At Konoha Academy.
"Ahaha, umm, thank you so much for yesterday, Rin," said Obito, the little boy with goggles, awkwardly thanking the girl beside him.
"Aww, it's just what I should do!" Rin smiled brightly with her hands behind her back. "But Obito, you really should arrive earlier next time. Don't miss registration like you did yesterday."
Obito nodded rapidly like someone trying hard to agree, then desperately searched his brain for something to say. "So... umm, Rin, since I arrived late yesterday, can you tell me about the other classmates?"
"Of course!" Rin leaned in close and whispered as she pointed them out, "This one is Suzuki, that one is Amai..."
However, Rin clearly didn't notice that someone wasn't listening at all—his eyes fixed dreamily on her side profile.
"Hehe, how cute Rin looks when blushing," Obito thought to himself, suddenly jolting upright like he'd been struck by lightning. "Wait! Rin is blushing while looking at another guy!"
Snapping himself out of his daze, Obito quickly asked, "Rin, you spoke too fast just now. I didn't catch it. Who was the last classmate you mentioned?"
"That would be Kakashi." Rin slightly lowered her head shyly while glancing in a certain direction.
"Sure enough! Rin's blushing while looking at that silver-haired brat!" Frowning, Obito sourly muttered, "Other than being better-looking than me, he doesn't seem particularly impressive."
"That's not true," Rin gently shook her finger. "A teacher mentioned during registration yesterday that Kakashi has talent rivaling that of Upperclassman Seiki Shimaseki—the prodigy from the previous generation!"
"Upperclassman Seiki Shimaseki? I feel like I've heard that name somewhere..." Obito murmured thoughtfully. Just as he was about to ask more, shouting suddenly erupted from the other side.
"You little brat! Dare to bump into me? Do you look down on us upperclassmen?"
"No, I didn't!"
"Oh, are you saying I deliberately bumped into you then?"
"Not exactly..."
"Then it must've been you who ran into *me* on purpose! Hurry up and pay compensation, or don't blame me for teaching you how to treat your upperclassmen!"
Turning toward the commotion, Obito saw several delinquents surrounding a student with a watermelon hairstyle, yelling aggressively.
Rin gasped softly. "It's Might Guy! This isn't good; those guys are fourth-year bullies—they love picking on newcomers."
"What? The melon-head is in trouble?" Hearing his classmate was surrounded, Obito immediately surged forward, adrenaline rushing.
"Obito, wait!" Rin shouted anxiously and hurried after him.
"Another freshman stepping in again? Could it possibly be another freak like Seiki Shimaseki?" Thinking about their painful experience last year, the few bullies looked grim.
"I can't believe an unfamiliar classmate helped me on my very first day! My dad was absolutely right—this must be passionate youth!" Might Guy cried tearfully while giving Obito a thumbs-up.
As for Obito, he couldn't help shivering. Why did this melon-headed kid seem somehow off?
Seeing the fiery gaze, Obito quickly turned his eyes toward the few bullies. "You guys! Don't you dare pick on him!"
On the other side, the delinquents whispered among themselves.
"I heard there's a monster freshman named Kakashi Hatake this year... Could that be him?"
"Really? But doesn't he look kind of dumb?"
"Don't say that. Remember how strong that idiot Shuunen Uchiha was?"
"That's true. Let's test him first."
After their discussion, one of them stepped forward and said, "Kakashi Hatake, don't—"
Interrupting them calmly, a white-haired boy watching nearby suddenly spoke up: "Excuse me, *I'm* Kakashi Hatake."
"Huh? Then who is he—?"
"You bastards better remember this name well—my honorable name is Obito Uchiha!" Obito shouted furiously, feeling deeply insulted.
"Uchiha?"
"Obito?"
The bullies exchanged glances, then turned around with cruel grins.
"Pfft! Let's see how tough the Uchiha really are!"
Obito shot Rin a quick glance before roaring loudly and charging ahead—only to end up defeated in seconds.
"What a weakling," someone mocked while stepping on him. "Wow, what an amazing hero—actually trying to help with power like that!"
Obito nearly exploded from rage. "Damn it! It was just a slip, okay!"
Everyone else twitched awkwardly. Who even trips directly under someone else's feet?
"Don't worry! I'll save you!"
After just one round, Might Guy and Obito were both lying side by side on the ground, stomped on mercilessly.
"I thought this year's freshmen might actually be impressive. That's *it*?"
"If you have no strength, then don't try showing off like that."
The surrounding freshmen wore furious expressions but dared not speak out.
Many secretly looked toward Kakashi Hatake, hoping the strongest freshman—the one mentioned by the teacher—would finally stand up for them.
Unfortunately, Kakashi Hatake didn't even seem interested enough to shift an inch.
At that moment, a somewhat solemn voice came from afar: "Kaito, Ryo! Are you bullying classmates again?"
Hearing this voice, the delinquents clenched their teeth together. "Shuunen Uchiha! Why do you always keep interfering with us?"
"Because now… I want to become a good person!"
"Tch! We're taking you down!"
Without hesitation, the group charged at him—and soon found themselves once again beaten down easily.
"What incredible strength!" Kakashi Hatake, who had remained indifferent until now, briefly showed surprise in his eyes.
Obito joyfully shouted, "That's my cousin Shuunen! Isn't he amazing?"
Might Guy nodded solemnly, then scratched his head and asked, "Wait, are you both from the Uchiha clan? Then how come he's so weak?"
Obito practically choked with anger, glaring at Might Guy as though ready to kill. Finally, he spat out bitterly, "I'm still young, okay?"
After doing one good deed for the day, Shuunen suddenly shifted his gaze toward where Kakashi Hatake stood. "Earlier I heard there was a freshman with talent equal to Seiki's, but judging from what I've seen today… You're far inferior."
Kakashi frowned. "How can you be sure if you've never tested him in battle?"
Shuunen shook his head solemnly. "No, the outcome has already been decided—because your depth of character doesn't match his."
Obito had snuck up from somewhere unnoticed and asked curiously, "Depth of character?"
Shuunen said earnestly, "If it were Seiki, he would definitely step forward. You only think of yourself, while Seiki sees the whole world!"
Kakashi wasn't thrilled but didn't bother arguing.
Obito grinned happily. "Haha, so that means my capacity is bigger than his, right?"
Shuunen hesitated for a moment. "No, you're probably just not thinking thoroughly."
Seeing Obito's hurt expression, Rin quickly stepped in to mediate. "Elder Shuunen, thank you for helping us."
Shuunen's gaze was calm. "Don't mention it; doing something good before challenging him can also strengthen my own belief."
Having just witnessed Shuunen's power and now hearing this shocking news, Might Guy came running over eagerly. "Elder Shuunen," he called out, "who are you planning to challenge?"
Shuunen took a deep breath. "The person who guided me out from my mistake—Seiki Shimaseki!"
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