To learn these jutsus, one had to apply through the Uchiha clan.
Many techniques required seniority. Although one could eventually learn them, building up that seniority took a lot of time.
With the ninja world war approaching, there simply wasn't enough time.
Even if restrictions were lifted during wartime, Seiji wouldn't have the time to learn them.
"Forget it."
Seiji shook his head.
He could just learn some ordinary Genjutsu to level up the skill entry.
Perhaps by learning several, he could even unlock an entry for mastering multiple Genjutsu.
He went to the old courtyard, cleared the newly grown weeds, and returned indoors to continue training.
Thanks to Uchiha Hazuki boosting his ocular power, Seiji's Lightning Release: Iron Block had made huge progress.
Previously, he could barely control chakra safely enough to train his scalp.
Now, Seiji moved with ease, even able to train his eyelids.
Electric currents could flow throughout his body, hardening his skin.
…
"What a joke, that bastard!"
Nobuo Sakai spat on the ground, hands in his pockets.
"Who can stand doing missions with someone like that?"
"Don't be mad. Kakashi is a genius, and even the lead Jonin can't handle him. He's facing removal from the team," Toshiyasu Mizuno comforted his friend.
Their recent mission had unexpectedly become much more difficult—what was supposed to be a C-rank task had the difficulty of a B-rank.
Kakashi, in order to complete the mission, continued moving forward, leaving injured teammates behind.
"They're talking about Kakashi?"
Obito carried a green cloth bag; the final exams were over, and they needed to bring books back.
Beside him was Rin Nohara.
"Uh… excuse me, are you talking about Kakashi, as in Hatake Kakashi?"
Rin hesitated, then asked the two other ninjas.
Obito turned his head, curious as well.
"Who are you?"
Sakai looked down at Rin and Obito.
"I'm Kakashi's classmate from the Ninja Academy."
"Then you must hate him, right? Being in the same class with someone like that makes missions impossible."
Sakai's tone was heavy, clearly disapproving of Kakashi.
"Did something happen?"
Rin tensed, quickly asking.
"That kid, even if his teammates are injured or surrounded by enemies, ignores them to prioritize the mission."
"Exactly. Who would want to do a mission with a person like that?"
Mizuno nodded, agreeing.
"Just a heads-up—if you're ever paired with him, be careful."
Sakai said, then left with his friend.
"Kakashi really became like that?"
Obito was shocked.
Previously, Kakashi always cared about his teammates—even during games like kick-the-can.
"Is he so influenced by his father?"
Rin murmured.
"Rin, what do you know?"
Obito asked.
He felt like he was the only one left in the dark—everyone else seemed to know something.
"…I know a little," Rin shook her head.
"Can you tell me?"
Obito pressed.
"I… I have other matters, and this is Kakashi's privacy. I don't want to gossip. Bye, Obito. See you tomorrow."
Reaching a fork in the road, Rin said goodbye.
Their homes were no longer on the same path.
Obito had no choice but to let it go.
He headed in another direction to buy groceries, as his grandmother had asked.
After about fifteen minutes, Rin hesitated, then turned toward Seiji's home.
She wanted to check on Kakashi.
But they no longer shared much in common.
She could only ask Seiji about Lightning Release to find a topic to discuss in front of Kakashi.
"But… why can't I learn it?"
Rin opened her fair hands.
She understood the theory well but struggled with practical application.
She had tested at the Konoha Hospital. The medical ninjas there said she had good talent, a "Yang attribute," and excellent chakra control.
After graduation, she could have joined the Konoha Hospital's medical ninja training system.
But Rin declined—she didn't want to be stuck in the hospital system every day.
With her worries, Rin walked into the Uchiha compound.
"That's Rin?"
Obito, carrying groceries, saw a familiar figure in the distance.
He squinted, trying to see more clearly.
"Y-yeah… Rin."
Obito was stunned.
And she was heading… toward Seiji's house.
He felt heavy inside.
Rin had just said goodbye, claiming to head home.
So why was she here?
If she went to Seiji's house, it should have been on the way. He was buying groceries in the Uchiha compound.
But why did Rin mislead him?
Obito didn't know if it was spontaneous or intentional.
He felt frustrated.
Last time he saw Rin at Seiji's house, she looked like she was about to be taken advantage of.
He had tried to be a hero, yet Rin didn't praise him and looked disappointed.
Was Seiji really that good?
Obito clenched his bag tightly; veins stood out on his wrist.
...
"Back again, Rin."
Seiji paused his training and poured a cup of tea for Rin.
Rin politely accepted and took a sip. The taste was somewhat unusual.
"Did you brew this using Lightning Release techniques from the Land of Lightning?"
"Yes, I'm used to it. If it's not to your taste, I'll adjust next time."
Seiji had lived there for several years and learned many life skills.
Growing up relying on neighbors, Seiji had developed keen observation skills.
"No, it's fine. Tastes good."
Rin shook her head.
"Something on your mind?"
Seiji asked.
"Mm."
Rin nodded lightly, holding the cup. Her reflection rippled slightly with the movement.
She told Seiji about Kakashi.
"Kakashi is being rejected by his teammates?"
Seiji wasn't surprised.
Because Kakashi had been rejected by teammates multiple times, it eventually led to Obito and Rin being assigned to the same team.
Otherwise, Kakashi, having graduated early, wouldn't have been on their team.
"Today I'll explain the relationship between Lightning Release and chakra points."
Seiji handed Rin some notes, containing his observations on ninjutsu.
Rin was talented but lacked Lightning chakra, so she couldn't utilize that aspect of chakra nature transformation.
Given several years of practice, she would eventually develop that ability.
(End of Chapter)