School Festival

"Wow, it's Soseki-senpai!" Rin cheered from the side, her eyes sparkling like stars.

"Danger!" Seeing that Rin's reaction was even more intense than when she had seen Kakashi earlier, Obito instantly sensed a crisis.

Might Guy asked excitedly, "Is he some great upperclassman?"

Rin shook her head. "No, Soseki-senpai is a second year student."

Obito curled his lip. "What? So he's only one year ahead of us."

"You're not a Medical Ninja, so of course you don't understand how amazing Soseki-senpai is." Clasping her hands before her chest, Rin said with utter admiration, "He's Lord Tsunade's disciple. In just one year, he's already able to oversee some minor surgeries at the hospital."

Obito scratched his head. Was he really that impressive? It felt like he could do it too if he went.

Might Guy looked at Shūnen in confusion. "Senpai, the person you want to challenge is a Medical Ninja?"

Even though Shūnen had already come to terms with it, his body still trembled when he was suddenly asked that question. A trace of grief and indignation flashed through his eyes. "I hate Medical Ninjas most of all!"

Everyone around them wore strange expressions. Why did it sound like Shūnen-senpai's voice had a hint of a sob in it? That had to be an illusion, right?

Might Guy belatedly exclaimed in surprise, "In just one year, that senior already gained strength on par with Shūnen-senpai?"

Shūnen calmed his turbulent heart and returned to his Buddhist-like state. "To be precise, it was two months. He only took two months to surpass the results of my three years of effort!"

Obito shouted in disbelief, "How is that possible? Shūnen, you were a genius who awakened the Sharingan at eight!"

"My Sharingan awakened during my battle with him." Shūnen sighed wistfully, his eyes filled with reminiscence. "You could even say that if I hadn't awakened the Sharingan, I wouldn't have had any ability to resist at all."

Hearing him say that, Obito and the others could not help widening their eyes. Shūnen-senpai was so strong, yet he had still been no match for that Soseki-senpai?

Obito in particular often heard the adults in the clan talk about how formidable Shūnen was. He had not expected his illusions to be shattered on his very first day.

Even Kakashi, who was pretending not to care while actually pricking up his ears for gossip, was secretly surprised. He had heard his father say that the Uchiha were an extremely proud clan.

To make a proud Uchiha say something like that... Shimizu Soseki? I'm starting to find this boring school life a little interesting.

Might Guy, yearning for the fiery passion of youth, had stars in his eyes as he looked at Shūnen with an intensely mushy gaze. "Senpai, can we come watch too?"

"Of course." Shūnen shuddered all over under that fervent gaze and hurriedly looked away. "Besides, you can also take the opportunity to attend the School Festival."

Rin asked curiously, "School Festival? What's that?"

Shūnen gathered his thoughts. "People from every grade form clubs based on their interests, then invite fellow students or people from the village to join. In short, it's a place for you to make friends and show who you are."

"Wow, that sounds like so much fun." Rin clapped her hands happily, but a new question soon arose. "But why have I never heard about it before?"

"Because Soseki only proposed it before last semester's break." As Shūnen spoke, he gave Obito's shoulder a firm pat. "You guys are lucky. You happen to have made it in time for the first School Festival."

Might Guy's eyes shone as he listened. "Wonderful! I'm going to establish the Youthful Passion and Vitality Club. Does anyone want to join?"

However, wherever his gaze landed, everyone nearby swiftly turned their heads away as if avoiding snakes and scorpions.

Seeing Might Guy look over unwillingly, Obito hurriedly changed the subject. "Will anyone really attend this School Festival? After all, that Soseki-senpai was only a newcomer last year."

Having already transformed into a devoted Soseki fan, Shūnen said in the firmest tone possible, "If it's him, there definitely won't be any problem!"

Before they could ask, Shūnen took the initiative to explain. "That's because people from every grade are convinced by him. Come to think of it, I had a hand in Soseki gaining that kind of reputation!"

"I get it! It must be because you used to be the strongest person in school, Shūnen!" Obito's imagination ran wild, his face filled with indignation. "After Shimizu Soseki defeated you, he took your position!"

"Being formidable might not be wrong." Shūnen's expression turned strange. "But as for status, does being the most hated person in school count?"

"Huh?" Obito tilted his head and acted cutely on purpose. "What do you mean?"

"Of course, it's because I used to be the worst bully among bullies!" Shūnen smiled frankly without the slightest embarrassment. "Those bastards who gave you trouble earlier were actually all my underlings."

Everyone around them cried out in unison, "What?!"

Obito stammered, "W-what exactly happened?"

"Looks like the clan never told you what a bastard I used to be. Then again, they only cared about the awakening of the Sharingan." Shūnen laughed at himself, then placed both hands on Obito's shoulders and said solemnly, "I used to be too extreme. I never understood the true meaning of love. I thought using violence to make everyone 'revere' the Uchiha was love for my father. I thought I could gain my classmates' love without giving anything in return. Soseki beat some sense into me and pulled me out of that illusion!"

"That's so mushy! Aren't you embarrassed at all, Shūnen?" Obito felt goosebumps rise all over his body. Just as he was thinking about how to escape those claws, the corner of his eye suddenly caught sight of Rin nearby.

Wait... if I could be as shameless as Shūnen, could I tell Rin that I love... Hehehe.

At that thought, Obito's gaze became incomparably determined. "Shūnen, I understand!"

Shūnen nodded approvingly, though he also seemed somewhat saddened. "Sometimes, once a mistake has been made, no matter how much you do, you can't undo what happened. So you must never become a bastard like me."

Obito was nodding as if he half understood when Might Guy slapped a hand onto his shoulder. "It's fine, Shūnen-senpai! Obito is so weak that he definitely can't become a bad person!"

Obito staggered and nearly got slapped straight into the ground. After barely steadying himself, he looked at Might Guy with a resentful gaze.

Even though this guy was speaking up for him, why could he not feel happy about it at all?

With such a reliable companion, it seems Obito won't become like I was. Shūnen sighed inwardly, then beckoned them over. "Let's go. The School Festival is being held in the small woods behind the school."