Chapter 57: Buying a Gift for Kakashi

Obito and Rin strolled down the bustling streets, walking shoulder-to-shoulder as the golden sunlight bathed the village.

This time, however, their hands were intertwined, and both wore radiant, contented smiles.

Obito glanced at Rin, her laughter as delicate as petals in the wind, and a warm sensation swelled in his chest. It felt... surreal.

Noticing his lingering gaze, Rin tilted her head, her curious eyes meeting his. She grinned playfully.

"What's wrong, Obito? Why are you staring at me like that?"

Obito squeezed her hand gently and replied, "Just thinking how happy I am to be with you every day. I could look at you forever and still not get enough."

Rin's cheeks flushed crimson.

"(´艸｀) Obito, you're so embarrassing!"

They wandered between stalls, Rin tugging him along as her attention flitted from one trinket to another.

"Obito, do you think this hairpin looks good on me?"

"How about this bracelet? Does it suit me?"

"Obito..."

Obito answered each question with an affectionate smile.

"Rin, you look beautiful in anything."

Without hesitation, he took out his wallet and purchased the items Rin had admired, one by one.

After some time, Obito suggested,

"Rin, we've been walking around for a while. Are you hungry? How about I grab some dango for us?"

Rin's eyes lit up as she nodded. "Sounds great! I'll hold the bags while you go."

"Alright!" Obito handed over the shopping bags, then dashed off, his arms swinging behind him as he disappeared down the street.

When he returned with a box of dango, he made an unnecessarily dramatic entrance—leaping across rooftops and flipping to the ground with an exaggerated flair, drawing curious stares from passersby.

With a triumphant grin, he presented the box to Rin. "Here you go, Rin! Fresh and warm, just for you."

Rin giggled as she took a skewer. "Obito, why were you in such a rush earlier? What if you'd fallen?"

Scratching his head sheepishly, Obito laughed. "Heh, I just didn't want to be away from you for too long."

Rin rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress her smile. "Then how are you going to survive tonight when we're apart?"

Obito smirked. "Guess I'll cry myself to sleep~"

"(*￣▽￣)ノ Che~!" Rin teased, sticking her tongue out at him.

As they walked, chatting between bites of dango, Rin suddenly grew thoughtful.

"Obito, do you remember my earlier question? Are you still upset about it?"

Obito shook his head, his smile soft. "Not at all. Ask away."

Rin clapped her hands together. "What do you think we should get for Kakashi as a gift?"

Obito pondered for a moment. "Hmm... something practical. He's a total pragmatist. Flashy stuff doesn't interest him."

Rin nodded in agreement. "True... You really do know him well, Obito."

Waving a hand modestly, Obito chuckled.

"Not that well! How about an emergency medical kit? I know a pharmacy that stocks some of the best supplies."

Rin's eyes sparkled with excitement. "That sounds perfect! Let's go!"

Obito smiled and gently held up his hand. "Wait, Rin. Aren't you forgetting something?"

Rin blinked, confused, before laughing. She walked back to him and laced her fingers through his.

"Better?"

"Much better," Obito said with a satisfied nod. "Let's go! Oh, by the way, the pharmacy's actually the other way."

Hand in hand, they headed to the familiar store.

At the counter, a striking woman sat with her legs crossed. Her sharp eyes gleamed as she smirked.

"Well, well, if it isn't our esteemed Chūnin gracing my humble shop. What brings you here today, Obito?"

Obito winced at her teasing tone. Noticing Rin's curious gaze, he offered a nervous laugh.

"Yuki-neh-san, can we not revisit this? Please?"

Yuki shrugged, her lips quirking up mischievously as she glanced at Rin.

"Not bad, kid. Gone a few days and already snagged such a lovely girlfriend."

Beaming with pride, Obito puffed out his chest. "That's right!"

Rin blushed but remained composed. "Hello, Yuki-san. My name's Nohara Rin, Obito's... girlfriend."

Yuki's expression softened as she inclined her head slightly.

"Pleasure to meet you, Rin-chan. So, what can I help you two with today?"

Sharing a glance, Obito and Rin explained, "We'd like to customize an emergency medical kit for a friend—something top-of-the-line."

Yuki nodded and disappeared into the backroom. She returned shortly with a sleek kit and placed it on the counter.

"Friendship discount: 30,000 ryō."

Rin gasped. "That's expensive!"

Obito, however, seemed unfazed. "Quality comes at a price. Yuki-san's stuff is worth every ryō."

(Though, privately, he couldn't resist thinking: Even Kakashi will have no choice but to admit it's good.)

Rin hesitated but nodded. "Alright, let's split it. This way, it's from both of us."

Obito smiled. "Works for me."

After paying, they bid Yuki farewell and left the shop, now carrying the perfect gift for Kakashi.

By the time they finished dinner, the sky had darkened, and the streets had emptied. The once-bustling marketplace was now eerily quiet.

"I should head home, Obito," Rin said softly.

Tentatively, Obito slid an arm around her waist. "Let me walk you back?"

Rin gave him a halfhearted glare but didn't protest, allowing him to hold her close as they made their way to her house.

When they reached her door, Obito reluctantly released her. "I'll leave the kit with you, Rin. I should get going."

"Mm." Rin hesitated before tiptoeing to press a light kiss to his lips. Then, with a giggle, she dashed inside.

"See you tomorrow, Obito!"

"See you, Rin," he whispered, touching his lips as warmth spread through him.

Standing under the vast night sky, Obito murmured, "This world... it's so beautiful. Family, love, friendship... I have it all."

A dangerous gleam flickered in his eyes as he continued, his voice low and firm.

"I won't let anyone take this away. Whoever tries... will die."

As his silhouette melted into the shadows, the ominous weight of the coming days loomed ever closer.

Kakashi's promotion to Jōnin—the day everything changed—was fast approaching.

And Obito would be ready.

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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