Naruto: The King Behind the Curtain

Inside the second-year classroom, hearing Seiki's invitation, all his classmates let out a collective gasp.

"Eh? ???"

"Big sister?"

"When did you get a sister, Seiki?"

Seiki turned his gaze toward Asuma. "You know, Sister Kushina from that night!"

Asuma asked with wide eyes, "Didn't the old man say that Sister Kushina was super scary?"

He still clearly remembered how terrifying her chakra had been after she went berserk. If Seiki hadn't shouted back then, he doubted whether he'd even be alive today.

Shaking his head, Seiki replied, "No way! Sister Kushina is really nice. She came to visit me in the hospital and even taught me the [Sealing Technique]..."

Asuma looked bewildered. Why hadn't he received any of these privileges?

"I helped too, so why didn't Sister Kushina come looking for me?"

He wasn't necessarily hoping to have a sister, but this kind of preferential treatment—really now, when had Sarutobi The Second ever suffered such injustice!

Thinking to himself, Asuma quietly leaned over and asked Hana, "Hana, if I saved you, how would you thank me?"

Hana gave him a cautious look before thinking it over and answering, "I'd be extremely grateful and definitely return the favor someday."

That sounds normal enough... Muttering, Asuma asked again, "What if Seiki saved you instead?"

As soon as he said it, Asuma noticed Hana's expression instantly change, her tone suddenly turning soft and affectionate.

"There's nothing I can offer Shiki-kun, so... please accept me as a gift!"

Asuma felt like he'd been struck by lightning. Was the favoritism really this obvious?

Just as Asuma was questioning his life choices, a warm and firm hand landed on his shoulder.

"Don't worry. It's perfectly normal to experience something like this as a kid. When you grow up, you'll realize..."

Hearing Ibiki's words of comfort, Asuma felt slightly better.

Even though he looked more mature, maybe this personality type would actually become more popular when he grew up!

While Asuma marveled at how even Ibiki could act considerate, another voice quietly reached his ears.

"...you've already gotten used to it!"

Asuma: (╯‵□′)╯︵┴─┴

Ignoring one person drowning in sorrow, everyone else seemed somewhat intrigued after hearing Seiki's explanation.

"More like a hangout, maybe? That actually sounds really interesting!"

"Is this going to be our official hangout spot from now on?"

At this point, Shizune shyly raised her hand and spoke, "Seiki, will having so many of us go over there be too much of an inconvenience?"

Kurenai meanwhile calculated using her delicate fingers, "If we're all gathering together, we'll probably need a room at least twice the size of this classroom!"

Seiki waved his hands with a smile, "Don't worry. Sister Kushina absolutely loves noise and crowds. She'll be more than happy to know you're coming!"

"As for space, Sister Kushina's house, including the courtyard, might easily be as large as a dozen classrooms combined! There, we can chill and play with no rules at all!"

"Wow! The Class Rep's older sister has a huge house!"

"Awesome! Is this what adults call being a kept woman?"

...

Back in the classroom of first-year students, eerie laughter came from a corner.

"Heeheehee..."

Might Guy shivered slightly and said to the lovesick fool beside him, "Obito, can you stop laughing? I'm getting chills."

But Obito seemed completely oblivious. He kept cackling wildly.

Eventually Might Guy couldn't help but ask, "What are you laughing at anyway?"

This time, Obito finally responded.

He glanced toward Rin's empty seat and noticed she wasn't there, then spoke with shy hesitation, "I caught Rin stealing a glance at me during class. Don't you think she likes me?"

Might Guy looked puzzled. Even based on his limited social experience, he knew this kind of thing had nothing to do with affection.

"Hold on, how did you even know Rin was secretly watching you?"

"I obviously know!" Obito proudly replied. "Because I stared at Rin the entire class!"

Might Guy's eyes widened in horror. Though many who failed to grasp the spirit of youth often called him a pervert, right now he thought the label fit Obito far better.

Meanwhile, Kakashi, sitting in front of them, put down his pocketbook without turning around and coldly muttered, "Idiot!"

Though Kakashi hadn't specified anyone, nor even turned his head, instinctively Obito felt insulted.

"You silver-haired bastard, you're just jealous of me!"

"Hmm, jealous of you being a dead last? From the Uchiha clan no less—an elite bloodline!"

Obito immediately lost his cool. In the Uchiha clan filled with talents, someone like him—an underachiever—was quite rare.

"You damn silverhead, I'll fight you!"

As he prepared to pounce, Rin came running into the classroom with flushed cheeks.

She saw someone looking ferocious and asked, "Obito, what are you doing?"

Seeing Rin, Obito immediately dropped his 'hostility' and awkwardly pulled back his arms. "Ha ha ha... Nothing really, I was just swatting mosquitoes."

Rin didn't suspect anything and excitedly asked instead, "Senior Seiki has invited us to join the club party this weekend. Do you have time, Obito?"

"Hell yes, of course I do!" Obito practically yelled from excitement.

Due to fierce competition, only a handful of students from their class managed to join the Psychology Club.

With mostly upperclassmen at the party, Rin wouldn't have anyone else to talk to except him.

Which basically turned it into their own little date!

As Obito got lost in his fantasies, an annoying voice cut in.

"May I attend this party too?"

Obito glared at Kakashi. What business does this clubless guy have messing things up?

Before he could speak though, Rin already happily agreed, "Senior said that everyone who's a friend is welcome to come."

"Thank you."

Kakashi replied with a detached expression.

Beside him, Might Guy perked up suddenly. "Kakashi, are you planning to challenge Senior Seiki again?"

Obito and Rin also felt shaken.

Originally, after Kakashi had been instantly taken down, he almost became a minor laughingstock throughout the school.

However, when Kakashi unleashed the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu in front of the entire class, those who mocked him immediately fell silent.

Only then did they realize that Kakashi didn't lose because he was weak, but because Senior Seiki was just too strong!

Hearing Might Guy's question, Kakashi's detached gaze turned complex.

To have mastered an A-ranked Jutsu at age five—he never voiced it, but he'd secretly taken immense pride in this feat.

But that pride had been torn apart completely by that person,

making him feel shame while stirring a deep motivation within—a drive to defeat that person!

However, now wasn't the time... As the others watched expectantly, Kakashi slowly shook his head. "I haven't found a way to counter his genjutsu yet. This time, I'm just going to observe."

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