After several days of adjustments, the two devices for sealing the Rinnegan were ready. Longjian Senju finally escaped Orochimaru's verbal pestering, moved out of the Laboratory, and went to live with Dan Katō.
And so his easy, happy life at the Ninja Academy began.
Early morning, at the Katō Residence.
The air was slightly cool, the breeze gentle, and the clouds wispy-a fine day for just about anything.
Two boys rang the doorbell and waved at the blue-haired man leisurely watering flowers in the yard, familiar smiles spreading across their faces.
"Oh, this early? Didn't you run into anyone who needed help today, Obito?"
Dan Katō set down his watering can and looked up at the boy awkwardly scratching his head. He walked over to open the gate for them as he asked.
Obito Uchiha, wearing his goggles, tucked his right hand behind his back and sheepishly averted his gaze without answering.
Beside him, Shisui Uchiha's lips curved upward in mingled amusement and exasperation.
He sighed, pulled out the arm Obito Uchiha had hidden behind his back, and explained.
"Obito's as kindhearted as ever. He helped an elderly lady carry something heavy this morning, but lost his grip and accidentally sprained his wrist. Then he got embarrassed and flat-out refused when she offered to bandage it... Dan, could you take a look...?"
Obito interrupted him. "It's no big deal! Scars are a man's badges of honor! Just leave it alone and it'll get better in a bit. It doesn't hurt."
Obito Uchiha's right wrist was red and swollen, with some faint bruising beneath the skin. The injury looked fresh enough that the pain had yet to set in, which was why he could still talk so tough.
"Whoa, Obito, this could get quite serious in a little while if you