Meanwhile, Obito and Hyuga Kagami were arguing back and forth in the corridor, completely forgetting the solemn promise they had just made to Teacher Shinichi about going back to study.
"You have the nerve to talk about helping me get rid of being the dunce of the class? You're just as bad yourself!" Hyuga Kagami said angrily, his face flushed.
"Hmph, what dunce? The moment I awaken my Sharingan, I'll definitely be even more amazing than Kakashi," Obito retorted, crossing his arms and refusing to yield an inch.
"You? Compare yourself to Kakashi?" At the mention of Kakashi, a flicker of adoration appeared in Hyuga Kagami's eyes.
"What's so great about that annoying Kakashi? So what if he graduated at five and became a Chunin at six?"
"Have you heard that this kid even has a chance of becoming Konoha's youngest Jonin?" The more Obito spoke, the more a bitter ache welled up in his heart.
"Ha, Obito, then you'd better watch out. I remember Kakashi gets along pretty well with Rin, you know." Without waiting for Obito to react, Hyuga Kagami hurried away toward the classroom, his loud laughter faintly echoing behind him.
"Damn it, damn it, damn it! How could Rin possibly take a fancy to a jerk like Kakashi?" Obito panicked, jumping up and down.
While the two were chasing each other around the campus, a crisp voice called out: "What are you two doing?"
Obito froze for a second. Rin was standing not far away, a look of confusion and slight displeasure in her eyes.
Obito's attitude underwent an instantaneous transformation. He scratched the back of his head sheepishly and said, "Rin, we weren't doing anything, just discussing our studies."
Not far away, Hyuga Kagami also lowered his fists and chimed in, "Right, right, just studying."
Rin frowned, clearly finding it hard to believe them, but she didn't press the matter further.
"Teacher Shinichi didn't chew you out just now, did he? You two can't keep acting up like this; you need to study hard."
Hearing Rin's words, Obito and Hyuga Kagami exchanged glances and lowered their heads simultaneously.
Obito said softly, "Rin, we know we were wrong. We already promised Teacher Shinichi that we'll definitely pass our theory grades on the next monthly exam."
"Really? That's wonderful!" A relieved smile appeared on Rin's face. "Then you two must do your best. I believe you can do it."
Encouraged like this by Rin, an inexplicable surge of power welled up in Obito's heart.
Looking at Rin's trusting gaze, he secretly resolved to work hard and not let her down.
"Let's go apologize to Teacher Fujiyama right now," Hyuga Kagami said.
"Yeah, let's go," Obito nodded.
The two finally stopped arguing and headed toward the classroom.
Returning to the classroom, Obito and Hyuga Kagami walked up to Teacher Fujiyama.
"Teacher Fujiyama, we were wrong."
"We shouldn't have caused trouble in your class just now. Please forgive us," the two bowed respectfully.
Teacher Fujiyama looked at them, his initial anger softening.
"As long as you know you were wrong, that's fine. I hope you'll keep your word and take your studies seriously."
"We will, Teacher!" the two answered in unison.
After this brief episode, the remaining classes proceeded smoothly.
......
"Teacher." Shisui called out respectfully as soon as they entered the office.
"Shisui, today Teacher is going to introduce you to a rather unusual member of the Uchiha clan," Shinichi said, speaking in riddles.
Though he didn't understand what an "unusual Uchiha clan member" meant, Shisui's nature naturally kept him from asking too many questions, and he obediently followed in Shinichi's footsteps.
After leaving the school, Shinichi stopped by the ninja tool shop to pick up his custom-made ninja tools, and then headed straight to Obito's house.
As they drew near Obito's home, they heard Obito shouting loudly at the top of his lungs.
At this moment, Obito felt as though he had reached the pinnacle of his life. The more he looked at Rin standing beside him, the harder it was for him to suppress the smile bubbling up inside.
In his mind, Rin at this moment was just like a bride welcoming guests at the entrance alongside her husband during another ninja's wedding.
While he was secretly rejoicing to himself, he spotted a head of white hair approaching from a distance.
"Kakashi, you're here too." Seeing Kakashi arrive, Obito stepped forward to greet him with exaggerated enthusiasm.
"Yo, Kakashi..." Hyuga Kagami, who hadn't even stepped inside the house yet, shot Obito a mischievous smirk.
Seeing the mischievous grin on Hyuga Kagami's face, Obito couldn't help but recall what had been said that afternoon.
"I remember Kakashi gets along pretty well with Rin, pretty well... No, Rin cannot marry a jerk like Kakashi!" The further his thoughts strayed, the more panicked he became, until he couldn't help shouting out loud.
"Damn it, Kakashi, I challenge you!"
Kakashi glanced sideways at Obito, his eyes filled with utter indifference, as if Obito's fury were nothing more than an insignificant farce.
He walked straight into the house, leaving behind a single phrase: "How boring."
Yet, how could Obito let the matter rest?
Furious, his face contorted with rage, he swung his fists, preparing for an intense showdown with Kakashi.
Flames of wrath burned in Obito's eyes; he simply could not endure Kakashi's contempt.
As for Kakashi, he continued to regard Obito with cold detachment.
Obito let out a roar, slammed his foot hard against the ground, and shot toward Kakashi like an arrow released from a taut bow.
His fist whistled through the air, aiming straight for Kakashi's face.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed; he shifted his body slightly to the side, easily evading Obito's strike.
Having missed on his first attempt, Obito spun around instantly and threw another punch.
Unflustered, Kakashi performed a rapid sequence of Hand Seals, and an earthen wall abruptly surged up from the ground, blocking Obito's onslaught.
Seeing this, Obito formed Hand Seals of his own and shouted at the top of his lungs: "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A massive fireball came hurtling toward Kakashi with a roaring sound. Kakashi's gaze turned sharp, and he unleashed a Fire Release technique of his own. The two fireballs collided mid-air, producing a thunderous explosion.
Amidst the billowing smoke, Kakashi flickered and instantly materialized behind Obito.
The Kunai in his hand gleamed with a chilling light as he thrust it toward Obito.
Obito reacted with lightning speed, sidestepping the attack while simultaneously throwing a backhanded punch at Kakashi. Kakashi quickly blocked with his forearm, and the two separated instantly.
As the smoke gradually cleared, Kakashi narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at Obito with a complex expression.
"Obito, your strength has indeed improved quite a bit, but that kind of attack won't work on me. Now, let me show you what a real battle looks like. Lightning Release: Falling Thunder Technique!"
With that, Kakashi rapidly formed Hand Seals, gathering lightning-natured chakra high up in the sky.
In an instant, dark clouds gathered, plunging the once-clear sky into darkness.
Currents of electricity surged within the cloud layer, resembling countless writhing silver serpents weaving through the dark.
Immediately afterward, one thick bolt of lightning after another came crashing straight down like sharp arrows toward Obito's location.
Every single bolt of falling lightning carried immense electrical energy; wherever it passed, the air was ionized, emitting a sharp crackling sound.
Watching the bolts of electrical energy plunging straight down toward his head from above, Obito's pupils dilated sharply, and he instinctively swallowed hard, just as he was about to use the Body Flicker Technique to dodge.
"Earth Release: Headhunter Technique!"
The earth beneath Obito's feet suddenly began to soften, and a hand abruptly burst out from the ground, clamping tightly around Obito to immobilize him.
"Damn it!" Cursing inwardly, Obito threw his hands up to protect his head, desperately trying to brace himself against the terrifying lightning strike.
When the lightning struck, Obito felt certain he was done for.
However, as the lightning made contact with his body, he realized there was no expected agonizing pain.
He blinked his eyes open in astonishment to see Kakashi standing not far away, a faint, teasing smile playing on his lips.
"Kakashi, you bastard! The moment I awaken my Sharingan, I'll definitely beat you!"
Thick-skinned as ever, Obito showed not the slightest self-awareness of being the loser as he loudly brayed his defiance.
Off to the side, seeing Obito shouting at the top of his lungs, Rin finally let out a sigh of relief.
Although she knew Kakashi wouldn't stoop to Obito's level, watching those bolts of lightning from the sky strike right at Obito had still filled her heart with worry.