Uchiha Tonghu

A trace of melancholy crossed Long Ye's face at the sight of Rin's smile.

Because according to the history of the shinobi world from his past life, Rin would die tragically in the Third Shinobi World War, and the one who killed her would be none other than her companion, Kakashi Hatake.

No. I absolutely cannot let Rin die, no matter what it takes, Long Ye murmured inwardly.

While his thoughts raced, Rin had already come up to him.

Rin was only shoulder-height beside him and looked up at him at a forty-five-degree angle.

Seeing that he was lost in thought, she waved a hand before his eyes. Long Ye instinctively raised his hand and caught her wrist.

Rin jumped in fright, a flush passing over her cheeks. With a gentle tug, she slipped free from his grasp.

"Rin, why are you here? Isn't the graduation exam tomorrow? Shouldn't you be at home reviewing the material?"

To cover up the awkwardness, Long Ye was the first to break the silence.

At his question, Rin brushed aside her embarrassment and shook her head. "It's just an exam. There's nothing to prepare for—I'll pass easily!"

"Why does that sound like you're deliberately trying to put me down?" Long Ye said, pretending to be displeased.

They had known each other for a long time, so Rin naturally knew he was joking. She gave him a sweet smile.

"By the way, it's getting late. You haven't eaten yet, have you?"

"I'm fine..."

Before Long Ye could finish, his stomach let out a loud growl.

He smiled awkwardly. "I wasn't hungry just now, but after you asked, I suddenly feel a little hungry."

"Ooh~~"

Drawing out the sound, Rin smiled sweetly. "So it's my fault? You got hungry because I asked? All right, then I'll treat you to dinner as an apology."

Long Ye knew perfectly well that Rin was an exceptionally thoughtful person. She had clearly calculated that he had nearly used up this month's living expenses and might have to go hungry for the next few days. That was why she had come to ask him out for a meal—plainly put, she was helping him through a difficult time.

They both understood, but neither said it aloud.

Long Ye did not mention it because he remembered it in his heart. Rin did not mention it simply to preserve his pride.

"I'm already hungry, and Ichiraku Ramen is about to close. Let's hurry."

Outside Ichiraku Ramen Shop, at the street-side counter.

Long Ye wolfed down a bowl of ramen, leaving not even a drop of broth behind. Satisfied, he turned to look at Rin, who was eating slowly beside him.

After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Rin, what's your dream?"

"My dream?"

Rin put down her bowl and looked up at him in confusion. Seeing the seriousness in his eyes, she put on a thoughtful expression.

"My dream... I hope Obito can become the next Hokage, just as he wishes. I hope Kakashi can become a great shinobi like his father. I hope the village can remain peaceful forever..."

Long Ye shook his head helplessly. "You're always thinking about everyone else. What about yourself?"

"Myself..."

Rin perked up, her eyes shining brightly.

"I want to become an amazing medical shinobi like Lady Tsunade. I want to use my medical ninjutsu to protect the village's future, even if it means sacrificing myself."

Rin was brimming with passion as she spoke, then looked seriously at Long Ye.

"What about you, Long Ye?"

"I didn't have one before, but after hearing you, I do now."

"What is it?" Rin asked curiously.

"My dream is..."

Long Ye was just about to speak when he suddenly heard Rin cry out in delighted surprise.

"Kakashi!!"

Long Ye followed Rin's gaze.

A thin, solitary figure walked down the street alone.

Hearing Rin call out, the person paused and turned his head toward them.

As fellow students of Minato Namikaze, Long Ye had naturally met Kakashi. However, unlike Obito and Rin, he and Kakashi had barely interacted.

At this time, Kakashi still covered the lower half of his face and had yet to received Obito's Sharingan. There was a cold loneliness in his eyes.

Long Ye more or less knew why. His father's death had plunged him into the darkest period of his life.

"Kakashi, do you still have the thing I gave you?" Rin was visibly happy to see him.

Kakashi did not answer. As he walked away, he held up a shell between two fingers for her to see.

Rin's smile grew even sweeter at the sight.

"What's that?" Long Ye asked curiously.

Rin did not answer. She reached into her clothes, took something out, and set it before him with a smile.

"This is for you. Keep it safe. It's a token of our friendship. No matter what happens, we can never betray each other."

Long Ye picked it up in confusion.

It was a shell the size of a baby's fist, milky white like jade without a single flaw. It had clearly been carefully selected. On its front were two words: Friendship and Love.

"Rin, in everyone else's eyes, I'm a complete failure without a single redeeming quality. Yet you've always treated me as a friend. I'll definitely treasure this shell."

"Heh heh, trash is trash. At least you know yourself."

An ill-timed voice sounded behind them.

The sudden voice made both their faces darken as they turned toward the newcomer.

"Uchiha Tonghu, we're all classmates. Please watch your words from now on."

Rin knew that Long Ye was often bullied by this person. Her expression was angry, but mindful of his status, she did not dare speak too harshly.

Long Ye's expression also darkened when he saw who it was.

Tonghu was a typical bully who threw his weight around. Relying on his Uchiha background, he had always acted with impunity. Those he bullied feared the Uchiha's power and could only swallow their anger.

Even Obito, who was also from the Uchiha, had often been mocked and ridiculed by him, let alone Long Ye, an outsider with no background and little strength.

Tonghu stood there arrogantly, making no effort to restrain himself. He did not think he was wrong in the slightest and continued to sneer mercilessly.

"Why should I watch my words? This what's-his-name... Ye is just an outsider refugee. Lord Minato only brought him back out of kindness, but he's utterly hopeless. He's as stupid as a pig—he can't do anything right. Oh, no, there is one thing he can do. Eat."

"HAHAHAHA..."

The people beside Tonghu laughed with all their might.

"The shit-making boy really lives up to that name."

"Rin Nohara, forgive me for saying this, but there's nothing wrong with being kind. But if you're so kind that you even pity a disgusting cockroach, then you're nothing but a complete idiot."

Rin was so enraged that her blood surged, turning her face red and then purplish.

Long Ye tucked the shell into his clothes, slowly rose from his seat, and turned to face Tonghu.

"I can ignore your mockery of me, but you insulted Rin for no reason. I've lost my patience with you. Slap yourself and apologize to Rin now, and I'll only beat you until you cough up blood. Otherwise, you may not be able to take care of yourself for the rest of your life."