Looks Matter, Makes You Shake with Anger!

Nebula Kotetsu: "..."

Both of them were already trading barbs. Sitting around and doing nothing wasn't his style, so he gathered himself and spoke up:

"Ahem."

"Actually, I don't think we can jump to such a simple conclusion."

"Looks are something you're born with. We can't judge someone just because of their appearance."

"Besides, saying looks are useless is too absolute. Sometimes, they can be a huge help."

Obito Uchiha's face was full of disagreement.

"Hmph! Aside from attracting women with no substance, what good are they?"

"Can they help you complete a mission?"

"Rin, don't hold me back. I have to teach this guy a thing or two!"

Nebula Kotetsu nodded. "Maybe... they actually can."

"Yeah, right! What a load of hot air! Let's see you prove it!" Obito said scornfully. Asuma Sarutobi watched from the side to see how he'd respond.

Without hurrying, Nebula Kotetsu took a picture of the missing Akita from his pocket.

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

"Excuse me, have you seen this dog? We've been looking for it everywhere."

As he spoke, he gave them a warm smile.

Like sunlight melting icicles and the first snowfall nourishing the earth.

Like a rare, precious flower blooming before their eyes—a breathtaking beauty and fragrance the likes of which they might never see again.

The young women froze in place.

A few seconds later came the sound of water continuously coming to a boil.

As Obito and Asuma watched in astonishment, the young women's faces flushed as if they were drunk. They grabbed the picture and hurried off.

Amid a commotion that sent everyone scrambling,

five minutes later, several people carried out an Akita, trussed up from head to toe.

It had a half-eaten bone in its mouth.

Its doggy face wore the same bewildered shock as Obito and the others.

"You're such kind, helpful girls."

"Thank you! Thank you so much! I have some barbecue coupons here, too. Please take them and enjoy a meal with your friends."

"I can't join you. I have another mission to take care of. Really, thank you so much."

Holding the Akita by the scruff, Nebula Kotetsu returned to the others.

"Mission accomplished."

Everyone: "..."

There wasn't a trace of smugness left on Obito's face.

He clenched his teeth.

His whole body trembled.

On a scorching day, cold sweat drenched him, and his hands and feet turned icy.

Could this Shinobi World ever get any better? What would it take for hardworking, honest boys like us to stand tall again?

Ignoring Obito's silent protest, Nebula Kotetsu turned to Rin Nohara, who was smiling brightly.

She smiled at him, then said, "Nebula, let me introduce you. This is our new teammate, Kakashi."

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

As Rin introduced them enthusiastically, Obito, who still hadn't recovered from the blow, stiffened.

Kakashi Hatake noticed at once but said nothing. He nodded in greeting to Nebula Kotetsu, who had also nodded to him. Though mildly surprised by Nebula's looks, he kept his manner cool.

He wasn't exactly warm.

Nebula Kotetsu wasn't surprised. Kakashi Hatake still hadn't recovered from the grief of losing his father. He was indifferent to everything around him, trapped in the bitter belief that teammates could be sacrificed and missions always came first.

The higher-ups in the Leaf hoped that the kindhearted, enthusiastic Obito and Rin would help bring out the best in the Hatake Clan's prodigy. But it would probably take a long time before they made any difference.

Kurenai Yuhi and Rin chatted for a little while longer. In the end, Asuma Sarutobi used the mission handover as an excuse to pull them away.

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

Before they left, Nebula Kotetsu gave Rin a subtle look.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she gave him a small, discreet nod.

Once the others had gone, Kakashi Hatake said coldly, "Let's go. We should find the client and report in."

Obito Uchiha didn't respond. He was still staring at Nebula Kotetsu's retreating figure.

Seeing the impatience on Kakashi Hatake's face, Rin Nohara tugged at Obito's sleeve. "Come on, Obito."

"That Nebula Kotetsu is so full of himself!" Obito complained as they walked.

"He's just a tiny bit better-looking than everyone else!"

"Making some strange girls help you with a mission is just... just..." He couldn't find the right words, no matter how hard he tried.

Kakashi Hatake spoke up calmly. "That's enough. He's already gone."

"Besides, it's just a mission. As long as you get it done, any method is fair game."

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

"You think it's praiseworthy to complete a mission with help from some strange girl?"

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

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

Obito Uchiha: "How is that the same!?"

Kakashi Hatake gave him a cold look. "How is it different?"

"I... I..." Obito Uchiha was at a loss for words.

He wanted to say that he'd helped the old lady earlier, so he hadn't been taking advantage of her. But then he remembered that Nebula Kotetsu had offered the girls barbecue coupons, too.

After thinking for a long time without coming up with a good reason, he grew even angrier.

He wanted to make a few threats, but Rin Nohara was right in front of him, and he was afraid of upsetting her.

So he sulked as he walked back with the other two.

They hadn't gone far when an idea suddenly occurred to him. He edged closer to Kakashi Hatake.

"Kakashi, can I ask you something?"

Kakashi Hatake: "Go ahead."

Obito Uchiha was used to his coldness and continued, "I wanted to ask, if two people in the village have a problem with each other, is there any way to..."

"Settle the problem?"

"No, to get even!"

"I want to teach him a lesson, but I can't find a good opportunity. Now Rin won't even let me challenge that guy again."

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

"Yeah!" Obito Uchiha nodded without hesitation. "I do!"

"The time before last, I let my guard down and he got the drop on me."

"Last time, I won, but that jerk took advantage of his injuries to gain Rin's sympathy."

"So I want to fight him fair and square!"

Kakashi Hatake: "Actually, it's not impossible."

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

Kakashi Hatake said, "At the annual Chunin Ninja Exams, there's a good chance you'll run into each other."

"When that happens, you can settle your grudges and get revenge."

"Huh?" Obito Uchiha said dejectedly. "But that's still a long way off."

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

Obito Uchiha nodded.

Kakashi Hatake fell silent for a moment. Obito Uchiha thought his cool-headed teammate was coming up with a solution for him, but the other boy's next words hit him like a blow.

"Don't get ahead of yourself. If I'm not mistaken, you might not be a match for him."

Obito Uchiha froze. A moment later, he glared at Kakashi Hatake indignantly. "You don't even know him! What makes you think I can't beat him?"

Kakashi Hatake: "Instinct."

"Besides, only the weak keep running their mouths. If you really were stronger than Nebula Kotetsu, you wouldn't have had that 'careless moment' the time before last."

Obito Uchiha's face turned bright red.