"Hey, Lock! Lock, wait up!"
The familiar shout made Lock's face tighten. He slowed his steps and turned, already scowling.
"Damn it, Obito! How many times have I told you—stop calling me that. If you're going to yell my name in public, at least call me Fujiwara."
Uchiha Obito came jogging up to him, grinning ear to ear, as though he hadn't just been scolded. Without hesitation, he slung an arm around Lock's shoulders like they were the closest of friends.
"Don't say that! We're best friends, right? It's been, what, over a month since I saw you? And whoa—look at you! How did you grow this much taller in just one break?"
Lock clicked his tongue, but Obito's reaction wasn't exaggerated. Before the Academy break, Lock had been the shortest boy in their class. Even Kakashi, who was a full year younger, had stood taller. It had been Lock's greatest humiliation.
Now, after the long month away, Lock's growth spurt had finally kicked in. He was still a little shorter than Obito, but not by much. The change was so sudden, it caught even Lock off guard.
Obito, meanwhile, looked exactly the same as always—dark hair messy under his visor, a small backpack slung across his shoulders, and that relentless optimism plastered on his face. He was a member of the prestigious Uchiha clan, yet his grades were at the bottom of the class. If the Uchiha were known for their genius prodigies, Obito was the family's embarrassing counterexample.
Lock pushed him off with a grunt. "Don't get too close. I don't know you that well."
But Obito, shameless as ever, only leaned back in.
"Come on, Lock. After class, let's go to your mom's dango shop. I haven't been there all break because I was training, so I owe you."
Lock barked out a laugh, sharp and mocking. "Training? And you're talking about owing me? Since when have you ever paid? Every time you show up, you eat for free and just flash that Uchiha name of yours like it's supposed to mean something."
It was true. Obito never paid a single coin when he visited. He'd loudly declare, 'Don't worry, Auntie Yuzu, put it on my tab!' and dig in like the dango was his birthright. What was worse, Lock's mother never complained. She even welcomed Obito with a smile, as if feeding him for free was no big deal.
If anything, she was too kind.
"Hey, don't be so stingy," Obito shot back, patting his chest proudly. "Once I become a full-fledged ninja, I'll be rich! I'll treat you and Auntie Yuzu to dango every day. Just wait!"
"Sure. I'll believe it when I see it."
"Oh, by the way," Obito added suddenly, "how's your Clone Jutsu coming along? You've been practicing, right?"
"Better than yours, at least."
Lock picked up his pace, eager to end the conversation. "C'mon. Stop wasting time—we're almost late."
As they turned a corner, Obito's eyes lit up. "Hold on, Lock. Look over there!"
An old woman, frail and leaning heavily on her cane, stood uncertainly at the edge of the road ahead. Without hesitation, Obito dashed toward her.
"Wait! Obito—"
Too late. Lock sighed, rubbing his forehead. "This guy… always sticking his nose into everything."
By the time they sprinted through the Academy gates, class had already started. Their classmates were seated, the teacher on the podium mid-lecture. Lock groaned as they stopped at the doorway, both of them breathless.
"Report!" Obito shouted, straightening his back like a soldier.
Lock wanted to dig a hole and bury himself. What kind of school still makes kids yell 'report' at the door?
The teacher, a man in his thirties with sharp features and a stern expression, set down his chalk. "You two again. Lock, Obito—why are you late on the very first day back?"
This was Yagyū Kunichi, their homeroom instructor, a chūnin of the village. Strict, unforgiving, and always watching them like a hawk.
"Teacher, it's my fault—" Obito began, his voice earnest.
But Kunichi cut him off with a knowing sigh. "Don't tell me. Let me guess. You saw an old woman crossing the street, and you just had to help her, right? Obito, you've used that excuse too many times. Try to be more original."
Obito's jaw dropped. "B-but this time it's true!"
Kunichi ignored him, turning instead to Lock. "Lock, what's your excuse?"
Lock cursed inwardly. He didn't have one prepared. If he said the wrong thing, he'd end up copying the Academy's motto a hundred times.
Thinking quickly, he put on his most serious face. "Mr. Kunichi… when I left the house today, I felt that today might be the turning point of my life. But as I walked, I realized—I was lost… lost on the road of life."
The classroom burst into muffled giggles.
Kunichi's stern features softened ever so slightly. "See? That's what I mean, Obito. Learn from Lock. At least he knows how to speak with some depth."
Obito looked utterly betrayed.
"Now, enough. Both of you, stop blocking the door. Go stand in the back."
With Obito sulking and Lock wearing the faintest smirk, they trudged to the back of the classroom. Dozens of eyes followed them, some amused, some pitying.
Great, Lock thought bitterly. First day of class, and I'm already marked as the idiot who showed up late thanks to Obito.
Beside him, Obito whispered with admiration, "Lock, you're amazing. Even your excuses sound smart. I've gotta learn from you."
Lock didn't even bother to look at him. "Shut up."
On the podium, Kunichi droned on about the fundamentals of chakra control, but Lock's mind drifted. His body sat stiff, eyes forward, but his thoughts wandered. He already knew this stuff. He wasn't just a child—he carried the mind of an adult, someone who'd lived another life.
And while the other kids scribbled notes, Lock was already planning ahead.
Because in this world, if he wanted to rise above the bottom of the class, if he wanted to escape being just another civilian's son… he couldn't afford to waste a single step.