"Hoot... hoot..."
An owl called from somewhere, its distinctively eerie cry bringing a touch of life to the clearing at the edge of the vast primeval forest.
"Teacher..."
Minato Namikaze, who sat cross-legged atop a large boulder in the clearing with his eyes closed, resting while keeping watch, suddenly heard his student calling from behind him.
"What is it, Obito?"
He opened his eyes and glanced back slightly, speaking gently.
As he turned, he saw Obito climb up from below the boulder, take a few steps forward, and sit down beside him.
"I know teamwork is important too, but..."
Obito lowered his head slightly, his voice tinged with dejection. "Kakashi always sees me as a useless idiot, so I... No, I was born into the Uchiha Clan, known as an elite clan, yet I've always been a dead last. I admit Kakashi is amazing too, but..."
"Hmm..."
Watching Obito speak softly with his head lowered and his spirits low, Minato Namikaze pondered for a moment. He seemed to sigh faintly before saying, "Kakashi is the son of Hatake Sakumo, the genius ninja known as the Konoha White Fang. Even the legendary Sannin treated his father with respect. Having spent his childhood beside such a genius, his horizons are already different from yours. It's only natural that he feels somewhat disappointed when he sees you all."
"White Fang... I've heard that name too. They say he was a hero who died in the line of duty while protecting the village."
Hearing his teacher's words, Obito lifted his head slightly, surprise flickering across his face. "That guy Kakashi never mentioned any of that!"
"Everyone in the village, Kakashi included, respected that remarkable man. If that incident hadn't happened..."
Minato Namikaze looked at Obito, then turned back to gaze into the distance. His