Shin-chan blinked, then suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, right. That grandpa just taught me a bunch of stuff. Want to hear about it?"
Obito froze for a moment, then turned back to look at him. "What stuff?"
"When I was breathing fire, that grandpa said I should gather my Chakra in my throat. But not hold it in—I should let it flow."
As he spoke, Shin-chan demonstrated with his hands.
"It's like when you need to fart but hold it in."
Obito's mouth twitched. He said, exasperated, "What kind of comparison is that?"
"But it really is pretty much the same." Shin-chan looked completely serious. "Try making the Hand Seals first, then put some force into your throat. But don't hold it in—let it rush out, like a fart."
Obito looked at him and hesitated. It was a terrible comparison, but what if it actually worked?
He turned around, formed Hand Seals, and took a deep breath.
Pfft.
A tiny spark drifted out of his mouth, flickered in the air, and went out.
"See? You can breathe fire, can't you?" Shin-chan asked, tilting his head.
Obito scratched his head, still a little dazed. "Sometimes I can spit out sparks, but it's hit or miss. Most of the time, all I get is black smoke."
"Then try again. Just use the feeling I described."
Obito nodded and formed the Hand Seals again.
Pfft.
Another spark.
His eyes lit up, and he hurried to try again.
Pfft, a spark.
Pfft, a spark.
Pfft, a spark.
Five times in a row, and each time he produced sparks.
Obito stood there, staring blankly at his hands with an expression like he'd seen a ghost. "Why is it going so smoothly today?"
Shin-chan leaned closer, looking completely serious. "So it really is like farting, right?"
Obito almost nodded, but halfway through, he shook his head frantically. "It's not like that at all!!!"
"But that grandpa said it feels like farting too."
"Who is this grandpa you're talking about?" Obito searched his memory, but couldn't think of any old man in the clan who was that ridiculous.
Shin-chan thought for a moment. "I think Xiao Che called him the Great Elder."
Obito stiffened, his eyes widening despite himself.
The Uchiha Great Elder?
Teaching Fire Style to an outsider?
And actually saying it felt like farting?
Obito felt like his mind couldn't keep up.
That was the Uchiha Great Elder.
Even as a member of the Uchiha, Obito had never received any guidance from him.
And now this kid who'd appeared out of nowhere had not only been taught Fire Style by the Great Elder, but had been taught that it felt like...
"Like farting?" Obito's voice trembled. "The Great Elder said that? He actually said it himself?"
Shin-chan nodded. "Yeah. He said that was the right way to think about it."
Obito opened his mouth, suddenly wondering if he was dreaming.
But before he could make sense of it, Shin-chan went on.
"Also, you don't have to breathe in so much." Shin-chan puffed out his cheeks and imitated the way Obito had been doing it. "Like this—it's too much. Breathe in a little less, nice and gently."
Obito watched his ridiculous imitation and wanted to laugh, but he did as he was told.
He took a deep breath, this time filling his lungs only about seven-tenths of the way.
Pfft.
There were a few more sparks than before.
Obito's eyes lit up.
He tried seven or eight times in a row, and each time he got sparks. They still weren't fireballs, but it was far better than the way he used to rely entirely on luck.
The more Obito practiced, the more excited he got. "One more time. I'm sure I can do it this time."
"Wait," Shin-chan suddenly said.
Obito stopped and looked at him.
Shin-chan tilted his head. "Your voice is hoarse."
Obito froze and touched his throat.
It did feel a little dry.
"It's fine. I'll try one more time."
"No."
Obito stopped with his hands poised to form the seals. "Why not?"
Shin-chan thought for a moment. "That grandpa said your throat can't take it if you practice too much. He made me stop after I'd only tried a few times."
"But I feel fine..."
"Your voice is hoarse." Shin-chan looked completely serious. "If you keep practicing, you won't be able to talk tomorrow."
Obito opened his mouth to argue, but his throat happened to hurt just then. After hesitating for a moment, he lowered his hands.
Seeing him stop, Shin-chan nodded with satisfaction, reached into his pocket, and took out a small box.
"Here."
Obito looked down at it. "What's this?"
"Chocolate Sticks," Shin-chan said. "Xiao Che's Mother gave them to me."
Obito stared blankly at the box of Chocolate Sticks. It was packed full of them, with flashy red and gold wrappers.
"For me?"
"Yeah." Shin-chan picked up a Chocolate Stick and pushed it into his hand. "Eat it. When my throat feels uncomfortable, I like eating Chocolate Sticks."
Obito looked at the Chocolate Stick in his palm, then up at Shin-chan's earnest face. A feeling he couldn't quite name suddenly welled up inside him.
"But..." he said quietly. "Practicing Fire Style makes your throat dry. Wouldn't eating a Chocolate Stick make it even drier?"
Shin-chan blinked. That did sound right, but in the end, he simply waved a hand. "I gave it to you, anyway. Eat it whenever you want."
Looking at him, Obito suddenly smiled. "You're something else..."
"What is it?"
"Nothing." Obito lowered his head and stared at the Chocolate Stick, falling silent for a while.
Then he took one out and bit into it.
It was sweet.
Very sweet.
His throat did feel even drier, but he didn't say a word.
Seeing him eat, Shin-chan reached out and took one for himself too.
The two boys sat side by side on the steps of the Training Ground, eating Chocolate Sticks.
The setting sun stretched their shadows long across the ground.
Obito had eaten half of his when he stole a glance at Shin-chan.
Shin-chan was swinging his legs, cheeks stuffed full, looking completely satisfied.
"Shin-chan."
"Hmm?" Shin-chan mumbled in reply.
"Why did you... help me just now?"
Shin-chan blinked and swallowed the Chocolate Stick in his mouth.
"Because you couldn't get it right."
Obito's mouth twitched. "That's it?"
"What else?" Shin-chan tilted his head.
Obito froze. He wanted to say something, but didn't know what. In the end, he simply lowered his head and took another bite of his Chocolate Stick.
"Thanks."
Shin-chan stood up and brushed the dust off his bottom. "All right, I should head home."
Obito stood too, still clutching the Chocolate Stick in his hand.
"Keep at it tomorrow!" Shin-chan waved to him. "One day, you'll be able to breathe out a Great Fireball."
With that, he kept walking toward the exit. But after just two steps, he stiffened, and his expression changed in an instant.
"Uh-oh!"
Obito jumped. "What's wrong?"
"I'm late getting home." Shin-chan looked horrified. "Miya's going to nag me again!"
With that, he took off running.
After a few steps, he turned and waved to Obito.
"See you tomorrow!"
Obito stood where he was, watching the little figure in red run farther and farther away. Then he looked down at the Chocolate Stick in his hand and back up at the figure that was about to disappear.
At some point, the corners of his mouth had curled up.
"See you tomorrow."
Before you continue