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"Obito, Kakashi, look at this photo—your expressions are exactly the same as the ones your sensei carved for you back in the day."
In the photo, Rin crouched in front with a sweet smile, making a double peace sign with her hands. Obito and Kakashi stood on either side of her, one scowling to the left and the other to the right like matching statues. Minato stood behind them with a gentle smile.
"It really does look the same..." Obito muttered. But when he noticed Kakashi approaching, he immediately resumed his "left scowl."
"Of course it does. I had great foresight when I carved that statue," Akio said with a smile.
Minato stepped forward as well. "Boss Hagoromo, let's go with this one. Could you make a few extra prints for us?"
Akio turned to glance at the photo studio owner, who was already busy with another group's ten o'clock appointment.
"No problem. Leave it to me. But are you sure you want this one? Not the version I'm holding?"
The one in Akio's hand was almost identical—except Minato had turned the "left and right scowlers" so they both faced forward with more harmonious expressions.
"We'll use this one. It looks a little more peaceful," Minato said with a wry smile. It was his first time leading students, and having these two together was already a headache.
"Alright," Akio replied, still looking a little disappointed. "Guess I'll have to keep this 'left and right scowl' version for myself."
Akio, now very skilled at developing film, had recently processed a few "Mukade-style Sasori" shots for future use.
He handed out four copies of the photo and waved them off. "Go on, do your thing. Whether it's grabbing bells or training or taking missions, I won't interfere."
As Akio walked away, he heard Minato's voice from behind.
"The New Year's not far off. We won't take any missions for now. I want to get a better grasp of your current strength. As tradition goes, your teacher will treat you to lunch today. We meet at Training Ground No. 2 at 2 p.m."
Then came Obito's cheer, Kakashi's inevitable silent disdain (which Akio didn't see but could easily imagine), and likely an argument afterward... Akio felt a bit sorry for Minato.
Instead of returning to his shop, Akio headed straight for Sakumo's house. There were some things he was still concerned about.
As expected, Sakumo—the perpetually busy ANBU—wasn't home. Akio wasn't disappointed, though. He knew that once Sakumo heard he'd come looking, he'd come find Akio himself.
Sure enough, by evening, Sakumo arrived.
"Elder Akio, you were looking for me?"
Akio smiled. "Haven't had any missions lately? Something classified, maybe? One of those situations where you have to choose between the mission or your teammate?"
"What kind of mission?" Sakumo blinked in confusion.
"Oh, never mind then."
Sakumo left, utterly bewildered.
"So my influence really did change things? The mission either didn't happen or someone else took it..." Akio let out a long sigh. He was actually a bit disappointed—he'd wanted to witness firsthand what kind of monstrous thing had caused Sakumo's death in the original timeline.
Checking the time, he figured Sara wouldn't be off work for another hour or so. Her 5-to-8 schedule was a bit inhumane. And as an apprentice, she didn't even get paid. Fortunately, there were times when no customers came in, and Sara could take short breaks or refine her chakra a little. Otherwise, she really might have to "resign."
"Guess I'll go find Teuchi and ask for weekends off for my daughter," Akio muttered, heading next door...
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Time passed quietly, and Akio spent a peaceful New Year in Konoha. He heard that the Land of Whirlpools held a grand festival, and even Kushina went back for it. But Akio didn't join in. Since the Rōran trip, Uzumaki Akio hadn't shown himself publicly in quite some time. He felt more comfortable living as "Boss Hagoromo." The identity of Uzumaki Akio carried too much seniority—it made socializing difficult.
Minato's team trained intensely for a full month. Akio frequently heard Obito declare that "next time" he would definitely beat Kakashi—and beg Akio to teach him some powerful jutsu.
Akio always refused with a smile. Little Obito, aside from the Uchiha's traditional Fire Release affinity, also had an Earth Release affinity. Akio could teach him Earth Release, but he felt that Obito's weakness was actually a path to growth. With enough emotional "trauma," he might just awaken his Sharingan sooner.
So Obito was thoroughly beaten by Kakashi for an entire month—from the end of Year 42 of the Konoha calendar to the start of Year 43. Rin, meanwhile, studied basic medical ninjutsu at the hospital, helping Obito "reduce swelling."
By the time February rolled around, Obito was finally set free—because Minato had started giving them real missions.
What he never expected was that their very first mission… was delivering ramen for Ichiraku Ramen.
Akio was surprised when he heard. He'd thought a genin's first mission would be something like finding a lost cat. For some reason, there were always cat owners in Konoha who kept losing their cats.
Delivery duty for Ichiraku Ramen was considered a cushy assignment. Many genin squads fought over it, especially Choza's team. Part of the reason was that Guy had done deliveries before. The other reason was that the mission included not only pay but also a free lunch.
But for Obito, this mission was a nightmare. Ever since Akio had dragged him in for a bowl of Sara's ramen last time, he hadn't dared set foot in Ichiraku again. And now, seeing a "familiar face," Sara came out to cook personally.
From the neighboring shop, Akio watched with amusement as Obito forced down a bite of ramen, his face twisted in agony—before he suddenly lit up with surprise.
"No way my daughter wouldn't master ramen-making," Akio muttered smugly. Sara had improved quite a bit after nearly three months of training.
Rin also looked relieved. After finishing her noodles, she started chatting away with Sara. When there weren't many deliveries to be made, only Obito and Kakashi had to work.
As their teacher, Minato leisurely strolled over to Akio's shop. Ever since the RĹŤran mission, he'd paid close attention to "Boss Hagoromo."
For example...
"Boss Hagoromo, I heard you were a ninja in the past. Why did you choose to open a shop?"
"Running a shop pays better than being a ninja."
Minato's expression froze.
"Were you originally a Konoha shinobi?"
"Nope. I was a small-village ninja. Not worth mentioning."
Minato's face stiffened.
"So why come to Konoha?"
"It's lively here."
"Why haven't you taught Obito and Rin any jutsu?"
Akio hesitated, a complex look on his face. "You'll understand when you reach my age."
Minato's face darkened. None of this made any sense. Yet there was something oddly familiar about this... unreliability.
"…You're not Elder Akio, are you?"
Akio's expression changed instantly. With reverence, he replied, "How could I possibly be that person?"
Minato: "…Heh."
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