversation at all."
Liar! Absolute, utter liar!
The moment Obito saw Hakushi's odd smile, he knew for sure that Hakushi had heard every single word he'd boasted to Lin just now, not missing a beat.
If this got out, who knows, Lin might start seeing him as some shameful liar and never talk to him again.
This bastard, since you're here, just come out already! Eavesdropping on people like this, how despicable. Obito was fuming inside.
"Speaking of which, I'm kinda hungry too, what should I do?"
Hakushi rubbed his empty stomach and looked at Obito.
Obito's mouth twitched.
"Got it, I'll go get you a bowl and some chopsticks, all right?"
Obito went into the house and brought out a brand-new bowl and chopsticks, set them respectfully on the dining table, and even pulled up a chair for Hakushi.
"Obito, I didn't know you were so hardworking."
"I've always been hardworking."
"While you're at it, could you fill my bowl with rice too? Sorry for the trouble."
"I—" Obito almost blurted out a curse, but instead forced out a stiff smile, gritting his teeth as he said, "Fine."
Saying that, he filled Hakushi's bowl with rice as well.
"Thanks a lot."
"You're welcome. I'm full, please enjoy your meal."
Obito took a deep breath and hurriedly left, afraid that if he stayed another second, he'd punch that annoying smile right off Hakushi's face.
Watching Obito go, Lin sighed from the side: "Sensei Hakushi, your personality really is terrible."
"You're not much better, are you? You noticed I was here long ago, didn't you?"
Lin had already started learning to use Sage Art Chakra, and he'd taught her Perception Ninjutsu as well, so only Obito— who didn't have any perception ability and was a total amateur— had failed to sense his presence.
Lin's face flushed a little, and she turned away.
"I really didn't think too much about it, Hakushi-senpai."
Calling him "senpai" and not "sensei"— Hakushi naturally knew what that meant.
Excuses like "amnesia" could only fool someone as innocent and clueless as Obito.
"I've already brought your parents out of Konoha. You can go see them anytime."
Hakushi told Lin this news as he continued eating.
Lin really was a great cook. Now that he thought about it, beautiful, kind, gentle, and could make delicious food— no wonder Obito was totally smitten.
"Should I say thank you?"
Lin gave a bitter laugh.
"That's not necessary. It's just... with a Tailed Beast sealed inside you, you definitely can't go back to Konoha."
"I know that much. I just keep feeling like I'm being selfish. If I'd thought things through better, maybe it wouldn't have happened— maybe Obito got dragged into all this because of me."
"..."
Hakushi was dumbstruck for a moment by Lin's muttered words.
Obito always said Lin was the reason he'd been targeted.
Now Lin was saying because of her, Obito had gotten set up.
"In your opinion, Hakushi-senpai, am I an idiot?"
Lin lifted her head and asked.
"Only people who do stupid things are human."
Hakushi answered seriously.
Lin didn't respond, but she agreed with him.
Humans are creatures that do a whole lot of stupid things— that's just how it's always been.
Whether it's this Ninja Realm, or being a ninja in it.
"To Obito, you're special. You both have your own strengths, so there's no need to sell yourselves short. But there's just one thing you need to remember."
Hakushi set down his chopsticks, stopping mid-bite.
"What is it?"
"Don't die. Otherwise, I'll probably be the one who kills Obito myself."
Hakushi looked straight at Lin, and for the first time ever, spoke to her in a tone dead serious:
"Without your restraints, Obito would be way too dangerous for me to handle. Awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan at twelve certainly proves his talent, but it also means his feelings are just too strong— and, honestly, way too fragile. So if you die, he becomes incredibly dangerous. You know this even better than I do."