Obito was an orphan for as long he remembered, his clan told him that his parents honorably died in the war, laying their lives protecting their homeland. His Oba-chan had several photos of them together, telling wonderful stories of their adventures and love and how Obito came to. She told him that his father was warm like the sun while his mother stern but softened around her husband and son. Obito reminded greatly of her diseased son.

He became envious of children spending their time happily with their parents. He felt something was missing when he saw parents picking their kids from school or from the time when he saw children running towards the warm embrace of their moms when it was getting late, playing all day in the park. The way home always felt lonely and painful.

That's when he decided that no one should feel this loneliness and took the decision to become the strongest ninja in Konoha and the only way was to become the Hokage so that he could stop wars.

When he told this to Oba-chan, she only smiled and laughed softly, her eyes glazed with loss and pain while patting his head. It stung Obito a little but he knew that she didn't meant any harm. But as he announced this to his clan members and friends, all of them cruelly laughed until the day he met Gai Maito.

Gai was an extremely weird kid, always so energetic and screaming about youth all the time, don't get him started on his appearance but he was the first person to believe in him. He still couldn't forget the bubbling appreciation blooming in his heart. Since that day, both of them stick like glue, bickering and playing all day long. It felt nice like having a sibling.

The way home didn't feel lonely when he thought of spending the next day with Gai. He quietly walked along the road, heading to Uchiha compound when he saw his classmates who always tormented Gai. He quietly tried to pass by but one of them snatched his bag from his hand while one sneered at him.

"Look, guys it's the Uchiha crybaby!".

Dai's home was a moderate cottage just located a little mile away in the forest, a patch of flowers grew by and a nearby lake full of cold fresh water. It was perfect, after all Gai spent his childhood there but after Dai's death, it reminded him the memories that will never grow again. He visited Dai's grave time after time but never dared enter the house. Gai always felt strange walking back to home after mistakenly going to his old apartment.

Gai stared at that door that seemed to mock him as he caressed the knob. He felt someone walking towards him.

Dai couldn't help but to worry when his son, Gai started to act odd in the past few weeks. When they went to the market to get groceries, his son was gazed everywhere with longingly sad face and even weirder he hesitantly waited at the door of his house as if an enemy was waiting behind it like now.

"Hey, Champ. What are you doing standing there?", Dai clapped his hand against his son's back, waking him up from his thoughts.

Gai passed a smile to him, "I was thinking about growing a vegetable garden at the back of the cottage, Papa".

"A garden?", Dai looked at him puzzled, trying to figure him out.

"Yeah, as a hobby and it will benefit us in the long run." Gai opened the door, letting both of them in.

Dai beamed brightly, "I see. My boy wants to personally take care of his nutrition and grow his body. How youthful!".

"Can I work after school?"

"Hey, Obito!", Gai excitedly waved when he came into the class but frowned when he saw the bruises on his face and arms. Obito didn't even look at him, seating himself away from him. Gai rushed towards him, before any teacher came.

"Are you alright?", Gai tried to see how bad the injury but Obito snatched his arm away and glared hatefully at him.

"Why do you care?", He glared at Gai. Gai blinked naively. "Maybe it's because I care about you as a friend."

"Stop lying, two-faced snake!"- The whole class had their attention towards them, Obito still continued on – "You only tired to become my friend only because I'm an Uchiha. I hate you! I hope you will become like your useless dad an eternal genin!".

Silence. Whispers passed around. Snickering took the attention of Gai to the bullies sitting at the back of the class. He knew instantly that they were the reason behind this. He stared at them until one of them noticed and passed a smirk at him. Gai let out heavy killing intent towards them and felt satisfied when their eyes turned terrified.

"Well, what do you have to say for yourself!", Gai turned at Obito who was still screaming. Obito flinched when he made contact with disappointed icy cold eyes before they turned away silently and sat down.

Obito didn't feel better after that.

First thing, Gai noticed that his body was pitifully weak and fragile which alarmed him out as he was not familiar with it. He needed his body weights now but looking at the state of their finance, it needed help. He convinced his father of getting a job by saying he is one day going to be head of the house and needed to get ready to fulfil his responsibilities, Dai took him seriously as they both shared father-son hug.

And that's where it took him after school, he went ahead trying to find a job, being a three-year-old didn't help a bit. He went to shops after shops, lending a hand but due to his age, they felt he was incompetent and unreliable.

At the end of the day, exhausted and tired he ended up in Ramen Ichikaru. The small establishment again surprised him. A few people were sitting and sharing stories waiting patiently for their food. Gai's stomach gave a growl as he stared at the ramen, his mouthwatering as the scent of the delicious scent hit him.

"Hey, kid!", Gai's thoughts were distracted when he heard the young voice of Teuchi calling out to him. "Why don't you come in?"

Gai averted his eye as embarrassment filled him when he realized he had no money. "It's okay, Oji-san. I was just looking at the place." He quickly turned his back.

"Hey! Wait!", Gai stopped. "How about this? The food is on me as a treat for being a first-time customer." Teuchi, looking at the tired appearance of Gai took pity on him.

"Arigatou." Gai silently took a seat. Teuchi quickly fixed a bowl for him, putting it in front of him and waited for him patiently. Gai noticed this and ate his first bite. The delicious flavor entered his taste buds and started to gulp the whole bowl.

Teuchi laughed and chided him, "Hey, slow down. It's not going anywhere."

"Teuchi-san, it's delicious!", Gai exclaimed joyfully as he slurped down the noodles.

"How do you know my name, Kid?", Gai slowly chewed his noodles and mentally scolded himself, remembering that no one recognizes him. Teuchi suspiciously looked over him.

Gai gave him a thumbs up and smiled to ease his suspicion, "My friends came here once and complimented your ramen very much! I, myself wanted to visit your fine establishment." Tuechi proudly puffed his chest and ruffled his head.

"I like you, kid. What's your name?" He asked Gai as he put a second bowl for him. Gai thanked him.

"I am Maito Gai, the proud son of Papa Maito Dai!", Gai childishly exclaimed proudly. Realization hit Teuchi face and he smiled warmly to Gai, "Your fathers a good man. Helped me fix my roof for free."

"That's my Papa!", Dai was a diligent, warm and kind man who loved Konoha very much, it's one of the reasons he didn't do job instead he gathered D-rank mission so he could service Konoha as one of its ninja, a warm content feeling enveloped Gai heart as he thought of his father.

Teuchi asked what was he was doing there instead of going back of home. He explained his situation while Teuchi listened and nodded his head.

"How about a job here?"- Teuchi asked him – "I needed an extra pair of hand."

Awe contorted Gai face as he joyfully stood up on the stool, "Really? I will work hard and I promise to not disappoint you", he bowed his head in respect.

Teuchi was happy to let him work starting from tomorrow. He happily cheered on his way to home, with one of his problems away he thought of starting his training right away he couldn't afford to enjoy his time.

The night cool breeze cooled his sweat while he was training. Gai was extremely frustrated about his body, a 1000 pushup was nothing to him when he was in his adult form now, he could barely do a 50. His whole body was trembling, his arms were screaming in pain while he was already out of breath but he didn't give up choosing to continue, the morning is going to be painful for him.

He stopped when a sound of bushes alarmed him, he stooped and called out Obito. After some time, he came out.

"What are you doing here?" Gai said coldly without stopping his training. Obito flinched and looked at the ground, clearly embarrassed and uncomfortable.

He didn't say anything, letting silence overtake. Gai puffed and stood up, turning to leave.

"Wait!", Obito ran to him and stopped, frustrated. "Why do you expect great things from me? I'm clumsy, weak and couldn't even protect myself from the bullies. I thought that you only wanted to become my friend because of my clan."

He didn't see the fist flying towards him.

"Ouch!", Obito yelled, grabbing his head and rubbing it to soothe the pain. Tears gathered at base of his eyes; he didn't expect the power behind the punch.

"You idiot."- Gai glared at him, grabbing his shoulder - "I don't care what others think! I like you for being you and I see the kindness and potential inside you"- Obito eyes widened in surprise, Gai continued on- "and I already pledged myself to the next Hokage and if you can't see that then my promise will only ended in vain!".

A silence held over them for a while Obito face dripped tears of doubt, sadness and loneliness. It made Gai realize that he was a kid and mistakes can be made so he grabbed and hugged him giving him comfort. The snuffling slowly ceased and Gai only let him go when he pulled away.

"I'm sorry!", Obito choked out. "For calling you two-faced and insulting your father."

Gai chuckled merrily. "Forgiven and forgotten, my friend."

"GAI! DINNER IS READY!", Dai voice bloomed around the field.

"Wanna eat at my house?", Gai offered him. At Obito's hesitance, he insisted more until he agreed.

Gai boasted his father's cooking the way back to home.