Obito's Provocation

A boy in a tracksuit ran through the crowd like the wind. He stopped in front of Rin Nohara, his face lit up with a heartfelt, sincere smile. Behind his goggles, his eyes revealed a youthful innocence, but also the truest love.

Is this Obito Uchiha?

Yemo studied Obito in secret. Who could have imagined that this ordinary Uchiha boy would be one of the chief culprits behind the Fourth Shinobi World War more than twenty years later, nearly destroying the world?

According to Naruto, Obito was simply a kind boy who had liked doing good deeds from a young age. He also understood love better than most, and had always secretly loved Rin Nohara, the girl who would smile at him no matter what. Sadly, it was that very love that set Obito on a path into hell.

But setting subjective factors aside, Yemo objectively admired Obito and was even somewhat moved. His love was great.

"Rin, I'm going to create a world where I can have you again." Obito's words had deeply moved countless Naruto fans at the time. That was Obito's love for Rin Nohara: no matter where you are, I'll stay with you. Even if you're in hell, I'll descend into it without hesitation. If this world doesn't have you, then I'll create one that does.

Of course, that was in the future, and thinking about it now was getting off topic. He shook his head discreetly and pushed those thoughts aside.

Huff, huff...

Obito had clearly jogged all the way there. He was panting heavily, and beads of sweat were visible on his face. He looked up apologetically. "Sorry, Rin, I'm late, but something came up on the way."

"It's all right. We've only been looking around anyway; we haven't bought anything yet." Rin Nohara wasn't angry in the slightest. Instead, she smiled at Obito. Seeing that his face was covered in sweat, she took out a handkerchief she carried with her and offered it to him. "You're sweating so much. Here, wipe it off!"

Touched by Rin's concern, Obito smiled happily and hurriedly accepted the handkerchief, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "Thank you, Rin!"

Only then did Obito notice Ayame and Yemo beside Rin. He knew Ayame, but Yemo was a complete stranger. He had never even met him.

He couldn't help asking, "Rin, who's this?"

You're only noticing me now? Yemo smiled wryly to himself. From the moment Obito appeared, his eyes had been fixed entirely on Rin Nohara. How could he have noticed the two living people standing beside her? Love really was hard to fathom.

Before Rin Nohara could introduce him, Yemo stepped half a pace forward and introduced himself. "Hello, I'm Yemo Uzumaki. As for who I am, Kushina Uzumaki is my older sister, and your teacher, Minato Namikaze, should count as my brother-in-law, I suppose. He isn't yet, but he probably will be in the future."

Hearing that the boy in front of him, who was about his own age, was Big Sister Kushina's daughter, Obito paused, then smiled. "Hello, I'm Obito Uchiha of the Uchiha Clan." Obito looked immensely pleased as he introduced himself as a member of the Uchiha Clan, proud to be an Uchiha. Though Yemo found it a little irritating, he said nothing. At present, the Uchiha really were one of Konoha's strongest clans.

"I often hear Big Sister Kushina mention your name, but this is the first time we've met."

Hearing that last remark, Yemo's expression changed slightly, and he looked incredulous. "Big Sister?" What on earth did my sister do?

Rin was very perceptive. Seeing Yemo's expression and putting it together with what he had said, she immediately understood something and covered her mouth, chuckling. Obito, however, looked utterly confused.

Kushina had insisted on being called "Big Sister." She felt that if Obito and the others called her their teacher's wife, it would make her sound old, so she had them call her "Big Sister" instead. It sounded young and imposing.

After Rin explained, Yemo finally understood. Little Ayame couldn't help laughing beside him. Yemo looked embarrassed, his mouth twitching. What more could he say about his sister?

Seeing the gift box Obito was carrying, Rin asked, "Obito, is that the present you prepared for Kakashi?"

"Yeah," Obito said. "I picked it out especially for Kakashi. I don't care much for the guy, but he's still my teammate, so I chose a nice ninja tool set for him. What about you, Rin? What birthday present did you prepare for Kaka?"

Obito asked curiously, but a hint of something amiss slipped into his tone. Beside him, Yemo couldn't help smiling. Obito was worried that Rin's present for Kakashi would be better than the one she had given him.

Yemo's guess was quite accurate. It had been Obito's birthday a few days ago, and Rin had given him a crystal ninja sculpture engraved with their names. Obito had been delighted with the gift for a long time. He kept it very carefully and looked at it every day.

Now Obito was worried that Rin's present for Kakashi would be better than his. It wasn't that he envied Kakashi for receiving a gift. He had heard that the more a girl cared about someone, the better the gift she gave them would be. He was worried that Kakashi meant more to Rin than he did.

Naturally, none of this had occurred to Rin. She smiled and said, "I hadn't prepared a present for Kakashi yet, but luckily Yemo gave me a suggestion. Now I know what to give him. I'm going to make a crystal sculpture of Kakashi with my own hands. Yemo was right: it doesn't matter how valuable a gift is. What matters most is that it conveys how you feel."

Obito's face immediately fell. Although Rin was giving Kakashi a crystal sculpture, just as she had given him, one had been bought and the other would be handmade. There was no comparison between the two. Did Kakashi mean more to Rin than he did?

At that thought, Obito looked at Yemo. It was this guy's suggestion; otherwise, how would Rin have thought to make Kakashi a crystal sculpture herself?

Feeling Obito's sharp gaze, Yemo touched his nose reflexively. What did this have to do with him? Hadn't he just made a suggestion? It wasn't up to him what Rin gave Kakashi.

But even if he told Obito that, Obito clearly wouldn't listen. Was he supposed to say it was Rin's fault and had nothing to do with him? Love could be blinding sometimes.

Looking away, Obito suddenly asked, "Rin, how did you all meet?"

Without giving it much thought, Rin explained how she had been shopping with Ayame, how Ayame had spotted Yemo, and how they had then gotten to know one another.

Obito's eyes flickered. He looked at Yemo and said, "By the way, I ran into Minato-sensei and Big Sister Kushina today. I heard them say you were a brilliantly gifted genius and that Teacher Orochimaru had taken you as his student. Minato-sensei was praising you, too."

Hearing Obito's words, Ayame and Rin covered their mouths and gasped. They stared at Yemo as though they had seen a ghost, their faces full of shock and disbelief.

"Is that true, Brother Yemo? Lord Orochimaru took you as his student?" Ayame asked in shock. Rin looked no less astonished.

Everyone knew how difficult it was to become Lord Orochimaru's student. As one of the Sannin and a member of the Konoha High Command, Lord Orochimaru didn't need to serve as a Jonin instructor or lead Genin. It was impossible to become his student without his consent, and although many people wanted to, Lord Orochimaru had never agreed.

Yemo smiled. There was no reason to hide something like this. "It happened last night. I was studying with Teacher Orochimaru today, and I was just about to go home. I didn't expect to run into you."

"Yemo, I never imagined you were a genius whom even Lord Orochimaru would take as a student," Rin said, looking surprised and full of admiration.

Obito spoke up in an unfriendly tone. "Minato-sensei said you were a brilliantly gifted genius, even stronger than Kakashi. But how come I don't think you look like one?"

Well, there it is. He's finally provoking me. When Obito had suddenly mentioned Orochimaru being his teacher earlier, Yemo had realized that Obito meant no good.

When Obito had heard Minato-sensei praise Yemo earlier, he had been very curious about him and wanted to challenge him, to see whether this genius was really that impressive. With Uchiha blood in his veins, he wouldn't be inferior to anyone.

On top of what had just happened with the gift, Rin's subsequent praise and admiration for Yemo had provoked Obito even more. Put simply, he was jealous.

Although Yemo was a child, he was an adult mentally. How could he fail to see Obito's jealousy?