The Shimura Actually Has Ice Release

Takeshi firmly denied having any sort of relationship with Obito.

Had he known earlier that this was someone being watched by Madara, he never would've gotten involved. What if that old schemer heard they were close and decided to make him the Three-Tails Jinchūriki?

He was still young—he didn't want to become another soul lost to Kakashi's Chidori.

Imagine if he did become that kind of character. Wouldn't that mean that every time someone mentioned Obito in the future, it would be a tearjerker of "Obito's grief, filled with thoughts of Takeshi"?

Something like, "I want to create a world with Takeshi in it," and then Takeshi dies, only to appear as a soul hanging out in the Pure Land, waiting for Obito to be talked down by Naruto's Talk-no-Jutsu, and then appear at the critical moment to take a hit for Naruto and Sasuke…

Actually, that storyline doesn't sound so bad—

Hell no!

He had an inheritance to claim. He was supposed to live through to Boruto as a wealthy man!

There was no way he was going down just to act out some tragic bromance!

"I'm not taking it, period." Kakashi shamelessly tucked the folder under his arm and quickly left.

"This guy..." Takeshi's brow twitched as he picked up his own file, hesitating for a long moment before finally grabbing Obito's as well.

...

"This is bad, this is bad, this is so bad!"

Obito was panicking as he sprinted full-speed toward the Ninja Academy, having just escorted an old man home.

The rooftop of the Academy was already in sight when he caught a sight that made his heart sink.

Several teachers were working together to take down the banner hanging at the school gate. Some familiar, some unfamiliar faces were walking out of the school building, chatting and laughing.

It's over...

He was probably going to become the first student expelled from the Academy for being late to the entrance ceremony...

I'm sorry, Grandma. I promised to become a respected ninja...

"Hmph. Dead last." Kakashi closed his eyes and sneered as he looked at the despondent Obito standing in the middle of the road.

Normally, Obito would've argued back instantly, but right now, he didn't have the heart for it.

"Hey, isn't that Obito? I was wondering why I didn't see you earlier—you're late again, huh?" Asuma chuckled from the side, joking with Kurenai.

Obito remained silent.

"This isn't good. Obito looks really off today," Kurenai said, a bit worried.

"Yeah, that guy showing this kind of expression is really something..." Asuma scratched his head, clearly noticing something was wrong.

"When are you ever going to stop being late, huh?"

At the rear of the group, Takeshi, who had been chatting with Anko, noticed the commotion. Not yet seeing Obito's expression, he casually extended a folder toward him.

"What's this?" Obito's dull eyes lit up just a little upon seeing Takeshi.

"Your file. Hurry up and take it. Don't you see me holding it out? My arm's tired." Seeing Obito still in a daze, Takeshi sounded a bit annoyed.

"Thank you, Takeshi! That's right—you're my best friend!" Obito instantly perked up, clasping his hands together in gratitude.

Huh?

Wait a second...

Takeshi was stunned. He had only said it out of habit from his previous life. How did that turn him into Obito's "best friend"?

Don't these ninja understand the concept of polite phrasing?

Should he explain?

Before Takeshi could say anything, Obito had already grabbed the file from his hands, shoved Anko aside, and threw an arm around Takeshi.

"Don't worry, Takeshi. If you're ever in danger in the future, I'll be the first one to come save you!"

Kakashi didn't hesitate to rain on their parade.

"With how late you always are, Takeshi would already be dead by the time you show up."

"You're the one who'll be dead, Kakashi!" Takeshi rolled his eyes and fired back.

"Exactly! Kakashi, Takeshi's super strong!" Obito fully aligned himself with Takeshi.

"I knew it. I said Obito turned out like this because you spoiled him," Kakashi said with a knowing look as he watched the two getting along.

"Bastard! You spoiled him! And you—Obito—get away from me already!" Takeshi quickly defended himself. It was clearly Obito who had come over on his own, yet now it looked like he was the one who had initiated everything.

Damn it, Madara, please sharpen your Sharingan and see the truth: it's Obito who's being all clingy. His heart still belongs to Rin. If you want to mess with someone, go mess with her!

Takeshi prayed frantically in his heart.

Rin: "Do you mind?"

...

Hokage Office.

For the first time, Hiruzen—usually known for his kind demeanor toward his subordinates—showed an unsightly expression.

He had expected the mission, personally ordered by the daimyo, to be completed smoothly with Sakumo Hatake leading it. But unexpectedly, Sakumo had abandoned the mission to save his teammates.

Now Konoha would face the daimyo's wrath directly, and the negotiated subsidies would vanish into thin air.

"Third-sama, the failure of this mission is entirely my responsibility. I'm willing to accept any punishment."

Fully aware of the mission's importance, Sakumo knelt on one knee, disregarding the still-bleeding wounds on his body.

As the blood started seeping through his clothes from the motion, Hiruzen could only sigh.

"Sigh..."

Hearing the sigh, Sakumo's body tensed up. He lowered his head even further.

"Third-sama, I..." The ninja rescued by Sakumo—named Yōmei Rikujin—saw Hiruzen's expression and became visibly nervous, quickly trying to speak up.

He wanted Hiruzen to know that he had been fully prepared to die for the village. The mission's failure was entirely Sakumo's decision.

But Hiruzen didn't give him the chance to speak. He raised a hand to cut him off.

"Enough. You've all been through a lot. Go get your wounds treated."

Then Hiruzen called for an ANBU member and gave a direct order: "Go summon Danzo."

"Yes." The ANBU replied and vanished instantly.

Danzo?! 

Yōmei Rikujin's heart sank in shock.

If the Third was calling him in, it could only mean one thing—he planned to deal with the aftermath caused by their failure. And if that man handled it...

Yōmei wasn't afraid of dying—but he feared a meaningless death.

If he died during the mission, even if it failed, his children would still receive the village's compensation. They would be honored as the descendants of a hero and looked after.

But if he were executed for a failed mission, his children would never lift their heads in pride again.

Even if he survived, his life in the village would be...

Damn that White Fang. If it weren't for you...

Believing that Danzo would impose harsh punishment, Yōmei Rikujin looked at Sakumo's back, his eyes filled with resentment.

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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