Shindai's scolding threw Obito into a full-blown panic.
Obito desperately grabbed Shindai's hand. "Shindai, you've gotta help me! You promised—you said you'd help me make Rin fall for me!"
Shindai coughed dryly. "Since you're pleading so earnestly, I'll reluctantly agree. But from now on, you must obey my every command. Remember when I told you to keep it to six words max? You never followed it at all!"
Obito grimaced. "Six words?! That's just torture!"
Shindai sighed. Honestly, asking Obito to talk like that was pretty cruel.
"So what are your own ideas then? Or—what does Rin like?"
Obito thought for a moment. "What Rin likes... She likes collecting all sorts of seashells, eating strawberries, doing flower arrangements, and oh, she also loves painting. Shindai, what if I give her flowers for her birthday?"
Shindai replied with satisfaction, "At least you actually used your brain for once. Flowers are nice, but that's such a boring idea—it totally lacks originality."
Obito's eyes lit up as he suggested, "What if I gave her some seashells instead?"
Shindai shook his head. "Not quite right. Think about it—if Rin already collects seashells herself, unless you can find something truly extraordinary, she won't be thrilled. But Rin's birthday is only three days away; there's no way we can find a unique shell by then. Instead of shells, maybe something else entirely would make a more unique and creative gift."
Before Obito could speak, Shindai cut in, "And if you're thinking about drawing a painting yourself for Rin, I'll nail you to the wall like one. Don't tell me you still think your drawing skills are decent?"
Obito's mouth twitched. Damn it—he never imagined Shindai would see through him like that!
Obito asked, confused, "Then what should I give her?"
Shindai sighed deeply. His plans for today were completely ruined by Obito.
"Fine, let's go out and take a walk—we might get some inspiration. Sitting here brainstorming isn't going to cut it, especially since I don't even know what Rin really likes yet. I can't offer much advice for now."
Obito nodded repeatedly. "Shindai, I'm counting on you for Rin's birthday present!"
Shindai boasted proudly, "Hmph. Just relax and leave it to me. With me on the case, this'll be a piece of cake!"
Shindai left the house together with Obito to seek inspiration on the streets.
But the moment they stepped onto the street, they ran smack into someone unexpected.
Kakashi and Rin Nohara—on a walk together.
Shindai teased mockingly, "Oh look, Obito—it seems you're outta luck. Kakashi beat you to it; he's already out on a date with Rin."
Obito turned green with jealousy, clenching both fists tightly, his eyes filled with disbelief. "No! I don't believe it!"
Without hesitation, Obito rushed forward.
"Rin!"
Hearing someone call her name, Rin Nohara looked up in surprise. "Obito?"
Obito rushed straight to where Rin Nohara stood and shot a fierce glare at Kakashi, leaving Kakashi completely baffled.
I wonder what I did this time?
Spotting Shindai approaching, Kakashi asked with uncertainty, "Aren't you supposed to stay home today?"
Shindai shrugged. "Well, someone insisted I shouldn't stay home, so here I am. What about you? On a date with Rin?"
"That's impossible!" Obito blurted out immediately. "Obviously not, right, Rin Nohara?"
Obito gazed at Rin Nohara intently, as if he'd burst into tears the second she confirmed his worst fear.
Rin Nohara quickly waved her hands. "Of course not!"
Kakashi now understood why Obito had given him that glare. He sighed helplessly toward Shindai. "Don't make stuff up. I was just heading to the shuriken shop when I happened to run into Rin."
Hearing Rin Nohara deny it once again and Kakashi's explanation, Obito visibly perked up, his mood lifting instantly. He muttered under his breath, "See? There's no way Rin Nohara would ever like someone as terrible as Kakashi."
Now it was Kakashi's turn to look annoyed, his eyes narrowing dangerously at Obito.
Obito curiously asked Rin Nohara, "So, where are you planning to go anyway?"
"I'm going to buy some ninja tools too," Rin Nohara replied, "and then get some flowers because ours have all dried up, plus some groceries."
"Wow, that sounds like a lot to carry!" Obito volunteered eagerly, "Let me come with you, Rin! I can carry stuff for you~"
Shindai gave Obito an increasingly annoyed look.
Didn't we come here looking for inspiration?
This idiot Obito couldn't even think straight once he saw Rin—was he seriously this much of a Love-Sick Pup?!
Ugh, what was the point of bringing me along for nothing? If I knew this would happen, I should've refused from the start!
...
Meanwhile, inside the Barrier Zone where Kushina Uzumaki resided,
Kushina Uzumaki jolted awake from her bed again.
Again... the same nightmare.
She picked up the glass of water on the nightstand and took a sip to calm herself.
On the nightstand lay a photo—a picture of an elderly woman with red hair.
This red-haired woman was among Konoha's legendary figures: Mito Uzumaki, wife of Hashirama Senju, known as the God of Ninja.
Kushina Uzumaki turned her gaze to the window outside.
The scenery remained unchanged, just as always.
After finishing her morning routine and stepping into the hallway, she found two Anbu members waiting behind her.
And those two who constantly watched her.
One of the Anbu [Konoha's elite black ops unit] asked, "What's your plan for today?"
Kushina Uzumaki replied impatiently, "Today I'm scheduled to practice sealing techniques with Minato. Didn't I already mention this before?"
Kushina suddenly noticed a butterfly outside the window and was immediately captivated by it.
"You absolutely mustn't step outside the Barrier Zone, Kushina."
And there came that same line again.
"I know…"
Under the escorted watch of two ANBU members, Kushina successfully found Minato waiting for her inside the Barrier Zone.
Her mood instantly brightened as she energetically ran up to Minato and said cheerfully, "Minato, let's train seriously today too! You pick things up so fast—you've already mastered one Sealing Technique. The Uzumaki Clan has many more techniques to learn, so we can keep going—"
Minato nervously scratched his cheek. "Sorry, Kushina, but I want to practice another jutsu somewhere else today, so… I actually came here to tell you that."
Feeling slightly guilty, Minato avoided eye contact with Kushina.
Kushina shoved her face right in front of his and snapped angrily, "What kind of jutsu is it?!"
Startled by Kushina's aggressive demeanor, Minato stammered, "Well… uh…"
Kushina pressed further, "Did you say somewhere else?"
Minato quickly replied, "At the Third Training Ground."
Kushina looked visibly upset. "Is it a jutsu you can't even tell me about?"
"No, it's just not finished yet, and it's a really dangerous jutsu. I don't want you getting hurt because of it…"
Minato really wanted to finish developing [Rasengan]. After learning one Sealing Technique from Kushina, he didn't want to waste any more time and came here just to tell her.
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