The morning sun shone on the entrance of the Konoha Police Force Headquarters.

Uchiha Obito stood at the bottom of the steps, his small hands clutching the corner of his clothes, continuously swallowing his saliva.

He wore a blue jacket and pants today; although the clothes were a bit old,

he was neatly dressed.

His grandmother had specifically reminded him:

“The Clan Head wants to see you; you must be presentable!”

Obito took a deep breath, looking up at the tall building before him, his heart pounding.

Uchiha Obito (Young)

“Hey, kid, what are you spacing out for?”

Uchiha Tekka, standing beside him, patted his shoulder.

“The Clan Head is waiting for you inside.”

Obito snapped back to reality and quickly nodded.

“Yes, yes!”

He followed Tekka into the Police Force Headquarters, walked through a long corridor, and finally stopped in front of a large door carved with the Uchiha clan crest.

Tekka knocked on the door.

“Clan Head, I’ve brought the person.”

“Come in.”

After a moment, a steady voice came from inside the door.

Obito’s breath hitched, and sweat beaded on his palms.

The door opened.

Qianye was sitting behind the desk, while Uchiha Mikoto, beside him, had her head bowed, her face still flushed.

After Obito entered,

Qianye slightly raised his eyes, and his gaze immediately fell upon him.

Obito stiffened all over, almost kneeling down directly.

“C-Clan Head!”

He bowed sharply, his head almost hitting his knees.

Qianye raised an eyebrow, put down the scroll in his hand, and spoke in a flat tone.

“Uchiha Obito?”

“Yes!”

“Look up.”

Obito shakily straightened his body but dared not look directly into Qianye’s eyes, only staring at his own toes.

His small stature, slightly messy spiky hair,

and those eyes… full of apprehension yet subtly hinting at expectation.

He was indeed exactly like the naive Obito from his memories when he was a child.

“Are you afraid of me?”

Qianye suddenly asked.

Obito was startled and quickly shook his head.

“N-No! I just… I just…”

He stammered for a long time, his face turning beet red, finally blurting out a sentence:

“I just admire you too much! I’m a little nervous!!”

Qianye was stunned for a moment, then chuckled.

“Come and sit.”

He pointed to the chair opposite him.

Obito, as if granted a great pardon, cautiously walked over, only daring to sit on half of his butt.

Qianye did not rush to ask questions, glancing at Mikoto.

Mikoto understood, walked to the side, poured a glass of water, and handed it to Obito.

“Have some water, relax.”

“Yes, yes, thank you, Lady Mikoto!”

Obito was flattered, holding the cup with both hands and sipping slowly.

Qianye leaned back in his chair, his gaze calm.

“I heard your parents are no longer with us?”

Obito’s fingers trembled slightly, and he said in a low voice,

“Mm… When I was very young, they…”

“Do you live with your grandmother now?”

“Yes.”

“Are there any difficulties in your life?”

Obito hesitated, seemingly wondering whether he should speak.

Qianye said lightly,

“Speak truthfully.”

Obito bit his lip, but eventually spoke.

“Grandma is old and can’t do heavy work; she can only take on some sewing and mending clothes or bags…

However, it’s been much better recently; the clan gave us some subsidies, and Grandma is much more relaxed.”

“Sometimes I run errands for villagers to earn some pocket money…”

He lowered his head, his voice growing softer and softer.

Obito clutched the corner of his clothes tightly.

“However, Grandma’s medicine is very expensive, and the roof of our house leaks when it rains…

I—I don’t mean to ask the clan for money; I just want to grow up quickly and become a Ninja, so I can earn money myself!”

His voice carried a hint of stubbornness, yet also a childish innocence.

The subsidies for some “difficult” families in the clan were also initiated by Qianye a while ago, but he hadn't expected them to help Obito’s family.

Looking at Obito, Qianye’s face became more serious.

“What is your dream?”

Obito was startled for a moment, then puffed out his chest and said loudly,

“I want to become a Uchiha Military Police Force Ninja! A powerful Ninja like the Clan Head!”

Qianye was stunned.

Like him?

In his memory, Uchiha Obito’s dream should have been to “become Hokage.”

But now, this child admired him.

And wanted to become a “Uchiha Military Police Force Ninja”?

Was it because his policies changed the Uchiha atmosphere?

Or was it because… Obito’s growth trajectory had quietly changed?

Qianye was silent for a moment, then stood up and walked over.

He reached out and ruffled Obito’s spiky hair.

“A good dream.”

Obito’s eyes widened, seemingly not expecting the Clan Head to praise him.

But soon, he lowered his head again and whispered,

“But… everyone says my talent is mediocre, and my stamina is very poor…”

Qianye withdrew his hand and said lightly,

“Talent determines the starting point, effort determines the end point.”

Obito suddenly looked up, a light flashing in his eyes.

Qianye’s words were like a shot in the arm for him.

Qianye stood up.

“Let’s go.”

“Huh?”

“Let’s go for a walk.”

…

The streets of Konoha were as lively as ever.

Obito followed behind Qianye, his eyes constantly scanning the surrounding shops, his face filled with curiosity and longing.

Candy stores, toy stalls, Ninja tool shops…

These things might be common for children from ordinary families.

But for Obito, they were luxuries.

It wasn’t that his family couldn’t afford them, but Obito had known his grandmother’s hardships since he could remember; his grandmother had bought things for him, but he had always refused them.

Beneath his naive exterior, Obito also hid a sensitive heart.

Qianye noticed his gaze.

Especially when he passed a Ninja tool shop, Obito’s steps noticeably slowed down.

Inside the shop, a brand new pair of goggles was displayed in the window, gleaming with a metallic luster in the sunlight.

Obito’s eyes were fixed on it, and he even unconsciously swallowed his saliva.

Qianye followed his gaze and raised an eyebrow.

“Do you like it?”

Obito suddenly snapped back to reality and quickly shook his head.

“Clan Head, n-no!”

But his eyes had already betrayed him.

Qianye didn’t say much and walked directly into the shop.

“Clan Head?!”

Obito panicked and quickly followed.

The shop owner saw Qianye and immediately bowed respectfully.

“Sir, what do you need?”

Qianye pointed to the goggles.

“This, wrap it up.”

Obito was stunned.

It wasn’t until Qianye put the goggles into his hand that he came to his senses as if waking from a dream.

“Th-This is really for me?!”

“Otherwise?”

Qianye said lightly.

Obito’s hands trembled slightly, and his eyes instantly turned red.

“Clan Head… I, I…”

His voice choked, and tears welled up in his eyes.

Qianye frowned, placing a hand on his shoulder, and said in a deep voice:

“Listen, Obito.”

“Boys need to be strong; don’t cry at the slightest provocation.”

“A Ninja of the Uchiha can bleed, but he must never be weak.”

Obito suddenly sniffled and nodded vigorously.

“Yes!”

He tightly hugged the goggles, as if holding the most precious treasure in the world.

Uchiha Obito (Goggles)

Qianye looked at him and couldn’t help but shake his head inwardly.

He was at an age where he should be innocent and carefree, yet Obito was already so sensible.

Was this really a good thing?

“Oh? Obito?”

A surprised, clear female voice came from a distance.