Obito eats a bowl filled with rice and some seaweed. In front of him is the duo— Kakashi and Rin cooking their team’s breakfast using the supplies that have been given to them for the exam.
This is a special kind of side quest for the Chunin Exams, where the appeal of a Ninja that can cook is greatly amplified. Moreover, a team that can cook implies a team that should be more than capable enough to last in long-term missions.
“Should I also learn to cook?” I muse as I watch Rin creatively reinterpret the ration, from hard tacks of bread, has been turned magically into a magical porridge. “Sheesh, I really am in love…”
“Obito-kun, please, it is embarrassing…” Rin cringes, her hand momentarily stopping.
Kakashi sighs, shaking his head, and chops the mushrooms he has picked up in the Forest of Death.
Normally, there shouldn’t be side quests like this, but because of a certain… involvement and testing of a certain ninja (obviously Kakashi), the proctors have set up an surprise mission like this perhaps to see Kakashi’s character.
Obito has deduced that much in a single look alone after hearing the arrangement of the Chunin Survival Exam for being stretched for two days long… It is actually a trap for Kakashi in that if he decides to toil, and play it safe too much, he will be seen as inept for not judging the situation accurately.
The Forest of Death Exams should be finished at five hours max, and not for a whole two days. The supplies are just another fake out. Looking around, Obito sees Asuma chilling in one corner while watching his teammates cook their share of their breakfast.
“Yo, Asuma!” Obito brightly calls to Asuma.
Asuma looks at me with a troubled face.
Kurenai looks with a scandalized expression. “YOU!! NOT A STEP MORE! RAIDO, ASUMA, WATCH OVER HIM! HE MIGHT SLIP SOME POISON TO OUR BREAKFAST TO COMPROMISE US LATER.”
“Osu,” Raido spiritedly shouts as he stands over Obito, while Asuma just watches.
Clearly, Obito is unwelcome here. A memory of Obito (actually Tobi) slapping Kurenai flashes back in his mind… “Geez, I am going away, okay?”
Diplomatically, Obito then comes to Guy with his pals namely Ebisu and Genma. This trio are members of Team Choza, a rather low-tier group that barely has passed their written exams and even the Forest of Death Survival Exams. Obito cannot believe that ‘Might Guy’, the very guy who just floored Madara Uchiha in the distant future is actually this Guy.
“So,” Obito begins looking at the scary pile of green that the trio is cooking. “What is that? Is that edible?”
Obito eyes the almost disgusting pile of greenery that Guy, Ebisu, and Genma are working on. The trio seems deeply engrossed in their culinary endeavor, each one contributing to the colorful chaos that's taking shape on their makeshift cooking station.
Honestly, it doesn’t look edible.
Guy beams at Obito, his enthusiasm contagious. "Ah, Obito-kun! This, my friend, is the Youthful Green Feast, a dish that embodies the essence of YOUTH and the indomitable spirit of YOUTH! After all, a true ninja should be skilled not only in the art of combat but also in the delicate dance of flavors! THIS IS YOUTH!"
Okay? Obito is fairly certain Guy is just spouting whatever comes to his mind now. Maybe, he is embarrassed by the pile of green he and his pals has just created.
Ebisu, with his ever-present clipboard, chimes in, "Yes, indeed! This dish is a combination of nutrient-rich greens, carefully selected herbs, and a secret blend of seasonings. It not only nourishes the body but also invigorates the soul!"
Genma, casually leaning against the wall, adds with a smirk, "And the best part is that it's so unique, no one else would dare to attempt it. We're setting ourselves apart, my friend."
Obito raises an eyebrow, skeptical but intrigued. "You guys are really putting a lot of effort into this, huh? You are right, no one would dare attempt to eat this."
Guy laughs heartily. "Ah, Obito-kun, that's where you're mistaken! A true ninja must be versatile and adaptable in all aspects of life. Cooking is just another battlefield where we can prove our mettle, and so is eating! Come, have a taste!"
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Ebisu nods in agreement. "Indeed, and besides, the judges for this exam are looking for teams that can handle various challenges, not just those related to combat. A team that can cook is a team that can thrive in any situation. Come, have a taste!"
Genma smirks again. "Plus, it's a great way to throw our opponents off guard. They won't know what hit them when they taste the Youthful Green Feast! Come, have a feast!"
Aren’t these guys too enthusiastic to feed Obito the Youthful Green Feast?
Obito scratches his head, still unsure about the whole cooking ninja concept. "Well, good luck with that. You cannot make me your guinea pig. I'll stick to my rice and seaweed for now. Seems simpler." And with quick steps, he makes his escape.
Looking around, Obito then ends up in one obscure corner where he sees Anko Mitarashi who is eating her ration by her lonesome.
“Lonely? Do you mind a company?” Obito flashes what he thinks is an amicable smile.
“Wow, a guy just walked to me!” She boisterously pats Obito’s shoulder. “So what is it? Sizing up your opponents. I saw you canvassing ninjas you deem fit for your attention. A lot has changed about you, Obito!”
“Still the same Anko who loves running that mouth of hers…” Obito grins. There are a few people he has good relationships with within the academy, and Anko is definitely not one of them.
Anko smirks, taking another bite of her ration. "Well, well… What brings you to my little corner of solitude?"
Obito chuckles. "Just thought I'd escape the culinary battlefield over there. Guy and his gang are cooking up something called the Youthful Green Feast. Looks more like a forest dumped on a plate to me."
Anko laughs heartily. "You mean the bushy broccoli trio? Yeah, they're a special kind of crazy. But hey, everyone's got their thing. What's yours, Obito? Sneaking around and eavesdropping on… rather useless cooking secrets?"
Obito smirks back. "Nah, just taking a breather. You seem content with your ration though, will that be enough?”
Anko leans in, her expression sly. "Oh, you bet. I've got a few tricks in my arsenal. But it's survival of the fittest here, not the tastiest. You, on the other hand, seem to have developed of some level of strategic awareness. What is this? Kakashi’s influence."
Obito shrugs, grinning. "Maybe,” his answer is cryptic noy t letting his intentions easily be unveiled.”And I confess… You are right, I am canvassing opponents that I might face in the Tournament Setup. Kakashi and Asuma are definitely at the top for ninjas to watch out for. Following them will be Guy, Kurenai, and you…”
Anko smirks knowingly. "You've got a sharp mind, Obito. That’s super unexpected, and here I thought we were the same boisterous kind who rushes recklessly head first to danger.”
Obito raises an eyebrow. “You are playing mind games too. Don’t flatter me too much. And for all that’s worth, the Jonin assigned to your group is one of the Legendary Sannin. Orochimaru is one to be feared for his cunning, so shouldn’t you be as equally and cunningly dangerous?
Anko chuckles. "Brilliant deduction."
Without a word more, Obito leaves, his eyes tracing to the figures of Hayate Gekko and Ibiki Morino. They are what Obito has categorized under the ‘Wild Card’ which might bring unexpected upsets to the Tournament Setup.
Being obscured in the shadows, Obito comes face to face with his Shadow Clone whom he has tasked with a minor task. “How is it, Tobi? Did you do it?”
The split personality, Tobi smiles, “It is a success, I had tucked half of the data at the Third Hokage’s bed pillow. I also had done the same for the other half at Minato-sensei's." The two figures Obito and Tobi conspire underneath the stairs where light barely reaches them.
“The Tournament Set-up will occur about one to two hours from now on. The exam will be a three-way period this time. There is no way the Third Hokage won’t receive our message.” Obito smiles, rubbing his chin, thinking that everything is going smoothly and well. He hopes his ‘scheme’ continues its course unimpeded.
As Obito strategizes with his Shadow Clone in the shadows, the atmosphere in the makeshift cooking station remains lively. Obito's absence goes unnoticed as they are engrossed in their culinary pursuits.
Kakashi, meticulously slicing vegetables, mutters to himself, "Rin, do you think this will be enough to impress the watching proctors?"
Rin, focused on stirring the porridge filling it with chunks of tofu, and replies with a smile, "Of course, Kakashi! We'll show them that Team Minato is not just skilled in combat but also in the art of cooking."
Meanwhile, Asuma and his team are still keeping an eye on Obito from a distance. Kurenai, ever suspicious, glares at him. "Raido, Asuma, stay vigilant. We can't afford any surprises from that guy. And what is he doing in that corner?" What she doesn’t know is that the Obito she is seeing is just a Shadow Clone masterfully blending in the background.
Back at Guy's corner, the trio is proudly presenting their Youthful Green Feast to a curious Third Hokage. Guy, with unbridled enthusiasm, gestures towards the vibrant pile of greens. "Behold, the embodiment of youth and culinary excellence! This will set us apart from the rest! Come, have a taste!"
Ebisu, confidently holding his clipboard, adds, "Indeed! A team that can handle the challenges of the kitchen is a team that can handle anything! Come, have a taste!"
Genma, leaning against the wall as usual, smirks and says, "And with the element of surprise is on our side. No one will see it coming! This is our secret weapon, Youthful Green Feast!" He says it coolly as if he is some hotshot. “Come, have a taste!” He belatedly adds, almost forgetting to insert his team’s slogan.
As the trio continues their culinary declaration, Obito finds himself facing a new challenge as he cancels his Shadow Clone Technique and merges with the crowd once more. The formidable Anko Mitarashi ambushes him. Anko, chewing on her dry ration, eyes him with a mix of curiosity and amusement. "So, Obito, what's your game here? I saw you suddenly gone, you actually got me worried."
Obito grins, trying to play it cool. "Just enjoying the view, Anko. You know, scouting the competition. You're surprisingly very nosy today, Anko-san…"
The tension in the air grows as the time for the tournament setup approaches, and Obito remains poised for the unfolding events, confident in the success of his carefully laid scheme.