"Hey, can't you accept my challenge like a man?"
Obito was truly at a loss with the man in front of him.
When it came to being thick-skinned, Uchiha Obito was willing to call him the strongest.
"I'm a medical ninja, so I don't need to focus on cultivating strength. Of course, if you want to compete in medical ninjutsu, I'm always up for it."
Hakushi said with an indifferent smile.
"..."
Obito took a deep breath.
Stay calm.
Stay composed.
Don't get angry.
Seriously think about it, there's no reason to lose it over this.
I should learn from this man and adopt a calm and composed attitude in the face of any difficulties.
Think like a mature adult.
But... it sure is frustrating.
Just as Obito was about to say something, two Chunins were suddenly talking on the roadside, one of them said loudly with uncontrollable anger, "Let's get the captain to kick Kakashi out of the team! I've reached my limit with him!"
"Although I agree, I've heard that Lord Hokage values Kakashi a lot."
"But at this rate, we're always on edge when carrying out missions. This guy isn't fit to be a ninja. Every time we send out a support signal, he's ignored it and said we're slowing down the mission progress."
The Chunin's face looked terrible, eyes full of anger, reaching a critical point, needing release.
"Honestly, I'm about at my limit too. Let's go to the captain and explain together. I thought he'd change his mindset after the new year, but it seems we can't hold any hope for him. That guy only cares about missions, completely ignoring the existence of us teammates."
The other Chunin made up his mind too.
At this rate, it's really impossible to carry out missions.
A guy who's constantly cold to his companions simply can't inspire reliable trust.
If they died one day, the other guy might not even shed a tear.
"Um, excuse me, were you just talking about Kakashi?"
Obito heard them mention the name 'Kakashi' and approached with curiosity to ask the two Chunin seniors.
"Yeah, why? Do you know him?"
The first Chunin who spoke gave Obito an unfriendly glare.
"Uh... no, I don't know him."
He really wanted to say he knew, but if he admitted it, Obito was really afraid the guy might beat him up.
"Then why ask about this?"
The Chunin was even more dissatisfied.
For a moment, Obito's head spun, cold sweat on his face, stammering, "Um, I just thought discussing someone like this in the street isn't very good."
"If we weren't driven to our limits, we wouldn't behave so irrationally. Anyway, this has nothing to do with you, so don't meddle, Uchiha brat."
Knowing Obito and Kakashi were acquainted, but the Chunin didn't intend to do anything to Obito.
He didn't want to vent his anger on an innocent person.
Besides, this was a student from the Ninja School.
Watching the two Chunins leave, Obito's expression suddenly grew heavy, as if he were pondering something.
"What's wrong?"
Hakushi came over and asked.
"I was thinking about Kakashi."
"Didn't you know?"
Hakushi responded like this.
"Know what?"
This time, Obito was oddly curious.
"I've heard that since June or July last year, Kakashi, due to not getting along with teammates, has already switched many squads. Now many Jonin squads in the village don't want to take him in."
Hakushi said with his hands in his pockets.
"What's going on? Isn't Kakashi a genius? He became a Chunin last year, right?"
Obito couldn't comprehend.
Such a genius character should be highly sought after by many Jonin squads.
"The reason is during a mission, because his teammates were too seriously injured to fight, even becoming a burden, he chose not to save his teammates, but to continue completing the mission."
Hakushi stated this calmly.
Obito was stunned for a moment.
Recalling what the two Chunins earlier had said against Kakashi, he suddenly understood.
"No, Kakashi isn't that kind of person!"
Obito resolutely believed this.
In his impression, Kakashi was definitely not someone who would coldly abandon his companions to die.
There must be some misunderstanding somewhere.
"So, do you want to visit him?"
Hakushi asked Obito.
"Is that alright? Wouldn't it bother him too much?"
Obito hesitated a bit.
"It's fine, that kid doesn't have much to do at home anyway."
"Kid, kid, are you really familiar with Kakashi?"
Obito asked bluntly.
"Familiar? His father was the former superior of me and Ruri, you know."
Hakushi chuckled openly.
"Eh? He was the former superior of you and Senior Ruri? Is Kakashi's father that amazing?"
This time, it was Obito's turn to be astonished.
Setting aside someone as inconspicuous as the medical ninja Hakushi, Uchiha Ruri was currently the most proudly talented Jonin of the Uchiha Race.
To be her instructor Jonin, Obito believed Kakashi's father must have been an impressive ninja in the village as well.
"Alright, stop dawdling. After seeing that brat Kakashi, I have more work to do back home."
"Oh, okay."
Obito immediately caught up with Hakushi's pace, following him towards Kakashi's house.
It was an independent Japanese-style courtyard, with the nameplate 'Hatake' on the front door.
Obito knew this was where Kakashi lived.
"Why are you guys here?"
Kakashi looked at the two appearing at his door, showing a look of confusion.
"I brought your friend to visit you, and maybe crash a dinner too. What do you think, aren't you going to welcome us?"
Hakushi patted Obito's head and smiled at Kakashi.
"If you want to join me for takeout, I don't mind."
Kakashi spoke with no inflection in his voice, his attitude indifferent and detached.
Hakushi didn't find it anything special, since Kakashi being this approachable was already rather friendly.
"Kakashi, I..."
"Since you're here, just come in."
Kakashi swung his head and walked away, not giving Obito a chance to speak.
Obito's smile froze on his face, his hand lingering in the air, the atmosphere a bit awkward.
"What exactly happened to this guy?"
Obito dropped his hand, muttering a bit gloomily.
Compared to the Kakashi he remembered, the current Kakashi seemed like a completely different person.
Following Hakushi into Kakashi's living room inside, after sitting down, Kakashi brought over tea sets and a pot of hot water.
He said to Hakushi and Obito, "If you want tea, make it yourself."
"..."
"I haven't finished today's training yet, I'll order takeout for dinner, feel free."
"..."
Obito watched as Kakashi left cleanly without exchanging much, his face stunned.
Hakushi calmly picked up a tea set, not dissatisfied by Kakashi's indifferent attitude, and made a cup of hot tea for himself to drink.
"I'm going to take a look upstairs."
Leaving this sentence behind, Hakushi also left.
Obito's expression immediately turned dark, you two jerks are enough! Don't just leave me here alone!