At the Hatake family home in Konoha, Sakumo watched Kakashi training in the courtyard and walked over.
No one in Konoha knew his son better than he did. Kakashi was clearly anxious.
Sensing his father's approach, Kakashi stopped training and turned to face him.
"Father."
"Not confident about tomorrow's match?"
Kakashi fell silent, then said, "Obito won't be easy to beat. He's improved too fast this past year. The way his Sharingan advanced defies all common sense."
Hatake Sakumo smiled. "You can't judge the Uchiha by common sense. Obito's strength has grown considerably since he awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, but you've earned your strength through hard training, day after day.
"His progress has been so fast that he hasn't had time to consolidate it. That's your chance."
Kakashi nodded and went back to practicing his Sword Techniques. Sakumo's words had at least eased his anxiety and changed his outlook.
Kakashi wasn't the only one training. Obito was pushing himself just as hard on Back Mountain, with Shisui serving as his sparring partner.
Neither Kakashi nor Obito wanted to lose. As a young Uchiha, Obito had his own pride.
He simply didn't show it much. He kept it inside rather than wearing it on his sleeve.
Obito used to be the Dead Last in his class, far below Kakashi in strength. All he could do was get the better of Kakashi with words. Now that he had grown stronger, he wanted to beat him fair and square.
They were both young and headstrong. Neither would admit defeat. Even the worst student at the Ninja Academy dreamed of someday becoming a powerhouse in the Shinobi World, sweeping aside all challengers and basking in everyone's admiration.
On Uchiha Back Mountain, Shisui was already panting, while Obito still had energy to spare.
"Let's take