You've Got a Long Way to Go

The standoff at the street corner dragged on, the tension stretched to breaking point.

Three Kirigakure Genin stood in dark standard-issue combat gear, killing intent radiating from them. Though Konoha civilians surrounded them, their arrogant expressions never wavered, and insults kept pouring from their mouths.

"Are Konoha brats really this weak? They can't even manage basic chakra control, and they call themselves ninja?"

"They call this the leading ninja village in the shinobi world? The next generation is nothing but pushovers."

"Looks like Konoha's reputation has been hollow for years."

They towered over the three Ninja Academy students, growing more vicious and brazen with every word. Their insults went beyond the children, taking aim at Konoha's reputation itself.

The Konoha civilians watching nearby had gone pale with anger, fists clenched tight.

Ninja from other villages had come to Konoha for the competition and should have behaved themselves. Instead, these Kirigakure ninja openly humiliated the village's younger generation and slandered Konoha on its own streets.

But all three were ninja. The civilians dared not intervene and could only grit their teeth.

At the edge of the crowd, Asuma, Kurenai, and the others wore grim expressions. The air around them turned cold.

"They've gone too far," Kurenai said under her breath, anger in her eyes.

Before Asuma could speak up, someone beside them lost his patience and leaped out of the crowd!

"Hey! You guys have gone too far!"

Obito planted himself in front of the three trembling Ninja Academy students, who still refused to bow their heads. His brows drawn tight, he straightened the goggles on his forehead with his left hand and pointed his right at the three Kirigakure Genin.

He had always been eager to help. Back in school, he had often been late because he was helping old