Chapter 102: Rin's Birthday Present
Obito had changed so drastically that Granny Touno, who was on good terms with him, failed to recognize him immediately.
After Obito revealed his identity, Granny Touno began to praise him.
"Wow, Obito, your current look really took me by surprise. You're so handsome! You're much better - looking than before."
"Hehe, come on. I've always been handsome."
Obito began to grin stupidly. It felt so great to be praised for his looks for the first time.
After chatting with Granny Touno for a while, Obito walked towards Kamishiro and the others, scratching his head and smiling stupidly.
Kakashi remarked sarcastically, "What's there to be so happy about? It just shows you weren't handsome in Granny Touno's eyes before."
Obito's good mood was instantly ruined. He said unhappily, "What nonsense are you talking! Didn't you hear Granny Touno say I'm more handsome than before? That means I was handsome before, I'm just even better - looking now!"
Kamishiro rolled his eyes and remarked, "Obito, I can't stand you making up lies like this. Back then, you looked like an idiot. You had nothing to do with being good - looking. If it weren't for me, you'd still be acting like one!"
Obito blushed and was about to retort when Kamishiro suddenly snapped his fingers.
"Wait!"
Obito actually waited. Kamishiro turned to Rin Nohara beside him and asked, "Rin, do you think Obito is handsome now?"
Rin Nohara nodded and said, "Yes, he is."
Obito's expression changed dramatically, and he immediately broke into a big smile.
Then Kamishiro continued to ask Rin Nohara, "What about Obito before?"
Faced with Obito's expectant gaze, Rin Nohara had to say tactfully, "Each has its own characteristics."
Obito, who failed to catch the tact in Rin's words, thought she was praising him. He immediately straightened his back like a victorious general.
Kamishiro and Kakashi glanced at each other and both twitched their mouths.
The two of them fell silent tacitly as they had nothing else to say.
In the first few days, Obito, Kakashi, and Rin Nohara took Kamishiro around Konoha to help him get familiar with the routes.
In the following days, they took Kamishiro out for food, drinks, and fun.
Fortunately, Minato Namikaze gave Kamishiro a large sum of money as a reward for his hard work delivering goods in the Land of Grass for several months. Otherwise, Obito and the others' pocket money wouldn't have been enough to cover Kamishiro's expenses.
Moreover, the housing had been allocated. Since Kamishiro 'didn't want to part' with Minato Namikaze and wanted to go to his place for meals, at Kamishiro's strong request, his new home was next to Minato Namikaze's.
Now Kamishiro had a new home in Konoha, and with the help of Obito, Kakashi, and Rin Nohara, all the furniture in the new house had been arranged.
To show his gratitude, Kamishiro treated Obito and the other two to Three Colouring Pills.
Because the Three Colouring Pills were the cheapest.
As for why Minato Namikaze wasn't included...
Recently, Minato Namikaze has been going out early and coming back late every day. Kamishiro hasn't had a chance to invite him out.
It's obvious to Kamishiro where Minato goes. He must be going to see Kushina Uzumaki.
Every morning when Minato leaves home, the beaming smile on his face is so bright that it almost blinds Kamishiro.
However, when he comes back at night, the smile disappears, and he looks exhausted. This made Kamishiro feel a bit awkward about going next - door to disturb him.
The reason why Minato is so exhausted is that he has been learning sealing technique from Kushina every day.
If it were just about learning the sealing technique, Minato wouldn't be that tired. He also spends time in the training ground at night trying to develop the Rasengan, which is why he is so worn - out.
As for Jiraiya, he can't even be found, so Kamishiro can't invite him either.
After having had enough fun, Kamishiro originally planned to stay at home today and do things he likes.
For example, reading books, researching puppets, and metals.
The incident where Kanna's legs were destroyed last time still weighs heavily on Kamishiro's mind. So he wants to find a harder and more flexible metal to reconstruct Kanna's skeleton.
Moreover, Kamishiro hasn't had such a moment of solitude for a long time. This feeling of being alone is so comfortable, giving him a sense of being able to do whatever he wants.
However, the ideal is beautiful, but the reality is harsh.
Although he told Obito, Kakashi, and Rin Nohara yesterday when they parted ways that he wouldn't go out today, judging from the forceful knocking on the door, Kamishiro knows it's Obito.
Kamishiro opens the door and complains, "Hey, Obito. Didn't I tell you yesterday that I'm not going out today?"
Obito looks serious and says to Kamishiro, "I need your help, Kamishiro!"
Seeing Obito so serious, Kamishiro asks suspiciously, "What kind of help?"
Obito says a bit shyly, "It'll be Rin's birthday in three days, so I was thinking..."
A "I understand" smile instantly appears on Kamishiro's face, and he teases, "You want to consult me on what gift to give to Rin?"
Obito nods, "Yeah, I want to give her something different this year."
Kamishiro asks curiously, "What gifts have you given to Rin before?"
Obito recalls, "Last year, I gave Rin a Kunai. That Kunai isn't an ordinary one. My name is engraved on it. The year before last, I gave her face paint, and the year before that, I gave her a pair of goggles..."
Obito lists them out to Kamishiro like a treasured collection.
Kamishiro's face darkened as he listened and he says, "Stop! Stop! Don't say anymore! What kind of things are these you've given?"
Obito asks in confusion, "What's wrong? Don't you think they're good? These are all carefully - selected gifts. For example, Rin likes to paint two streaks of color on her face, so I chose my favorite orange color and gave it to her.
Then, the Kunai with my name engraved on it. So every time Rin uses that Kunai, she'll be able to think of me. It's like I'm in The Battle alongside her..."
As Obito spoke, he even started to blush.
Kamishiro was rendered speechless and nearly lost his breath.
"Have you ever seen Rin with orange face paint? Have you ever seen Rin wearing goggles? Have you ever seen Rin use the Kunai with your name engraved on it? She might use the Kunai, but maybe she's already thrown it at the enemy."
Kamishiro's Problems left Obito at a loss for words.
Because he really had never seen Rin Nohara wearing goggles or with orange face paint on her face.
Obito tilted his head in confusion and asked, "Why?"
Kamishiro scoffed, "You idiot! Who gives gifts they like themselves? You're supposed to give Rin the gifts she likes!"
Obito punched his left palm with his right fist and said, "Makes sense! I've been giving the wrong gifts all this time!"
"Get rid of the hesitation. You fool! You're trying to woo Rin like this, yet she's still your good friend. That just shows that Rin has an incredibly good temper!"
Kamishiro was truly speechless. If Obito wants to win Rin's heart this way, it'd be more sensible for him to spend some money at the adult Puppet shop he plans to open in the future and have a human Puppet custom - made.