"It's really amazing, isn't it? Over in the Snow Country, it's all heavy snow, but here we can't even see a trace of it," Obito remarked, standing at Konoha's gate, looking at the blazing sun in the sky.
Although Teacher Mokgetsu had briefly explained the principle behind it, Obito couldn't quite understand. He just felt it was a masterpiece of nature.
"Yes, if Konoha wants to see snow, we'll have to wait a bit longer, and it won't be as heavy as in the Snow Country," Nohara Rin nodded in agreement.
"Luckily, you brought a camera, Obito. Such beautiful snowy scenery is truly worth capturing."
"Hehe." Obito flashed a proud smile. He now always brought a camera when going out on missions.
Initially, Obito might have just wanted to share the sights he saw with Nohara Rin, but now he's also come to enjoy documenting the beautiful scenery around the Ninja World.
"Let's all disperse for now. We'll rest tomorrow and resume regular training the day after," Mokgetsu said as usual.
Actually, this mission wasn't too difficult for Obito and the others, mainly because Mokgetsu did most of the work. However, given the long journey back, a day off was quite necessary.
The three disciples nodded to show they understood.
Then Mokgetsu headed to the Hokage Building to report on the mission.
After resolving the coup, Mokgetsu and the others stayed in the Snow Country until the end of the Snow God Festival, so Kazahana Sosetsu had already sent someone to Konoha to clarify the change in the mission and adjust the payment.
However, even though Kazahana Sosetsu had communicated this, Mokgetsu still needed to report it. After all, necessary procedures had to be followed.
Watching Mokgetsu's departing figure, Obito glanced at Kakashi from the corner of his eye.
Even though the journey had been exhausting, Obito didn't really want to rest. He wanted to cultivate his Breathing Technique to perfect his incomplete Fire Attribute Chakra Mode more quickly.
For Obito, if Kakashi went to rest, it would be ideal. If he trained one extra day while Kakashi trained one less, it would mean he was two days ahead of Kakashi.
With such give and take, he was confident he could soon surpass Kakashi again and defeat him soundly in front of Nohara Rin.
"Ah, indeed, my body feels quite tired. I should really take a good rest," Obito said, stretching lazily as his eyes twinkled.
Based on Obito's experience, once people around him decided to rest, they barely wanted to move. He hoped to use this to stir Kakashi's laziness even more.
"After all, we did run all the way back. A nap should leave us feeling much better," Nohara Rin said with a gentle smile.
Mokgetsu didn't want to waste time on the return journey, so he usually had the disciples rush back as fast as they could, saving time and treating it as physical training.
"I think you have a point, Rin. A nap does sound right," Obito thought silently, giving Rin a mental thumbs-up.
Exactly, Kakashi should just sleep for a whole week.
"Not too bad, actually. A lot easier than the training from a while back," Kakashi shook his head, not feeling too tired.
Compared to the hellish training from his constant Breathing Technique, Kakashi found this quite manageable. There were times during that training when Kakashi could fall asleep even while standing.
Hearing this, Obito wore a serious expression; this was clearly a sign of training.
"I was only thinking about resting because I'm worried the training the day after tomorrow will be just as intense. Resting is to prepare for better cultivation," Obito continued to preach the virtues of rest.
Kakashi showed a thoughtful look, recognizing some truth in that.
"It seems you have grown from this mission, Obito. It's rare to find you considering so many things," Nohara Rin chuckled, covering her mouth.
"You just never noticed before, Rin. Actually, I, Uchiha Obito, am both a thinker and someone good at thinking," Obito said proudly, puffing out his chest.
Kakashi: ...
Thinking might be right; perhaps Obito's strange way of thinking was just overthinking. However, claiming to be good at thinking was just self-glorification. What kind of thinker scores in the single digits on exams?
Nohara Rin giggled, flattering Obito's words; he had indeed performed well on this mission.
"Maybe so. Teacher Mokgetsu also mentioned the importance of balancing work and rest." Kakashi decided not to argue with Obito anymore, allowing Obito to rest while he followed his own plan of training.
In this way, he could end the pointless debate and maintain an edge in strength.
Obito immediately showed a joyful expression, as if he already envisioned Kakashi falling at his feet.
"The reason I can surpass you isn't because my talent is better than yours; it's just because I used the time you spent resting for cultivation," Obito declared his victory speech in his imagination.
"Obito, why are you suddenly so happy?" Nohara Rin asked with some curiosity.
Kakashi also looked at Obito, wondering why he suddenly had such a mischievous grin.
Realizing something was amiss, Obito quickly composed his expression, but he couldn't suppress the upward curve of his lips.
"Ahem, I was just imagining Koyuki opening a gift to find it full of test papers," Obito said without blinking an eye.
Nohara Rin gently rubbed her forehead, showing a helpless smile as she said:
"You kept saying you wanted to protect the princess, yet you do something like this to Koyuki, the real princess."
Obito's antics left Nohara Rin a bit at a loss for words.
Obito chuckled without elaborating, in case Kakashi sensed something.
To mislead Kakashi, Obito deliberately left first, heading towards the Uchiha Clan Land.
Nohara Rin initially considered training for a while, but seeing both Obito and Kakashi set on resting, she simply decided to head home and rest, as she indeed felt quite tired.