An outsider teaching Uchiha to use Fire Style?

Shin-chan blinked, suddenly remembering something.

"Right, that grandfather just taught me a lot of things. Do you want to hear them?"

Obito was stunned for a moment, turning his head back to look at him: "What things?"

"It's about when you breathe fire. That grandfather said you have to concentrate Chakra in your throat, but you shouldn't hold it in; you have to keep it flowing."

As Shin-chan spoke, he gestured with his hands.

"It's like the feeling when you want to fart, but you're holding it in."

The corners of Obito's mouth twitched, and he said speechlessly: "What kind of metaphor is that?"

"But it's really about the same." Shin-chan looked serious. "Try forming the seals first, then put pressure on your throat—but don't hold it in, let it rush out, just like a fart."

Obito looked at him and hesitated. The metaphor was terrible, but what if it actually worked?

He turned around, formed the hand seals, and took a deep breath.

Pfft.

A tiny spark of fire drifted out of his mouth, flickered in the air, and went out.

"See? You can breathe it out, can't you?" Shin-chan asked, tilting his head.

Obito scratched his head, his Brain still a bit dazed: "I can occasionally breathe out sparks, but it's hit-or-miss. Most of the time, it's just black smoke."

"Then try again, just follow that feeling from before."

Obito nodded and formed the seals again.

Pfft.

Another cluster of sparks.

His eyes lit up, and he hurriedly tried again.

Pfft, sparks.

Pfft, sparks.

Pfft, sparks.

Five times in a row, and every time, there were sparks.

Obito stood where he was, staring blankly at his hands, his expression as if he had seen a ghost: "Why is it going so smoothly today?"

Shin-chan leaned in, looking earnest: "It really is that farting feeling, right?"

Obito subconsciously wanted to nod, but halfway through, he shook his head frantically: "It is absolutely not that feeling!!!"

"But that grandfather said it feels like a fart, too."

"That grandfather you're talking about, who exactly is he?" Obito ran through his mind but couldn't think of any elder in the clan who was so unprofessional.

Shin-chan thought for a moment: "Xiao Che seems to call him the Great Elder."

Obito's body stiffened, and his eyes widened involuntarily.

The Great Elder of the Uchiha?

Teaching Fire Style to an outsider?

And saying it feels like a fart with his own mouth?

Obito felt like his Brain couldn't keep up.

That was the Great Elder of the Uchiha.

As a member of the Uchiha, even he hadn't been personally instructed by the Great Elder.

And now, this kid who popped out of nowhere was not only taught Fire Style by the Great Elder, but was also taught...

"The feeling of a fart?" Obito's voice was trembling. "The Great Elder said that? With his own mouth?"

Shin-chan nodded: "Yeah, he said if you think of it that way, you'll get it right."

Obito opened his mouth, suddenly wondering if he was dreaming.

But before he could figure it out, Shin-chan continued.

"Also, you don't need to inhale that much when you breathe in." Shin-chan puffed out his cheeks, imitating Obito's earlier movements. "Like this, it's too much. Inhale a little less, gently."

Obito looked at his comical expression and wanted to laugh, but he followed the instructions anyway.

He took a deep breath, this time only filling his lungs to about seventy percent.

Pfft.

The sparks were a little bigger than before.

Obito's eyes lit up.

Seven or eight times in a row, there were sparks every single time. Although it still wasn't a Fireball, it was much better than his previous state, which relied entirely on luck.

Obito became more excited as he practiced: "One more time, this time it will definitely succeed."

"Wait." Shin-chan suddenly spoke up.

Obito stopped and looked at him.

Shin-chan tilted his head: "Your voice is hoarse."

Obito was taken aback and touched his throat.

It did seem a bit dry.

"It's fine, let's try one more time."

"No way."

Obito's hands, which were ready to form signs, froze: "Why not?"

Shin-chan thought for a moment: "That Grandfather said if I practice too much, my throat won't be able to take it. I only practiced a few times before he made me stop."

"But I feel like I'm still okay..."

"You're already raspy when you talk." Shin-chan looked serious. "If you keep practicing, you won't be able to speak at all tomorrow."

Obito opened his mouth, just about to refute, but his throat gave a timely twinge of pain. After a moment of hesitation, he lowered his hands.

Seeing him stop, Shin-chan nodded with satisfaction, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a small box.

"Here."

Obito looked down: "What is this?"

"A Chocolate Stick," Shin-chan said. "Xiao Che's Mother gave it to me."

Obito stared blankly at the box of Chocolate Sticks—red, gold, and covered in flashy packaging, packed into a small box.

"For me?"

"Yeah." Shin-chan took the Chocolate Stick and shoved it into his hand. "Eat it. Whenever my throat feels uncomfortable, I want to eat a Chocolate Stick."

Obito looked at the Chocolate Stick in his palm, then back up at Shin-chan's serious face. An indescribable feeling suddenly welled up in his heart.

"But..." he said softly, "my throat is dry from practicing Fire Style, won't eating a Chocolate Stick make it even drier?"

Shin-chan blinked, realizing that actually made sense, and finally just waved his hand: "Whatever, I gave it to you, eat it whenever you want."

Obito watched him and suddenly laughed: "You..."

"What?"

"Nothing." Obito lowered his head, looked at the Chocolate Stick, and was silent for a while.

Then he pulled one out and took a bite.

It was sweet.

Very sweet.

His throat was indeed even drier, but he didn't make a sound.

Seeing him eat it, Shin-chan reached out and took one for himself as well.

The two kids sat on the steps of the Training Ground, eating Chocolate Sticks side by side.

The Sunset stretched their shadows out long.

Obito ate half of his, then secretly glanced at Shin-chan.

Shin-chan was swinging his legs, his mouth stuffed full, looking completely satisfied.

"Shin-chan."

"Hmm?" Shin-chan replied with his mouth full.

"Why did you... help me just now?"

Shin-chan blinked and swallowed the chocolate in his mouth.

"Because you couldn't get the practice right."

Obito's mouth twitched: "Just that?"

"What else?" Shin-chan tilted his head.

Obito was stunned. He wanted to say something, but didn't know what to say. Finally, he just lowered his head and took another bite of the Chocolate Stick.

"Thanks."

Shin-chan stood up and brushed the dust off his bottom: "Alright, I should go home."

Obito stood up too, still clutching the Chocolate Stick in his hand.

"Keep working hard tomorrow, okay?" Shin-chan waved at him. "One day you'll be able to blow a Great Fireball."

After saying that, he continued walking away, but after two steps, his body stiffened and the expression on his face changed instantly.

"Oh no!"

Obito was startled: "What's wrong?"

"I'm late getting home." Shin-chan looked terrified. "Miya is going to nag me again!"

Having said that, he took off running.

(She) ran a few steps, then turned back to wave at Obito.

"See you tomorrow!"

Obito stood where was, watching that small figure in red run further and further away, then looked down at the Chocolate Stick in hand before looking back up at the silhouette that was about to disappear.

(His) lips curled up before even realized it.

"See you tomorrow."