Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 403 Morning's Run

As the run continued, the sun gradually rose into the sky, and its golden rays dispelled much of the morning chill.

Obito's pace finally slowed down, his breathing became heavy, and his clothes were completely soaked with sweat.

He could feel the weight of the sandbags slowly crushing his spine.

"Ha...ha...Kakashi...you...you wait..."

Obito reached out his hand, trying to catch up with Kakashi, but only managed to grab air.

Kakashi maintained a steady pace, without turning his head.

"Waiting for what? Waiting for you to give up here, you idiot."

Kakashi's voice carried an extremely obvious provocation, which instead ignited Obito's last bit of stubbornness.

"I...I won't...give up..."

Obito gritted his teeth and pushed off with his feet again. Although he couldn't increase his speed, he still didn't stop.

Lin, who was behind, also felt the limits of her physical strength.

Her face was flushed with an abnormal redness, and her leg muscles ached.

Seeing the two figures chasing after me, I knew I couldn't fall behind. As Minato-sensei had said, a medical ninja not only needs to heal, but also needs to keep up with the pace of the battlefield.

"I...I can't..."

Lin encouraged herself mentally, trying to regulate her breathing and gently stimulating her tired muscles.

"Lin! Are you alright? Do you want to rest for a bit?"

Obito's voice suddenly rang out beside her.

It turned out to be Obito. Even though he was on the verge of his limit, he was still concerned about Rin, who was lagging behind.

Nohara Rin managed a forced smile.

"It's alright, Obito, you go after Kakashi!"

Obito hesitated, his large eyes filled with conflict. Should he go after Kakashi, or stay and wait for Rin? He struggled for a moment, and finally, the true meaning of the Hokage and Minato's words about "protection" resurfaced in his heart.

"No! We're comrades! I can't leave you alone!"

Obito's tone was unusually firm.

He slowed down and ran alongside Lin. His forehead was covered in a mixture of sweat and dust, but his face radiated a reassuring glow from within.

Kakashi ran ahead, his ears twitching slightly.

I overheard Obito and Rin's conversation behind me.

He didn't turn around, but his seemingly unchanging speed had subtly slowed down a little.

He knew that this was not giving up, but a choice.

This is the scene I would prefer to see.

Just as the three of them were moving forward with difficulty and determination at their own pace, a group of people suddenly appeared on the road ahead.

Those were ninjas from the Akimichi and Yamanaka clans.

The burly men of the Akimichi clan are using their multiplication technique to transport truckloads of the freshest vegetables and meats from the Konoha Ecological Farm to the village's supply point.

Their enormous size and exaggerated movements make their moving work look both efficient and powerful.

The ninjas of the Yamanaka clan directed the operation from the sidelines, using their spiritual senses to ensure the goods were placed stably and properly.

Leading the group was Akimichi Choza, whose robust body was carrying a huge bundle of carrots, almost half his height, with heavy steps and sweat pouring down his back.

Beside him stood Yamanaka Inoichi, his hands in his pockets, seemingly relaxed, yet occasionally correcting Choza's movements.

"Ding! Handle the carrots with care!"

"Haiyi! Don't just stand there and talk! You try carrying this!"

The two of them went back and forth, just like a scene from a construction site.

Obito saw them and greeted them loudly.

"Uncle Choza! Uncle Inoichi! What are you doing?"

It was only then that Akimichi Choza and Yamanaka Inoichi noticed Minato's team running. Choza grinned when he saw Obito and Rin looking tired but full of energy.

"Haha! It's Obito! Aren't we delivering food to the village? This is all grown on the farm."

Yamanaka Inoichi smiled and shook his head.

"By the way, why does your weighted run look so much heavier than last time?"

He pointed to the sandbags tied to the legs and arms of the three men.

Obito, panting heavily, proudly puffed out his chest.

"Of course! This was an extra dose personally added by the Hokage! He said it was to let us experience the weight of the Will of Fire!"

Kakashi pursed his lips helplessly upon hearing Obito's unabashedly talkative behavior.

Although the Hokage said those words, he definitely didn't want this matter to be publicized everywhere.

That idiot Obito is a complete social disaster generator.

Ding Zuo and Hai Yi were both taken aback at first, but then Ding Zuo suddenly realized what was going on and a look of admiration appeared on his honest face.

"Oh! So it's the Hokage himself giving you instructions! That's truly an honor! But this weight is quite heavy, so you'll have to hold on!"

The phrase "山中亥一" adds a touch of contemplation.

The weight was personally added by the Hokage, and it was the weight of the Will of Fire... What does this mean? He keenly sensed a deeper meaning behind it.

"Um...."

After a few seconds of mental processing, Yamanaka Inoichi smiled at the three of them.

"Alright, let's get back to training. Don't delay the Hokage's instruction."

He looked at the towering wooden building in the distance, the vertical farm that gleamed in the morning light, as if it were also silently proclaiming the strength and hope of Konoha.

Obito waved to Choza and Inoichi again, then readjusted his breathing and continued running.

Kakashi and Rin followed.

Their figures gradually blended into the ninjas and civilians coming and going on the wide Hokage Avenue.