On the training ground, Tanya’s clone noticed the change occurring within Obito.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
According to the information Orochimaru had given her, the Uchiha Clan possessed an unusually strong emotional disposition.
Powerful feelings such as grief, love, anger, and despair could directly influence the development of their Sharingan.
However, Obito’s reaction still seemed excessive.
He had merely seen Rin threatened, yet his emotions had exploded to the point of awakening the Sharingan.
To Tanya, who viewed everything through the lens of logic and military efficiency, it was difficult to understand.
Her thoughts involuntarily drifted toward another example.
Moonlight Hayate.
The boy possessed a rare concealment technique, yet his body was weak and he suffered from chronic coughing fits.
Then there was the Sharingan.
An eye technique that grew stronger through intense emotional stimulation.
The more Tanya analyzed the situation, the stranger it seemed.
‘Could bloodline abilities actually come with inherent flaws?’
‘The Sharingan appears linked to emotional instability.’
‘Hayate’s unusual technique seems accompanied by a weak constitution.’
‘This world is truly unreasonable.’
Meanwhile, Obito had completely lost the ability to think rationally.
“LET HER GO!”
His roar echoed across the training ground.
The newly awakened tomoe spun within his eyes.
Chakra surged through his body.
For the first time, he felt as though he could clearly perceive the movements of those around him.
His vision sharpened.
His reactions accelerated.
Everything seemed slower.
Yet only one thought occupied his mind.
Save Rin.
No matter what.
Tanya calmly watched him charge.
A faint glimmer appeared in her eyes.
She slightly loosened her grip on the kunai pressed against Rin’s neck, though she did not remove it completely.
“Oh?”
A faint smile appeared on her face.
“Now you’re finally starting to resemble a shinobi.”
“But unfortunately…”
“Your current strength is still insufficient.”
She could clearly sense the changes brought about by the Sharingan.
Obito’s perception had improved.
His reactions had improved.
Even his chakra flow had become noticeably more active.
However, he had only just awakened the dōjutsu.
He had no experience using it.
More importantly, his emotions remained completely out of control.
A shinobi who fought solely on emotion was easy to exploit.
Obito rushed forward.
The distance closed rapidly.
Before he could even reach her—
Chop.
Tanya’s hand struck the back of his neck with perfect precision.
Obito’s body stiffened.
His vision darkened.
Then he collapsed unconscious.
Silence spread across the training ground.
“Obito-kun!”
The moment Obito fell, Rin completely forgot about the kunai at her throat. You are reading on g.com, the official source.
She rushed forward.
Dropping to her knees beside him, she frantically checked his injuries.
“Obito-kun!”
“Obito-kun, wake up!”
Seeing her panic, Tanya calmly withdrew the kunai.
“Relax.”
“I controlled my strength.”
“He’s merely unconscious.”
“There won’t be any lasting damage.”
“He’ll wake up soon.”
The kunai disappeared into her sleeve.
She had accomplished everything she intended to accomplish today.
Continuing further would serve no purpose.
After confirming that Obito was breathing normally, Rin finally relaxed.
A relieved sigh escaped her lips.
Then she slowly stood.
To everyone’s surprise, she assumed a fighting stance.
Her eyes no longer showed hesitation.
Instead, they contained determination.
“Thank you.”
Tanya raised an eyebrow.
Rin continued.
“You’re right.”
“I can’t always rely on others to protect me.”
“If I want to protect my comrades, I have to become stronger myself.”
The smile on Tanya’s face widened.
“Good.”
“That’s the answer I wanted.”
Unfortunately, determination alone could not erase the difference in strength.
Rin took a deep breath.
Then she threw a straightforward punch.
The attack was earnest.
Powerful.
And completely lacking in technical refinement.
Tanya sidestepped effortlessly.
She seized Rin’s wrist.
Using her opponent’s momentum, she executed a clean shoulder throw.
Thud!
Rin struck the ground.
The impact instantly knocked her unconscious.
Soon, she lay beside Obito on the training field.
Watching the scene from the nearby forest, Hiruzen Sarutobi released a weary sigh.
His gaze lingered on the unconscious children.
Then he turned toward Tanya.
“That’s enough.”
His voice carried unusual seriousness.
“These children are the future of Konoha.”
He was genuinely concerned that pushing them too far might leave psychological scars.
Tanya considered his words.
Then she replied bluntly.
“Anyone is acceptable.”
“Except that Uchiha.”
In her view, excessively emotional soldiers were liabilities.
An individual whose judgment could be overridden by emotions might ignore orders at a critical moment.
Such behavior was unacceptable on a battlefield.
Hiruzen smiled faintly.
He did not argue.
“You already know what you’re doing.”
“Since you’re determined to reform the Academy and cultivate elite shinobi, Kakashi and Guy are indeed excellent candidates.”
At this point in his life, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still known throughout the shinobi world as the Professor.
He stood at the height of his influence and strength.
His will had not yet been worn down by decades of political compromise.
As long as Konoha benefited, he was willing to support many unconventional ideas.
Especially when those ideas came from Orochimaru’s disciple.
Anything that strengthened Konoha would also strengthen Orochimaru’s future position.
However—
Obito’s awakening of the Sharingan troubled him.
Deeply.
His teacher, Tobirama Senju, had repeatedly warned his students about the peculiar nature of the Uchiha Clan.
Now an Uchiha child had awakened the Sharingan at an astonishingly young age.
The talent on display was extraordinary.
Potentially frighteningly so.
Hiruzen had personally witnessed the power of Madara Uchiha.
Even now, memories of that overwhelming strength remained vivid.
Why the Uchiha?
Why did it have to be the Uchiha?
The modern Uchiha Clan remained Konoha’s most powerful clan.
Unlike the future clan that would eventually be destroyed, the current Uchiha possessed immense influence, military power, and political weight.
A single mistake could destabilize the village.
After a long silence, Hiruzen turned toward Asano.
The warmth vanished from his expression.
His eyes became cold.
“What happened here today…”
“Must never leave this place.”
Asano immediately felt a chill run down his spine.
Only a handful of people had witnessed Obito’s Sharingan awakening.
If news spread, it could create unnecessary complications.
Quickly bowing, Asano replied:
“Hokage-sama, I only arrived recently.”
“I saw nothing.”
“And I know nothing.”
Hiruzen nodded with satisfaction.
Then his gaze shifted toward Tanya.
His expression softened considerably.
“Starting today, before dinner each evening, I will personally oversee part of your training with Orochimaru.”
Tanya blinked.
Even she was somewhat surprised.
Receiving direct guidance from the Third Hokage was an opportunity countless shinobi would dream of.
Then Hiruzen continued.
“Tanya.”
“You should accept that child, Obito.”
His tolerance was not so limited that he would condemn a child because of future possibilities.
Even if Obito possessed the potential to become another Madara someday, he was still a child of Konoha.
A Hokage could not condemn someone for a crime they had not committed.
Although Hiruzen had inherited much of Tobirama’s caution regarding the Uchiha, part of him still hoped the clan could become fully integrated into Konoha.
Otherwise, he would never have considered placing promising shinobi with strong ties to the Uchiha into positions of influence in the future.
Tanya thought for a moment.
Then she nodded.
Since Hiruzen was personally offering guidance, refusing outright would be unreasonable.
As for Obito’s emotional tendencies—
She was confident she could find ways to manage them.
“Brother Takuya, it’s that guy.”