The Disaster Caused by Roasted Rabbit

To the northeast of the Hidden Leaf Village, a large number of elegant Japanese-style wooden houses stood in neat rows, surrounding the Hyuga Clan shrine at the center.

At that moment, inside the Hyuga shrine, Hyuga Hiashi knelt before a small table, his hands resting in front of his knees and his back straight.

Several elderly men beside him narrowed their Byakugan, a trait unique to the Hyuga Clan, and scrutinized Hyuga Hiashi.

"You think we should remain neutral this time?"

The Hyuga Clan's Great Elder, Hyuga Yuzuru, was Hyuga Hiashi's uncle. Though he was already sixty—an advanced age for a ninja—he was still vigorous and ruddy-faced.

"That's right."

Hyuga Hiashi leaned forward slightly and nodded with a serious expression.

"Over the years, we've used the Third Hokage's influence to suppress the Uchiha Clan. But the Third Hokage's power and prestige have grown too quickly, while the strength of our clans has stagnated and even declined."

"If this continues, the Third Hokage may grow too powerful to control, and he might well turn against us."

"We may as well watch the Uchiha Clan and the Third Hokage fight it out. Even if the Uchiha win, it might not be a bad thing."

Hyuga Yuzuru nodded, closed his eyes, and furrowed his brow in thought without stating his position right away.

Instead, the Hyuga Clan's Second Elder, Hyuga Jiexin, glared angrily, stroking his beard as he declared, "Absolutely not! My Hyuga Clan and the Uchiha Clan are both clans with special ocular powers. We've been at odds with the Uchiha since the Warring States period. If the Uchiha grow powerful, how could they possibly spare us?"

The Hyuga Clan's Third Elder, Hyuga Jieyuan, shook his head, lifted his tea, took a sip, and said unhurriedly, "And you think Sarutobi Hiruzen is any better? He's friendly on the surface but sinister underneath, saying one thing to our faces and another behind our backs."

"He claims he wants to carry on Lord Tobirama's ideals and suppress our clans, while the Sarutobi Clan has grown who knows how many times larger than before. They're already lording it over us."

Hyuga Yuzuru opened his eyes, his gaze composed, and said slowly, "He's still better than the alternative. At least he's willing to keep up appearances. He's far better than that mad dog, Danzo."

"But Sarutobi Hiruzen has been slowly bleeding us dry, weakening us bit by bit. In that case, we may as well sit back and watch the tiger fight. There's no need to choose a side yet."

As the eldest brother, Hyuga Yuzuru had always commanded great authority. Since he had spoken, Hyuga Jiexin and Hyuga Jieyuan could only nod in agreement.

Seeing this, Hyuga Hiashi stood and bowed. "Then I'll send word to the clans we're on good terms with."

"Mm."

Hyuga Yuzuru nodded faintly and slowly rose, leaning on his cane. "Have someone keep an eye on Tsunade and Orochimaru. If they can replicate it, then we'll continue supporting the Hokage."

At Ichiraku Ramen, Kurenai Yuhi glared at Obito with big, resentful red eyes as he pinched her cheek. "Don't pinch my face!"

"But didn't you say I could?"

Obito let go and set the beef ramen Teuchi had just made in front of Kurenai Yuhi.

"Hmph."

Kurenai Yuhi picked up her bowl, took a sip of broth, and sighed with satisfaction. Then she turned away with a little pout. "You promised to make me roasted rabbit, but you vanished!"

"I've just had a lot going on."

Obito smiled, stroked Kurenai Yuhi's hair, and added a slice of meat to her bowl.

"So when are you going to make it?"

Kurenai Yuhi's cheeks bulged with food as she let Obito stroke her hair.

Obito rubbed his chin, thinking that it would probably be a while before those Uchiha idiots got the hang of it. He smiled and said, "How about tomorrow?"

"Okay."

Kurenai Yuhi nodded, then managed to hold out her left pinky despite being busy eating. She looked at Obito, who stared back blankly, and said coquettishly, "Pinky promise."

"Okay, pinky promise."

Obito extended his pinky, half amused and half exasperated, and sighed inwardly.

Children in the Ninja World generally matured quickly, both physically and mentally. Uchiha Itachi had been only thirteen when he slaughtered his clan, and Kakashi had become a Chunin at six. By ten, he was already practically an adult.

Obito himself was only ten, but apart from his aunt and uncle, no one would have thought of him as a child.

But seeing Kurenai Yuhi's childish gesture made Obito realize that his companions—and he himself—were only ten-year-old children. In his previous life, they'd still have been in elementary school.

"What a cruel world the Ninja World is!"

"I'll change it."

Obito sighed and pinched Kurenai Yuhi's chubby cheek, reaffirming his resolve.

Nearby, Rin and Kakashi had been watching the two in astonishment. Rin pulled Kurenai Yuhi, who was still eating voraciously, aside and whispered, "Kurenai, when did you and Obito get so close?"

Kurenai Yuhi's face belatedly grew warm. "Didn't I tell you? Obito saved me on our last mission."

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

Rin sounded nearly frantic as she rubbed Kurenai Yuhi's smooth, tender cheek. "You promised I was the only one allowed to pinch it."

The rubbing made Kurenai Yuhi uncomfortable. She shook her head and asked guiltily, "Because he's a better cook than you?"

"Ah... Kurenai, you idiot!"

Rin pursed her lips, puffed out her cheeks, and pulled Kurenai Yuhi's face to either side.

Watching Rin and Kurenai Yuhi play around, Obito smiled and shook his head. He set up a Soundproofing Array around them, sat down beside Kakashi, and asked softly, "How have you been lately?"

"Fine."

Kakashi's voice was stiff as he ate his noodles with meticulous care.

Ever since Hatake Sakumo had killed himself, Kakashi had shut himself away. Even around his teammates, he was usually rational, cold, and unsmiling.

"Are you going to keep running away? Don't you want to avenge your father?"

Obito stared into Kakashi's dead-fish eyes and spoke in a low voice.

"Shut up."

Kakashi abruptly raised his head and glared at Obito, his voice as cold as thousand-year-old ice.

Obito pressed a hand to Kakashi's shoulder, met his bloodshot eyes, and said gravely, "When the rumors first started, I told you, but you didn't believe me."

"Now your father is dead. Do you still not believe me?"

"Who do you think was capable of manipulating public opinion in secret?"

Kakashi lowered his head. For a long time, he said nothing.

Rin stopped playing with Kurenai Yuhi and looked at Kakashi with concern. She turned and whispered, "Obito, what's wrong with Kakashi?"

"He's running away from reality."

Obito said no more. He casually dispelled the Soundproofing Array, then waved as he headed out. "I'm leaving. The bill's already paid."

Kurenai Yuhi quickly put down her bowl and chopsticks and called out, "Remember, we made a pinky promise!"

"Don't worry."

"I'll come find you tomorrow."

Obito waved over his shoulder and headed toward the Uchiha Clan Compound.