Deep in the dense forest, outside a hidden cave.
"This is a gift for your promotion."
Shinji took out an exquisitely bound book from his backpack. At first glance, the cover made it look like an ordinary novel, but no one knew it was actually a risqué book he had exchanged for one hundred Points in the System Shop.
[Item: Risqué Book]
[Type: Book]
[Effect: A must-read for gentlemen, possessing a fatal attraction to specific individuals.]
Kakashi had just been promoted to Jonin, the first among their peers. Nohara Rin suggested they all prepare gifts, and the others had also offered tokens of their regard.
"Thank you," Kakashi said flatly, reaching out to take it. He casually weighed it in his hand. "Not bad, at least more thoughtful than someone else's."
He glanced meaningfully at Obito, clearly directing the remark at him.
Obito's expression darkened, his tone immediately turning sharp. "I wouldn't prepare any gift for you!"
He was already on bad terms with Kakashi over the gift matter, and being called out in public made him feel embarrassed. He snorted heavily.
Obito abruptly stood up and walked out of the camp without looking back.
"Obito!"
Seeing this, Minato immediately put down what he was doing and quickly chased after him.
Kakashi, however, shrugged indifferently, then walked to a corner and sat down without a word. The aura around him was as cold and silent as ice.
Watching this scene, Shinji roughly understood. This should be the point in the plot where Minato goes alone to talk to Obito, preparing to tell him about Kakashi's father's past.
He turned to look at Kakashi in the corner, frowning inwardly.
"Kakashi's condition is quite serious."
He knew very well that Kakashi had never recovered from the blow of his father's suicide. He had shut himself off, indifferent to the outside world, even carrying a near-self-destructive coldness.
Ninjas nowadays had to frequently go to the battlefield and carry out missions from a young age, even staining their hands with blood. Yet, no one in Konohagakure truly cared about these children's mental health.
Thinking of this, Shinji couldn't help but click his tongue softly.
He walked to the other side of the campfire, where Nohara Rin was treating Kurenai Yuhi's wound. Her palm was covered with a faint green Chakra glow, gently pressed against Kurenai's blood-stained shoulder.
During the previous battle, Kurenai had failed to dodge in time and was grazed by the enemy's blade wind, sustaining a minor injury.
Kurenai's originally furrowed brows slowly relaxed; the injury was clearly healing rapidly.
"Obito, he..." Rin looked in the direction he had left, her eyes filled with worry.
"Lord Minato went after him, don't worry," Shinji reassured softly.
Rin nodded gently, thinking to herself: I hope the teacher can properly guide Obito.
Watching Rin's focused treatment, Shinji pondered for a moment before speaking. "Rin, can you teach me Medical Ninjutsu?"
"Our team has always lacked a dedicated Medical Ninja. If I can learn it, at least I can help Kurenai and Asuma in time."
"And, you're the only Medical Ninja I know! You're the most skilled Medical Ninja among our peers."
Upon hearing this, Rin first felt her cheeks warm from his praise.
Then, she laughed and modestly said, "I'm not the best!"
Kurenai Yuhi also felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing this.
"I never expected Shinji to care so much about our team!"
Rin also had some concerns—Medical Ninjutsu was never something easily mastered.
"Won't this delay your own training?"
Shinji smiled; he had his cheat!
"I've recently learned the Poison Removal Technique and the Healing Technique."
Both were C-rank Ninjutsu, and with his innate [Medical Affinity] talent, he hadn't spent much effort mastering them.
"Really?" Rin looked astonished.
She had never imagined Shinji would take such an interest in Medical Ninjutsu. Given the already delicate nature of their relationship, she now felt an indescribable sense of closeness toward him.
Shinji nodded gently, his tone warm. "Kurenai, can I try it on you? You sustained some minor injuries in the recent battle, so you'd be perfect to practice on."
Kurenai Yuhi immediately nodded. "Of course! Medical Ninjutsu is so rare. If you can learn it, our team's survival rate will definitely improve significantly."
As Shinji moved closer, Kurenai and Rin sat opposite him. The three huddled closely together, the atmosphere harmonious.
Shinji took a deep breath, gathering Chakra in his palm. His hand gently glided from her arm to her shoulder, slowly seeping into the superficial wound.
"Kurenai, how does it feel?"
"A bit itchy, and warm too. It's quite comfortable."
"No, Shinji, you need to do it like this. Yes, just like that, and also like this!"
The three of them chatted happily.
…
Meanwhile, Minato and Obito slowly returned to the camp.
Obito's expression was no longer as grim as when they had left. Minato had told him everything about Kakashi's father's past.
The long-held resentment vanished, replaced by a firm resolve. He even secretly vowed to save Kakashi, who had closed off his heart.
His gaze burned as he looked at Kakashi in the corner. "Kakashi, I will catch up to you, and I'll prove that your current beliefs are wrong! Someone who doesn't value their comrades is worse than trash!"
As soon as he finished speaking, his eyes inadvertently swept to the other side of the campfire. His determination instantly shattered, and he rubbed his eyes, thinking he must be seeing things.
"What is Shinji doing?"
"He… he seems to be groping Kurenai!"
"Bastard! He's harassing her!"
"No, wait… why is he touching Rin now, too?!"
What puzzled him even more was that Kurenai Yuhi and Nohara Rin showed no signs of anger. Instead, they looked serious, their eyes fixed intently on Shinji's movements, even nodding occasionally.
"Are they under a Genjutsu?" Obito couldn't take it anymore and shouted toward them, "Shinji, stop! What are you doing?!"
This sudden, urgent cry startled Asuma, who had been sleeping soundly against a tree trunk.
He jolted awake, straightening up abruptly and lowering his voice to ask, "What's going on?!"
His eyes quickly scanned the surroundings.
Everyone's gaze instantly focused on Shinji and the other two.
Shinji himself was completely baffled, having no idea why Obito had suddenly yelled at him to stop.
After a long while, the matter was finally explained clearly. He looked helplessly at Obito. "I was really just discussing Medical Ninjutsu with Rin."
He swore he hadn't had any improper thoughts at all, especially since they were currently deep in enemy territory.
Obito's face flushed bright red, his words stumbling. "I—I saw you just now... like that!"
As he spoke, he subconsciously mimicked a gesture that looked like caressing.
Kurenai Yuhi's face instantly turned crimson. "Idiot Obito, what nonsense are you talking about!"
Rin also turned away, both embarrassed and annoyed, though a strange feeling quietly stirred in her heart, making her feel a bit guilty.
Minato quickly smiled and smoothed things over. "Obito, they were just exchanging Ninjutsu."
Secretly, he wiped a cold sweat from his forehead, thinking to himself: Are kids these days really this complicated?
Obito scratched his head awkwardly, wishing he could dig a hole with his toes and crawl right in.
Kakashi, meanwhile, crossed his arms and gave him a meaningful glance, uttering two words flatly: "Dead last."
After that, he picked up the book Shinji had given him, found a quiet corner, and began reading quietly.
"Since I have nothing better to do, I might as well read this book Shinji gave me!"