Connected sunshade goggles, a dark blue training outfit, a standard ninja pouch at his waist—and an extra backpack slung behind.
The one who had crashed into Uchiha Yoru was from his own clan.
Uchiha Obito.
In the future, one of the most dangerous enemies the Uchiha would ever face. Foolish, reckless, always causing trouble in peacetime—yet capable of dragging entire teams to their deaths in war. And once he fell into darkness… he would shake the entire shinobi world.
One of the two people Yoru had long decided he must kill.
So—
His hand moving on its own to hit him?
Understandable.
For eighteen years, he had thought about eliminating this idiot more than once. And now—Obito was still weak, still harmless.
It really made him want to kill him.
But—
He couldn't.
The moment killing intent rose, his blood surged violently without warning, forcibly interrupting his thoughts.
The second time.
The same "premonition" as before.
Because he had experienced it once already, Yoru didn't let it show on his face—even though the surge was far stronger this time.
That was enough.
His earlier guess was correct.
Obito… had already caught the attention of Madara Uchiha.
Maybe right now—
In some hidden corner—
There were White Zetsu watching everything with those inhuman eyes.
I need to confirm it.
Let's see if I can find them.
All-Knowing Mind's Eye—activate.
"Obito! You ran into someone again!"
A brown-haired girl rushed over, apologizing as she approached. She complained to Obito first, then immediately bowed to Yoru.
"I'm really sorry! Are you hurt?"
As she bent forward, Yoru took a clear look at her face—especially the markings.
Rin.
The fuse that would one day ignite disaster.
"Hey! Rin! I'm the one who got hit—and he even hit me back!"
"Idiot! You were the one who ran into him. Apologize first!"
"But I didn't do it on purpose! He hit me on purpose!"
"Ugh… just apologize first, then we'll talk…"
Yoru glanced past them.
Behind them stood another boy.
Ordinary face. Slightly gloomy. Completely unremarkable.
He didn't recognize him.
Most likely—
Dead in a year or two.
That meant this was the temporary fourth member of Minato's future team.
Yoru lost interest immediately.
Obito was still making noise, refusing to back down.
Annoying.
Irritating.
The anger rose again.
Yoru moved.
In an instant, he appeared behind Obito.
A heavy punch landed directly on the back of his head.
"Too loud."
He couldn't kill him.
Not yet.
But beating him?
No problem.
…Even after suppressing the mind-ape, I've gotten more… active.
Emotions fluctuate more.
…Not a bad thing.
Obito's eyes rolled back. He collapsed without a sound.
Rin froze, then rushed forward in panic to check him.
The other boy stepped back instantly, drawing a short blade, fully alert.
Yoru glanced at him.
Better instincts.
Too bad.
The wrong people survive.
He didn't bother explaining.
Instead, he put on his chūnin vest and revealed his forehead protector.
The boy immediately relaxed, sheathed his weapon, and bowed respectfully.
Yoru returned the gesture.
Before he could straighten up—
Obito woke up.
And immediately started shouting again.
"Who the hell are you?! Why did you hit me again?!"
"I already said it was an accident! Why are you hitting me twice?!"
Yoru's face went cold.
"Uchiha… Obito."
His voice rose sharply.
"Stop disgracing the Uchiha name."
The three of them froze.
Another Uchiha?
Then why wasn't he wearing the clan crest?
Obito blinked, confused.
"You… who are you—"
Bang.
"Ah—!"
"This punch…"
"You're Uchiha Yoru?! Damn it, I've wanted to hit you for a long time—!"
Bang.
"Y-you hit me again?!"
Bang.
"Again—?!"
Bang.
"Ah—!"
Bang.
"Stop—stop hitting me…"
Including the first slap, seven hits in total.
The stubborn idiot finally gave in, lowering his voice and begging.
Yoru knew it was temporary.
This kind of person forgets pain quickly.
But he didn't continue.
That was enough.
Right now, controlling himself mattered more than venting.
Too much was dangerous.
He couldn't give the mind-ape more fuel.
With Obito quiet, things became simple.
They were on a mission.
A cat-catching mission.
They had already caught the target and were heading back—
Until Obito got careless.
Teased the cat.
Loosened the binding.
Got scratched.
Cat escaped.
Then he chased it like an idiot—
Straight into Yoru.
"Rule Six of Konoha's Shinobi Code," Yoru said flatly. "No high-speed movement on main roads. You don't know that?"
"Ninjas should prioritize missions! Besides, who even follows rules like that?"
"Idiot."
"Everyone follows them. Every rule is written in blood."
"…I—I'm already a genin. I don't make mistakes."
Yoru ignored the excuse.
"Figures. 'Good-for-nothing Obito.' Stupid enough to be infuriating… but lucky."
"Good thing you ran into me."
"Another few steps, and you'd be in the commercial district."
"At that speed, if you hit a civilian—someone dies."
"You still think you'd be a ninja after that?"
"Try prison instead."
Obito shut up.
Rin stepped in quickly.
"We were just trying to complete the mission…"
Yoru's tone softened slightly.
"Cats rely on bursts of speed, not endurance. They escape using terrain—walls, trees."
"Why were you chasing it on the street instead of above?"
Silence.
All three lowered their heads.
"You couldn't keep up?"
"…No," Rin admitted quietly.
Yoru frowned.
"That's impossible. Haven't you trained tree climbing? Water walking?"
Obito jumped back in immediately.
"Don't underestimate us! Anyone can climb trees!"
The other boy reacted faster this time. He pulled Obito back and spoke carefully.
"…We haven't trained that way, sir."
That—
Actually surprised Yoru.
"That's basic genin training. What is your team leader doing?"
Rin answered.
"Captain Shiomi only led us for a few days before being reassigned."
"After that… we never got a new captain."
"…What?"
Yoru paused.
Then understood.
So that's it.
A forgotten squad.
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