Quiet, fulfilling days often passed quickly. Morning mist covered the small courtyard, and the pear tree by the wall had somehow blossomed, its white flowers clustered together in a simple, elegant display.
"Yeah!"
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
A fireball suddenly flared up in the courtyard and shot into the sky, scattering the morning mist. Two boys stood facing each other. One held a short sword in both hands, while the other gripped a kunai in one hand, both watching each other warily.
"Obito, if this is all you've got, there's no point in continuing this fight!"
Kakashi, short sword in hand, looked at Obito, who was panting across from him, and spoke softly. Today, Obito had become his sparring partner. It hadn't been Uzumaki Kuming's idea; Obito had volunteered. He probably wanted to defeat Kakashi and prove himself in front of Rin.
Unfortunately, Kakashi's physical abilities had improved tremendously over the past few months. The gap between him and Obito hadn't narrowed at all—in fact, Kakashi had only widened it.
"Damn it!"
"I was only using a tenth of my strength. Just you wait—I'll beat you soon!"
Obito was already seventeen, but he still spoke like a child. Hearing Kakashi's words, he immediately retorted.
Though Obito said that, he remained where he was, watching Kakashi warily. He didn't seem to have figured out how to attack him.
Obito might have stayed still, but Kakashi didn't have to. When Obito failed to make a move, Kakashi held his short sword behind his back and swiftly formed Hand Seals.
"Lightning Style: Earth Flash!"
Kakashi didn't care what Obito was thinking. He slammed both hands into the ground, and two visible streaks of lightning shot along the surface toward Obito Uchiha. The ground they passed over turned charred black. The technique packed