The Tragedy Caused by a Roasted Rabbit

To the northeast of the Hidden Leaf Village, a vast expanse of exquisite Japanese-style wooden houses stood in orderly rows, guarding the Hyuga family ancestral hall at the center.

Inside the hall, Hyuga Hiashi knelt before a small low table, his hands resting on his knees and his back held perfectly straight.

Nearby, several elderly men with the Hyuga family's signature white eyes narrowed their gaze, scrutinizing Hyuga Hiashi with judgmental eyes.

"You believe we should remain neutral this time?"

The Great Elder of the Hyuga family, Hyuga Hiashi's uncle Hyuga Yuzuru, was already sixty years old—a ripe age for a ninja—yet he remained full of vigor, his complexion ruddy and healthy.

"That is correct."

Hyuga Hiashi leaned forward slightly and nodded earnestly.

"While we have leveraged the influence of the Third Hokage over the years to suppress the Uchiha clan, the Third Hokage's power and prestige have grown too rapidly. Meanwhile, our own family's strength has stagnated, or even regressed."

"If this continues, I fear the Third Hokage will become too powerful to control, and he may eventually turn his sights on us."

"It would be better to sit back and watch the Uchiha clan and the Third Hokage clash. Even if the Uchiha emerge victorious, it may not necessarily be a bad thing."

Hyuga Yuzuru nodded, closing his eyes in deep thought, his brow furrowed as he withheld his stance.

In contrast, the Second Elder, Hyuga Jiexin, glared with wide, angry eyes, his mustache bristling as he shouted, "Absolutely not! The Hyuga and Uchiha clans are both families of ocular techniques; we have been at odds with them since the Warring States period. If the Uchiha gain the upper hand, they will never let the Hyuga clan be."

The Third Elder, Hyuga Jieyuan, shook his head, took a sip of tea, and said slowly, "Is Sarutobi Hiruzen any better? That man has a kind face but a black heart; he says one thing to your face and another behind your back."

"He claims to inherit the ideals of Lord Tobirama to suppress families like ours, yet the Sarutobi clan has grown many times larger than it was back then. Now, they are practically riding on our heads."

Hyuga Yuzuru opened his eyes, the light within them restrained, and said softly, "He is still better than most; at least he is willing to keep up appearances. He is far better than that mad dog Danzo."

"However, Sarutobi Hiruzen has been using a dull knife to cut our flesh, hoping to slowly weaken us. Since that is the case, we might as well sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight. There is no need to rush into placing our bets."

As the eldest, Hyuga Yuzuru carried great authority. Once he had spoken, Hyuga Jiexin and Hyuga Jieyuan could only nod in silent agreement.

Seeing this, Hyuga Hiashi stood up, bowed, and said in a deep voice, "Then I shall send word to the families we are on good terms with."

"Mm."

Hyuga Yuzuru nodded faintly. Leaning on his cane, he slowly rose and added, "Have someone keep an eye on Tsunade and Orochimaru. If they manage to replicate it, we will continue to stand on the Hokage's side."

At the Ichiraku Ramen stand, Kurenai Yuhi opened her large, resentful red eyes and glared at Obito, who was pinching her cheeks. "Stop pinching my face!"

"But didn't you agree to it?"

Obito let go and placed the bowl of beef ramen, just prepared by the owner, in front of Kurenai.

"Hmph."

Kurenai picked up the bowl and took a sip of the broth, sighing with satisfaction. She turned her head and huffed, "You promised to make me grilled rabbit, but you were nowhere to be found!"

"I've just been a bit busy with things."

Obito smiled and ruffled Kurenai's hair, adding a slice of meat to her bowl.

"Then when will you make it?"

Kurenai's cheeks were puffed out as she ate, letting Obito continue to stroke her hair.

Obito touched his chin and thought for a moment. Realizing those Uchiha idiots wouldn't be getting the hang of things anytime soon, he smiled and said, "How about tomorrow?"

"Okay."

Kurenai nodded. In the middle of her busy meal, she extended her left pinky finger. Looking at the stunned Obito, she pouted, "Pinky swear."

"Fine, pinky swear."

Obito felt a mix of amusement and helplessness as he extended his own pinky, sighing inwardly.

Children in the Ninja World generally matured quickly in both body and mind. Uchiha Itachi was only thirteen when he wiped out his clan, and Kakashi had become a Chunin at six; at ten, one was already considered a young adult.

Even Obito himself was only ten, yet aside from his aunt and uncle, no one truly viewed him as a child.

But seeing Kurenai's childish gesture, Obito realized that these companions—and he himself—were still just ten-year-old children. In his previous life, they would still be in elementary school.

The Ninja World is truly a cruel place!

I will change it.

Obito affectionately pinched Kurenai's chubby, flushed cheek, his resolve firming once more.

Nearby, Rin and Kakashi had been watching the two in surprise. Rin pulled Kurenai, who was still devouring her food, to the side and whispered, "Kurenai, since when did you and Obito get so close?"

Kurenai's face felt hot as she realized what she had done. She whispered back, "I told you before, Obito saved me during our last mission."

"But how could you let him pinch your face?"

Rin's tone was frantic. She rubbed Kurenai's smooth, tender cheeks and complained, "You promised that only I could pinch your face!"

Kurenai felt a bit uncomfortable from the rubbing. She shook her head and asked with a guilty conscience, "Is it because his cooking is better than yours?"

"Ah... Kurenai, you idiot!"

Rin puffed out her cheeks and playfully pulled at Kurenai's face from both sides.

Watching Rin and Kurenai bickering, Obito smiled and shook his head. He set up a Soundproofing Array around them, sat down next to Kakashi, and whispered, "How have things been lately?"

"Very well."

Kakashi's tone was cold and rigid as he ate his noodles with meticulous precision.

Ever since Hatake Sakumo committed suicide, Kakashi had sealed off his heart; even when facing his companions, he remained rational, indifferent, and humorless most of the time.

"Are you going to keep running away forever, refusing to avenge your father?"

Obito stared into Kakashi's dead-fish eyes, his voice heavy.

"Shut up."

Kakashi snapped his head up to glare at Obito, his tone like thousand-year-old ice on a frozen tundra.

Obito pressed a hand onto Kakashi's shoulder, looking directly into his bloodshot eyes, and said in a low voice: "I told you when the rumors first started, but you didn't believe me."

"Now that your father is dead, do you still not believe it?"

"Who do you think has the power to manipulate public opinion from the shadows?"

Kakashi lowered his head, remaining silent for a long time.

Rin stopped playing around with Kurenai Yuhi and looked at Kakashi with concern, turning to whisper: "Obito, what's wrong with Kakashi?"

"He's running from reality."

Obito didn't say anything more; he casually dispelled the Soundproofing Array and waved his hand as he walked out. "I'm heading off. The bill is already paid."

Kurenai Yuhi hurriedly set down her bowl and chopsticks, calling out loudly: "Remember, we pinky-promised!"

"Don't worry."

"I'll come find you guys tomorrow."

Obito waved his hand over his shoulder, heading toward the Uchiha Clan compound.