The White Fang's Request

After a sumptuous dinner.

Kakashi conscientiously gathered the bowls and chopsticks and went to the kitchen to wash the pots and dishes.

Obito rubbed his little belly and nodded approvingly.

It was easy to foresee that Kakashi would grow up to be a good homemaker too.

The only question was which woman would benefit from that in the future.

...Or man?

Tsk, tsk, tsk.

Just as Obito's imagination was running wild.

Sakumo suddenly asked, "Obito, what kind of person do you think your uncle is?"

Before Obito could answer.

A new multiple-choice question appeared before his eyes.

[Option One: Senior White Fang is a true hero. Uncle and I hit it off at first sight. Why don't we become sworn brothers? Completion Reward: Nephew Kakashi +1.]

[Option Two: I'm not sure either, but if my father were still around, I think he would definitely be as gentle and handsome as you. Completion Reward: Unlocks subsequent mission.]

Looking at the two bizarre options, Obito felt there were flaws everywhere.

If he chose Option One, wouldn't his nephew stab him to death on the spot... with every strike aimed straight at a vital point?

As for Option Two.

...Wasn't this flattery a little too obvious?

Therefore, I choose Option Two.

...It definitely wasn't because I was interested in the subsequent mission reward. I simply thought Option One was too ridiculous!

Yeah.

And it was dangerous to my life, too.

Obito spoke with an admiring look and a sincere tone. "I'm not sure either, but if my father were still around, I think he would definitely be as gentle and handsome as you."

Sakumo froze, his expression turning somewhat moved.

He had never expected Obito's assessment of him to be so high.

He did not continue asking.

After all, being described as someone's father was the greatest recognition he could receive.

Kakashi, in the kitchen, also froze.

Obito had once again refreshed his understanding of shamelessness.

Sakumo took a deep breath and asked, seemingly casually but with genuine seriousness, "Then what kind of person do you think my son Kakashi is?"

Kakashi pricked up his ears in the kitchen.

He seemed rather curious about Obito's answer.

This time, no options appeared before Obito.

After thinking it over, Obito decided to answer according to his true feelings.

"Kakashi? That guy should be someone who can be a lifelong friend."

He bore darkness while his heart yearned for the light.

He endured pain while passing on kindness.

Kakashi possessed a unique charisma that made it difficult for anyone not to like him.

Apart from being a little lecherous, the guy was practically perfect.

Yes.

As long as he did not stab me in the heart or poke my wife's chest in the future.

As a friend, I, Earth Boy, recognize him.

Sakumo possessed a discerning eye for people, and he could tell that Obito was speaking the truth.

He nodded with some relief.

"Obito, you're a good child. It's Kakashi's honor to have a friend like you."

Kakashi gave a disdainful snort from the kitchen.

Yet the corners of his mouth unconsciously curled upward, and he could not force them back down.

Even the speed at which he washed the dishes unconsciously increased.

Sakumo rose to his feet and said with a smile, "Today is the first time we've met. As your elder, your uncle wants to give you a gift. Wait here for a moment."

With that.

Sakumo went into the house and began rummaging around.

Obito rubbed his hands together expectantly, filled with anticipation for the gift Sakumo had mentioned.

After a while.

Sakumo came out carrying a Tachi and handed it to Obito.

"This blade is called Shadow Elegance, named for the long shadow it casts beneath the sunlight. From now on, it's yours."

"Clatter!"

The sound of a ceramic bowl shattering came from the kitchen.

Immediately afterward.

A small figure rushed out of the kitchen, his face filled with shock.

"Father, you're giving Shadow Elegance to this guy?!"

Obito examined the Tachi in his hands.

Seeing Kakashi's reaction, how could he not guess that the blade was precious?

He hugged the Tachi tightly to his chest and looked at Sakumo questioningly.

"Senior White Fang, isn't this gift too valuable?"

Sakumo shook his head and said calmly, "The true value of a blade depends on the person who wields it."

"This blade suits you very well. Keep it. I only hope that you won't let it down in the future."

Kakashi found it difficult to understand.

"Father...!"

Sakumo stopped him with a look.

Obito happily stroked the Shadow Elegance in his hands.

Its blade was neither too long nor too short, and the body was red, engraved with delicate patterns.

The more Obito looked at it, the more he loved it.

Furthermore, when the blade was drawn or sheathed, it gave off a crisp metallic ring.

The sound of a treasured blade being drawn, the roar of a sports car, and the sound of girls...!

No boy could resist these temptations!

Obito carefully put away Shadow Elegance and bowed deeply to Sakumo.

"Thank you, Senior White Fang. I really like this gift."

Sakumo gave a slight nod and said calmly, "I'm glad you like it."

He rubbed Kakashi's head, consoling his son, who was still somewhat unable to accept the situation.

Then he turned to ask Obito.

Obito shook his head and answered honestly, "No, Senior White Fang. To be honest, I had almost never come into contact with swordsmanship before."

I see...

Sakumo pondered for a moment before saying, "Kakashi, go tidy up the kitchen. Obito, come with me."

Kakashi went to the kitchen reluctantly.

Obito followed Sakumo to the Hatake Clan's Training Ground.

Sakumo casually picked up a blade from the weapon rack beside him, and his entire presence changed.

The gentle, peaceful air he had displayed earlier vanished.

Now, he was like a razor-sharp blade with its edge fully bared.

His fierceness made it impossible to look directly at him.

Obito was forced back two or three steps by the intimidating aura.

Sakumo's eyes grew deep. Aside from the blade, there seemed to be nothing else in them.

"Swordsmanship demands that one keep one's feet firmly on the ground. If you want to achieve anything, you must study hard and train diligently."

"You have never systematically studied swordsmanship, so today I will teach you only one move—Iaijutsu."

"If you can comprehend even a little of it and practice diligently every day, I'm sure you will gain something."

At some point, Sakumo's right hand had already come to rest on the hilt.

"Swish!"

The long blade left its sheath, a cold gleam flashing through the air as if it might shatter the void.

At that moment, Obito's eyes held nothing but that dazzling strike.

Holy crap, that was cool!

After a long while.

When Obito came back to his senses.

He realized that Sakumo had already sheathed his blade and had been watching him with a smile for quite some time.

"The core principle of Iaijutsu is to kill with a single strike."

"By using an instantaneous burst of high speed and drawing the blade unexpectedly, you strive to deliver a lethal blow in one move."

"If you are truly interested in swordsmanship, practice it every day."

After finishing, Sakumo added, "Of course, it would be even better if you could systematically learn some basic swordsmanship techniques as well."

Obito gave a cheeky laugh.

"Uncle, that move you just performed was so cool. Could you do it again?"

After freeloading off Sakumo several more times.

Obito had more or less grasped the essence of Iaijutsu.

He felt too embarrassed to keep asking Sakumo to demonstrate it for him.

He bowed deeply to Sakumo once more and asked somewhat hesitantly, "Thank you, Senior Sakumo, for the treasured blade and for teaching me so generously. But I can't help wondering, why did you...?"

Sakumo set down the blade in his hand, and an inescapable melancholy clouded his eyes.

"Obito, you're a clever child."

"Your uncle has encountered some trouble recently. If something happens... I mean, just in case."

"If, in the future, something should happen to me, I hope you can take good care of Kakashi for me."