Chapter 2: Training Intensifies

A/N: As of 6/9/2022, I have made minor updates to the chapter which include formatting/dialogue changes as well as added details to the scenery.


The village was silent as Jitsuko laid on the rooftop of Obito's house, gazing up at the stars. The sun had set hours ago, and she stared at the night sky as they glistened within its endless depths. Something about the stars in this world was different from her own, more alluring. It felt like a deeper connection was hidden within the subtle glow of the moonlight. It brought her comfort, as if indicating that she was on the right path.

It was the night before the first day of the academy. It had been months since she met Obito, and despite having her own apartment, Jitsuko found herself spending some nights at his house in preparation for ninja training. After practice sparring one night, she had collapsed onto her back in the training field in exhaustion, her eyes lighting up in pleasant surprise by the beautiful display of the starry sky and invited Obito to join her. Since then, it had become one of Jitsuko's favorite pastimes, to take in what the night had to offer – with him.

Lost in thought, she turned to look at Obito who had been chattering for a while, her concentration returning as he was in mid-sentence.

"- so I told him that I don't care if he's younger than me, I will beat him up anytime! And then Bakashi said – "

"Wait, Bakashi?" she interrupted. "D-did you seriously – just call him... Bakashi?" Jitsuko couldn't help but spring into laughter at the little 'pet name' Obito labeled Kakashi and managed to muster between laughs, "That's the funniest thing I've ever heard!"

Hearing this, Obito grinned and rubbed the back of his head. "Really? I think it suits him. Rin doesn't like it when I call him that, though. She says we should all get along if we're going to be classmates together. Like I would waste my time being all chummy with someone like him."

Jitsuko closed her eyes and chuckled knowingly in response. "Well let's hope you don't get stuck on the same team with him. That'd be pretty hilarious." Her lighthearted expression then fell, peeking into Obito's eyes. "Which reminds me. Class starts tomorrow, huh? Are you nervous?"

Obito shook his head roughly. "No way, not in the slightest! I'll finally be able to become a formidable shinobi and get some respect around here."

The last few words he said trailed off into a barely audible mumble, as if he were embarrassed or ashamed by something.

Not catching his discomfort, Jitsuko smiled and hummed in response before her face shifted into a similar uneasiness. Being keener to catching subtle cues, Obito quickly turned his attention toward her.

"What's up? You got quiet all of a sudden."

She looked over to her friend and saw his arms crossed behind his head. "From what I know, Uchihas excel in fire-style techniques, right?"

Obito nodded proudly. The way he carried himself sent off mixed signals, as if he were trying to smother his insecurity behind overconfidence.

"Well, since I don't know where I'm from, I'm just nervous that I will never figure out the techniques that fit me." Jitsuko began unconsciously squeezing her hand into a fist. "I've decided a long time ago that I wanted to be a ninja with you, but what if this training at the academy is a waste of time for me?"

Shocked by the sudden uncertainty, Obito shot up from his spot on the roof to get into her face.

"What do you think we've been training and preparing for this whole time? I don't know about you, but I think you have what it takes! Don't lose hope, okay?" Obito flashed his signature grin. "We haven't even gotten started yet for crying out loud! Don't worry, I'll keep helping you along the way. So cheer up, ya big baby!" he said playfully and held out his fist in front of her, the full moon mirroring off his face gave him a remarkable gleam in his eyes.

Initially taken aback by Obito's reassurance, Jitsuko's smile then widened with restored ambition as her fist lifted to meet his in a cordial fist bump.

Obito really is something else.

That following morning, Obito excitedly barged into her room and woke her up by diving into the center of the bed, effectively knocking the wind out of her. Realizing his error too late, Obito made a mad dash out of Jitsuko's room to escape her wrath.

"Get back here, you doofus! I will destroy you," was what Obito heard as he exited the room, laughing the whole way through.


Days at the academy flew by at a blinding pace. Jitsuko and Obito had developed a habit of walking to the academy together, as well as sitting next to each other in class. If she didn't spend the night at his place, one of them would instead wait outside the other's house so they could walk together. It all depended on who was ready first, which, as she already knew, was not Obito's strong point. This routine persisted for weeks, then months, then surprisingly a year, until it was almost graduation.

Normally the time it took to graduate was a minimum of four years, but the village was desperate to generate ninja for the front lines, so she and Obito passed through school overwhelmingly quickly. The passage to become full-fledged ninja was near, and Jitsuko couldn't have been more nervous. Obito stuck by his word and helped her train, as she mutually helped with his. Jitsuko's mind constantly gnawed at remembering that Rin would be paired up with Obito and Kakashi because those two were strong attackers while she focused completely on support.

Perhaps if I did the same, then I could have a chance at getting on Obito's team instead of her!

Once this was decided, the next step was to figure out what techniques to specialize in. She chose to essentially copy Rin with her medical prowess, but quickly learned that the delicate art of chakra control was much, much harder than it looked. Even though she learned how to utilize basic ninja techniques in the academy, learning to center chakra into her hands and then proceed to change its form into a healing aura proved too difficult for someone like her. It was similar to how some people are gifted at art and can always draw a perfect circle while others simply can't. It was incredibly disheartening.

Girls are supposed to excel in chakra control. That's why there are so many female medical nin! Come on Jitsuko, what's wrong with you? Why can't you be like her? If Rin can do it, why can't you?

She sighed despondently, her head hanging low as she watched Obito spar with someone, waiting in apprehension for her turn. It wasn't until Obito unleashed a particularly impressive Fireball Jutsu only for his opponent to conjure up Earth Style: Mud Wall to block the flames did it finally hit her.

There are more ways to protect and support a comrade other than medical attention, she realized.

At the start of the year, the sheet of paper used to test chakra nature turned into dirt and crumbled under her grasp. Jitsuko's eyes widened, realizing that she had an affinity for Earth Style. As the academy days came to an end, she decided to base her abilities around defense and protection rather than offense or medicine. With her hope restored, it was her turn to train.


The exam was over. Even though she struggled with all eyes on her, she managed to produce a passable clone and happily joined the others for the team selection.

This is it, Jitsuko chanted to herself, over and over. This past year of training and practically growing up with Obito, it all came down to this. She made sure to base her moves with a heavy emphasis on support.

Hopefully it will be enough to change the team outcomes –

"Now for Team Minato –"

The future Fourth Hokage's name perked her up. This is it! Come on, Obito, Jitsuko, and whoever the third person must be. It can be anyone. Give us Ebisu for all I care! Just say our names together –

"Team Minato will consist of Obito Uchiha, Kakashi Hatake, and –

- Rin Nohara."

Time seemed to stand still for Jitsuko. All of that training. The specializing. All those nights she was kept awake trying to dig all of the dirt from under her fingernails. Heck, she was willing to go through puberty again for this boy! Was it all wasted? Thankfully, Obito didn't show up to the team assigning. She knew for a fact that he was helping an old lady somewhere; so she couldn't see his reaction to being paired with his crush. Still, deep down Jitsuko knew exactly how he would look. It was disheartening, to say the very least.

The team she ended up being on was nothing special. They were both ninjas who she didn't recognize from the show – not even background characters, so she didn't focus on them. This probably caused her to be perceived as cold and uncaring, which of course was not her intent, but Jitsuko decided to stay in this world for a purpose.

The first step of her goal failed. Despite her efforts, she and Obito were on separate teams and therefore would be spending significantly less time together. Jitsuko didn't want to admit it, but part of her was hoping to get on his team, not only to support him and change his future, but also so she could drive a wedge between him and Rin. She would never admit that out loud, though.

Obito would be so apprehensive of your jealousy, Jitsuko.

Since plan A failed, it was time to move onto plan B, which admittedly was the more important one anyway. The next goal was to continue with her shinobi duties and carry on as normal up until Kakashi was promoted to Jonin. The first mission he was assigned to as leader was the same mission where it happened. Jitsuko didn't know how, but her new goal was to either prevent that mission from happening, or force herself to go with them.