Time was like Namikaze Minato: before you even realized it, it had already slipped quietly away.
Two years passed in a flash.
Genye seemed to spend all day at home doing nothing, but in truth, he really had... ahem, really had been working hard at his training.
He tried applying the force-generation technique of Collapse to the Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm, and the results were excellent. He could always manage to snap his meridians again just as they were about to heal.
He had no choice. With all those Byakugan around, this was the only way.
Still, this stop-and-start process also increased the resilience of his meridians. You could call it an alternative kind of training.
Honestly, Genye felt like his meridians were incredibly tough now. He could pull them out and use them as bowstrings for Nezha.
(Meridians: Thanks a fucking lot!)
"Whew, I've been laying low long enough. It's about time I got stronger."
Genye got out of bed, got dressed, and looked at a notice on the table.
"Classmates' Celebration for Kakashi's Promotion to Jonin (Confidential Mission)"
Rin had slipped it to him a few days earlier, inviting him to meet up with everyone today and discuss what gift they should get Kakashi.
If I remember right, today should be the worst day of Obito's life.
"Tsk. Poor Obito."
The Yamanaka Flower Shop was one of the Yamanaka Clan's businesses in Konoha, and the only shop in the village that supplied fresh flowers all day long.
"Rin-chan, hehehe..."
Obito walked out of the shop holding a bouquet of flowers, grinning to himself with a clear-eyed, foolish smile.
Earlier, Rin had quietly leaned close to his ear and asked him to meet her beneath the cherry tree in the west of the village. She said she had something important to tell him.
To Rin's surprise, Obito had even activated his Sharingan to make sure she really was Rin!
And not those two bastards, Genye and Asuma!
Looking at the flowers in his hands and thinking of Rin's lovely face, Obito was so excited he could hardly contain himself.
"After waiting so long, the day has finally come!"
Rin had mysteriously asked him to meet her in such a romantic place. What else could she have something important to say about?
It had to be about the two of them!
"I'm coming, Rin-chan!" Obito shouted, trying to work up his courage.
"Coming where? Come with me!"
But just then, a big man suddenly appeared behind him, hooked an arm around him, and dragged him off in the opposite direction without a word.
"Hey, Genye, what are you doing? Huh? Let go of me!" Obito was pressed against Genye's chest, his head spinning.
"...Damn, weren't you still injured? Why do you feel even stronger than me?"
Obito was afraid he might hurt the "frail" Genye if he struggled too hard.
With no other choice, he half-heartedly followed Genye to a secluded grove.
Only after checking that no one was around did Genye let go of Obito. He pointed at the flowers in Obito's arms and asked, "Were you planning to confess to Rin?"
"Yeah." Obito nodded, then asked in confusion, "Why did you stop me? Weren't you the one who told me to be brave and tell her how I feel?"
"Here. See for yourself."
Genye couldn't be bothered to explain. He pulled the notice from his clothes and handed it to Obito.
"This is... a celebration for Kakashi becoming a Jonin... Kakashi...!"
As he read, Obito's pupils suddenly contracted.
It was as if he had figured something out. His eyes dimmed at once, and he gave a self-mocking laugh.
"Of course Rin-chan didn't ask me to meet her because of... Heh, I'm such an idiot. Really. I should've realized this ages ago."
He looked up at Genye and asked listlessly,
"So Rin actually invited everyone out today to prepare a celebration for that guy Kakashi?"
Genye patted Obito on the shoulder. Looking at the notice that Obito had unconsciously crushed into a ball, he sighed.
"Probably... By the way, your goggles are crooked. Let me straighten them for you."
sigh.
Obito looked at Genye despondently. "Rin invited you too, right? It's almost time. Why aren't you going?"
"Oh, well..." Genye explained, "That kid Kakashi made me mad two years, one month, and three days ago."
"I'm not a grudge-holding person, but whenever I think about it, it still bothers me a little, so I'm not going."
Obito: "???"
Are you sure you don't hold grudges? Why do you remember it so clearly?
"Anyway, Obito, I say you shouldn't go either. You're clearly hurting inside, so don't force yourself to put on a happy face."
Genye put an arm around Obito again and said firmly, "You just got promoted to Chunin, right? No one's celebrated for you yet, have they?"
"Come on, I'll take you out to celebrate!"
Obito's eyes reddened at once. "Genye, how did you know? I, I..."
Of course I know, Genye thought. He'd watched Naruto, after all.
When he'd seen Obito remembering the story, Genye had realized that even though this world was so lively, Obito's own life was so lonely.
People said Obito was Naruto who had gone down the wrong path. Since Genye had come to this world, he might as well try to change something.
And, well, he could also boost Obito's affection toward him.
"Let's go eat barbecue," Genye suggested.
"But I want ramen..."
Obito swallowed the words that had nearly escaped him, then nodded firmly. "All right. Let's go eat barbecue!"
It was the first time in his life he'd stood Rin up, but somehow... he felt a lot better!
The shopping street.
Mei wandered from place to place, looking at all the restaurants until her indecisiveness kicked in.
"What should I eat for lunch? If only Genye were here. He could just decide for me."
As she walked, Mei suddenly gaped, staring in shock.
The person up ahead looked like Genye, but the one in his arms... was... was...?!
Mei wouldn't have been so surprised even if Genye had his arms around a girl.
After all, Genye was so handsome that it was only natural for girls to throw themselves at him. She was confident she could take on any rival!
But... but the person Genye was holding was clearly a boy!
And that boy was holding a bouquet of flowers! A whole bouquet!
Mei's worldview shattered in an instant. She felt utterly lost, murmuring under her breath.
"No wonder Genye has always ignored my feelings. So... so..."
"No~!"
Snow was falling, and the north wind was howling.
As a bleak background tune played, Mei fought back her tears, covered her face, and ran off.
"..."
Genye had seen Mei too, and he hesitated, unsure what to say.
He could tell she seemed to have misunderstood something, but he couldn't exactly chase after her and explain.
Wouldn't that make him look guilty?
So Genye kept his arm around Obito as if nothing had happened and walked into the barbecue restaurant amid the odd looks from those around them.
"What? You expect me to pay?!"
After they sat down and ordered, Obito stared at Genye with wide eyes, completely incredulous.
"Dude, weren't you the one who said you'd take me out to celebrate? And I'm already in such a bad mood today, and you still expect me to pay?!"
"You're in a bad mood, but I'm in a good one!"
Genye answered matter-of-factly, "Think about it. If you make me pay for the meal, then I'll be in a bad mood too."
"So, all things considered, it's better to let just you be in a bad mood. Don't you think?"
Obito: "..."
I can't believe I fell for your bullshit!
A moment ago, he'd been thinking Genye was so generous for ordering all that meat. But in the end, he was the one paying...
Obito silently pulled out his wallet.
He'd already spent quite a bit on the flowers, and this meal made his already meager allowance stretch even thinner.
As soon as the barbecue arrived, Obito immediately started wolfing it down. It was all coming out of his pocket!
Watching Obito eat like there was no tomorrow, Genye smiled faintly, though his mood had grown somewhat heavy.
If he remembered correctly, the day Kakashi officially became a Jonin was also the day the Battle of Kannabi Bridge broke out.
If nothing unexpected happened, it would be in just a few days.
Obito, I'll do everything I can to save you and change the tragic fate you were meant to suffer.
But if I fail, I hope you won't blame me...
Before you continue