Revamped Series Edit Completed: 31 July 2017

Toying With The Past Is What We Do
Chapter Five
Why Can't You Think Before You Speak?

"So, who's your friend, Kakashi-kun?"

Obito unconsciously shies away from Sakumo, who sits across from him and Kakashi at the chabudai.

Something about the man is unsettling, and his best guess is that Kakashi's father is too nice. He remembers the horror stories of Konoha's White Fang on the whispers of fellow missing-nin. Years after his death, and still, just a mention of his name struck absolute fear. But facing him is a gentle-looking soul, his smile smoothing the lines marking his aging face.

He sees the man who risked a mission failure to protect his teammates, but as an S-ranked criminal, Obito is aware of the hardened shinobi before him, and that Sakumo appears to be anything but, is disturbingly akin to his stint as Tobi. Obito is suddenly aware of how vulnerable he is in this shrunken form.

He doesn't like it.

Obito glances at Kakashi when the boy wraps an arm around his shoulders, pointing with his other hand. "This is Uchiha Obito. He's my best friend." The casual warmth in his voice sets Obito at ease, only because Kakashi is in the same predicament, and he didn't have the Sharingan to help him out of a predicament.

"It's very nice to be acquainted, Hatake-san." Obito offers a head bow.

Sakumo returns the gesture. "You met at the Academy, I presume?"

"That's right," Kakashi chirps.

"We're in the same class," Obito adds.

Kakashi had attended the Academy only for a year before graduating at age five, soon after his father committed seppuku. That means he and Kakashi were sent back to some point within that year, making Obito six years old now.

"Do you enjoy it there?"

Obito doesn't even contemplate an age-appropriate answer when he replies, his pitch deepening, "Perhaps if most children attending weren't so fucking useless, I would at least consider it somewhat worthwhile. As of now, though, it is a disgrace."

There is an uncomfortable silence following his condescending criticism.

Beside him, Kakashi facepalms.