A/N: I'm an idiot lol, I forgot I uploaded yesterday, so here's another upload. Wait did I upload yesterday? Idk my memory is fuzzy, dam I need to get more sleep.. Anyway here's the next chapter.
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Ryoku stood frozen, his body rigid with panic. His mind was overwhelmed by a storm of anxiety, rendering him momentarily incapable of reacting as he normally would. Tobi, on the verge of turning away, paused, noticing Ryoku's sudden anxious demeanor. Intrigued, he allowed his gaze to linger longer than intended, trying to discern what had caused such a reaction.
Drawing a slow, deep breath, Ryoku attempted to regain his composure. He closed his eyes momentarily, exhaling carefully and repeating the process until his erratic heartbeat steadied into a calmer rhythm. Hoping to avert suspicion, he quickly glanced over at Tobi, giving a forced smile and muttering shyly, "Sorry... I get nervous around people."
There was a subtle, momentary pause before Tobi replied. Ryoku distinctly heard Tobi take a small, almost cautious breath, preparing herself before cheerfully responding, "Don't worry about it, cutiepie!!" She added a playful salute, her bright voice echoing warmly. "I get nervous too sometimes, so it really isn't a big deal!"
Ryoku felt thoroughly disoriented by Tobi's demeanor. 'Is this the same Obito?' he pondered, confusion clouding his mind. Suddenly, everything clicked into place. He realized he wasn't interacting with the threatening persona of Obito who claimed Madara's legacy, but instead with the whimsical personality known as Tobi.
"Yeah... I guess..." Ryoku murmured awkwardly, his eyes darting around the shop nervously, desperately seeking the granny. He searched every corner as if he could conjure her into existence with sheer determination.
A brief silence stretched between them, which Tobi quickly broke. Curiously leaning forward with eager energy, she asked, "So, you're a ninja from the Hidden Leaf, right? Maybe a Chunin? Or perhaps even a special Jounin?"
Scratching his cheek in embarrassment and looking forward to avoid direct eye contact, Ryoku let out a soft, somewhat embarrassed chuckle, "No, not yet... I'm still just a Genin. Haven't even taken the Chunin exams yet or anything."
Tobi internally puzzled over this revelation. 'A Genin, huh… That doesn't quite add up. His chakra level is definitely beyond that of a simple Genin… What could he be hiding?' She tilted her head dramatically, openly displaying her curiosity. "Genin?!" she exclaimed with exaggerated shock. "You look way stronger than someone who's only a Genin! Why don't you try the Chunin exams? I'm sure you'll pass! Don't you want to start earning more from your missions?"
Ryoku paused, genuinely reflecting on Tobi's words. He realized that recently his skill had indeed reached a Chunin level, and he hadn't truly considered it until now. 'She's right,' he thought. 'I am ready for the Chunin exams. If I pass, I won't have to work for Lady Tsunade, and Hiashi won't have power over me anymore…'
"I... I never really thought about it like that, but now that you mention it, you're right," Ryoku acknowledged, eyes glancing upward thoughtfully. "I really should take the Chunin exams."
Tobi's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, studying Ryoku intently. She couldn't read him, struggling to understand his true nature. She sensed he was either incredibly skilled or surprisingly oblivious. However, her instincts whispered that the latter was unlikely.
Intent on confirming her suspicions, Tobi discreetly scanned their surroundings for chakra signatures. Finding none, her unease only deepened. Ryoku was entirely alone, yet he felt like he knew something and was hiding it.
With a sudden shift, Tobi turned her head fully toward Ryoku, her playful tone abruptly dropping to a mature, serious voice. Leaning closer, her mask nearly touching his face, she asked directly, "Ryoku, who are you?"
Ryoku flinched visibly, startled by the bluntness of the question. "Wh-who am I?" he stammered, a cold bead of sweat trickling down his spine. Fear clawed back into his consciousness. "Wh-what do you mean by that?" he asked shakily, desperately trying to mask his panic.
Tobi pressed harder, refusing to relent. "You clearly recognize me. Your initial reaction when seeing me, and even now, proves that. So, who are you?" Despite her confident claim, Ryoku knew better than to admit anything. He remembered clearly from his past life that staying silent was safer when uncertain.
'She isn't using the Sharingan, so she isn't revealing her true identity to me just yet, she's still uncertain…' Ryoku realized, the clarity of his thoughts returning swiftly. He felt himself calming, almost surprised by his regained composure, though after recent shocks, such phenomena had become strangely familiar.
Fully steadied now, Ryoku deliberately lowered his gaze, feigning embarrassment. "It's just… someone in a mask killed my family when I was young, and I haven't quite gotten over it yet. Sorry if I seemed rude..."
Tobi, still leaning close, eyed him skeptically, clearly unconvinced. She prepared another question, but before she could speak, a loud, cheerful shout echoed through the shop. "Hey Sexy!!" someone cried out, practically throwing themselves onto Ryoku from behind.
Startled, Ryoku turned quickly, his face breaking into relieved surprise. "K-Kiba?" he asked, relaxing instantly at the familiar presence.
Kiba laughed, wrapping her arms comfortably around Ryoku's neck from behind, grinning mischievously. "Yep, it's me! Already hanging out with other girls? I thought after yesterday you'd be totally entranced by my feminine allure!" She playfully stuck out her tongue at Tobi, who watched the interaction silently.
Ryoku, cheeks flaming red with embarrassment, hurriedly protested, "Don't just go around saying stuff like that!"
Kiba laughed openly, lightly rubbing her fist playfully against Ryoku's head, delighting in his embarrassment. Tobi, sensing the moment had slipped away, rose to her feet. "I'll be leaving now," she said softly, standing. "We'll meet again soon. I still have plenty to ask you." Without another word, she flickered away.
Kiba smirked proudly. "Hmph. Serves her right! You're Leaf property!"
Ryoku gave a nervous chuckle, unsure how to interpret her possessiveness but undeniably grateful. Standing up, he turned around and embraced Kiba gently, whispering softly into her ear, "Thank you."
Kiba felt confused by his sudden gratitude, but she didn't let that deter her from enjoying the embrace. As Ryoku moved to break the hug, Kiba stubbornly tightened her hold, pressing her head more firmly against his chest.
"Kiba, we're not actually a couple… We can't be seen like this in public," Ryoku admonished, awkwardly trying to push her away.
"Stop being so difficult," Kiba retorted playfully, refusing to let go, smiling contentedly against him.
After a short struggle, Ryoku finally managed to detach himself, sighing in mild annoyance. "You really need to learn to take things easy sometimes."
Kiba crossed her arms with exaggerated indignation, puffing out her cheeks. "You're no fun," she teased.
Ryoku shook his head, then added thoughtfully, "Anyway, I decided I'm going to take the Chunin exams soon. Do you know how I can apply? I don't have a Genin team or anything, especially since I've been working directly for Lady Tsunade."
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