The Mastermind Behind the Madness

Obito opened his mouth. He hadn't understood a word of what Ye had just said.

But that didn't matter.

Ye might usually seem unreliable, but everything he set his mind to, he pulled off.

So maybe he really did have a point.

It was just a confession. Ye could definitely handle it.

The doubt in Obito's eyes turned to fervor. He lunged forward, grabbed Ye's leg with both hands, and refused to let go.

He clung so hard that the low table rocked twice.

"Ye! From now on, you're my god! Please, help me out!"

Obito looked ready to cry. He sounded even more miserable than when he'd been pinned beneath that boulder.

"If Rin says yes, I'll even wash my hair standing on my head!"

Ye looked down at the foolishly earnest Pure Love Warrior and laughed.

"Let go. First rule of romance: don't throw yourself at someone like a creep. The Security Force might haul you off on the spot."

Ye bent down and patted Obito's shoulder, his voice gentle.

"Relax. I promise I'll put together an epic confession the likes of which the Shinobi World has never seen—and never will again."

[Ding! Pure Love Warrior Obito's tearful gratitude: +4200!]

Ye rubbed his hands together in his mind. On the first day of the new year, his cash crop was thriving.

Kakashi stood against the wall, watching the two of them, and sighed.

"If you want to pursue Rin, shouldn't you at least find out what she likes first?"

Kakashi rubbed his brow, fighting to preserve the last shred of sanity in the room.

He glanced at Ye, and that prickling feeling crept up the back of his neck again. For old times' sake, he couldn't keep quiet.

"And you—whatever spectacle you're planning this time, give