"Hm?"
Ordinarily, Uchiha Yue had already been training for two whole years. Even if someone deliberately tried to bump into him, his lightning-fast reflexes would have let him dodge. But his mother was holding his hand, so he couldn't avoid the collision—and he nearly fell to the ground.
Even though the other person apologized, Uchiha Yue couldn't help frowning slightly as he looked at him.
But the moment Uchiha Yue got a good look at the other person, surprise appeared in his eyes.
The person who had bumped into him was none other than a familiar figure from the original story: Uchiha Obito, the one who gave his Sharingan to Hatake Kakashi!
No wonder. It was him...
Seeing a familiar character from the story, Uchiha Yue felt something indescribable. After all, this was his first time meeting someone he recognized from the series. In the four years since he had crossed over into the Naruto world, Uchiha Yue had rarely left home because his father, Uchiha Nara, was shunned by Konoha and even by the entire Uchiha Clan. He had never had a chance to meet any of the familiar characters.
That was exactly why Uchiha Yue had been so eager to meet Hatake Kakashi. Who would've thought he'd run into Uchiha Obito here?
Since Obito was a familiar character, Uchiha Yue couldn't very well pick a fight with him. Besides, his mother, Minako, was right there.
So, as soon as Uchiha Obito finished speaking, Uchiha Yue smiled and nodded. "It's okay. You should hurry, or you'll be late."
"Oh! I forgot!"
Relieved that Uchiha Yue had forgiven him, Uchiha Obito rubbed his nose awkwardly. Then he remembered that he was running late and hurriedly prepared to leave.
Just as Uchiha Obito was about to rush off, Uchiha Yue's mother, Minako, smiled and said, "If I'm not mistaken, you're a student in this year's class at the Ninja Academy, aren't you? There's no need to rush. My Yue is going to enroll there too. Registration starts at nine, and it's only eight thirty now. You still have time."
"Phew. It's only eight thirty!"
At Minako's words, Uchiha Obito let out a deep breath and visibly relaxed.
Once he no longer had to worry about being late, Uchiha Obito looked at Minako, then at Uchiha Yue, and asked in surprise, "Yue? Did that pretty big sister just call you Yue? Could you be the Uchiha Yue the clan elders call a genius?"
"If the genius you mean is named Uchiha Yue, then yes, that's him."
Before Uchiha Yue could answer, Minako spoke up first. "But, going by our ages, you can't call me big sister. You should call me auntie. As for Yue, he's only a few months older than you, I think! You two have a chat. I won't get in your way."
With that, Minako let go of Uchiha Yue's hand. Before she went inside, she put on a stern face and said, "Yue, remember not to be late!"
"I know, Mother."
Watching Minako turn and walk into the house, Uchiha Yue smiled silently, then turned his attention to Uchiha Obito.
Uchiha Yue understood his mother's intentions. She wanted him and Uchiha Obito to become friends. Because Uchiha Nara had Uchiha Madara's bloodline, he was widely shunned in Konoha, and Uchiha Yue had been left without many friends his own age. On top of that, Uchiha Yue had the soul of an adult and a rather solitary disposition. Minako had always known he had never had a true friend his own age.
Now, Uchiha Obito's arrival had given Minako the perfect opportunity.
So Minako had decided to send Uchiha Yue and Uchiha Obito to the Ninja Academy together, giving them a chance to become friends along the way.
Understanding his mother's intentions, Uchiha Yue didn't want to let her down. Besides, he was quite interested in Uchiha Obito.
In the early part of the Naruto manga, Uchiha Obito might have appeared only in Hatake Kakashi's memories. But by the later parts of the series, who didn't know the name Uchiha Obito?
He had taken over from Uchiha Madara as the one carrying out the Eye of the Moon plan. Uchiha Obito was definitely one of the biggest villains in the Naruto world.
But the Uchiha Obito standing here was still rather immature. Especially in front of Uchiha Yue, he was so shy he could barely speak.
Uchiha Yue knew exactly why Uchiha Obito was shy.
Even in Konoha, strength was the only rule that mattered.
This was especially true within the Uchiha Clan, where strength and seniority followed strict rules. Uchiha Yue had already earned the title of genius within the clan, which naturally put some pressure on Uchiha Obito. Still, Uchiha Yue had underestimated him. During their conversation, Obito was shy for only a little while before he started chatting away with Uchiha Yue.
"Yue, you always seem busy. What do you do every day?"
"I train every day. What about you?"
"Me!"
At Uchiha Yue's question, Uchiha Obito proudly thumped his chest and declared, "I train all the time, too! Don't let my current strength fool you. Sooner or later, the Uchiha Clan will become Konoha's strongest clan under my leadership! And when I become Hokage, I'll bring peace to the entire ninja world so there'll never be another war!"
After a few more words, Uchiha Obito casually slung an arm around Uchiha Yue's shoulders. They looked like old friends already.
Even Uchiha Yue, who had lived two lives, couldn't help being stunned. Uchiha Obito really was a natural at making friends. They hadn't known each other long, yet he was already acting so familiar.
As Uchiha Obito spoke, he looked at Uchiha Yue again and asked, "Yue, what are your hobbies?"
"My hobbies..."
Before Uchiha Yue could finish, Uchiha Obito carried on talking. "Hey, your hobbies are so boring! Mine are much more meaningful! When I have some free time, I like helping old folks cross the street and doing good deeds. Someone as kind as me is bound to win everyone's approval in the village one day. Then I'll be able to become Hokage!"
As he spoke, Uchiha Obito spotted an elderly woman carrying a heavy load up ahead. He patted Uchiha Yue on the shoulder and said, "Yue, I'm going to help that old lady. Wait for me!"
Before he could finish speaking, Uchiha Yue watched Uchiha Obito disappear from his side as he hurried over to help the old woman.
Standing there and watching kindhearted Uchiha Obito, Uchiha Yue suddenly felt that fate could be so inexplicable.
Somehow, kindhearted Uchiha Obito would go on to become Akatsuki's sharpest fang. It really did feel as if fate were playing a cruel joke on him.
But...
Now that Uchiha Yue had crossed over into the Naruto world, would Uchiha Obito's fate still turn out so tragically?
Watching Uchiha Obito help the old woman back home, Uchiha Yue's gaze suddenly flashed with determination.
When I'm strong enough, I'll change your fate!
"Obito."
Before you continue