The First Step of the Plan

"I still can't wrap my head around why Lord Orochimaru would take this guy as a disciple," Uchiha Obito muttered, casting a sidelong glance at Sen Chisato, who was walking ahead of them.

Throughout the journey, even though he had confirmed it at least ten times, he still couldn't accept the reality of the situation.

That was the "Cold Lord" Orochimaru, a disciple of the Third Hokage and one of the Legendary Sannin.

As for the brat in front of him, aside from being a head taller, he looked completely unremarkable in every way.

"Haha, Chisato is actually quite impressive," Namikaze Minato explained with a smile.

Setting aside the immense chakra he had witnessed firsthand in the command tent, the intelligence he had gathered from Sarutobi Hakuba before their departure was startling enough.

Despite his young age, he surpassed not only Obito but even Kakashi, who had long been hailed as a "genius."

"Tch, I think he's nothing special. Lord Orochimaru must have misjudged him," Obito said bluntly; he wouldn't believe it until he saw it with his own eyes.

"Obito, stop it," Nohara Rin whispered, trying to stop him. She glanced at Sen Chisato and sighed helplessly.

Obito was being so loud that the other boy must have heard him.

Honestly, how could he just go around badmouthing people like that?

Sen Chisato had indeed heard him. He stopped in his tracks, turned around, and said, "I suppose it's understandable. If even someone like you can be scouted by Minato, Lord Orochimaru taking me as a disciple is hardly a stretch."

"Damn you, are you looking down on me!" Even with his slow wit, Obito caught the insult. He clenched his fists, his face flushing with rage.

"Obito, don't," Nohara Rin hurried in front of him, placing a hand on his chest in an attempt to calm him down.

Though he felt a twinge of annoyance at being stopped by the girl he liked—especially since she was defending Sen Chisato—Obito decided to hold back.

He didn't want to make Rin angry.

Just then, the corner of Sen Chisato's mouth curled up, and he let out a soft sound from his nose: "Hmph!"

It was the exact same mocking tone Kakashi often used!

That kind of disdainful, condescending mockery was the one thing Obito couldn't stand.

He sidestepped Nohara Rin and lunged at Sen Chisato, his fist flying directly toward the other boy's face.

"I don't care who you are, today I, the great Obito, am going to teach you a lesson!"

"Obito!" Nohara Rin cried out, reaching out to pull him back, but she only managed to grab a wisp of air left in his wake.

Kakashi stood where he was with his hands in his pockets, prepared to watch with cold indifference.

Let's see what this guy is actually capable of, he thought.

The memory of being instantly blocked earlier still lingered in his mind. He couldn't help but be concerned by that speed, which had been so fast he hadn't even been able to react.

"A bunch of troubled youths, the lot of them," Namikaze Minato said with a helpless smile.

Whether it was Obito or Kakashi, both had their own issues, and as teammates, they couldn't stand each other.

Now, there was another one to add to the mix.

It was a good thing he had a sunny disposition, or he might have started to suspect that Orochimaru was targeting him personally.

However, he didn't want these two to actually fight. The team dynamics were already strained enough, and adding another person—an outsider at that—wouldn't be something Nohara Rin could smooth over.

He tensed his legs, ready to intervene.

Just then, he noticed Sen Chisato glance at him, and he pulled back his step.

He understood the look in Sen Chisato's eyes.

Sen Chisato stood perfectly still. By now, Obito had reached him and swung his fist toward his face, yet he remained motionless, as if he hadn't reacted at all.

Only when the fist was inches from his cheek did Sen Chisato finally move. He reached out to grab the fist while stepping to the side, his lead foot kicking toward the back of Obito's knee.

The sequence of movements was incredibly swift. Obito felt a blur before his eyes, and then Sen Chisato vanished.

By the time he realized what had happened, he felt a sharp pain in the back of his knee. His leg buckled, and he found his arm twisted behind his back while his head was forced into the dirt.

Just as he tried to struggle, a heavy weight pressed against his lower back, and a short blade was held against his throat.

So fast! Kakashi's pupils constricted.

Even though he had been prepared, he had barely managed to track the entire movement.

The speed was one thing, but the efficiency was what mattered—not a single wasted motion. It was as if he had practiced these moves thousands of times, specifically designed for killing.

It made him wonder: if they were enemies, how many moves could he last against Sen Chisato?

After running a few simulations in his head, he subconsciously tightened his fists inside his pockets.

Ten moves, at most!

"Damn it, let me go! That was just a fluke! If you've got the guts, face me in a real fight!" Obito shouted, his face full of indignation as he struggled despite being pinned down.

Shing!

The blade slid against his neck and drove into the ground. The icy sensation made Obito stiffen, goosebumps erupting across his skin. A wave of coldness washed over him, seeping into his body like thousands of needles.

Obito froze, his heart hammering against his ribs, his mind going blank.

"If you weren't a Leaf ninja, you'd be dead right now. A 'real fight'? Do you think we're playing some kind of ninja game? If you don't want to die, you'd better remember: this is a battlefield. One moment of carelessness, and you're dead!"

Sen Chisato's tone was frigid. After his outburst, he released Obito, though he couldn't help but think to himself, So this is what it feels like to lecture someone with full justification. This feels great!

As expected, having a righteous and upright identity is truly necessary; there are simply too many things one can accomplish with it.

Since he happened to be Orochimaru's disciple, he naturally possessed the trust of the Hokage's faction, a status he would have to carefully maintain from here on out.

Thinking this, he kept a straight face, turned slightly, and said, "Also, you can talk behind my back if you want, but don't let me hear any disparaging remarks about my teacher."

Hmm, maintaining the image of Lord Orochimaru shouldn't just be about how I act in front of the man himself; I need to leave a deep impression on others as well.

"And you, stop staring at me like that. If you aren't afraid of getting beaten up, I don't mind being your sparring partner in my spare time." After issuing another warning to Kakashi, Sen Chisato felt that the first step of his plan was essentially complete.

This was the plan he had formulated ever since he encountered Team Minato.

With Nohara Rin as the core, and relying on the complex dynamics within Team Minato, it was tailored specifically for Uchiha Obito!

If it succeeded, the gains would be staggering.

The first step of the plan was a trial by fire—not just for Uchiha Obito, but for Kakashi as well.

He believed that after today, Team Minato would have a comprehensive understanding of him.

He would be seen as a powerful, cold, and unruly genius ninja; yet at the same time, a companion who, while seemingly heartless on the surface, was actually reliable and trustworthy!

Now, Team Minato should be responding.

Yet, the atmosphere remained dead silent.

Sen Chisato blinked.

What was going on?

Why was there no reaction?

Wasn't Namikaze Minato going to say something? Didn't Kakashi feel provoked? Wasn't Nohara Rin going to try and mediate?

Especially Uchiha Obito—after being lectured like that, shouldn't he have jumped up to fight him to the death?

This didn't fit the definition of a "fool"!

Turning his head, he saw Uchiha Obito still sprawled on the ground, as if all the strength had been drained from his body.

Finally, Namikaze Minato spoke, his tone exceptionally earnest and serious: "Chisato's words are correct, and I hope everyone remembers them!"

"However..."

His tone shifted, and Namikaze Minato sounded slightly helpless: "Chisato, don't go around releasing killing intent like that next time."

Sen Chisato was speechless.

He had indeed released some killing intent, intending to intimidate Uchiha Obito while leaving a deep impression on Team Minato.

He just hadn't expected Uchiha Obito to be so easily frightened.

"Tch, understood." Although Team Minato's reaction deviated slightly from his expectations, it didn't hinder the progress of his plan. Sen Chisato had no intention of doing anything else for the moment; since Namikaze Minato had spoken, he simply followed suit.

Nohara Rin finally regained her composure. As she passed by him, she cast a fearful glance his way before hurriedly helping Uchiha Obito up, her face full of concern.

"Obito, are you alright?"

"I—I'm fine!" Uchiha Obito insisted stubbornly as he slowly stood up.

"Heh, scared witless, were you?" Kakashi chose that exact moment to land a well-timed jab.

"Who—who would be scared by such cheap tricks!" Uchiha Obito continued to play tough, not wanting to lose face in front of Nohara Rin, and forced an excuse, "I was just... I just thought he was right, so I was, uh, just thinking it over carefully on the ground."

That wasn't enough; desperate for comfort from the girl he liked most, he looked at Nohara Rin pitifully: "Rin, you believe me, right?"

"Ah, of course!" Nohara Rin smiled brightly, her eyes curving into crescents as she gave her affirmation without a moment's hesitation.