The Role of Looks, Shaking with Rage!

Nebula Kotetsu: "..."

With both of them being sarcastic, sitting around waiting for death was not his style, so he cleared his throat and spoke up:

"Ahem."

"Actually, I don't think we should jump to conclusions so easily."

"Appearance is innate; we shouldn't negate a person just because of how they look."

"Besides, the conclusion that it's 'useless' is too arbitrary. Sometimes, appearance can play a significant role."

Obito Uchiha's face was written with disapproval.

"Hmph! Aside from attracting shallow women, what other use could it possibly have?"

"Could it help you complete a mission, perhaps?"

"Rin, don't hold me back! I have to make this guy understand some logic!"

Nebula Kotetsu nodded and said, "Perhaps... it actually can."

"Tch! Bragging! If you've got the guts, show me how!" Obito said with disdain, while Asuma Sarutobi watched from the side to see how he would handle it.

Nebula Kotetsu took out a portrait of a lost Akita dog from his pocket, unhurriedly.

He walked over to a nearby crowd and found a few young women.

"Excuse me, have you seen this dog? We've been looking for it and haven't had any luck."

As he spoke, he flashed a warm, gentle smile.

It was like sunlight melting ice, like the first snow nourishing the earth.

It was as if a rare, precious flower had suddenly bloomed before their eyes, a breathtaking fragrance seldom seen in this lifetime.

The young women stood frozen in place.

A few seconds later, they erupted into continuous, high-pitched squeals.

Under the stunned gazes of Obito Uchiha and Asuma Sarutobi, the girls, their faces flushed as if they were drunk, took the portrait and sprinted away.

A chaotic commotion ensued.

Five minutes later, an Akita dog was carried out, tied up with ropes.

It had a half-eaten bone in its mouth.

The dog's face wore an expression of bewilderment and shock identical to that of Obito and the others.

"You girls are truly kind-hearted and helpful."

"Thank you! Thank you so much! I have some barbecue coupons here; please take your friends and go enjoy a meal."

"I won't be joining you; I have other missions to attend to. Truly, thank you very much."

Carrying the Akita, Nebula Kotetsu returned to the group.

"Mission successfully completed."

Everyone: "..."

The smugness on Obito's face vanished completely.

He gritted his teeth.

His whole body trembled.

In the heat of the day, he was breaking out in a cold sweat, his hands and feet turning icy.

Is this ninja world even salvageable? How are us hardworking, honest boys supposed to stand tall?

Ignoring the silently protesting Obito Uchiha, Nebula Kotetsu looked at the smiling Rin Nohara.

The latter beamed and said, "Nebula, let me introduce you. This is our new teammate, Kakashi."

"Kakashi, this is Nebula, a good friend of mine."

As Rin Nohara introduced them enthusiastically, Obito Uchiha, still reeling from the blow, stiffened.

Kakashi Hatake noticed this keenly but said nothing. He looked at Nebula Kotetsu, who was nodding in greeting, and while he was secretly surprised by the other's appearance, he gave a slight nod in return.

His attitude could hardly be called warm.

Nebula Kotetsu was not surprised. At this point, Kakashi Hatake had not yet recovered from the grief of his father's death. He was cold toward everything around him, trapped in a vengeful agony where teammates were expendable and missions were everything.

The Konoha higher-ups wanted the kind and passionate Obito Uchiha and Rin Nohara to influence this genius of the Hatake clan, but it would likely take a long time for that to have any effect.

Kurenai Yuhi and Rin Nohara chatted for a few more moments, until finally, Asuma Sarutobi used the excuse of turning in their mission to pull the two away.

He didn't want to stay in the crowd with Nebula Kotetsu; it made him feel like a side character.

Before leaving, Nebula Kotetsu gave a subtle signal to Rin Nohara.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she gave a faint, imperceptible nod.

Once they were far away, Kakashi Hatake said coldly, "Let's go. We need to find the client and turn in the mission."

Obito Uchiha didn't react; he was still staring at Nebula Kotetsu's retreating back.

Seeing Kakashi Hatake's impatient expression, Rin Nohara tugged on Obito Uchiha's sleeve. "Let's go, Obito."

"That Nebula Kotetsu guy is just too arrogant!" Obito Uchiha said as they walked.

"It's not like he's just a little bit better looking than everyone else!"

"He needed help from a strange girl to complete a mission, really, really..." He searched for a suitable adjective for a long time.

Kakashi Hatake, walking beside them, spoke calmly, "Alright, they're gone now."

"Besides, it's just a mission. As long as it's completed, any method is acceptable."

Obito Uchiha looked at Kakashi Hatake indignantly. "You think so too!?"

"Is completing a mission with the help of a strange girl something to be praised?"

Kakashi Hatake's tone was calm. "How is that any different from you getting help from an old lady?"

"One is just younger, and the other is older."

Obito Uchiha: "How can that be the same!?"

Kakashi Hatake looked at him with a cold face. "What's different?"

"I... I..." Obito Uchiha was speechless.

He wanted to say that he had helped the old lady before, so it didn't count as exploitation, but then he thought that Nebula Kotetsu had also given him a barbecue coupon.

After thinking for a long time without finding a suitable reason, he became even more angry.

He wanted to say something harsh, but Rin Nohara was ahead, and he was afraid of upsetting her.

So he walked back with them, sulking.

After walking for a short while, he suddenly had an idea and moved closer to Kakashi Hatake.

"Kakashi, I want to ask you something."

Kakashi Hatake: "Go ahead."

Obito Uchiha, accustomed to his teammate's coldness, continued, "I want to ask, in the village, if two people have a conflict, is there any way to..."

"Resolve the conflict?"

"No, to vent my anger!"

"I want to teach the other person a lesson, but I don't have a suitable opportunity. Now Rin won't let me challenge that guy anymore."

Kakashi Hatake glanced at him. "You want to fight him?"

"Yes!" Obito Uchiha nodded without hesitation. "I want to!"

"The time before last, I was careless and he ambushed me successfully."

"Last time, I did win, but that detestable guy actually used his injury to trick Rin into sympathizing with him."

"So I want to have a fair fight with him!"

Kakashi Hatake: "Actually, there is an opportunity."

Obito Uchiha's eyes lit up! He looked at Kakashi Hatake expectantly.

Kakashi Hatake said, "The annual Chunin Exams, there's a high probability you'll meet."

"Then, you can settle your grievances and get your revenge."

"Huh?" Obito Uchiha was disappointed. "Isn't that still a long way off?"

Kakashi Hatake raised an eyebrow. "Are you in a hurry?"

Obito Uchiha nodded.

Kakashi Hatake was silent for a moment. Just as Obito Uchiha thought his aloof teammate was coming up with an idea for him, his teammate's words delivered a critical blow.

"Don't rush. If I'm not mistaken, you might not be his opponent."

Obito Uchiha was stunned. After a moment, he glared and said indignantly, "You don't even know him well! Why do you think I'm not his opponent!"

Kakashi Hatake: "Intuition."

"Also, only the weak constantly clamor. If you were truly stronger than Nebula Kotetsu, you wouldn't have been careless the time before last."

Obito Uchiha's face turned red with suppressed anger.