"Hey, can't you just accept my challenge like a man?"
Obito was really out of options when it came to this guy in front of him.
When it came to being thick-skinned, Obito Uchiha had to admit this guy was the best.
"I'm a Medical Ninja. I don't need to focus on developing my combat skills. Of course, if you want to challenge me in Medical Ninjutsu, I'm always up for it."
Hakushi said with an indifferent smile.
"..."
Obito took a deep breath.
Stay calm.
Keep cool.
Don't get angry.
If you really think about it, there's nothing here to lose your temper over.
I should really learn from this guy—no matter how much trouble anyone gives him, he's always so calm and collected.
Need to think things through like a mature adult.
But… dammit, I'm still pissed off.
Just as Obito was about to say something, there were suddenly two Chunin by the road having a conversation. One of them couldn't hold back his anger and shouted, "Let the captain kick Kakashi out of the team! I've had enough of him!"
"I mean, I agree, but I heard Lord Hokage really values Kakashi."
"But if this goes on, we'll be worried sick every time we go on a mission. That guy's not cut out to be a ninja at all. Every time we send out a distress signal, he ignores us and says we're slowing down the mission!"
The Chunin's face was looking pretty bad, eyes burning with fury—a fire that had built up to the point of overflowing.
"Honestly, I'm pretty much at my limit too. Let's go talk to the captain together. I thought maybe after New Year he'd change a little, but clearly, there's no hope. That guy only cares about himself and his missions—his teammates don't even exist to him."
The other Chunin had made up his mind too.
If this kept up, there was just no way they could finish their missions.
A guy who was always cold to his teammates, you just couldn't trust someone like that.
If one of them died one day, the guy probably wouldn't even shed a single tear.
"Excuse me, were you just talking about tomb> Kakashi?"
Obito got curious when he heard the name "Kakashi" and went up to ask the two Chunin seniors.
"Yeah, so what? You know him?"
The Chunin who'd spoken first glared at, Obito, not very friendly.
"Uh... N-no, I don't know him."
He really wanted to say that he did, but Obito was honestly afraid the guy might punch him if he admitted it.
"Then why are you asking?"
The Chunin was even more annoyed now.
Obito's head started to throb, cold sweat trickling down his face. He stammered: "It's just, hearing you two talk about someone like this on the street, it doesn't seem like a good look..."
"If we weren't completely fed up, we wouldn't act this irrational. Anyway, it's got nothing to do with you, so just mind your own business, little Uchiha brat."
They knew Obito knew Kakashi, but this Chunin wasn't planning to do anything to him.
He didn't want to take out his anger on an innocent kid.
Besides, this was still just a Ninja School student.
Watching those two Chunin walk away, Obito's expression suddenly grew heavy, as if he was lost in thought.
"What's wrong?"
Hakushi walked over and asked.
"I was thinking about Kakashi."
"You don't know?"
Hakushi asked him back.
"Don't know what?"
Now Obito was the one who felt confused.
"Rumor is that since around June or July last year, Kakashi's been switched from squad to squad because he can't get along with his teammates. Now a lot of Jonin squads in the village don't want him anymore."
Hakushi said, putting his hands in his pockets.
"What's going on? Isn't Kakashi a genius? Didn't he become a Chunin last year?"
Obito just couldn't understand.
A genius like that should have teams fighting over make him join.
"It's because on missions, when his teammates were too badly injured to fight or were even becoming a burden, instead of saving them, he just chose to carry on with the mission."
Hakushi said it all very matter-of-fact.
Obito was stunned speechless.
Thinking about what those two Chunin just said about Kakashi, he suddenly understood.
"No way, Kakashi's not like that!"
Obito was sure about this.
The Kakashi in his memory wasn't cold-blooded—he would never just leave his teammates to die.
Something had to be wrong here.
"So, do you want to go visit him?"
Hakushi asked Obito.
"Are you sure? Wouldn't we be bothering him?"
Obito hesitated.
"Don't worry, that brat's got nothing better to do at home anyway."
"Brat, brat, are you really that close with Kakashi?"
Obito asked, not holding back at helped.
"Close or not, his dad was actually the boss for me and Ruri, you know."
Hakushi smiled plainly.
"Huh? Your and Ruri's old boss? Kakashi's father was really that amazing?"
Now it was Obito's turn to be shocked.
Hakushi being some unremarkable Medical Ninja was one thing, but Uchiha Ruri was the pride of their circuit Uchiha Clan as a top Jonin.
For someone to be Ruri's Instructor Jonin, Obito figured Kakashi's dad must've been a pretty big-deal ninja in the village too.
"Alright, enough dawdling. After we check on Kakashi, I've still got work to do."
"Yeah, yeah, got it."
Obito quickly caught up to Hakushi and followed him toward Kakashi's house.
It was a stand-alone, traditional Japanese courtyard. The nameplate by the door clearly said "Hatake."
Obito knew—this was where Kakashi lived.
"What are you guys doing here?"
Kakashi stared in confusion and slight suspicion at the two of them who appeared at his door.
"I brought your friend here to see you, and maybe snag some dinner while we're at it. Not gonna kick us out, right?"
Hakushi patted Obito on the head and smiled at Kakashi.
"If you want to order takeout and eat with me, I don't really care."
Kakashi's tone was totally flat, his attitude not warm or cold.
Hakushi didn't mind. In fact, for Kakashi, that was already considered pretty friendly.
"Kakashi, I…"
"Well you're here, so just come in."
Kakashi turned and walked away, not giving Obito a general chance to talk.
Obito's smile froze on his face, his hand still hanging awkwardly in midair. The atmosphere was more than a little awkward.
"What's up with this guy?"
Obito dropped his hand, muttering in frustration.
Compared with the Kakashi he remembered, this Kakashi felt like a totally different person.
Following Hakushi into the living room, they sat down. Kakashi brought out the tea set and a pot of hot water.
He said to both Hakushi and Obito, "If you want tea, make it yourself."
"..."
"I haven't finished my training for today. I'll call for takeout at dinnertime. Make yourselves at home."
"..."
Obito just watched Kakashi leave so quickly, not even bothering with sop chatting, completely stunned.
Hakushi calmly picked up pipeline a teacup, not the slightest bit annoyed by Kakashi's distant attitude, and made himself a cup of hot tea.
"I'm going upstairs for a bit."
Leaving those words behind, Hakushi also left the room.
Obito's face went dark instantly. Seriously, you two jerks, enough already! Don't just leave me here by myself!