"By the way, Lock," Kakashi asked, glancing sideways, "didn't you join Anbu? How come you're free today?"
Lock smiled easily. "Even in Anbu, we're still human. You can't work non-stop — rest's part of the job."
Obito's face lit up. "That's perfect! We haven't hung out in forever. Everyone's free today. Let's get the whole group together this afternoon!"
Lock shrugged. "Why not?"
By afternoon, Obito had actually managed to do it. He called up Asuma, Guy, Genma Shiranui, Ebisu, and even some of their old classmates from the academy — kids from the Uchiha, Hyūga, Aburame, and Inuzuka clans. Almost twenty people showed up.
It was the first time since graduation they'd all gathered like this.
Lock and Kakashi had graduated first, the others soon after, but they'd always looked up to the two as their benchmarks. Honestly, the only reason some of them even came was because those two were here.
"Lock, I heard you joined Anbu," one of them said in awe. "That's incredible."
Lock gave a polite smile. "Not really. Hokage-sama just decided to give me a chance, that's all."
"C'mon, what's it like?" Obito leaned forward, eyes wide. "Anbu sounds awesome!"
Everyone looked curious — even Kakashi, who rarely showed much interest, was listening closely.
Lock chuckled. "Awesome? Not quite. It's exhausting. Too many missions, most of them confidential. Regular squad life's way more comfortable."
He wasn't lying. Anbu wasn't a dream job — it was dangerous, secretive, and full of politics. The only reason he stayed was freedom and growth. Strength had a price.
"Tch, easy for you to say," muttered Uchiha Uchitaka, tone sour.
Obito immediately shot back, "Of course you couldn't handle it — Lock's way above your level."
That made Uchitaka's cousin, Uchiha Neifeng, flare up. "Watch your mouth, Obito. You, of all people, shouldn't be talking about levels."
He jabbed a finger at Obito, voice dripping with scorn. "You embarrassed the Uchiha name at the last Chūnin Exams. If it weren't for you, our clan's reputation wouldn't have taken such a hit."
Obito's face flushed red with anger. "You—! Uchiha Neifeng, I'll fight you right now!"
"Hah. You?" Neifeng sneered. "You haven't even awakened your Sharingan. You're not worth the effort."
Rin stepped forward, her soft features hardened with anger. "That's enough, Neifeng! Apologize to Obito!"
Neifeng's expression turned cruel. "Apologize? To him? Don't make me laugh. Hiding behind a girl — what a disgrace to our clan. If I were him, I'd quit being a shinobi altogether."
Lock's smile faded, his expression turning cold. He stood slowly.
"Uchiha Neifeng."
The tone made Neifeng pause despite himself. When he met Lock's eyes, a chill ran through him — calm, unreadable, and deadly sharp.
"What? You planning to defend that loser too?" Neifeng tried to sound bold. "Go ahead."
Lock's voice was flat, almost bored. "You're not worth the effort. But Obito is my friend — and no one gets to talk about him like that. If you don't like being here, get out. We didn't invite you."
"You—" Neifeng's jaw clenched. He wanted to retort, but that unshakable calm in Lock's eyes froze the words in his throat. He might act arrogant, but even he wasn't stupid enough to pick a fight with Lock.
He spat out coldly, "Fine. Lock, remember this. I'll return this humiliation someday."
Neifeng stormed off, his teammates bowing awkwardly before hurrying after him.
Genma let out a low whistle. "Man, that guy hasn't changed one bit. Same stuck-up attitude as back in school."
The tension lingered. What should've been a fun reunion lost its energy, and before long, everyone drifted off — except Lock and his closest circle: Kakashi, Rin, Genma, Ebisu, Guy, Asuma, and Kurenai.
Lock looked at them, his usual calm replaced by quiet seriousness.
"Listen, all of you," he said finally. "I want you to be ready. It won't be long before the next war breaks out."
Everyone froze.
Genma blinked, the toothpick falling from his mouth. "War? You're joking, right?"
Lock shook his head. "I wish I were. But the signs are already there. The Great Nations are stirring again — and when it starts, none of us will stay out of it. If you want to survive, you'd better start getting stronger now."
For a moment, silence hung heavy between them.
They were young, but not naïve — they'd heard enough stories of the past wars to know what that meant.
And though they laughed it off a moment later, none of them really forgot Lock's words.
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A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
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