Chapter 68

"Obito, come here."

After class, Haruki beckoned from the podium.

Obito Uchiha, who was about to chat with Rin Nohara, had his smile freeze instantly.

He turned stiffly and pointed at himself, "Me?"

"Is there another Obito?" Haruki put away his book and smiled.

Obito hesitated but still obediently came to Haruki and asked, "Teacher, what's the matter?"

"Can't I call you if there's nothing?"

"No, I didn't mean that."

Obito quickly shook his head, afraid that if he was slow, he'd upset Haruki and be made to cross-dress again.

He had foolishly believed that cross-dressing would make Rin like him.

But it didn't work and only earned Kakashi's relentless mockery.

Now, arguing with Kakashi, he couldn't win.

Kakashi would always counter with, "You've cross-dressed," which would break his defenses instantly, making him want to beat Kakashi up, but he couldn't win!

"As a teacher, I need to understand my students' situations."

Haruki headed towards the office, saying, "Like why you were late today."

Obito was stunned. It seemed like the first time a teacher asked him that.

His previous teachers never listened to his explanations.

No, after being late multiple times, his explanations were useless.

Given his poor test scores, he was not a favorite among teachers.

In their eyes, he was already seen as playful and lazy, likely never to change.

"It was because I helped an old neighbor cross the road."

"That's a good deed. Why not tell everyone?" Haruki opened the office door and put down his book.

"Because they won't believe a tail-ender like me." Obito said bitterly.

"But I believe you. I can see you're not lying."

"Teacher..."

Obito stared at him, feeling rare trust.

And from Haruki, of all people.

Although Haruki seemed like a devil in his eyes, he was one of the renowned Twin Pillars of Konoha. His words carried weight far beyond those who mocked Obito.

"By the way, do you remember what I promised you?" Haruki leaned against the desk, smiling.

"Huh?" Obito snapped out of his daze, not remembering.

"I said I'd make girls like you." Haruki reminded.

"Oh? Right, I think you did."

Obito scratched his head, having thought it was just a trick to make him cross-dress.

His face changed, and he hesitantly asked, "Teacher, you're not making me cross-dress again, are you?"

"Why? Do you enjoy it?" Haruki retorted.

"Impossible!" Obito loudly refused.

"Don't worry. I said once is enough. I won't make you do it again."

Seeing his intense reaction, Haruki raised an eyebrow. He sensed a strange chakra, similar to when Mikoto Uchiha awakened her Sharingan.

His eyes narrowed. Could this guy's awakening trigger be this?

Obito took a step back in fright, always feeling Haruki had ulterior motives.

"Follow me. Your current look won't do."

Haruki grabbed him and they disappeared from the office.

The scene shifted.

Obito, still shaken, looked around, finding himself on the streets of Konoha.

What kind of jutsu was this?

"Boss, give this guy a new hairstyle."

Haruki pointed to Obito, who hadn't recovered from his shock.

His hairstyle was outdated, making him look bad even though he had decent looks. And those goggles didn't help.

A hyperactive chatterbox—what girl would like that?

"What? A new hairstyle?" Obito shook his head, "No!"

"Oh, would you prefer a pretty dress?" Haruki's voice was calm and natural.

"..."

Devil!

I knew you wouldn't let me off!

Obito could only tearfully nod.

Goodbye, my handsome hairstyle.

"And the goggles, take them off." Haruki added.

This time, Obito didn't resist and took them off.

Fifteen minutes later, the remade Obito appeared before Haruki.

"Not bad."

Haruki nodded, considering Obito's square face and giving him a Kimura Takuya-style parting.

Before Obito could say much, Haruki took him to a clothing store, dressing him in something similar to Uchiha casual wear.

Instantly, his appearance improved.

One of Haruki's favorite outfits from the original work was the Akatsuki's and the Uchiha's.

"Wear this to class tomorrow."

"Yes..." Obito went from resisting to obeying. He hadn't expected such a huge change; he looked like a different person.

"Next, we work on your posture and demeanor."

"Huh?"

Obito thought he misheard.

A renowned Konoha Twin Pillar teaching him this stuff—was something wrong?

"I'm a ninja, right? Why am I learning this stuff?"

Obito fell into doubt.

"What are you thinking? Again!"

Haruki, holding a pointer from somewhere, knocked on the mirror sternly.

Obito could only smile again.

Over and over.

Today, he became the smiling boy.

When his facial muscles stiffened, thinking it was over, Haruki used a healing jutsu.

Devil!

This guy is a devil!

Obito raged inside but couldn't contain his excitement, becoming energetic for practice again.

Darkness slowly enveloped him.

Night fell.

Haruki turned on the light, "Let's have dinner first."

Obito finally revived.

"Continue after dinner."

"..."

Obito's smile disappeared instantly.

"Huh? Who's this guy?"

At that moment, Tsunade entered, seeing the mirror, "What are you doing? Primping?"

"I'm teaching him how to woo girls." Haruki put away the mirror, saying.

Tsunade's eyes turned dangerous at the mention of girls.

"Woo girls?"

"Yeah." Haruki approached, spreading his arms to hug her, "Thanks for your hard work today."

Seeing this, Obito's eyes widened.

One sentence, one action, defused the crisis.

Master.

He had met a true master.