The stream at Konoha's training ground gleamed a vivid green, shimmering faintly in the tranquil morning like aged wine mellowed over countless years. A slightly intoxicating breeze brushed across Obito Uchiha's face.
Disbelief filled his eyes as he stared silently at Minato Namikaze, who looked travel-worn and somewhat exhausted.
"Minato-sensei, did you just say... say... Xu... Kato Osamu... is leaving Team Minato?"
Obito seemed at a loss. He had never imagined things would turn out this way.
"But... why...? Wasn't everyone doing fine?"
Obito lowered his head, his shoulders slumping. Even Minato could not bear to watch. Of his three students, the one he liked most was actually passionate, hot-blooded Obito.
Though Obito was always getting into trouble and lacked Kakashi Hatake's talent, it was precisely because he was a lonely child struggling out of life's mire that he could gather all his passion and treat everyone with the kindness in his heart.
Minato reached out and rubbed Obito's head. His black hair was a mess, damp with warm sweat. Obito panted lightly after running all the way here, but he could not hide the disappointment in his heart.
"Obito... there are some things we can't change for now..."
"I'm sorry..."
Minato frowned slightly and let out a soft sigh. He had not expected Xu's departure to come so suddenly...
"Minato-sensei, this isn't your fault..."
Kakashi frowned, still carrying that air of coldness as he leaned against a large tree. As a Jonin, he understood more than the others, yet even he did not know whether he had wrongly blamed Kato Osamu this time.
Kato Osamu had shown no unusual behavior, making Kakashi's constant vigilance seem completely unnecessary.
"But... where exactly did Xu go?"
"Just because we're no longer on the same team, does that mean we can never meet