How could Obito possibly fall for the same trick twice?
Just now, he was only feinting. Materializing was merely to force out Flying Thunder God: Second Step. The moment he touched Minato-sensei's body, he didn't entertain even the slightest bit of luck, without hesitation, he immediately entered his phasing state.
'Sure enough, Minato-sensei flickered away and attacked him...'
The moment Minato's body passed through him again, Obito knew his opportunity had come.
He didn't believe that after using Flying Thunder God: Second Step, he still wouldn't be able to catch Minato-sensei's recovery delay.
So, he materialized once more, ready to land the finishing blow, "This time, I've truly won."
But in the very next moment—SWISH!—Minato-sensei's body vanished once again.
And where did he reappear? Right where the fifth kunai had just been thrown.
That kunai had been deliberately tossed by Minato onto a patch of land not far from the battlefield.
'Damn it! Is this Flying Thunder God: Second Step linking into another Flying Thunder God: Second Step?', Obito couldn't help but curse internally.
Fortunately, this time the distance between them was greater, giving Obito enough time to phase again.
As expected, in the next instant, Minato-sensei once again attacked him, and, just as expected, his attack passed right through.
In just a few exchanges, though their battle seemed intense, aside from that initial clash, everything else could be summed up in three words, hitting air.
Both stopped and faced each other.
Obito pondered, 'Unless it is an ambush, Minato-sensei's absurd reaction speed means that the very moment he materializes to attack, he can teleport away first.'
'A step faster, and every step remains ahead. If Minato-sensei doesn't want to be hit, I won't even be able to touch him.'
Likewise, in Minato's mind, 'If Obito refuses to give an opening and keeps phasing, I won't be able to hit him either.'
This was a battle between Flying Thunder God Dawg and Phasing Dawg. Because both their abilities were quite ridiculous, both being slippery bastards, neither could do anything to the other.
Understanding this, both simultaneously lost the desire to continue fighting.
Minato sighed, "Let's stop. If we keep going, who knows how long this will last? Obito, you're truly strong. And this is without unlocking the Mangekyō Sharingan or even using Flying Thunder God. Otherwise… I probably wouldn't be your match."
Obito shook his head, "Minato-sensei is the truly strong one. Even if I mastered Flying Thunder God, I don't know if I could use it to the same degree as you. I feel like even if I unlocked the Mangekyō, I still wouldn't be able to land a hit."
Never mind unlocking the Mangekyō, even if he entered the Six Paths Sage Mode, Minato-sensei, just like Senju Tobirama, could still outmaneuver him effortlessly.
However, at that level, his physical attributes would have been greatly enhanced, and his attack speed would surpass Minato's reaction speed. If Tobirama or Minato fought him head-on instead of assisting others, he was confident he could settle the fight within a few exchanges.
Six Paths-level power was something mortals couldn't contend with.
If he couldn't win through mechanics, he'd just overpower them with raw stats.
But… becoming a Six Paths Sage was still far away. Obito wasn't thinking about that just yet.
And so, the two stopped fighting and instead sat down together, exchanging insights on their respective space-time ninjutsu.
After their discussion, both gained significant inspiration. Minato was already itching to know, just how strong would Obito become if he mastered Flying Thunder God alongside his phasing ability?
Since it was still early, Minato enthusiastically began guiding Obito in training.
The training method? Simple.
Within a designated circle drawn by Minato, surrounded by Flying Thunder God markings, Obito had to dodge Minato's attacks from all directions.
During this, he was not allowed to phase, only Flying Thunder God could be used for evasion.
For a time, Obito was forced to jump around in complete distress.
However, thanks to his experience with Kamui, he improved at an astonishing rate...
By nearly noon, he was already able to teleport around with proficiency similar to Minato.
Seeing that it was getting late, they stopped training, hunted some wild game, and returned to camp.
After enjoying a hearty meal, they rested before setting off again.
.
.
.
Not long after, they returned to Konoha.
Upon submitting their mission report at the Hokage's office, Minato eagerly rushed off to spend time with Kushina, and Kakashi made an excuse to retreat to the Hatake residence to rest, leaving only Rin and Obito standing there.
Rin smiled at Obito, "Obito, do you want to come over to my house for dinner tonight? My mom really wants to meet my teammates."
Obito immediately panicked, "Uh, maybe not… I'm not ready for that."
Rin tilted her head in confusion, "It's just a meal as teammates. What's there to prepare for?"
Obito shook his head, "No, I want to wait until your parents can trust me with you before I meet them."
A hint of pleading appeared on his face, "Rin, can you give me a little more time?"
Rin's cheeks flushed slightly, "I already told you, it's just a meal, not an engagement. We're still young, stop thinking about weird things."
Seeing Obito still looking flustered, Rin sighed and shook her head, "Alright, alright. I'll go by myself then."
Just as she was about to leave, Obito grabbed her hand, "Come later, okay? My grandma came to me in a dream last night, saying she misses you. Can you come home with me to visit her?"
Rin couldn't help but flick his forehead, "That's such a lousy excuse. I was just at your house not long ago… But fine, I'll go with you. Let's consider it visiting your grandma."
Hand in hand, the two walked toward the Uchiha district…
But when they reached the house, Obito saw a familiar figure.
Uchiha Shisui was waiting there.
Obito was slightly surprised, "Shisui, why are you here?"
Shisui glanced at Obito and Rin holding hands affectionately, a trace of disdain flickering in his eyes.
He didn't believe an Uchiha who liked women could be a worthy Uchiha.
Could Obito really guide his training, as Clan Leader Fugaku had claimed?
Shisui doubted it. So, he spoke up, "Obito-senpai, I came not only to discuss some things with you but also… to spar."
Obito blinked, 'So, Shisui wants… to test his own strength against me?'
'Is this kid really that bored?'
In Obito's memory, Shisui had always been a rather composed person, wholeheartedly devoted to the clan and Konoha.
But then again, at this point in time, the Uchiha's situation wasn't as dire as it would become later. Shisui hadn't yet experienced the hardships of the Third Shinobi War and likely hadn't developed his deep-rooted ideals yet.
Especially since… he hadn't awakened that Mangekyō Sharingan, the one known as Kotoamatsukami, capable of altering a person's very will.
Every Uchiha who awakened the Mangekyō underwent immense emotional turmoil, changing them profoundly. It was normal for them to become a completely different person.
'So… is the current Shisui different from the one in the future?'
'Before enduring hardships, is he just another typical Uchiha prodigy?'
That made sense. Any Uchiha who awakened the Mangekyō, no matter how humble and polite they appeared, was arrogant to their core, seeing themselves above all others.
Thinking this, Obito let go of Rin's hand and smirked, "What, can't wait to prove yourself? You even came to ambush me right after my mission ended?"
Though Shisui remained polite, he was still a child. Provoked like that, he immediately huffed, "You can think of it that way, Obito-senpai. After all, I heard you haven't even awakened your Sharingan yet… but I… am different."
With that, he closed his eyes. When he opened them again, a single tomoe slowly spun in his crimson pupils...
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