Finally, Mokgetsu took out the Pokémon egg and glanced at it, wanting to see if he could use Byakugan to discern what Pokémon was inside the egg.
Perhaps it was because this was a special reward meant for Kakashi, and it hadn't reached Kakashi's hands yet, Mokgetsu didn't see anything.
Unable to ascertain anything, Mokgetsu returned the egg to the System Space, planning to give it to Kakashi as a Jonin gift when he arrives at the battlefield.
After the evening strategy meeting ended, Orochimaru and Mokgetsu had another private conversation.
"The Hidden Mist's recent behavior has been somewhat unusual. Although they are still primarily defensive and avoiding battle, there has been a slight change compared to before, maybe the Hidden Mist Village has sent reinforcements," Orochimaru speculated.
"It would be manageable if it's just ordinary ninja squads, but if the reinforcements from the Hidden Mist include a Jinchuriki, that would be troublesome."
Even a ninja of Orochimaru's caliber finds it challenging to directly confront and defeat a Jinchuriki in warfare.
The Tailed Beast Ball's destructive power is too formidable; it can cause devastating damage to both individuals and ninja squads alike.
Of course, if given the chance, Orochimaru would resort to underhanded tactics. The Eight-tails Jinchuriki, Blue B from the Hidden Cloud, was killed by Orochimaru.
Orochimaru understood the traits of a Jinchuriki well. The Tailed Beast is both a Jinchuriki's greatest weapon and a sharp dagger pointed at the Jinchuriki. Once the Seal is removed and the Tailed Beast is released, the Jinchuriki faces a sure-death situation with no chance of survival.
During the incident with Blue B, Orochimaru barely had to lift a finger. He merely infiltrated the Hidden Cloud Village while Blue B was weak-willed, using his specially crafted Illusionary Elixir to paralyze Blue B completely, rendering him immobile. Then, he removed Blue B's Seal, separating the Eight-tails, leading to Blue B's immediate demise.
"The ultimate weapon of the Five Great Ninja Villages is just a minor hassle. It seems you have absolute confidence, Orochimaru-kun," Mokgetsu noticed the strong confidence in Orochimaru's words.
Clearly, Orochimaru doesn't feel outmatched but is concerned that confronting a Tailed Beast may lead to undesirable casualties.
"Mokgetsu-kun, my confidence is because of you. On this battlefield, what you can achieve is far more potent than any so-called Jinchuriki," Orochimaru chuckled softly.
With Mokgetsu's Ninjutsu and his tremendous power, what Mokgetsu can accomplish is irreplaceable. Even if Orochimaru was offered a thousand-man ninja squad in exchange for Mokgetsu, he would refuse without hesitation.
...
Konoha, Uchiha district.
Obito rose early to head to the Southern Border Forest for cultivation.
Previously, Obito was a bit swayed by his grandmother's words, considering balancing work and rest by reducing cultivation time to spend more with Nohara Rin. But after being provoked by Kakashi, Obito abandoned this thought.
Obito wanted to cultivate, to surpass Kakashi, and look down at a defeated Kakashi with the words, "So what about being a Jonin? I'm still stronger."
Hence, not only did Obito not reduce his cultivation time, he even increased it, making Might Guy raise his thumb in admiration, exclaiming how youthful Obito was.
As Obito passed through the Main Konoha District streets, he saw a surprising figure.
"Rin, good morning, what a coincidence." Obito grinned as he greeted Nohara Rin.
Nohara Rin nodded in response with a smile, "Good morning, Obito."
"Obito, have you had breakfast? If not, maybe I can treat you to breakfast today," she offered.
"That would be fantastic. I was just about to have breakfast," said Obito, who had already eaten but agreed without hesitation.
Even though he had already eaten, breakfast treated by Nohara Rin was not the same as regular breakfast; even if Obito had to eat two more portions, it wouldn't be a problem.
Rin took Obito to a breakfast shop she had tried and found tasted quite good before.
"It's normal not to pass the exam; most ninjas can't pass the Chunin Examination on the first try." After sitting for a while, Nohara Rin began to offer comfort.
She had come specifically to find Obito, as she knew about the Jonin assessment, where Kakashi had passed, but Obito hadn't.
"Kakashi has several years of Chunin experience, which is why he succeeded on the first attempt. Keep at it, and you'll definitely manage to advance," she assured.
They seemed of the same age, but Kakashi's ninja experience vastly surpassed theirs since Kakashi was already a Genin in their first year, and a Chunin by their second year.
Eating the breakfast Rin treated, with her soothing voice in his ears, Obito felt deeply moved.
She was comforting him by treating him to a meal.
"Yeah, don't worry. I won't be dispirited because of this. Kakashi might read more books than me, but during the practical assessment, I actually defeated the examiner. Kakashi could only make it to the end of the exam time, and the ninja delivering the results even said I was strong enough but just a bit short on the written test," Obito said confidently.
It seemed to him as though he were the successful one, and Kakashi the failed.
"You defeated the examiner in the Jonin assessment? That's impressive," Rin praised with her fingers interlaced in front of her chest, smiling.
Though she didn't participate and might not fully understand, she knew the Jonin assessment examiner wouldn't be weak, so beating them was a feat.
"Hehe, it's not that great. If you keep cultivating more, you could do it too," Obito embarrassedly scratched his head.
"I still have to work harder; my strength still has quite a gap compared to yours," Rin admitted, ever aware of her own ability. Currently, her role is primarily supportive.
"Obito, do you have time this afternoon? If so, could you come to the park? It's the one with the cherry blossom trees nearby," Rin suddenly asked.
"This afternoon, hmm..." Obito pondered.
Originally, he planned to cultivate in the afternoon, but if Rin wanted to meet in the park, could it be...
"Could it be a date?" Obito's eyes sparkled, and he grew excited.
Rin's initiative to ask him out for a date was an unimaginable scenario.
"Are you busy? If so, I..." Rin began, only to be interrupted by Obito.
"I have time. I'm free all afternoon," Obito replied swiftly.
If it were for a date with Rin, he could clear his entire day.
"Then let's meet at 2 p.m. under the cherry blossom tree in the park," Rin said with a smile.
"I'll definitely be in the park at 2 sharp, won't be late," Obito assured with sincerity.
"I believe in you, Obito," said Rin, nodding as she bid him farewell.
Watching Rin's retreating figure, Obito couldn't help but grin foolishly.
Even without being promoted to Jonin, a date with Rin made it all worthwhile.
During the following time, Obito couldn't help but think about the afternoon date under the cherry blossom tree, unable to focus fully even on his cultivation.
"I have to bathe and change clothes to avoid smelling like sweat. Should I bring a gift, maybe some snacks or flowers?" Obito was caught in indecision.
After considering, he decided to buy snacks, thinking he'd save roses for the moment he confessed his feelings to Rin.
"While walking, would we encounter snobbish store clerks or hooligans who enjoy teasing people? How should I handle them?" Obito mentally ran through scenarios for the date with Rin.
"Wait, will Rin bring Kakashi along?" Obito's expression turned serious.
It wasn't just an idle worry; previously, when Rin asked him out, she generally also invited Kakashi.
Obito clasped his hands together in a silent prayer, hoping it was the one day he wouldn't see Kakashi.
As Obito muddled through these thoughts, time passed quickly, and upon arriving on time, Obito discovered Rin didn't invite Kakashi, but the situation was even worse.