Obito did not hesitate much before returning to Konoha, only to see something he had never expected.
Konoha's walls had been torn down, and all the houses on the eastern side had been demolished. A large number of Ninja were clearing away the rubble.
"What are they trying to do? Expand Konoha?"
Obito quietly made his way to the Ninja Academy to see what Sakura Haruno was doing and, while he was at it, find out what Konoha was up to.
When he arrived at the Ninja Academy, he saw that many parents had come to watch.
"I heard this graduation exam is different from before. Besides the basic three jutsu and sparring, they're testing intelligence-gathering skills and checking the students' chakra natures."
"That's right! They're the first class since the reforms. Without knowing their chakra natures, they won't even know which direction to go to study next."
"Qian, Kun, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Li, Gen, Dui-why not just use wind, water, lightning, and fire?"
"Everyone in the Uchiha Clan has a bit of that nature in them, and Lord Hokage is an Uchiha too. It's normal for him to do this."
"What nature? That Show-Off Release Lord Hokage mentioned?"
"As long as you understand! Look at Sasuke Uchiha. He's practically another Uchiha Haruna."
"He still has to wait until next year. Today is Lord Hokage's disciple's graduation day. I wonder how strong he is."
"They're out! They're out! This match is between Neji Hyuga and Rock Lee, the disciple of Jonin Might Guy."
"..."
Obito rubbed his neck. It kept feeling chilly, but a look around revealed nothing.
When he looked toward the rooftop, however, he noticed Hinata Hyuga occasionally looking up in his direction, her eyes full of puzzlement.
*Seriously? She can actually sense me? No wonder she could