Chapter 651: Like / Love

"Good morning," Kakashi replied, then glanced at Obito.

Obito reluctantly greeted Kakashi, not wanting Rin to think he had no manners.

After exchanging greetings, Kakashi didn't chat much with the two and left directly, surprising Obito.

Anko and the other two also slipped away.

Rin didn't invite Kakashi either, contrary to what Obito had thought she would do.

Seeing Kakashi and Anko's group leave straight away, Rin continued walking with Obito toward the flower shop.

"That's it?" Obito was both surprised and delighted.

If Kakashi had suddenly joined, he definitely wouldn't have been able to get closer to Rin today—dealing with Kakashi would take up most of his energy.

"Rin…"

Obito wanted to ask Rin why she hadn't called Kakashi, but then he suddenly shut his mouth.

"What's wrong, Obito?" Rin turned her head curiously.

"I was going to ask you something, but I forgot as soon as I opened my mouth," Obito said sheepishly, scratching his hair.

Obito worried that Rin had simply forgotten to ask, and his reminder would make her remember.

They had just parted ways with Kakashi; at a ninja's travel speed, catching up to him would only take a few seconds.

"Is it something important?"

"Uh, probably not." Obito thought that even if Kakashi did join, it wouldn't count as something important.

After all, the worst case would just be wasting a day. He and Rin were still young—only thirteen. Obito had plenty of time to get closer to Rin.

"I suppose so. Even you, Obito, couldn't be so absent-minded as to completely forget something important right after saying it," Rin said with a smile.

"Of course."

The two chatted and laughed as they walked. Just as they were about to enter the street where Yamanaka Flower Shop was, they suddenly heard a vendor's cry.

"Tempura! Freshly fried tempura!"

"Rin, do you want some tempura?" Obito asked, looking at her.

Rin followed the voice and spotted a small tempura stall.

As if noticing Rin's gaze and wanting to show off his skill, the middle-aged stall owner picked up a prepared shrimp, coated it in egg batter, and carefully dropped it into the oil pot, splashing a few drops of hot oil.

It seemed to splash his hand, and the stall owner's expression twisted slightly.

Rin:...

She got the feeling this stall owner was a complete beginner, even less skilled than she was.

"Obito, how about we visit the flower shop first and eat somewhere else later?" Rin suggested.

Although buying street food wouldn't cost much, the stall owner didn't look reliable; it might taste bad.

"Let's just get it here. I haven't had tempura in a while, and I'm a bit hungry," Obito insisted.

"Obito, look carefully—this owner seems like a beginner who hasn't made this much. It might not taste good," Rin said bluntly, thinking Obito hadn't noticed.

"Really? I think it's worth a try. Buying a little won't cost much, and who knows—it might be one of those places that looks plain but tastes amazing," Obito persisted.

Hearing that, Rin didn't try to dissuade him further.

After all, Obito had a point—it really wouldn't cost much, and the worst that could happen wasn't a big loss.

So the two walked up to the tempura stall, and Obito said, "Give me one order of tempura."

The middle-aged stall owner nodded, then said solemnly:

"Congratulations! You are our ten-thousandth customer and are eligible for a free mystery reward from our shop."

Rin stared suspiciously at the stall owner and scrutinized the stall carefully.

Ten thousand customers? She didn't think this middle-aged stall owner looked like someone who had been running his stall for that long.

"Am I that lucky? Must be my lucky day. What's the reward?" Obito said in a flat, reading-like tone.

This is the reason he insisted on coming to buy tempura—the tempura stall owner is actually Kotetsu in disguise.

In order to kill time so that after he and Rin Nohara finished visiting the flower shop, it would be just in time for lunch, and also to better deepen their bond, Kotetsu and Izumo's plan includes more than just one "accident."

"Escape Room Puzzle Duo!" Kotetsu replied.

"It's the latest game that effectively trains a ninja's observation skills. If it weren't for the commemorative significance of ten thousand people, I really wouldn't bear to spend this money."

Kotetsu made a pained expression as he introduced it.

"Konoha has such a game venue now?" Rin Nohara found it increasingly strange.

She didn't know if it was due to psychological reasons, but she felt that Obito had become a bit strange too.

"I don't know. Maybe it's newly opened recently. After all, the war is over, and the village's economy has prospered a lot," Obito helped explain.

As they talked, Kotetsu began his job—frying tempura.

Under Rin Nohara's gaze that couldn't bear to look, he fried a fresh shrimp until it turned black.

Now Rin Nohara was certain: this was a complete novice who couldn't fry tempura at all. Fried like this, it wouldn't be tasty no matter what.

"Could he be a spy from another village?" Rin Nohara grew cautious in her heart.

If the stall owner was a spy, then everything made sense.

Obito was an Uchiha genius whose fame spread far and wide in the ninja world now, a target that many ninja villages wanted to eliminate as soon as possible.

Even if they couldn't eliminate him, being able to obtain crucial intelligence on Obito would be a good thing for ninja villages that regard Konoha as a potential enemy.

"Then, may I ask where this escape room puzzle is?" Rin Nohara pretended to be curious and asked in return.

Although she had discovered the middle-aged stall owner's secret, Rin Nohara was not panicked.

After all, she was at least a Konoha jonin of decent strength, and Obito was even a powerhouse far surpassing ordinary jonin. A spy shouldn't be a match for them.

Moreover, Obito now mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique. Even if the spy was extremely powerful, Obito could retreat at the first moment and call for reinforcements.

"Go straight for five hundred meters in this direction, then turn left for two hundred meters, and then..." Kotetsu considerately took out a small map and gave directions to Rin Nohara.

Of course they didn't have money to actually open an escape room store. Even this tempura stall was rented with money.

But being broke also has its ways.

If they had no money to actually open a store, they would use the ninjas' strong hands-on skills to build a simple hut in a small forest and then decorate it casually.

It's not like they were really going to operate it anyway; it was just specially provided for Obito to use for his date.

"Just as I thought, a spy," Rin Nohara nodded inwardly.

She was naturally familiar with Konoha. She remembered that the area the middle-aged stall owner pointed to was a small forest. How could there be an escape room game store there?

"Obito, wait here for a moment. I think I saw a friend. I'll go say hello," Rin Nohara said to Obito without changing her expression.

"Mm, then go ahead, Rin," Obito nodded without thinking too much.

Immediately after, Rin Nohara quickly left, and returned to the tempura stall after about a minute and a half.

"Rin, who did you see? Was it Shizune?" Obito asked casually.

"Mm, she came to help Lady Tsunade purchase some daily necessities," Rin Nohara thought for a moment and replied.

Then Rin Nohara looked at the middle-aged stall owner and said, "Please give me three servings of tempura. Thank you."

Kotetsu was delighted. So he actually had cooking talent and stall-keeping talent! Rin Nohara hadn't even tasted it yet, but just by looking, she wanted to buy three servings at once.

"Rin, are you that hungry? Buying three servings at once?" Obito said with a surprised look.

Previously, Rin had stopped him, saying it might not taste good and didn't recommend buying, but in the blink of an eye, Rin herself bought three servings.

"Rin, why don't you buy a little less? Try one serving first."

This time it was Obito's turn to persuade Rin. He had come to buy only because the plan had this step.

Earlier, when Kotetsu hadn't fried yet, Obito couldn't be sure of Kotetsu's skill.

Just now, Kotetsu fried the tempura until it was black. This definitely meant he didn't know how to cook.

Kotetsu was a bit unhappy. Even Captain Obito couldn't deny his talent!

"It's fine, Obito. Didn't you say it yourself? Bad appearance doesn't mean bad taste." Rin Nohara smiled and handed the money to the middle-aged stall owner.

Obito hesitated, as if wanting to say something, but in the end he said nothing.

"I'll take Rin to a better restaurant for lunch," Obito thought with guilt.

"Three portions, right? I'll make them right away."

Kotetsu cheerfully took the money and began frying tempura.

"Maybe I'll just set up my stall here today and sell off all the ingredients. After deducting the rent, I can still make a profit," Kotetsu thought to himself.

Rin Nohara's three portions gave Kotetsu plenty of confidence.

To thank Rin Nohara for her approval, Kotetsu carefully fried each piece of tempura, striving to do his best.

"Obito."

Just as Kotetsu was about to finish frying the three portions of tempura, a voice that sounded somewhat familiar to Obito rang out.

Obito turned to look. It was the Uchiha Police Force jonin who had previously asked him about leading a team, followed by two Uchiha ninjas that Obito didn't know well.

Since that Uchiha jonin had once offered to treat Obito to breakfast, Obito had a decent impression of him. He took a few steps forward and greeted the Uchiha jonin.

"The spy is him!"

Rin Nohara, who was standing in front of the tempura stall, suddenly shouted.

After shouting, the Rin Nohara in front of the stall dissipated into smoke, and another Rin Nohara jumped down from the roof.

Rin Nohara's real body had just gone to find the Police Force members; the one who came back to find Obito was only a Shadow Clone.

"A spy?!" Kotetsu was startled and instinctively stepped back.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Several members of the Uchiha Police Force swiftly dashed forward and attacked Kotetsu.

Kotetsu was dumbfounded. Why were they all rushing at him? There was no one else around him.

It couldn't be that he was the spy, right? Was frying tempura badly considered being a spy? Besides, he must have fried it decently, otherwise why would Rin Nohara have bought three portions?

Obito also didn't know what was happening for a moment.

Of course, although he didn't know what the problem was, Obito still acted immediately to rescue Kotetsu.

"Obito, don't be fooled by this guy. He's an undercover agent," Rin Nohara quickly shouted.

Obito and Kotetsu: …

What kind of mess was this?

In the end, Kotetsu dispelled his Transformation Jutsu, clasped his hands together, and sincerely apologized to the Uchiha jonin, saying he would not set up a stall randomly again.

Kotetsu was truly subdued this time. So frying tempura poorly could actually get you mistaken for a spy.

Obito, as Kotetsu's team leader, also forced a series of awkward laughs and helped Kotetsu explain and vouch for him.

Out of respect for Obito, the Uchiha ninjas didn't make too big a deal of it. They said a few simple words and left.

"Captain Obito, I'm sorry."

Kotetsu suddenly had a flash of inspiration. He apologized to Obito and then frantically winked at Obito as a hint.

He could take all the blame onto himself, so that Obito could continue his date with Rin Nohara.

Obito understood and replied reassuringly, "It's fine. It's understandable that a young person wants to try new things. Just don't go down the wrong path of false advertising."

Seeing Obito putting on such an old-fashioned and pretentiously mature demeanor, Rin Nohara couldn't help but laugh a little.

The huge rock that had been hanging in Obito's heart instantly fell. He thought to himself, "That was close, almost messed up."

Seeing this, Rin Nohara put away her smile and deliberately put on a stern face, looking at Obito and Kotetsu.

She wasn't stupid. First "role-playing," now "winning a lottery" — there must be something wrong.

Obito lowered his head in embarrassment.

Kotetsu looked even more ashamed. Because of his mistake, Obito and Rin Nohara's date today was ruined.

"Not going to the flower shop?"

Just as Obito thought today would end here, what came wasn't Rin Nohara's reproach, but a question in a rather calm tone.

Obito looked up and saw that Rin Nohara had already walked some distance away, standing three meters away looking at him.

As for the serious expression on her face, whether it was blown away by the spring breeze or what, it had disappeared, leaving only the warm smile Obito was most familiar with.

"Going, going." Obito quickly agreed.

"If you're going, then hurry up. Standing still with your head down won't get you there."

Obito patted Kotetsu Hagane on the shoulder, said a word of thanks, then jogged to catch up with Rin Nohara, running to her side.

"Rin, you're not angry?"

"Why would I be angry?"

At that moment, Obito seemed to understand why he liked Rin Nohara.

Then Obito contacted Anko and the others using the communicator, telling them the plan was canceled and they didn't need to act anymore.

Because Obito understood that if Rin Nohara truly didn't like him, no matter how much he did, it would all be in vain.

He should just continue as before; after all, they still had a long time ahead.

For the rest of the time, Obito accompanied Rin Nohara normally as she browsed the flower shop.

Then Rin Nohara took Obito to buy some snacks, strolled through the park, and chose a nearby restaurant for lunch.

After lunch, Obito walked Rin Nohara home.

"I'm sorry about today, Rin."

On the street near Rin Nohara's house, Obito apologized and waved goodbye.

"I told you I'm not angry. Actually, I was quite happy today."

Rin Nohara puffed out her cheeks slightly, seeming a bit displeased by Obito's misunderstanding.

"Sorry, I..." Obito apologized again in a fluster, momentarily at a loss for words.

Pfft.

Rin Nohara covered her mouth and chuckled softly, "So, like I said, I was quite happy today."

With that, Rin Nohara turned and went home.

Leaving Obito standing there stunned.