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Although little Obito had noticed many oddities about Akio, he was still thoroughly impressed by Akio's woodcarving skills. Or maybe the "potential future" of learning to carve was simply too tempting… Either way, Akio's Kiboku-dō shop now had a young apprentice.

From Monday to Friday, Akio appeared in the village of Konoha in his original form, teaching the three genin teams and enjoying the admiration and respect of others in the role of a wise, venerable elder.

But on weekends, he would mysteriously "vanish" and transform into the humble owner of a Kiboku-dō shop, bringing along his young apprentice.

Now that he had taken on an apprentice, Akio wasn't in a rush to restock the shop. Training the apprentice was proving to be plenty of fun.

Before he knew it, a month had passed. It was the weekend again, and Akio used the Transformation Technique in a secluded spot before heading leisurely to his shop.

"No need to hurry. That little apprentice is always late anyway."

To his surprise, Obito was already standing at the door when he arrived—and he wasn't alone. Several small figures stood beside him.

"Kakashi, why'd you come along too?" Obito's voice was full of reluctant annoyance.

"I came to see what dumb luck landed you as the apprentice of the legendary carving master behind this Kiboku-dō shop."

Obito didn't argue right away. Instead, he looked genuinely surprised. "Is Master really that famous?"

"Of course, Obito," Rin said with a smile.

"It's said the owner here is the best woodcarver in all of Konoha. His pieces are expensive, but nearly every senior shinobi who can afford them has bought one."

"That amazing…" Obito muttered in awe.

"Not as amazing as you—weren't you reluctant when I took you in as my apprentice?" Akio walked over with a grin.

"Sensei," came three respectful greetings. Besides Kakashi and Rin, Kurenai Yuhi was also there, seemingly quite close to Rin.

Obito blinked and gave an awkward chuckle. "I didn't know back then…"

"And by the way, Sensei, you're late today." For once, Obito, the perpetual latecomer, had caught someone else being late.

Akio sighed. "I helped an elderly man cross the street this morning. Took longer than expected."

Obito's expression froze. He didn't know how to react to that.

Akio walked up and unlocked the shop door.

"Come on in, all of you."

"Thank you, Sensei."

…

Inside the shop, Akio gestured for them to browse freely before turning to Obito with a smile.

"So, already bringing the girl you fancy before you've even started your training in earnest?"

After all, they'd only been meeting on weekends for a month, and Obito wasn't exactly a carving prodigy—his skills were still rudimentary.

"W-What girl?!" Obito's face turned bright red.

"Kakashi, come look! It's Lord White Fang—an original piece!" Rin exclaimed in delight.

Obito looked indignant, and Akio chuckled. "Go be a tour guide. Show them around the shop."

Watching Obito dash off, Akio picked up a block of wood. He glanced at the four children and began to skillfully carve with his blade.

By the time the kids were done browsing, two small wooden sculptures sat on the table—Kakashi and Obito. Akio was still working on the one of Kurenai.

Kakashi was always calm, but even he twitched at the sight of his carving. Obito wore a similar expression.

They had been carved as a matching pair—Kakashi as "Left Hmph" and Obito as "Right Hmph." Placed side by side, the two sculptures looked comically ridiculous.

"They're so cute, Kakashi, Obito! Right, Kurenai?"

"Yeah, really cute…"

As the girls chatted, Kakashi and Obito's expressions softened. Akio looked up, smiling.

"Yūhi Kurenai… this little girl has an unusually warm and gentle aura about her."

He finished Kurenai's sculpture—it was a normal one this time. Seeing the look of anticipation on her face, Akio handed it over directly.

"And now for the final one…" Akio looked deeply at Rin and picked up another block of wood. But instead of starting immediately, he retrieved Kakashi and Obito's sculptures and began positioning them back and forth.

The children watched in confusion. After about ten minutes, Akio finally began carving.

This sculpture was different—Rin was depicted in a crouching pose, which was more complicated and physically demanding to carve. The painted marks on her cheeks weren't easy to render either. Akio took nearly half an hour to finish it.

Still confused, the children watched as Akio placed the sculptures of Kakashi and Obito side by side and positioned Rin's in the middle. Instantly, the three figures looked as if they belonged together—intertwined in a shared bond.

"Just missing Minato now, and we'd have the whole team," Akio mused.

"Come here and take a good look. These carvings represent your friendship. Each of you takes one. Keep it safe, and maybe one day, you'll be able to piece them together again."

"Who wants to be friends with Kakashi?" Obito muttered under his breath.

"What about me, Sensei?" Kurenai asked softly, standing close to Akio.

Akio froze for a moment—he had gotten so caught up in the idea of carving the three teammates that he forgot Kurenai was there too.

"Hand me your sculpture." Akio quickly took hers and placed it behind the other three, filling in for Minato. The harmonious display instantly fell apart.

"All right, all right, each of you take one." Akio quickly changed the subject, handing out the sculptures.

"My wood carvings normally go for a million ryo each. You kids are getting a real bargain today."

All four kids thanked him repeatedly.

"Sensei," Kakashi asked hesitantly, "are you a shinobi?"

Akio blinked. "What makes you think that?"

"The carving knife you use… it looks like it can channel chakra."

Akio realized—Kakashi must have recognized the blade from his father's White Fang short sword. Not surprising at all.

"Huh? Sensei, you're a ninja too?" Obito exclaimed, recalling the incident where Akio helped the old man across the road.

Akio nodded, then shook his head. "Does it matter? These days, I'm just an old man selling carvings."

As he spoke, a mysterious aura seemed to radiate from him. In his heart, Akio gave himself a dozen thumbs-ups.

Sure enough, the kids all looked at him with admiration.

Obito was especially excited. "Then, Master! What rank were you as a ninja? Can you teach me jutsu?"

Akio maintained his cryptic air. "Didn't I already tell you? Carving… is also a form of training."

Obito nodded solemnly, half-understanding.

"Obito, you'd better learn well," Rin encouraged. Fueled by her words, Obito lit up with determination.

"No problem! Master, teach me more carving right now!"

The other three exchanged glances. "We'll head out now, Sensei."

Akio saw them off with a smile, inwardly chuckling.

"This hidden master persona… totally nailed it!"

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