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Don’t Let Tobi Out! - Chapter 23

Published at 21st of February 2024 06:56:08 AM


Chapter 23

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Rin stands outside Obito's residence, her fist lightly rapping on the door. After a moment, the door creaks open, revealing Obito's grandmother, a warm smile on her face.

"Rin, dear, come in! Obito mentioned you'd be dropping by," Obito's grandma says, ushering her inside.

"Thank you, Grandma," Rin replies, stepping into the cozy home. "Is Obito ready for the Showdown Test?"

"Oh, he left early. Excited as ever. Said he didn't want to keep anyone waiting," Obito's grandma chuckles.

Rin nods, a hint of concern in her eyes. "I hope he's feeling confident. The final part of the Chunin Exams is a big deal."

Though Rin has decided not to participate in the Showdown Test, she is more than qualified for the Chunin Rank. Advancing for Medical-nin is fairly easy, but RIn has put the effort into more than just her medical skills alone. In her certificate she received after the Pre-Showdown Test a day later, it has been remarked that her abilities make counter ambushes, interception, survival, and sabotage skills are enough to warrant her advancement.

To be honest, though, Rin just made trouble for the other teams as much as she could— she cannot really see herself as excellent… The word ‘excellent’ is reserved for the likes of Kakashi and Obito who go and defy expectations.

"I'm sure he'll do just fine. He's a talented young man," Obito's grandma reassures her. "Would you like some tea before we head to the stadium?"

Rin smiles gratefully, "That would be lovely, thank you."

As they sip their tea, Obito's grandma engages Rin in conversation about the village and the upcoming events. Rin appreciates the distraction but can't help glancing at the clock, aware that time is ticking away. Finally, with cups emptied, they make their way to the stadium together.

The bustling atmosphere of the Chunin Exams surrounds them as they approach the grand arena. Obito's grandma offers words of encouragement, "Obito will shine out there, I'm sure of it."

Rin smiles, grateful for the support. "I hope so too. He's worked hard for this."

As they reach the stadium, the crowd's anticipation fills the air. Obito's grandma squeezes Rin's hand, "There are a lot of people, amazing. There is so much fanfare. This is my first time here, I am not really much for violence, but I want to see little Obito shine."

Rin nods, a mix of nerves and excitement bubbling inside her. "It is my first time in this kind of festivities too… Don’t worry about Obito, he’ll shine! I am sure of it!” She says the latter half of her words mostly to herself and not to her companion.

There are a lot of people, it is crowded, so Rin carefully guides her grandma. Obito’s grandma is like Rin’s grandma in a sense, so she is very careful to accommodate the old lady.

As they find their seats, the stadium buzzes with energy. The arena floor is a stage for the upcoming battles, and the audience eagerly awaits the commencement of the Showdown Test. Rin glances around, searching for familiar faces among the sea of spectators.

Obito's grandma settles into her seat, her eyes wide with curiosity. "It's quite a spectacle, isn't it? So many people gathered to witness these young ninjas showcase their skills."

Rin nods, her eyes still scanning the crowd. "Yes, it's a big event. The culmination of their training and hard work."

The announcer's voice, a Jonin, booms through the stadium, drawing everyone's attention. "Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the final phase of the Chunin Exams—the Showdown Test! We’ll continue after all of the guests have taken their seats! There are still more seats to be filled up!"

The crowd erupts into cheers, and Rin can feel the excitement building. She turns to Obito's grandma, offering a reassuring smile. "If it makes you uncomfortable, Grandma, we can go..."

“It will be fine, dear, I can take it.” Grandma smiles, braving it all.

Rin's gaze sweeps across the bustling crowd in the stadium, searching for a familiar face. Among the sea of people, she spots Kakashi, quietly occupying a corner in the benches. Excitement bubbles within her, and she can't help but call out to him.

"Kakashi!" she shouts, waving her hand to catch his attention. Kakashi, engrossed in his own thoughts, finally looks up, dull eyes meeting Rin's eager gaze.

"Rin," he acknowledges, pushing himself up from his seat. As he makes his way through the spectators, his eyes catch the presence of Obito's grandmother, who sits nearby. His steps falter for a moment, a mix of emotions crossing his face.

Rin, noticing Kakashi's hesitation, gestures for him to join them. "Come over here, Obito's grandma is here too," she calls out, a warmth in her voice. Kakashi nods. With a determined stride, he heads toward Rin and Obito's grandmother.

"Kakashi," Rin greets him as he approaches, a questioning look in her eyes. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be preparing for your own match?"

Kakashi smirks, his tone as nonchalant as ever. "I prefer studying my opponents from the crowd. Gives me a better understanding of their strategies."

Rin raises an eyebrow, a mix of amusement and concern on her face. "You do realize you're not a spectator, right? You're one of the participants."

Kakashi shrugs, unfazed. "I'll get there in time. No need to rush."

Obito's grandma, sensing the camaraderie between them, smiles warmly. "Kakashi, dear, join us! We're here to cheer for Obito."

Kakashi's eyes narrow, but he eventually nods and takes a seat beside them. "Fine, but don't expect me to get too excited... ma'am..." He respectfully adds the 'ma'am' after realizing how rudely he sounds.

“Don’t be so rude to the elderly, you silly,” Rin chuckles, appreciating Kakashi's predictable aloofness. "We won't hold our breath for that."

Obito's grandma pulls out a small bag filled with an assortment of snacks. "I brought some goodies for us to enjoy during the matches," she announces with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "Rice pops, candies, and chips!"

Rin's eyes light up with delight. "That sounds wonderful, Grandma! Thank you."

Kakashi, however, looks at the snacks with a hint of skepticism. "I don't need any distractions. I need to stay focused."

Obito's grandma chuckles, teasingly nudging Kakashi. "Oh, come on, dear. It won't hurt to indulge a bit. I promise I didn't poison it with the intent to sabotage your match."

Rin bursts into laughter, and the tension momentarily lifted. "Grandma, you're too much."

Kakashi rolls his eyes, but a small smirk plays on his lips. "Fine, but I'm not eating the candies."

As they share the snacks, the atmosphere becomes more relaxed, the trio engrossed while they wait for the match. Obito's grandma occasionally offers commentary on the random things she sees, her playful banter easing the nerves that linger in the air. Despite Kakashi's initial reluctance, even he finds himself reaching for a handful of chips, perhaps succumbing to the charm of the grandmotherly sabotage tease.

If this is really sabotage, then Kakashi is done for.

The abrupt cheering echoes through the stadium, signaling the beginning of the Showdown Test. The Jonin's voice resonates, announcing the first matchup.

"For our opening match, we have Ibiki Morino versus Anko Mitarashi!" The crowd erupts into excited cheers, and Rin, Kakashi, and Obito's grandma focus their attention on the arena floor.

Rin glances at Kakashi, a playful smirk on her face. "Ready to see some action, Kakashi? Maybe you'll pick up a few strategies from this match. Wanna bet, Kakashi?"

Kakashi, still munching on a chip, shrugs casually. "I've seen enough battles. Nothing surprises me anymore. And I don’t do bets…"

Obito's grandma chuckles, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “You two are so cute together, Obito has serious competition huh?”

“Eh?” Rin.

“Nope, nah uh.” Kakashi.

As the two opponents step onto the arena floor, the atmosphere intensifies. Ibiki Morino, known for his formidable discipline, faces Anko Mitarashi, a fierce and unpredictable kunoichi. The crowd falls silent in anticipation.

Rin watches intently as Anko strides confidently onto the stage, her presence commanding attention. "I wonder how Anko managed to get here," Rin mutters to herself, a curious frown creasing her forehead.

Kakashi, standing beside her, smirks knowingly. "She probably won the Wild Card Match. That's the only way she'd be eligible for the Showdown Test," he replies, his eyes crinkling with amusement.

Anko, now on the stage, locks eyes with Ibiki, who sits stoically in his chair. "Ibiki, you think you have what it takes to be a Chunin?" she taunts, a wicked grin playing on her lips. "I've faced tougher opponents in my sleep."

Ibiki remains silent, his expression unreadable. Anko continues her verbal assault, determined to rattle the composed genin. "Or maybe you're just too scared to face a real challenge. What's the matter, Ibiki? Cat got your tongue?"

Rin observes the exchange, sensing the tension in the air. "This is going to be interesting," she whispers, her eyes flickering between Anko's confident swagger and Ibiki's unyielding composure.

Ibiki's eyes narrow, and a subtle smirk tugs at the corners of his mouth. "Anko Mitarashi, always relying on theatrics to compensate for lack of substance," he retorts coolly. "You may have faced tougher opponents in your dreams, but today, you're facing me."

Anko's grin fades, replaced by a glint of annoyance in her eyes. "Big talk coming from someone with a stick so far up their ass!"

“Wowwoooo~” The crowd seems to enjoy Anko’s trash-talking.

Ibiki interrupts, "Save the colorful language for—”

Anko's anger flares cutting Ibiki off, and she scowls at him. "You think you're clever, huh? Let's see if you can back it up." While those who don't know Anko may see the cheap provocation as crass, those who know her are fully aware that this is just part of Anko's strategy to rattle their foes, and Ibiki knows better than not to fall for it.

Ibiki maintains his poker face, a smug expression remains on his face. "I'd watch my tongue if I were you, Anko. Don't want to embarrass yourself before—"

Anko's eyes flash with anger, and she takes a step closer to Ibiki, the atmosphere crackling with animosity. "Embarrass myself? You're the one who's about to eat dirt, Ibiki Morino. I hope you enjoy the taste, you stuck-up, overgrown sack of shit."

Ibiki smirks, "Yeah, says the fatty. You are getting fat, don’t you know? Must be eating too much dango huh?"

“F-fat?” Anko's face contorts with rage, and she launches into a string of colorful expletives, each word more inventive than the last. “You mofo freak, I am going to $#%!$^%^ and &%^#%*%# you fucker!” The crowd gasps at the audacity of her language, and even Rin is taken aback by the sheer venom in Anko's words.

Intervening from the trash-talking is the Jonin announcer, “Chill down, kids…” He separates the two at a safe distance. “Okay, for the first match, let the duel between Ibiki Morino versus Anko Mitarashi begin!”

The Jonin signals the start of the match, and both fighters engage with lightning-fast movements. Ibiki, displaying precise taijutsu, attempts to close in on Anko. Meanwhile, Anko uses her agility to evade his attacks, her snake-like movements captivating the audience.

Rin watches intently, her medical instincts particularly helpful in discerning the state of both participants. "Anko's agility is impressive, but Ibiki's discipline might give him an edge. It's a clash of styles. From the perspective of a medical-nin, I think Anko is at a disadvantage. She doesn’t show it much, but she is injured. on the contrary, Ibiki is in tip-top shape."

Kakashi, eyes focused on the unfolding battle, nods in agreement. "True. Let's see how they adapt to each other. Anko’s injury may have come from her... Wild Card match. But we cannot be so sure, she is is adept at Body Contortion Techniques, and to me, I think faking an injury as elaborate as what we are seeing is possible."

The battle rages on, and the crowd's cheers grow louder with each exchange. Rin and Kakashi become fully engrossed in the unfolding fight, becoming personal commentators for Obito's grandma. As the intensity builds, Rin can't help but feel a surge of pride for her fellow ninjas showcasing their abilities.

Personally, Rin is rooting for Anko since she is the underdog in the fight... and Rin likes underdogs like Obito...

As the first match gets heated in the arena, the combatants displaying their skills, Obito's grandma watches with wide-eyed fascination. "Wow, it is amazing," she remarks.

Rin can't help but steal glances at Kakashi, who seems more engrossed in analyzing the fight than showing any visible signs of excitement. "Are you sure you're not just avoiding your own nervousness by playing the spectator?" Rin teases Kakashi, a playful smile on her lips.

Kakashi smirks again, not bothering to look at her. "I don't get nervous." The tone he says it as if implies he is perfect which is almost too cute of him. If Obito has heard him, he'll definitely say something like...

"Yes, Kakashi-sensei... Future God of Shinobis, and most handsome ninja of all of Konoha," Rin intones with a subtle smirk.

Obito's grandma interjects, "Oh, Kakashi, dear, everyone feels a bit nervous sometimes. It's only natural."

Kakashi's eyes narrow further, but he doesn't argue. Instead, he focuses on the ongoing match, his mind undoubtedly working through various scenarios. Actually, he is thinking of using a pun or a comeback, but he cannot think of any so he stays quiet.

The arena erupts into cheers as the first round concludes. To everyone's surprise, Anko is able to win through that match. The next set of participants step forward. Rin turns her attention back to Kakashi, a more serious expression on her face.

"Kakashi, are you sure you're okay? This is a big deal, and your match is coming up," she says, genuine concern in her eyes. "You sure you want to watch Obito? I think the two of you know each other's abilities pretty much already."

Kakashi sighs, finally tearing his gaze away from the arena to meet Rin's eyes. "I'll be fine, Rin. Just focus on Obito's match. He needs your support more than I do. Moreover, I think there is a lot Obito is not telling us..."

The unexpected feat of trap-making and the usage of sickles and chains remain fresh in Kakashi's mind. Those are skills that he, Rin, and even Minato are unaware of.

Rin nods, accepting his words but still harboring a subtle worry. As the tournament progresses, she can't help but steal glances at Kakashi, silently hoping that his unconventional approach to preparation doesn't backfire during his own showdown.

But then, Obito makes a showy entrance... Obito acrobatically jumps on the arena while twirling his chains and sickles like flying dragons as part of showmanship. As Obito lands on his feet, and subdues his chains, he then shouts to everyone, "I LOVE YOU RIN! I WILL WIN THIS FOR YOU!!"

Rin cannot take it anymore. What is that idiot thinking? She covers her face which surely has gone pink right now. "Ugh... Obito~! I want to kill you!"

Alfir I know I am butchering Obito's Grandma by not giving her a name, but I want to stay super faithful to the original and the canon lore, so I am going to be stubborn and not give her a name, since she had remained nameless even in the Naruto series. The best compromise I can think of is to give her the voice actress's name... Masumi Taira.

Also, a trick question. Who is in the arena? Obito or Tobi? The next chapter will be a Minato perspective, and he won't be watching the Showdown Test. Get hyped!!





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