From that point onward, Uchiha Kindergarten had no classes from Friday to Sunday. This allowed the children a little freedom while also giving the teachers—mainly the senior Uchiha members—time to handle other matters. Uchiha Obito gradually grew accustomed to life in the kindergarten. The bustling atmosphere, filled with the laughter and chatter of young children, no longer intimidated him.
At this time, Uchiha Yato displayed his usual thoughtfulness by presenting Obito with a generous gift package, as a reward for helping care for the children. With a sly smile, he remarked, "You're free most of the time anyway, so why not spend it helping in the nursery area? You can kill time and, at the same time, earn points."
Obito had already quietly decided to accept Yato's proposal. Helping the children seemed natural, and the promise of points added a playful incentive. Yato, noticing Obito's agreement, added with an encouraging grin, "Once you've accumulated 10,000 points, I'll personally invite Nohara Rin to attend Uchiha Kindergarten."
At the mention of Rin's name, Obito's eyes brightened. He had long admired Rin, and the thought of her visiting the kindergarten filled him with quiet excitement. Indeed, at that moment, it was clear that Obito was now one of the most dedicated caregivers in the Uchiha Kindergarten.
The children, many of whom had yet to attend a proper ninja school, were full of curiosity and anticipation. They asked Obito countless questions about the ninja lifestyle, and he answered each one patiently, showing both care and knowledge beyond his years.
During one of these interactions, Uchiha Kai approached and asked, "Brother Obito, do you have any close friends at the Ninja School?"
Obito replied naturally, his face softening as he spoke, "Of course. Her name is Nohara Rin. She is very gentle, and… she's someone I deeply admire." A faint smile crossed his lips, reflecting the warmth and happiness Rin brought to his heart.
Uchiha Yato, who had been observing from nearby, quickly joined in with his typical mischievous energy. "Ah, our Obito really likes this girl, doesn't he?"
Kai teased, "Yes! Remember to find someone like our brother Obito in the future, someone you truly care about."
Obito's face turned bright red, and he felt a mix of embarrassment and joy. Yato, seeing an opportunity to redirect the conversation, suddenly shifted the topic.
"But you absolutely cannot tolerate a dog-licker," he said with an exaggerated shiver.
Kai frowned, puzzled. "A dog-licker? What do you mean by that?"
Yato leaned in, adopting a mock-serious tone. "Some people's devotion is admirable, but others… they go too far. They'll agree to anything, obey blindly, and lose all dignity. These people are called lickspittles—or, in simpler terms, bootlickers."
Kai and Obito exchanged confused glances. Sensing this, Yato decided to rephrase it more simply. "Imagine this: there is someone you truly dislike. How would you react?"
Kai responded immediately, "I would ignore them. I wouldn't play with them. I'd tell them I don't like them."
Obito nodded, "That makes sense. Why waste time on someone you don't care for?"
Yato smiled, satisfied, then presented the more challenging scenario. "But what if someone loves you so much that they refuse to leave your side? They stay close every day, insist on helping, and simply won't let go. How should you respond?"
Kai thought for a moment, then said, "If they don't respect my feelings, why do they keep bothering me?"
Obito's expression grew serious. "This kind of person is annoying… maybe even disgusting," he admitted.
Yato shook his head. "Not disgusting. Obsessive love is different. You have the right to pursue someone, but you cannot infringe upon another person's life. A bootlicker has no boundaries, no reasoning. That is why you must recognize and avoid them."
Kai looked thoughtful, while Obito's gaze became distant, as though the words had sparked memories or reflections within him. Yato, noticing Obito's deep thought, decided it was time for a more practical demonstration.
He revealed his Sharingan, eyes glinting with a mix of seriousness and mischief, and activated the Uchiha Yato brand projector—a device capable of projecting vivid illusions. "Let's see if Obito would ever become a bootlicker," Yato declared.
Kai protested, "Brother Yato, isn't this a bit rude? They haven't agreed to this yet."
Yato ignored her, focusing instead on Obito. He had two goals: first, to teach the Uchiha clan, especially Obito, not to be blinded by arrogance or emotion, and second, to earn emotional coins—a unique form of currency he valued greatly.
The projector flickered to life, displaying the first scene: a wedding.
Obito blinked and found himself immersed in the illusion. He saw Nohara Rin standing before him in a pristine white kimono. She appeared more mature than he remembered, her gentle beauty captivating him instantly. Obito's heart raced; he was now an adult in this illusion, and the perspective made him feel both excitement and a strange tension.
Rin spoke softly, "Why did you suddenly faint?" Her words seemed caring, yet carried a strange distance. "Today is an important day for me—don't forget it."
Obito's heart skipped a beat. She was beautiful, gentle, and yet… she was not marrying him. When he tried to intervene, he realized he had no control over his actions. Instead, he was compelled to serve as her assistant during the wedding—a chuonang, or bridesmaid, helping her with preparations.
The scene shifted again. This time, Obito saw the groom: a man wearing a black-patterned hakama. As he moved closer, he recognized the familiar figure. The blush on the boy's face spoke volumes: the groom was none other than Hatake Kakashi.
Obito's chest tightened. The girl he adored was being married to someone else, and he could only stand by, powerless. This illusion forced him to confront feelings he had long suppressed: jealousy, longing, and the bitter realization that love was not always reciprocal.
A cheerful "Ding~" sounded from Yato's device.
"Congratulations to the host! You've just warmed up Obito's emotions. +200 emotion coins," Yato announced gleefully.
Obito remained frozen, unable to move, his hands obediently assisting Rin while his heart ached. Yato's intention was not just playful cruelty—it was a lesson. No matter how much Obito loved Rin, there were consequences to obsession and blind devotion. Love could not justify harming others, manipulating circumstances, or sacrificing one's own dignity.
This scenario also reflected a painful truth from Obito's past: no matter how much he loved, he had committed acts that could never be undone. He had, in the previous timeline, destroyed his own family and hurt those who had nurtured him. The illusion served as a reminder of these failures, and perhaps as a warning against repeating the same mistakes.
Once Obito reluctantly handed Rin's hand to Kakashi, the scene dissolved. He blinked, slowly returning to reality, though his expression showed he had not fully recovered from the emotional impact.
Kai, observing from outside, whispered, "So this… is what you call dog-licking behavior, Brother Yato?"
"Not exactly," Yato replied, smiling. "That was an example of a lickspittle in action. I controlled his body to show you all what it feels like. The lesson? Recognize obsessive love and avoid it, both for yourself and for others."
Yato had achieved his dual objectives: teaching the children an emotional lesson while simultaneously earning substantial emotional coins.
"Next," Yato said, preparing the projector for the second scene, "we will test Obito's response in another scenario. It will be equally instructive."
Obito, still processing the first illusion, braced himself. He could feel the tension building again—the strange mix of fear, anticipation, and excitement that only Yato's lessons could evoke.
As the projector hummed to life, Yato glanced at Kai and Obito, a rare seriousness crossing his features. "This isn't just a game. This is about understanding yourself, your emotions, and the boundaries you must set in life. If you fail to learn, you may one day become a slave to your own feelings—or worse, someone else's."
Obito took a deep breath, steadying himself. He had learned that love was complex, sometimes painful, and always demanding of self-awareness. The illusions Yato created were harsh but necessary, teaching lessons no simple lecture ever could.
And so, the day continued, with Uchiha Yato guiding, teaching, and sometimes manipulating, always with the goal of shaping the next generation of Uchiha—carefully balancing emotional growth with discipline, and always watching for the signs of obsession, devotion, and misplaced loyalty.
By the end of the day, Obito had gained not just points, but understanding. He realized that love required respect, patience, and, above all, the ability to maintain one's own dignity.
Yato, observing quietly, noted the progress, pleased with the subtle yet profound lessons imparted. The children of Uchiha Kindergarten were growing, Obito was learning, and the emotional coins piled steadily in Yato's favor.
Tomorrow would bring another lesson, another illusion, and another chance to test the hearts and minds of those who would one day carry the weight of the Uchiha legacy.
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