Chapter 39. A Bad Premonition

Chapter 39. A Bad Premonition

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One hour earlier.

Although he was thrilled that Rin had invited him out, the sight of Kakashi joining them filled him with deep pain. Even though he had unexpectedly awakened his Sharingan, he just couldn't forget…

His mind was still occupied with memories of his student days with Rin.

When he was injured, Rin bandaged him. When he failed, Rin comforted him. When he was ridiculed, Rin encouraged him. And when Rin was thirsty, he'd stand in line for hours to buy her milk tea.

Those were beautiful moments! Why didn't she just drink milk tea that night?

Obito clenched his fist as he looked at Kakashi beside him. Flames seemed to ignite in his eyes, and he felt an uncontrollable urge rising within.

This intense gaze didn't go unnoticed by Kakashi, a genius ninja of Konoha. He shuddered involuntarily—this feeling was dreadful. He took a step back, frowning at Obito.

"Something wrong?"

Why is he just staring at me?

But Obito shook his head lightly, saying, "It's nothing!"

This scene, however, didn't seem so innocent to Rin and Kakashi. They were both puzzled, as Obito didn't usually act so cold.

"Obito, are you okay?" Rin asked, worried. "Did something happen? You can tell me; maybe I can help you?"

Her caring gaze seemed to soften Obito for a moment. But in the end, he responded calmly, "It's nothing."

He had already realized it.

Left with no choice, Rin decided to drop it, though she couldn't help but keep it in mind, wondering what had happened to Obito.

She tried to calm her own thoughts and smiled brightly, "Then let's head to the Yuto Bubble Tea Shop! Maybe we'll run into Asuma and Kurenai." She glanced around excitedly. "There are so many people here today!"

Suddenly, she noticed a group gathered ahead.

"Is that Asuma and… some of the Kumogakure ninjas? What's going on?"

Up ahead.

At the entrance of Yuto BBQ.

Nearby, an employee was apologetically trying to intervene, but neither group paid him any attention.

One of the Kumogakure ninjas even had his sword drawn. They looked about the same age, likely there to participate in the upcoming Chunin Exams.

What exactly happened?

The three glanced at each other, then ran up!

At that moment—

"Hey, we were here first. Why are you cutting in line?" Asuma said cockily, picking his nose as the local kid. "Get lost! We're going in!"

"You already left, and now you think you still have a spot?" A blond Kumo ninja sneered. "Is this the quality of Konoha's ninjas? Cutting in line even in their own village?"

For some reason, seeing this barbecue place while passing by gave him a sudden craving to try it. He had even received a discount voucher at the door and heard that all ninja could get a discount here, so he thought he'd give it a shot.

But he had to admit… Konoha has really fallen into depravity, with all these full trashy ads all over the place.

"Get out of the way, don't interrupt our meal, or else don't blame us for getting rough!"

"Country bumpkins from Kumogakure! Do you think just because you're in line, it's your turn? See this ticket?" Asuma scoffed, holding it up. "It's our number; our turn. Lacking class—look at yourselves! And see this card?" He pulled out a red card engraved with a leaf symbol. "It's a VIP from Yuto's. We're VIPs. Do you know what that means?"

The Kumo ninjas immediately grew upset, feeling ridiculed. "Konoha monkey, what did you just say?"

When has Kumogakure been humiliated like this?

"Let me tell you! Today, this spot belongs to our Kumogakure ninjas!"

"Oh, come on, don't argue! Just wait a bit longer, there'll be seats soon."

However, no matter how the waiter called out, no one paid any attention to him. At this point, it was no longer a question of seats.

Especially Asuma… as he felt insulted, his hair seemed to stand up in rage, looking rather like a monkey. "This is Konoha! Acting cocky here could get you beaten up!"

"Beaten up? Are you kidding? Do you dare to do it?" The Kumo ninja scoffed, ignoring his comrades' attempts to stop him. "Come on! Hit me!"

"You make the first move!"

"No, you start first! Come on, punch me!"

Do I look stupid?

Konoha was known for its "polite" reputation and typically refrained from starting fights.

Asuma sneered, "Is this all Kumogakure can manage? If you don't want trouble, get lost! And from now on, stay clear when you see Lord Asuma!"

"All you know how to do is run your mouth! What's your name? Stinking monkey!"

"Who are you calling a monkey?"

"I'm calling you that! Hit me if you dare~!"

The onlookers sighed in exasperation; even the teachers leading the groups didn't interfere, as this was a chance to observe the Third Hokage's son, Sarutobi Asuma, and see what the son of the Hokage was capable of.

And as for this trip to Konoha… all those ads around proved Konoha had really fallen!

Just like the Third Raikage had said—the future belonged to Kumogakure. It was clear neither side would actually throw a punch, so they might as well gather more intel!

However...

The Kumogakure Team Leader underestimated youthful impulsiveness. As soon as one of the Kumo ninja taunted, "Hit me if you dare~", Asuma's fist shot forward.

"I've never heard of such a request before," Asuma chuckled, blowing off his fist after landing a punch square on the Kumo ninja's face, leaving him stunned and saying with a cheerful smile, "Uncle Asuma will satisfy you!"

Konoha usually wouldn't strike first… unless someone asked.

"?!" The Kumo ninja was taken aback, then came back to his senses and suddenly became so angry that his fist holding the sword trembled. "You bastard!"

As soon as the words fell...

Kakashi and Obito stepped forward, joined by an exasperated Shiranui Genma and Kurenai. Meanwhile, Rin had already been secretly signaled by Kakashi to fetch a higher-ranking Konoha ninja.

But even though they had five on their side, the opposition had three teams—a full nine ninjas—plus the Kumo Team Leader. They were soon surrounded.

However...

To the Kumo ninjas' surprise, Konoha's group didn't seem eager to fight. As Kakashi arrived, Asuma and Genma quickly restrained Obito, who looked ready to jump in.

"Lord Obito, you don't need to get involved here. We've got this. These little Kumo ninjas aren't worth your trouble; just sit back and watch."

If he got involved in front of so many people… it would have a bad impact!

"What's the matter?" The Kumo ninja paused, watching this bizarre scene, then eyed the Uchiha youth with his clan's insignia. Is he strong? Intrigued, he sneered mockingly, "Scared? What a bunch of cowards, Konoha. Why don't you kneel down and apologize to me, and I might forgive you!"

"It's just for your own good!" Asuma glanced at Obito, noticing his calm demeanor and feeling a sense of foreboding. This isn't the usual Obito. Turning back to the Kumo ninjas, he added, "I'm just worried you might get hurt; why don't you leave now!"

At this, the Kumo ninjas, initially dismissive, were infuriated by Asuma's cockiness. They couldn't just let this slide. "Attack! Let's show these Konoha guys what Kumo ninjas are made of!"

"How dare you! Wait a minute, Lord Obito, we've got this, we've got this!" Asuma intercepted Obito, seeing his determined look. "No need for you to step in!"

"Konoha has gone too far. Let's see what's so special about this Uchiha!" Suddenly, a female Kumo ninja with yellow-greenish hair stepped in front of Obito and launched an attack, stopping Asuma and the others.

Recently heartbroken, Obito was feeling unhappy and wanted to vent some frustration.

And as for it being a girl? That didn't matter to him!

Uchiha Throwing Technique!

However...

She dodged all of it.

"Cat Claw!"

The girl swatted away his kunai with a paw-like strike and charged forward.

Obito reacted quickly but without activating his Sharingan. Meanwhile, another Kumo ninja appeared behind him and kicked him hard.

The two attacked in tandem.

Bang!

"That's it?" The Kumo ninja with the sword was stunned. Watching Obito flying backward, he scoffed. "I thought he'd be stronger! In that case, I could handle two of him myself!"

As expected, Konoha's decline was evident; even their fighters weren't as tough as they were made out to be!

The observing Kumogakure Jonin, who was busy recording intel, was also stunned, surprised at how weak that Konoha boy seemed.

Too weak!

"Omoi, who said you could interfere?" The girl was annoyed. "He's my opponent."

"Sorry, I thought he'd be strong." Omoi shrugged. "But this is the result. I'm really not interested."

Then—

Suddenly!

Obito got back up from the dust, looking resolute, and gazed coldly at the Kumo ninjas, like a tenacious warrior. Asuma and Genma's expressions changed immediately.

"No, Obito! Leave it to us! We'll take them down!"

Unfortunately...

Obito ignored them. He felt humiliated. After all, he was an Uchiha with the Sharingan!

He said calmly, "Come at me, all of you."

With that, he formed hand seals.

A Shadow Clone appeared.

Then, he charged forward, forming more seals with both hands!

Tiger Seal?!

A jutsu?

But the Kumo ninjas didn't pay much attention; they had just seen his skills… he wasn't impressive.

"Damn it, stop him!" Sweat started to form on Asuma's forehead. "Quick! Don't let him get close!"

"Hmph, with that level of skill, we Kumo ninjas don't even need to dodge…"

Before he could finish his sentence.

One of Obito's clones appeared right in front of him, while another flipped over him from above and landed behind him.

As the Kumo ninja watched the start of his technique, though he didn't recognize the jutsu, a sudden chill crept over him, especially as he looked into those intense, scarlet eyes... He was about to pivot and guard with his sword.

But—

Too late!

As everyone looked on, stunned and bewildered, Obito suddenly crouched down!

But then—

Bang!

A figure appeared between them.

"That's enough." A blond-haired ninja, his hair like rays of sunshine, had firmly grasped Obito's hand. "Obito, didn't you say you wouldn't use this?"

And…

Sharingan?!

At that moment, Minato silently cursed, and the bad premonition in his heart only grew stronger and stronger by each second!