Boruto Era
Naruto was busy handling paperwork when he happened to glance at something he had once said as a child.
He froze, utterly dumbfounded.
“Huh?
Since when did my son become my father…?”
[Minato Namikaze]: “Little guy…
could it be…
your real father is…”
[Hiruzen Sarutobi]: “Ahem.
Let’s just keep watching the video.”
[Third Kazekage]: “Heh.
Konoha really is as hypocritical as ever.”
The video continued.
Time passed, and the cherry blossoms bloomed once more.
Obito sprinted down the road, panting.
“Oh no…
I’m late again…”
Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks.
The Ninja Academy grounds were completely empty.
Only Rin was still there, waiting for him.
They had promised they wouldn’t be late…
Overcome with guilt, Obito stumbled and fell.
Images flashed through his mind of Rin pouting every time he arrived late.
“Obito!
The entrance ceremony, the graduation ceremony…
why are you late every single time?”
Rin folded her arms across her chest, clearly annoyed.
“The graduation ceremony is already over…”
She shot him another glare, looking even more dissatisfied.
“But I ran into an old lady…”
Obito lowered his voice, sounding dejected.
Rin put her hands on her hips.
“Obito, don’t you think you ‘run into old ladies’ a little too often?”
She clearly suspected he was making excuses.
Obito averted his eyes.
“I’ve…
been getting ambushed a lot lately…”
“So you knowingly keep getting yourself into trouble?”
Rin scolded him softly.
Seeing him hang his head, she let out a helpless sigh.
“Honestly…
never mind.
Come with me.”
She reached out, took Obito’s hand, and started running.
Feeling the coolness of her hand, Obito momentarily lost himself in a daze.
[Mei Terumī]: “Does Obito like that girl?”
[Chiyo]: “Ah, youth…
This really brings back memories.”
[Mito Uzumaki]: “Hashirama chased after me like that too back then.
I turned him down every time.”
[Hashirama Senju]: “Honey, now you’re making me embarrassed.
”
[Mikoto Uchiha]: “I’m jealous.
I was actually the one who pursued Fugaku.”
[Minato Namikaze]: “Gasp Fugaku, Mikoto was the one who made the first move?”
[Fugaku Uchiha]: “…Yeah.”
[Sasuke Uchiha]: “You’re all so annoying.
Shut up and stop interrupting my training.”
[First Mizukage]: “Sasuke Uchiha.
Brat, who do you think you are?
You’ve got quite the attitude.”
[Sasuke Uchiha]: “Who I am doesn’t matter.
All that matters is that I’m going to kill that bastard Itachi!”
[Deidara]: “What did you just say?
Kill Mr.
Itachi??”
[Hidan]: “Is there something wrong with this kid’s head…?”
[Sasuke Uchiha]: “What are you two barking about?”
[Deidara]: “And what are you barking about?”
Inside the Akatsuki hideout…
Deidara stared at Sasuke’s profile in the chat, inexplicably growing more irritated.
“Both of you, cut it out.
You’re going to expose the Akatsuki.”
Sasori shot them an exasperated look.
“Brother Sasori, don’t you think this Sasuke is just asking for a beating?”
Deidara grabbed Sasori by the shoulders and pointed at the screen.
“Idiot.
Let go.”
Sasori sighed.
To this day, he still couldn’t understand why their leader had paired him with such a loudmouthed partner.
The video continued.
Still holding Obito’s hand, Rin led him into a dimly lit room before switching on the lights.
Bathed in the warm glow, Obito stared at the lovely girl before him and unconsciously swallowed.
“Rin…
you’re still just as adorable…”
[Ebisu]: “Whoa…
They’re this young and already acting like this?
Give them a few more years and they’ll be making babies!”
[Ino Yamanaka]: “Huh?
What does that even mean?”
[Inoichi Yamanaka]: “Ahem.
Ino, you don’t need to know about that yet.
Let’s just keep watching.”
Rin softly read the words written on the diploma.
“Graduation Certificate
This certifies that Obito Uchiha has successfully graduated from the Konoha Ninja Academy…”
Obito gazed gratefully at the girl before him, pressing his lips tightly together as he struggled to hold back his tears.
“And there’s more.”
Rin smiled gently.
“Through sunshine and storms alike, you worked hard, completed your training, and never gave up…”
After reading the final line, she turned the certificate over and presented it to him with both hands.
“Here.
Congratulations on graduating.”
Tilting her head, she smiled warmly.
Obito looked at her, his eyes already brimming with tears.
“Rin…”
He hurriedly wiped his eyes before accepting the certificate with both hands.
“Thank you…
Rin.”
“Even though I couldn’t receive it in front of our teacher and classmates…
receiving it from you makes me even happier.”
Holding the diploma tightly against his chest as though it were a priceless treasure, he refused to let go.
“We’re Genin now, so you’ve got to pull yourself together.”
Seeing his awkward expression, Rin urged him gently.
“Yeah…
I know.”
Obito scratched the back of his head shyly, lowering his gaze—but his eyes never truly left her face.
[Mei Terumī]: “These two are such an adorable couple…”
[Hayate Gekkō]: “So…
both Obito and Rin died in the end…?
Cough…”
[Kakashi Hatake]: “Yes.
I was the only one who survived…”
[Sunagakure Jōnin]: “Hayate Gekkō.
I remember you.
Fight me one-on-one again if you’ve got the guts, you sickly guy.”
[Hayate Gekkō]: “Cough…
If you’re weak, train harder.”
[Jiraiya]: “Sigh…
Those poor kids.
Let’s keep watching.”
As the number of active participants in the chat gradually dwindled, Xiangyang couldn’t help feeling surprised.
“So everyone’s completely immersed in the video now…”
The video continued.
“By the way…”
Obito looked at the girl across from him.
“Now that we’re Genin, we’ll be assigned to three-man squads and start taking missions, right?”
Despite the reluctance in his heart, he forced himself to ask.
“Has the teacher announced the team assignments yet?”
He couldn’t hide the nervousness in his voice.
If he and Rin weren’t placed on the same team…
What would he do?
“Mm.
They’ve already been announced.”
Rin answered softly.
“So…
Rin and I…”
Obito’s heart nearly leaped into his throat.
A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead.
“We…”
Rin looked at his anxious face and sighed quietly.
Then she slowly lowered her head, her expression hidden beneath the shadows.
Obito immediately tensed.
“Don’t tell me…
we’re not on the same team…”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you…”
Rin suddenly looked up with a playful smile.
“…but we are on the same team.”
She had only been teasing him.
“That’s great…”
Obito let out a long sigh of relief and patted his chest.
“Really…
I’ll have to keep looking after you.”
Rin put her hands on her hips, pretending to be haughty, though her eyes were filled with affection.
“Then…
who’s the third teammate?”
Having calmed down, Obito remembered the remaining question and looked at her expectantly.
“That person…”
As Kakashi came to mind, a faint blush spread across Rin’s cheeks, turning them red like ripe apples.
Obito froze.
She wasn’t blushing because of him…
She was blushing because she had thought of someone else.
[Fourth Kazekage Rasa]: “Obito Uchiha.
Hang in there, brother.”
[Hidan]: “Well, would you look at that.
Hidden drama.”
[A (Fourth Raikage)]: “Ouch…
that’s rough.”
[System]: “Ahem.
Here’s today’s question!”
Who did Rin truly love more—Kakashi or Obito?