"Miyuki, Yechen, come quick! There's a new dango shop up ahead. I heard it's really good!"
Abe Rō pointed at the street ahead, brimming with excitement.
At his words, Yechen and Miyuki exchanged a glance and walked over. When they saw the long line outside the shop, they shook their heads with wry smiles.
With a line that long, they would probably have to wait ages.
Just then, Yechen heard several familiar voices.
"Kakashi, hurry up! We're celebrating Rin's birthday late, and we can't miss it this time!"
"Obito, can't we just forget it? It's such a hassle."
"Of course not! Birthdays only come once a year. Rin definitely wants to celebrate with us. How about I buy you some dango later? Will that do?"
Kakashi... Obito... Rin...
Hearing those three names, Yechen looked toward the voices.
At the other end of the street, three figures were walking together, one ahead of the other two.
The one in front had his back to Yechen and wore the Uchiha Clan's clothing. Unless he was mistaken, this was Obito Uchiha, who would later throw the Shinobi World into turmoil.
He was excitedly saying something to the other two, completely unconcerned with the looks from those around him.
A boy and a girl followed behind him, both facing Yechen's way, so he could see them clearly.
Actually, he couldn't make out one of their faces. The boy was about eleven or twelve, with silver hair, a short sword on his back, and a black mask over his face. His expression was cold. This had to be Kakashi, who had yet to escape the shadow of his father's death.
As Yechen studied him, Kakashi seemed to sense something and looked his way. Their eyes met, almost striking sparks-a clash between two geniuses.
"Yechen, what's wrong?"
Noticing a change in Yechen's presence, Ito Miyuki asked him.
"Nothing. I just spotted an interesting kid."
If Kakashi had heard that, he probably would have cursed inwardly. Come on, I'm older than you. Who are you calling a kid?
Meanwhile, Obito Uchiha also noticed something unusual about Kakashi.
"What's up? Why are you looking at him like that?"
He turned to follow Kakashi's gaze and saw Yechen.
He recognized Yechen's clan at a glance. There was no helping it-the Uchiha clothing was too distinctive to miss.
"He's from my Uchiha Clan. I don't think I've seen him before. What's wrong with him?"
Judging by Yechen's age, he was most likely one of this year's graduates.
Obito couldn't understand why a freshly graduated Genin would catch Kakashi's attention.
In response to Obito's question, Kakashi said only one thing.
"Killing intent. He has a lot of it."
"No way. Where would a kid who just graduated get killing intent?"
Obito was puzzled. Killing intent wasn't something you could simply acquire at will. It was a presence honed on the battlefield by killing plenty of people. In combat, unleashing it could often frighten an opponent into retreat.
He had killed quite a few enemy ninja on the battlefield himself, yet he still hadn't developed killing intent. Now Kakashi claimed to have sensed it from a freshly graduated kid. Obito didn't believe it.
Before long, the two groups met outside the dango shop. Kakashi, Obito, and Rin stood ahead in the line, with Yechen, Miyuki, and Abe Rō behind them.
"Hey, I'm Obito Uchiha. Which branch are you from? How come I've never seen you before?"
At this point, Obito was still innocent. Just like Abe Rō, his dream was to become Hokage.
Only later, after Rin died-and at the hands of his best friend Kakashi, no less-would Obito fall into darkness as part of a conspiracy.
He would assume Madara Uchiha's identity and throw the Shinobi World into turmoil.
"Why aren't you saying anything? Are you mute?"
"Uchiha Ye Chen."
At that, Obito froze. He had met Yechen's parents, and they had died right before his eyes. As he looked at Yechen, sorrow appeared on Obito Uchiha's face.
"I'm sorry I couldn't bring your mom and dad back. Today's my treat, so eat as much as you want. If anyone in Konoha bullies you from now on, tell me."
"No need," Yechen replied simply.
"Why not? I was your parents' comrade!"
"Because you're too weak."
At this point, Obito hadn't even awakened his Sharingan, and his combat ability was mediocre. Without Kakashi, he probably wouldn't have survived.
Obito Uchiha grew agitated at those words.
Though he usually seemed unconcerned with what others thought, he actually cared a great deal about saving face, especially in front of Rin.
"Kid, you dare call me weak? Let's fight and see who's really weak!"
"Obito." Rin shook her head slightly beside him.
Obito immediately deflated. "I'll let you off this time, kid. Don't call me weak again, got it?"
Yechen looked at Rin. She was a very cute girl, so it was no wonder Obito liked her so much. Unfortunately, he was another hopeless lovesick fool, the kind who would end up with nothing despite all his devotion.
Once that little interruption passed, Obito and Abe Rō got along quite well as they waited in line, while Miyuki and Rin chatted quietly. Yechen and Kakashi, on the other hand, remained silent.
About half an hour later, Kakashi and his companions bought their dango, said goodbye, and left together.
Abe Rō went to buy their dango, while Ito Miyuki stood where she was, lost in thought. Yechen watched the three departing figures.
He guessed they had returned to take the Chunin Exams.
Konoha held the Chunin Exams twice a year. With the year nearly over, the next Chunin Exams were probably approaching.
Considering their ages and the fact that they had returned from the battlefield, it wasn't hard to guess why they had come back at this time.
The Chunin Ninja Exams...
Yechen sank into thought again. He had a feeling that once the Chunin Exams ended, his graduating class would be sent to the battlefield as well.
In other words, he didn't have much time left to train.
At that thought, Yechen lost interest in wandering around the shops.
But with his two teammates still so enthusiastic, he couldn't very well leave now.
"Yechen, what flavor do you want?"
As he was lost in thought, Abe Rō's voice reached him.
"Mildly spicy," Yechen replied offhandedly.
Soon, Abe Rō returned with three bowls of meatballs and even thoughtfully handed Miyuki a napkin.
Yechen noticed but said nothing, simply eating his own food.
The three spent the morning wandering around and only went their separate ways after lunch.
Abe Rō had wanted to suggest visiting the western side of the village, but Yechen clearly no longer had any interest.
When Yechen declined, Miyuki also lost interest in continuing their outing. Abe Rō, who had wanted to spend more time with her, couldn't find an excuse to stay and could only head home reluctantly.