Obito's Dilemma

Before long, Shitaka Sarutobi's arrogant bearing spread throughout the village.

At the same time, the Uchiha Clan learned that Uchiha Chuan was planning to withdraw from the Ninja Academy.

Everyone was immediately stunned.

"Clan Head, we heard Little Chuan is withdrawing from the Ninja Academy. What's going on?" Uchiha clansmen flocked to Fugaku Uchiha's home, their faces full of anxiety and confusion.

"It was Little Chuan's own decision." Fugaku Uchiha stood at the door and answered calmly.

"Little Chuan's decision?" Upon hearing that it was Uchiha Chuan's own choice, everyone showed surprised expressions. Though they did not understand the purpose behind his decision, since it was his decision, they had to support it!

"Since it was Little Chuan's decision, we must support it!" An Uchiha ninja immediately declared firmly. "My boy is still attending the Ninja Academy. I'll discuss it with him tonight and go handle his withdrawal tomorrow."

"Me too!" Another Uchiha ninja echoed. "You can't learn much at the Ninja Academy anyway. It's better to be taught by the Uchiha ourselves. I'm withdrawing mine too."

"I'll go handle the withdrawal paperwork right now!"

"Me too!"

In an instant, the Uchiha clansmen all responded, the atmosphere fervent and impassioned, as though a wave of withdrawals were about to sweep through the entire Uchiha Clan.

Seeing his clansmen so united, Fugaku Uchiha could not help feeling moved. The Uchiha had not been like this since Madara Uchiha left. His eyes grew slightly moist, and a surge of pride rose in his heart.

"Everyone, quiet down!" Fugaku Uchiha waved his hand, signaling for silence. "This is only Little Chuan's own decision. He has his reasons. If Little Chuan needed all of us to withdraw, he would certainly tell us. Since he hasn't, it means we don't all need to withdraw. So, if you want to withdraw your children, that's fine, but you must fully respect what they want. If your children disagree and you force them to withdraw, I'll deal with you myself!"

"If my boy dares disagree, I'll deal with him!" one Uchiha clansman said angrily.

"Exactly!" the others chimed in.

"Shut up!" Fugaku Uchiha barked sternly, his voice carrying authority. "I said no forcing them! Withdrawing is a major matter. You must respect the children's wishes!"

"Fine, no forcing them." The Uchiha clansman scratched his head, sounding somewhat helpless. "I'm his father. I don't believe I can't persuade him."

"Exactly!" The others nodded in agreement.

And so, the Uchiha clansmen reached a consensus. They would respect Uchiha Chuan's decision while also respecting their children's wishes, and would never force anyone to withdraw.

"What? All of us Uchiha are withdrawing from the Ninja Academy?" When Obito Uchiha returned home that evening and heard his grandmother's announcement, his eyes widened in disbelief.

"Yes. Little Chuan is the genius of our Uchiha Clan. Since he decided to withdraw, there must be an important reason. We must support him." Obito's grandmother sat in her chair, her tone calm yet firm.

"B-but..." Obito opened his mouth, unsure what to say. He was not particularly reluctant to leave the academy, since its classes were not difficult for him. What he truly could not bear to leave was Rin Nohara.

"However, the clan head also said that since Little Chuan did not ask every Uchiha to withdraw, it means not everyone needs to." Obito's grandmother saw his hesitation, her tone understanding. "So if you truly can't bear to leave Little Rin, you don't have to withdraw."

"Grandma, you..." Obito looked at her in surprise, never expecting her to understand him so well.

"Obito, Grandma knows how you feel about Little Rin." Obito's grandmother smiled gently, affection in her voice. "You've always been a child who cares deeply about others. How could Grandma not know?"

Obito lowered his head, a faint blush appearing on his face. He truly could not bear to leave Rin Nohara. That girl who always smiled so gently was the softest place in his heart.

"But Grandma, why does it have to be like this?" Obito raised his head, his tone troubled. "Can't the Uchiha Clan and the village get along properly? Why does it have to come to this?"

Obito's grandmother sighed, her tone helpless. "Obito, we Uchiha also want to get along peacefully. But for all sorts of reasons, things have turned out this way. No one is right or wrong. We simply stand on different sides."

"Different sides..." Obito murmured softly, his heart full of confusion.

"Obito, if you don't want to withdraw, then don't." Obito's grandmother gently patted his shoulder, her tone comforting. "The clan head said that withdrawing is voluntary. No one will be forced."

Obito fell silent for a moment before finally nodding. "Grandma, let me think about it some more."

"Alright, Obito. No matter what you decide, Grandma will support you." Obito's grandmother smiled gently, affection in her voice.

Obito returned to his room and lay on his bed, his grandmother's words replaying endlessly in his mind. He knew Uchiha Chuan's decision had to be for the future of the Uchiha Clan, but he could not let go of his feelings for Rin Nohara.

"Why does it have to be like this?" Obito murmured, his heart filled with endless sorrow.

He closed his eyes, and Rin Nohara's smile appeared in his mind. That girl who always smiled so gently was the softest place in his heart. He could not imagine whether he would still be able to see her often if he withdrew.

"Obito, if you don't want to withdraw, then don't." His grandmother's words echoed in his ears once more, and Obito's heart became even more conflicted.

As a member of the Uchiha Clan, he should support Uchiha Chuan's decision. After all, Uchiha Chuan was the Uchiha genius, the leader acknowledged by the clan head. Although Obito might not necessarily lose to him, Uchiha Chuan was indeed stronger for now. Yet he could not let go of his feelings for Rin Nohara.

"Maybe I don't have to withdraw?" Obito thought to himself, but then he shook his head. "No. If I don't withdraw, what will the clansmen think of me?"

Obito sank into endless conflict and sorrow. He did not know what to choose, nor did he know how to walk the road ahead.