"I went to look for her earlier and found that Tsunade-sensei was already completely drunk in the tavern..."
Lin had a somewhat helpless expression on her face.
"..."
Hakushi also shook his head helplessly but said nothing.
Because he had long been accustomed to it.
Probably because the deaths of Nawaki and Jonin Kato hit her too hard.
The countless times she got drunk in the tavern over the years speak to that.
Fortunately, she never slacked off during lessons, was never late or left early, showing responsibility to her students in the experimental class.
Hakushi brought in a boy and a girl and turned to the boy to ask, "Why did you come in as well?"
"Of course, to guard against your ulterior motives towards Lin."
The boy spoke openly without any reservation whatsoever.
"You've quite the sense of humor, Uchiha Obito. You might have better prospects as an entertainer rather than a ninja."
"I don't want to be talked down by someone like you who's living off women, it's embarrassing."
Obito, with hands behind his head and an air of unwarranted arrogance, strutted in with a swagger.
"Speaking of which, is Ruri-senpai not home?"
Obito looked around at the quiet surroundings and asked.
"Why do you ask?"
"I heard from the adults in the clan that Ruri-senpai seemed to have resigned from the Security Team. She's obviously such a powerful Jonin; why resign from the Sub-Captain position in the Security Team?"
Obito looked curious.
"Perhaps it just wasn't the right fit. For her, carrying out missions outside might be more suitable, since the Security Team often deals with trivial matters most of the time..."
"They're not trivial matters! I have immense respect for the seniors working in the Security Team. That is the glory of the Uchiha Race! Helping everyone in the village is far from trivial!"
Hakushi glanced at him but said nothing.
"Because if you can't handle these small tasks, becoming Hokage is out of the question!"
Obito's expression was unprecedentedly solemn.
"Hokage?"
Hakushi's expression turned peculiar.
Lin laughed and said, "That's right, Senior Hakushi. Obito's dream is to become someone acknowledged by everyone, to become Hokage and help everyone in the village."
After hearing Lin's words, Hakushi's gaze towards Obito grew even more peculiar.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Obito retreated a step in caution.
"Nothing, I was just thinking about some trivial matters."
This guy is really an Uchiha?
Hakushi wondered about Obito's true identity more than once. Although he knew many in the Uchiha Clan hoped for their clan members to become Hokage.
But that hope was held with intense personal desire, or one could say, for the service of the clan's politics, more like an obsession.
But in Hakushi's eyes, Obito was just a kid who saw Hokage as a pure dream and wanted to achieve it.
Could there really be such a funny guy in the Uchiha Race?
For the first time, Hakushi had a sense of expectation for this Uchiha boy known as the 'dead last' in the Ninja School.
Who knows, maybe this guy's future will be interesting.
"But Obito is truly hard-working and kind-hearted, often helping grandmothers in trouble on the street."
"Ah, that... it's really nothing, you're exaggerating, Lin."
With Lin's praise, Obito didn't realize his steps were starting to falter, almost tripping on flat ground.
Arriving in a quiet room, Hakushi turned on the light and had the two sit down, then went to prepare some snacks and tea to entertain them.
Although he came tonight to be a Flower Guardian and followed Lin in, seeing Lin earnestly consulting Hakushi on medical knowledge and already immersing in study mode, Obito couldn't disturb them, especially since he wasn't particularly knowledgeable about medical topics himself.
Watching Lin so seriously seek guidance and the freeloading guy answer Lin's various questions calmly, Obito believed that this freeloader had some skills after all.
At least in Medical Ninjutsu.
Around ten at night, the private tutoring session finally ended.
"Senior Hakushi, thank you for your trouble tonight."
"No trouble at all, Nohara-san, feel free to drop by anytime. I'll do my best to help with any questions you have."
Hakushi smiled faintly as he watched Lin leave.
And at her side, Obito followed along relentlessly.
Though starting to nod off, he insisted on seeing Lin home for peace of mind.
Seeing this, Hakushi was more convinced—Uchiha Obito... is definitely an abnormal Uchiha.
◎
The unimaginable physical weight suddenly fell on him, waking Hakushi from his dream.
It was another sunny morning.
But compared to the bright and warm sunshine, the full figure inexplicably appearing in front of him piqued his unresistable admiration more.
Not exaggerated, but compared to girls of the same age, it was already considered extraordinary.
Like Ruri, whose figure contrasted her strong skills, being remarkably modest and low-key in that aspect.
Hence, seeing such an enchanting and lively sight.
Hakushi couldn't help but imagine the splendid view it would be even floating on the hot spring water.
"Good morning, Hakushi-kun."
The girl sitting straddled on top of him greeted casually while gently touching his nose with her fair finger.
"...What are you doing, Ayane?"
Honestly, the scene unfolding before his eyes left Hakushi's mind a bit tangled.
"I recently read in a book that guys like this kind of wake-up call. Don't you like it, Hakushi-kun? Or would you prefer a different way for me to wake you up?"
"Whatever it is, it's best to read less of those strange books in the future."
Hakushi made Ayane get off him.
No matter the case, that tempting figure just now was truly hard to endure.
Just a moment ago, he nearly had a strong physiological reaction.
Just when Hakushi was dressing up, Shadow Lady in all her darkness entered with a tray, gently placing it aside.
"Father, Mother, I've prepared breakfast. Please enjoy it leisurely."
"???"
"Thank you for the effort, and for preparing breakfast specially,"
While Hakushi was still wrapping his head around what was happening, Ayane had already started praising Shadow Lady for her thoughtfulness.
Turning to Hakushi, Ayane smilingly said, "Hakushi-kun, see how obedient our daughter is? She specially prepared breakfast for the two of us. Let's eat together."
She particularly emphasized 'our daughter' with extra emphasis.
"..."
Hakushi only wanted to know what happened between this silly daughter and Ayane while he was still asleep.