Uchiha Obito

"Huh?! You like ramen too, Kai?"

Uchiha Obito shouted this outside Ichiraku Ramen, dressed in a simple training outfit.

"Senior Obito? Yeah, it's the best ramen shop in Konoha, after all. No reason not to like it,"

Uchiha Kai put down his chopsticks and replied softly, watching Uchiha Obito stride into the shop with a carefree attitude.

"Well, that's true. Teacher Minato and Kushina also like this place a lot," Obito said as he took a seat, shouting loudly.

"One large Tonkotsu Ramen!"

"Coming right up!" Uncle Ichiraku replied from the kitchen.

"By the way, you've already graduated, haven't you, Kai?" Obito asked casually while fiddling with his chopsticks.

"Ah, that's right. I graduated yesterday. Today was for team assignments. I took a look at my lead instructor," Uchiha Kai replied.

"How was it? Is your assigned instructor easy to get along with? How do they compare to Teacher Minato?" Obito nudged Uchiha Kai with his arm, asking with a smug look.

"Well, how should I put it? Their strength probably isn't as exaggerated as Teacher Minato's, but since they're a Ninja from the Aburame Clan, their overall abilities are stronger. In any case, anyone who can be a lead instructor is definitely a highly competent Ninja,"

Uchiha Kai stroked his chin.

"Huh? Who asked about that? I meant their personality. Do I need you to tell me if the instructor is strong? You're too rigid,"

Uchiha Obito said, covering his face.

"Personality? They seem cold and indifferent, like they don't care about anything, but I have a feeling they're probably a warm-hearted person," Uchiha Kai pouted.

"Oh~ Like Kakashi, the outwardly cool but inwardly passionate type..." Uchiha Obito grinned lewdly.

"Hey, Senior Obito, aren't you afraid of being caught and getting revenge?"

"Tch~ Am I afraid of that guy?! Besides, aren't I just stating facts!" Uchiha Obito replied nonchalantly.

Then, the mood shifted, and his tone became a bit more serious.

"Speaking of which, as your senior, and as your older clan brother, I can't not give you something for graduating, little bro."

Uchiha Obito rubbed his nose and said with a conceited air.

"Well, consider these my graduation gifts!" As he spoke, Obito pulled out a simply wrapped gift box from behind him.

"These are Special Explosive Tags I got from Teacher Minato. They're several levels better than the ordinary ones on the market. You'll be going on missions with your team soon, and having these explosive tags will provide more security,"

"...Thank you, Senior. This gift is very practical," the young man's eyes moved, and his tone became cheerful.

"But, Senior Obito is still so… unique. Packaging explosive tags in a gift box, isn't that a bit much… It's fine for me, but if it were a girl…"

Uchiha Kai's expression was teasing, hinting at something.

"Shut up! I'm just being innovative! What do you know, brat!" Uchiha Obito instantly bristled and hissed.

"And here I thought I prepared it carefully, even dipping into my savings..." Obito said, patting his wallet with a pained expression.

"Ugh... Kakashi is about to be promoted to Jonin soon, and that'll be another huge expense. What a headache!" Obito muttered to himself.

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Kai's body stiffened, and his expression froze, looking somewhat strange.

"Kakashi is being promoted to Jonin, which means that event is approaching soon... With my current strength, I still can't change anything..."

"What's wrong? You look like you're constipated. Did eating expired instant noodles make you stupid?" Obito asked, waving his hand in front of the young man's eyes.

"Ah... Nothing. I just suddenly thought of something," Uchiha Kai quickly managed his expression, returning to his usual demeanor.

"By the way, Senior Obito, you'll be returning to the front lines again soon, won't you..." Uchiha Kai said casually, looking at the ramen in front of him.

"Ah, soon. Probably in the next couple of days. After all, we're Minato's squad, so we'll definitely be taking on more responsibilities," Obito said with a proud smile.

"You don't need to be too envious, Kai. Not all Ninja are as outstanding as us. But for you, as long as you train hard, you'll catch up eventually," Obito waved his hand.

"But for now, just honestly watch your senior show off his might and defeat the Stone Ninja! Hehehehe!"

Looking at the cheerful and optimistic young man before him, Uchiha Kai felt a pang in his heart. The warm present.

It was tearing at the young man, pulling him between the present and the cruel future he remembered.

And Uchiha Kai was powerless to change any of it.

He could only open his mouth and say in a tone of solemnity he had never used before.

"Senior Obito."

"Huh? What is it?"

"Do you know, sometimes human eyes deceive themselves. They usually only see what they are willing to see," the young man looked up, his eyes holding a weariness beyond his years.

"Huh? What are you talking about? We're the Uchiha Clan. Is there anything in this world that can deceive these eyes of ours?" Obito chuckled lightly, seemingly dismissive of what the young man had said.

"No, this world is vast, far larger than what meets the eye. There are too many things we cannot foresee or control."

As soon as he finished speaking, an eerie crimson climbed into the young man's pupils, and a round tomoe swirled into existence.

"?! You've awakened your Sharingan?! Kai!" Obito looked shocked.

"And... this eye power!? Is this the level a Single Tomoe can reach?"

Feeling the chilling Chakra surge towards him, Uchiha Obito was dumbfounded. Although he had known for a long time that his junior was monstrously talented, he never expected him to be this terrifying.

"Well... I can only say, as expected of you, Kai. Even though you're my junior, you've surpassed me in developing these eyes... It's truly frustrating, you damn conceited geniuses!"

Uchiha Obito said dejectedly, a certain white-haired man's face appearing in his mind.

"Senior Obito, I'm not trying to show off. I just hope you'll take what I say seriously."

Uchiha Kai shook his head, his tone much gentler.

"What is it? Why do you all love to lecture so much? My ears are getting calloused," Obito said dismissively, picking at his ear.

"Alright, alright, don't worry. I'll be careful. I won't joke around with my own life on the battlefield. I still have many things to do."

"On the other hand, you be careful on your missions. You conceited geniuses always think you know best, underestimating your opponents and causing big trouble," Obito said, turning to earnestly instruct the young man.

"I will be careful, Senior Obito," the young man replied.

"Good luck, Senior."

"Also, please don't forget your original intentions. Come back in the name of Uchiha Obito." The young man said, his gaze suddenly turning sharp.

"If one day, you lose yourself and abandon your persistence and original intentions."

Uchiha Kai said seriously, his tone icy.

"On that day, I will personally send you on your way..."

Hearing this, Uchiha Obito was startled, goosebumps rising all over his body. He raised his hands in an exaggerated gesture.

"Hey, hey, hey! You're really taking this too seriously, kid! Is it that serious!"

Seeing the young man's still cold expression, Uchiha Obito pouted and said indifferently.

"Ahhh, I get it, I can't stand you."

The youth paused, a resolute light flashing in his eyes.

"Don't worry. If that day ever comes."

"You won't have to lift a finger."

"I will personally execute that failed version of 'me'."