What a stubborn guy! How is he ever going to chase a girl like that?
Even if his brother had plenty of tricks up his sleeve, he wasn't exactly a miracle worker.
Motomu sighed, speechless at Obito's behavior, while also thinking back to his own past life.
In his previous life, his family was poor and he was just as awkward. In high school, he and his female deskmate had an unspoken understanding about their relationship.
But he had thought about working hard first, getting into a prestigious university, and finding a good job before settling down.
By the time he finally found a job, however, he discovered that the girl was already engaged to someone else.
And that fiancé was the rich kid from his high school class!
What a load of crap!
Memories of his past life were hitting him like an elbow to the gut!
Motomu looked up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle. His eyes were watering, likely because he wasn't wearing goggles and some sand had blown in.
"Brother, what kind of girls do you like?"
Motomu felt his scalp tingle at the question and abruptly turned his back to Obito.
After thinking for a moment, he used little Anko as a convenient excuse.
"Probably... the cute and lively type."
"Huh? Oh, I see!"
"Brother, with your stoic personality, you definitely need a girl like that."
"Still, I think gentleness is the most important quality!"
"Sure, whatever makes you happy."
"Hey!?"
The next morning, as the sky began to brighten.
Konoha Main Street.
"Little Obito, come help Grandma find her cat."
"Ah! Sure thing, Grandma Eri!"
'Just how many grandmas do you know?'
Watching Obito wave him on to go ahead, Motomu could only close his eyes and shake his head in exasperation.
"Obito truly deserves the title of 'Friend to All Middle-Aged and Elderly Women.'"
He hadn't walked more than a few steps.
"Whoa!"
Motomu looked up to see a petite figure standing in front of him.
"Here, today's treat is on me."
Without any hesitation, Motomu took the three-colored dango the girl handed him and took a bite.
The sweet taste of glutinous rice, combined with the red bean paste on top, exploded in his mouth.
It was almost cloyingly sweet.
Before he could even finish the second one.
A pair of bright, wide eyes suddenly leaned in close, filling Motomu's vision.
Seeing the girl's expectant look, Motomu started to say something but swallowed his words.
"Yeah, it's delicious."
"Hmph, obviously!"
"Three-colored dango is only good when paired with red bean paste!"
Anko's expectant little face immediately broke into a triumphant expression.
Motomu was speechless.
As the two walked toward the school together, the number of fellow Ninja Academy freshmen around them gradually increased.
There was Asuma, Kurenai, and Shiranui Genma from his class, as well as Guy, who was chasing Kakashi to see who would arrive first.
After parting ways with Anko, Motomu walked into the classroom next door and saw several people already seated.
With indifference written all over his face, he chose an inconspicuous seat by the window and sat down alone.
As more people arrived, Obito, who hadn't been late for once because he woke up early, walked through the door. He scanned the room, locked onto a spot, and moved to sit down next to Motomu.
Motomu: "..."
He reached out and pointed toward Rin Nohara, who was sitting by herself, his serious gaze glaring at the pathetic Obito.
From his expression, he was practically one step away from shouting, 'You useless piece of trash!'
Uchiha Obito's face flushed red as he immediately understood what Motomu meant.
"I... I'm not that close with her yet. Wouldn't this be..."
"Scram."
Obito scrambled away happily.
Motomu looked back over his shoulder.
Seeing Rin give him a gentle smile, Obito froze on the spot. His grin stretched from ear to ear, and he had no idea what to do with his hands.
He's a lost cause.
"Yo!"
"Motomu-san!"
Hearing someone call his name, Motomu shifted his gaze to the newcomer.
Clad in a bizarre green spandex suit, with a pitch-black bowl cut and thick eyebrows, the boy stared back at him with wide eyes.
"Yo, Guy."
"Why aren't you pestering that white-haired guy with the dead-fish eyes?"
The moment the words left his mouth, Motomu felt a sudden burst of fighting spirit from the boy in front of him.
Meeting that intense gaze, the passion felt like a bolt of lightning stinging Motomu's eyes.
"Motomu-san, I have a feeling that man will be my eternal rival!"
'Heh, that's a pretty accurate guess.'
Motomu cut the conversation short as he caught sight of the teacher walking toward the podium.
The Academy teacher, wearing a green Chunin vest, checked the attendance list and nodded with satisfaction.
"Everyone, settle down."
"I'm pleased to see that everyone is here and no one was late."
"This is excellent. We'll be the first ones at the training ground, so we won't have to wait in line with the other classes."
"Hell yeah!"
When Class 1, where Motomu was, arrived at the Academy training ground, another group of kids had also reached the area.
Motomu spotted Anko among them, confirming that the group was Class 2.
The two Chunin teachers holding their roll books were momentarily stunned. Motomu's teacher clearly realized the other instructor had the same idea.
After a quick discussion, the two swapped attendance lists.
"Alright, we will randomly draw one student from each class."
"The result of their battle will decide which class goes first."
The kids blocking the path were dazed for a moment, not expecting things to develop this way.
But soon, a surge of hot-blooded excitement filled their hearts.
"Teacher, pick me! Pick me!"
"Teacher, I'm really strong! I'll definitely beat the kid from the other class!"
Ignoring the self-nominations, the teachers randomly drew two names from the opposing class's list.
"Uchiha Motomu."
"Mitarashi Anko."
Their names were called.
Motomu and Anko stepped out from their respective classes. When their eyes met, they both saw the surprise in each other's gaze.
The area was quickly cleared. Motomu took an unsharpened practice weapon from the teacher and stood opposite Anko.
"Begin!"
The instant the Seal of Confrontation was formed, Anko threw her shuriken, launching the first attack!
The sound of whistling wind reached his ears. Three shuriken flew in a triangular formation, blocking Motomu's paths to the left and right.
Motomu instantly gauged Anko's level.
Her technique was decent, but her power was lacking. He could force a close-quarters engagement.
He crouched to build momentum, ducking under the attack while drawing a kunai from the holster on his lower back.
Swoosh!
A powered dash!
With a few quick strides, Motomu closed the distance and was right in front of Anko.
He saw the nervousness in Anko's eyes.
Motomu gripped the kunai in a reverse hold and slashed toward the girl's chest, seemingly aiming to end the fight in a single strike.
Clang!
The sound of clashing metal rang out.
Seeing his attack parried toward the ground to his left by the girl's kunai.
Motomu spun, using the momentum to plant his right foot. His left leg whipped up like a whirlwind, sweeping toward Anko's head.
Caught off guard and unable to dodge, Anko's eyes widened as she barely managed to raise her left forearm to block.
Thud—
The girl's body tilted, sliding half a meter from the force of the blow. As she did, she hurled the kunai in her hand at Motomu's face.
Having just retracted his leg and not yet regained his balance, Motomu was forced to lean back while flicking his own kunai upward, steadily parrying Anko's projectile in front of him.
Seeing Motomu gracefully block her attack, Anko hid her trembling left hand and took a breath.
"Is that it? Is this all you've got?"
"Don't tell me you're holding back just because I treated you to dango this morning."
"Oh?"
"You want to see my full strength?"
Having finished testing Anko's general ability, Motomu slowly closed his left eye.