AN: I'm possibly gonna take a short break to plan out this mini arc, so it might be another couple weeks before I post again. I'm also going on teaching placement next week so I'll be very busy with that. But hey, I do have some fun ideas for this little arc so stay tuned. Besides, some of you have by now (or will by the end of this chapter) caught on to a very fun character development thingo going on, so look forward to that resolution over this mini arc 3

"Now that Hinata and Neji have been attended to, allow us to formally conclude the preliminary round of the third exam," Hayate declared. He noticed that many people were still distracted or even distressed by the scene that had just unfolded, and tried again to capture their attention. "Please, do not worry about their health. Lady Tsunade was already on call in case of any severe injuries, and she will be able to return both of the Hyuuga to full health. Anyway, those of you who have not been eliminated, please come forward."

Obito allowed himself to relax just a little upon hearing that, but was still lost in his thoughts as he walked down the stairs. Tsunade was the best of the best, and if anyone could heal Hinata properly, it was her. He was still in shock over what Hinata had done, though. He recognised the physiological changes she had undergone from an old scroll he once read. Hinata had opened three of the Eight Gates - specific Tenketsu that limit the flow of chakra to safe levels that the body can handle. Supposedly one could open them with a great deal of training, and still it would have large repercussions on their body afterwards. But unless Hinata's trip away had included such training, she must have just ripped them wide open.

Even with Tsunade's help, though, would she really be okay? This fight didn't just have a massive physical effect on Hinata - it was clearly mental, too. Obito knew that Hinata had a complicated relationship with her whole clan, and especially with Neji. In that fight, she acted in a way that Obito had never seen before. To put it simply, Hinata had snapped. Obito hoped that he could be there when Hinata woke up to make sure she had the support she needed, and turned his attention back to Hayate.

"... will commence a month from now."

"Huh?!" Naruto exclaimed. "A whole month from now? But that's so far away!"

"Yes, Naruto. This is so that every combatant has a suitable time to prepare. As was explained earlier, these matches will occur in the form of a public event with many, many spectators. Accordingly, we want you all to be at your very best. In the trials you have undergone so far, you have had no forewarning of who you would encounter in battle. Some of you may have already revealed your full skillset in front of your rivals. Others held back, knowing that you would have to fight again and wanting to benefit from the element of surprise.

"So, those of you who remain will have a month to train and prepare for your upcoming battles. Before you go on your way, we have one thing to take care of. Could everyone please step forward and take a slip of paper." Hayate gestured towards a wooden box held by Kurenai, who had appeared at some point during his explanation. The box had a circular opening on top, just large enough for a person to comfortably fit their hand inside.

Kurenai stepped forward and walked along the line of remaining shinobi. Each reached inside the box and withdrew a single slip of paper. When the box reached Obito and he drew his paper, he noticed that it had a number written upon it - Four. Kurenai asked each person to declare their number, and started scribbling on a sheet of paper as they spoke. A few moments after they were done, Kurenai turned around her sheet of paper to reveal a tournament bracket.

"The numbers you drew determined who you would fight in the true third exam," Kurenai announced, and immediately the air in the room grew heavy as people looked around at one another.

Match One: Uzumaki Naruto versus Gaara

Match Two: Temari versus Uzumaki Obito

Match Three: Haruno Sakura versus Hyuuga Hinata

Match Four: Uchiha Sasuke versus Kaiza Katsuki

Obito made eye contact with Temari, who shot him a ruthless grin. He gulped. Having watched her fight against Chouji, Obito knew that she was incredibly strong and skilled. What made it worse was that her skillset was an awful matchup for him. She was a front-line fighter, whereas he did best in supporting positions. Even in his match against Lee, if he had failed to block the first strike, he would have lost quickly after. Obito would have to train specifically in dealing with opponents like her over the next month if he wanted to even have the slightest chance of victory.

And then Obito considered his next match, if he managed to win against Temari. He would have to fight either Gaara or Naruto. Once again, neither was an opponent that he was confident in his ability to defeat. Obito resolved to do his best to prepare for the first round, but didn't expect to make it further than that.

"Given that Hyuuga Hinata is absent right now, she will be informed of the details regarding the third exam when she wakes," Kurenai said before going on to provide additional details about the exam. "Gekko Hayate will proctor the third exam as well, but there will be numerous jonin observing and judging the matches. In order to gain a chunin promotion, you do not necessarily need to win your matches. Demonstrate the full of your skill, and the judges will make our decision. And for those of you who are not from Konoha, know that among the panel of judges will be experienced shinobi from your villages, too."

"And with that said and done," Hayate said as he stepped forward, "you are all dismissed. I hope this would go without saying, but any combat between any of you or attempts at sabotage will be judged extremely harshly."

Obito and Sasuke sat opposite from Anko in their sensei's favourite Dango shop. As they waited for their food to arrive, neither genin seemed to know what to say. They were both still processing what they saw during Hinata's match, and didn't really know what to do with themselves.

"So," Anko started, kicking her feet up onto the table, "what are your plans? You have a month to train. Let's be honest here, kiddos, you'll both need it. Obito, your opponent is one of the worst possible matchups for you. And Sasuke, yours just went toe to toe with that kid Haku, and won. As much as you've grown since we were in Wave, that Tsuki kid still outclasses you. So?"

Obito snapped out of his thoughts, and took a moment to consider. "I… don't really know yet how I should train, but I think I know who to ask."

Anko scoffed. "Tch, the snake bastard, huh? Yeah, I guess they're probably the best choice for you. Fine. Sasuke?"

Sasuke turned to face Anko, wearing a face that knew no answers. "Uh…"

Before Anko got a chance to scold the Uchiha boy, they were interrupted by the arrival of their food. Anko was served an entire platter of Dango, whilst the two genin each received a steaming bowl of udon.

Anko clicked her fingers in front of Sasuke's face, knowing his head wasn't really in the game. "Look, kid. I'm not giving you the answers here. If you can't figure out how to proceed with your training, you simply don't deserve the title of chunin. Go figure it out, and let me know what you decide."

In a network of tunnels deep below the village of Konoha proper, a percussive noise echoed down the corridors. Torches flickered ominously, purely for the effect of creeping people out.

"Come in," called the snakelike voice from the room within.

Obito twisted the handle and opened the door. He'd been gone just over a week, and already the lab had changed a fair deal. New experiments took up space across several of the benches, with old data and material bundled up in the corner of the room. Orochimaru stood hunched over a desk by one far end of the room, drawing out some form of diagram on a large scroll.

"I expect that you are here to ask me to train you for the exams?" Orochimaru stated plainly without looking up from their work.

"If you wouldn't mind, I would appreciate it greatly," Obito responded with equal neutrality.

Orochimaru turned away from their desk, and looked Obito directly in the eyes from across the room. "I expect this means you are off duty for the time being. Word is that the third exam takes place a month from now. I will train you directly, on condition that you come with me on a certain... errand. We should be back around a week before the exam takes place. So?"

Obito considered it. Orochimaru was undoubtedly the most suitable mentor to oversee his training, and he was undeniably curious about what constituted an 'errand' for the erratic Sannin. At the same time, he felt that he should stay for Hinata. She would need people who cared about her to be around when she woke up. Obito's eyebrows furrowed as he tried to make a decision.

"You are far kinder than I, child, but it makes you predictable," Orochimaru commented, as though reading Obito's mind. "The girl will be fine, she has the support she needs."

Obito shot Orochimaru a quizzical look, and then immediately regretted it - he knew better. Of course Orochimaru already knew about what happened to Hinata, and of course they expected Obito to worry about her.

"That girl is currently undergoing an important metamorphosis. This moment in her life is a critical turning point, and she will be better off without you around. She is a shinobi, and feeling safe and supported is not what will help her to decide how to proceed or harden her resolve. Let her solve this challenge on her own, boy," Orochimaru chided, and in that moment, Obito flinched. "I will be at the village gates in one hour. If you wish to receive training from me, be there. Otherwise, I will leave without you."

As the Sannin left the room, Obito stood still, staring at the wall in shock and confusion. Boy.

Obito stood over Hinata's hospital bed, watching her peaceful form simply exist. Most of her body was covered by the bedding, but her arms hung free, covered in bandaging. A large scroll was slung over the Uzumaki's back, carring many of his belongings.

"I'm sorry I can't stay for you, Hinata. I have to go, to get stronger. I need to catch up to you and Sasuke, I can't just rely on you to defend me in a serious fight. I know you'll get through this too, and I'll be back a different person… a stronger person."

The genin opened the window and leapt out, headed directly for the village gates.

For a while, the duo travelled in silence. Obito followed Orochimaru, not knowing anything about where they were taking him, or what this 'errand' could possibly be. They moved fast, making considerable ground, and after several hours of travelling in silence through the densely forested Land of Fire, Orochimaru ground to a halt. "Put down some of your privacy seals, now."

Almost startled by the sudden command after no words had been spoken between them for so long, Obito did as instructed. Setting up a small perimeters of seals, Obito guaranteed that they would be auditorily obscured from any attempted eavesdroppers.

"Now that we're far enough from the village, I can explain to you the purpose of this trip without it falling upon the wrong ears," Orochimaru spoke, facing away from Obito.

"I shall start with the actual errand I spoke of. I recently received intelligence regarding two persons of interest who are in hiding from a particular enemy of mine. But," Orochimaru smirked, "I have no intent to reveal their identities to you yet. I think you'll enjoy finding out for yourself. I have an idea of where they may be hiding, so we'll spend some of our time searching for them.

"Secondly, of course, I will train you during those hours of the day which we have to spare. You need to increase your proficiency with physical combat beyond your training with that blade. There are instances in which you cannot rely on trickery and clever traps, and you must be prepared for those. I have my own ideas on techniques you can learn for this purpose, and you will soon come to see why you needed to be outside the village in order to learn them.

"Finally, you need to come to understand yourself. Don't think I didn't notice your reaction when we last spoke in the village. What you are working through now is something I myself once had to grapple with, and it is not simply something to be brushed off for later. Those thoughts can have a significant impact on your focus and discipline, which may well get you killed. So, you will be confronting that while we are away."

Obito stared at his mentor in shock. He knew they were incredibly perceptive, but this was just too much. He knew they were right, but… he didn't feel ready for that. Obito had something of an idea of what was going on inside his mind, and was honestly scared to actually let himself think those thoughts. But to hear from Orochimaru that he had to grapple with them? On the one hand he wanted to trust the Sannin's experience and intelligence, but still… Was it really that important?

"Now, we will set up camp here and begin your training. Once the sun sets, we resume our travels. Understood?"

Obito nodded. "So what is this training you have in mind for me?"

"I will have you learn how to control shadows."

"Shadows? You're speaking of the Nara clan's kinjutsu! That's-"

"Hush, child, and think for a moment. I do not believe you are fool enough to believe that all techniques involving shadows belong to the Nara clan. I suppose I'll give you a hint. What is your chakra nature?"

Yin chakra, Obito thought to himself. He knew better than to actually say it aloud. Orochimaru would be dissapointed if Obito said anything at all without actually taking time to think about the point of all this.

The Nara clan techniques are reliant upon Yin chakra. From what I've seen, they use the shadows to reach and bind an opponent. But how does that binding work? Wait… is that even important? Why would learning to bind my foes with shadows add to my skillset in any meaningful way? Orochimaru must intend something else. Chakra nature… Chakra nature… Wait! Most shinobi end up training to use their chakra natures to fight through elemental release techniques, which I'm fundamentally incapable of. What if…

"You're not talking about Nara kinjutsu at all, are you?"

Orochimaru smiled. "Very good, child. No, I'm not. As a matter of fact, I will not be teaching you any techniques of my own. Rather, you will be inventing them yourself. By the time we return to Konoha, I expect you to be the first shinobi to fully understand the possibilities of Shadow Release. Now, let us begin."