After Jiraiya and the rest of the command staff returned to the Leaf camp, Taiichi finally got a real break. He didn't have to sit in the middle of camp like a human radar anymore, scanning every direction for threats.
The front lines were still busy mopping up stragglers, but that would take days. Command had already ordered everyone to stop at the Wind Country border. No one wanted to turn a victory into another ambush.
Taiichi had just started thinking about what he wanted to do with his free time when he remembered Obito. The idiot was still laid up in the medical tents. By now he should be awake, and Taiichi figured it was time to find out exactly how the guy had managed to get himself stabbed through the chest.
He walked over at an easy pace. Most of the camp was still riding the high of the win, but Taiichi's mind was already moving on. His main job now was just keeping the medical tents running. Everything else could wait.
Before he even pushed through the tent flap, he heard Obito's voice—weak, but still way too loud.
"Rin, quit worrying. I'm fine. People always say if you survive something like this, good luck's coming. Maybe I'll finally unlock the two-tomoe Sharingan."
Taiichi rolled his eyes and stepped inside. "Unlocking the Sharingan isn't what I'm worried about. I'm more concerned about whether you'll ever be a ninja again."
The whole tent went quiet. Kakashi and Rin looked shocked. Yohei and Saori just traded knowing looks. They knew Taiichi well enough to recognize when he was messing with someone.
Obito's face went white. "W-what? Taiichi, you're joking, right? Tell me you're joking!"
Taiichi didn't answer right away. He just let the silence stretch while Obito started spiraling.
"I can't be done. I still have to become Hokage. I can't stop being a ninja now!"
Rin looked ready to cry. "Taiichi, is it really that bad?"
Saori finally stepped in before Taiichi could drag it out any longer. "Taiichi, stop scaring him. Look at his face—he's actually buying it."
Obito blinked, hope flickering back into his eyes for half a second before it died again. "Saori, don't lie to make me feel better. I can feel it. I've got no strength left. I'm finished."
Tears started rolling down his cheeks. He stared at the tent ceiling like his life was over.
A few wounded shinobi on nearby cots started laughing. The sound was loud in the small space. Obito's face went red.
Taiichi ignored the noise. He yanked the blanket back, pulled Obito's shirt open, and checked the wound. Green chakra flared in his hands as he ran a quick diagnostic over the rest of Obito's body. Everything looked stable.
He formed a quick seal and slapped a soundproof barrier around the bed.
"All right. Tell me what actually happened. How the hell did you end up with a sword through your chest?"
The group went quiet again. Yohei sighed and started talking.
After Taiichi left to fight Shukaku, the rest of them tried to keep formation like he'd drilled into them. It worked for a while. Then the Sand line broke and everyone started chasing. Obito wanted to split up so they could rack up more kills. Kakashi backed him. Eventually Yohei gave in.
They barely lasted a few minutes on their own before two Sand chunin jumped Obito. One kept him busy while the other ran him through. If the others hadn't shown up when they did, Obito would be dead.
Taiichi listened without interrupting. When Yohei finished, he just shook his head.
"You were told to stay together. War isn't a training exercise. One wrong step and you're gone."
Obito muttered under his breath, "Says the guy who ran off alone to fight a tailed beast."
Saori tried to hide her laugh behind her hand. Kakashi didn't even bother. Yohei just looked tired.
Taiichi's eye twitched. He reached over and rested a hand on Obito's arm. Green chakra pulsed once—quick and sharp.
"Yohei," Taiichi said calmly, "looks like Obito still needs more training. Once he's healed, double the intensity. Two chunin shouldn't have been able to drop him that fast."
Obito's eyes went wide. "Wait—Taiichi, come on—"
Taiichi stood up and dropped the barrier. "I've got work to do. Don't stay too long. Other patients need rest."
He walked out without looking back.
Obito lay there for a second, then felt it—an itch deep in his bones where the breaks had been. It started faint, then grew steadily worse. He scratched at his chest, but it didn't help. The itch was coming from inside.
"Rin… it's starting to itch. Bad. Is there anything you can do?"
Rin gave him a sympathetic look. "It's the accelerated healing. The faster the bones knit, the worse the itch gets. You just have to ride it out."
Obito stared at the tent ceiling again, eyes blank.
Outside, Taiichi smiled to himself as he headed back toward the command area. Some lessons stuck better when they came with consequences.