During the lunch break, Obito couldn't help but wonder, "What kind of gift will they prepare for me?" His birthday was less than a week away, and he felt that Mutsuki and Rin should have already prepared gifts for him.
"I think Guy's gift will probably be a tight-fitting athletic suit," Obito speculated. It wasn't that he thought Guy wasn't thoughtful with gifts; Obito just believed Guy had a strong preference for tight-fitting clothes.
He had never seen Guy wear anything else; Obito suspected that his wardrobe was filled entirely with such clothing styles. Understanding this feeling of liking something so much that you want to recommend it to friends, Obito could relate.
However, if Guy did indeed give him such a gift, Obito would definitely keep it well-preserved as a collectible and not wear it.
He understood Guy's sentiment, but he couldn't accept Guy's unique taste in clothing. Wearing such clothes would probably make Kakashi laugh to death.
"As for Rin-chan, she might give something handmade," Obito recalled the gifts Rin gave to Shisui and Guy.
Rin had crafted an artisanal piece for Shisui and personally painted a picture for Guy.
Actually, Obito felt that if Rin had drawn them together from their outing yesterday, it would be nice, as long as Kakashi wasn't included. Just drawing him and Rin would suffice.
"Shisui and Kakashi might receive something practical," he remembered the exercise tools Shisui had given for Guy's last birthday, and Kakashi straightforwardly gave him a potion for training.
Although training potions were valuable, Obito felt they weren't as appealing as tight-fitting clothing like Guy's, because potions were meant to be consumed and then gone. He preferred gifts that could be kept longer.
"I wonder what Yumi-sensei will give me as a gift," Obito couldn't help but show an expectant expression.
If he had to choose the most anticipated gift, it would definitely be Mutsuki's gift.
Obito felt that Mutsuki put a lot of effort into each disciple's birthday gift. For Shisui's gift, Mutsuki personally studied forging and purchased precious materials to create a short blade.
During Guy's birthday, he helped Guy's father to promote to Chunin, and the gift was a Taijutsu scroll created together with Guy's father.
"Hehe, maybe Yumi-sensei will just say he's the reincarnation of the Six Paths Sage and then tell me I'll definitely become Hokage..."
As he thought about it, Obito couldn't help but indulge in his own somewhat unrealistic dream.
"Obito, what are you thinking about? You look so happy," Rin's voice brought Obito back to reality.
"It's nothing, just looking forward to my birthday, looking forward to eating cake and feeling happy," Obito chuckled and said.
"Birthdays are indeed wonderful, everyone happily gathers together to play," Rin sat beside Obito, her hands wrapped around her knees as she smiled and looked up at the sky.
"Rin-chan, do you think there's something wrong with my smile?" Obito remembered Kakashi's mocking from before and asked Rin.
"There's nothing wrong at all, Obito. Your smile has its own style, it looks very kind," Rin replied softly with a smile.
With Rin's sincere praise, Obito instantly dismissed Kakashi's words as baseless insults. In his mind, Rin's opinion carried far more authority than Kakashi's.
"Haha, Rin-chan, your smile also has its own charm, it looks very gentle," Obito couldn't help but smile broadly.
"I think everyone's smiles are great. Unlike that Kakashi, who has no face to show, unable to show himself yet mocks others," Obito praised others while also taking a dig at Kakashi.
Kakashi was preparing to find Mutsuki to ask a question when he happened to overhear Obito's disparagement of him. Stopping in his tracks, Kakashi calmly remarked, "I'm just stating the facts."
"I think you're just jealous of my kind smile," Obito replied confidently, buoyed by Rin's praise.
"Heh," Kakashi snickered coldly without saying a word.
"You always wear a mask, probably because you're not confident in your own face," Obito retorted with aggression, revealing his hostility due to Kakashi disrupting his private time with Rin the day before.
"That's why I'm a Chunin, and you're not even a full-fledged ninja yet. Hiding your true face is basic ninja skill," Kakashi attacked Obito's status.
"There are no enemies here, why hide? And being a Chunin doesn't mean much; you still can't beat me," Obito concluded smugly.
Kakashi's eyebrow twitched. He knew this day would come ever since being defeated by Obito.
Kakashi pondered for a moment before saying, "Ninja ranks aren't just about strength; they also depend on various knowledge, intelligence gathering abilities, trap-making skills. With your current level, you wouldn't pass the first stage of the Chunin Exam theory test without teammates to help you."
Unable to win in actual combat now, Kakashi could use his extensive theoretical knowledge to confuse Obito.
"I'm not even a full-fledged ninja yet, so what's the point of saying all this to me? Anyway, I'm stronger than you," Obito aggressively attacked a sore spot.
Kakashi was left speechless for a moment.
"I need to train harder and win back soon," Kakashi thought to himself.
He couldn't stand being belittled like this. The sooner he won back, the less of this he'd have to endure.
With that in mind, Kakashi ignored Obito and went to find Mutsuki to inquire about issues he encountered during Thunder Breathing practice.
Even though it was break time, for a diligent student like Kakashi Mutsuki answered all of his's questions and even demonstrated techniques for him.
After receiving instruction from Mutsuki, Kakashi quickly formed a mental image and understood most of it instantly.
"So that's how it is," Kakashi exclaimed, having a sudden realization.
"If you encounter any problems, don't hesitate to ask me, whether it's about training or anything else," Mutsuki said with a warm smile.
"Alright, thank you for your guidance," Kakashi nodded in gratitude and then began practicing Thunder Breathing.
Mutsuki glanced at Kakashi's Thunder Breathing proficiency level and noted a significant increase, now well over sixty points.
Since his enlightenment during the battle with the Jonin last time, Kakashi's progress in Thunder Breathing had been rapid. At this rate, he might even surpass Obito's record as a Breathing Technique Beginner.
"Lightning Release, Earth Release, swordsmanship, and Breathing Techniques," Mutsuki pondered Kakashi's areas of development.
Considering the original Kakashi's ability to copy over a thousand Ninjutsu due to Sharingan, he definitely didn't want Kakashi to tread that path.
Mutsuki understands that mastering ten Ninjutsu to the level of Mastery is better than learning a thousand Ninjutsu superficially.
Of course, this is not to say one should only learn ten Ninjutsu literally—it's a metaphor emphasizing the importance of systematic and deep learning, excluding his own overpowered abilities.
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