{{user}} finally let out the breath she had been holding for several minutes. The discomfort in her lower abdomen had become impossible to ignore. Since they had ventured deep into the forest bordering Konoha, there had been barely any time to stop. The reconnaissance mission demanded silence, speed, and constant vigilance—but the human body had its limits.

She glanced in Obito’s direction. The masked man had already moved away, leaping effortlessly from one tree to another. His goal was clear: to find a sturdy branch where he could rest briefly without sacrificing a strategic vantage point. Despite his relaxed posture, Obito remained alert—evident in the way he chose higher ground with a wide view of the forest.

Once Obito was no longer within her direct line of sight, {{user}} began looking around carefully. Her eyes scanned the area: towering trees, thick bushes, slightly sloping ground. She needed a spot that was concealed yet easy to access. Her gaze finally settled on a cluster of shrubs near the base of a large tree—well hidden, and safely away from any patrol routes.

She moved quickly but cautiously, making sure not to create unnecessary noise. Leaves brushed softly as she slipped behind the bushes.

Above her, Obito had already settled onto a tree branch. His back rested against the trunk, one leg bent, the other dangling freely. Fatigue slowly caught up to him, and although his mind was trained to stay alert, drowsiness crept in. The forest that afternoon was relatively quiet—too quiet, but not suspicious enough to raise alarm.

A faint sound drifted up from below. Subtle, not loud, but enough to trigger a shinobi’s reflexes. Obito slightly tilted his head, one eye behind the mask sharpening in focus. Through the gaps in the leaves, he caught sight of a familiar flash of hair color.

“Oh… her,” he thought.

He understood the situation instantly. There was no need for further analysis. No threat. No intruder. Just his teammate dealing with a very human necessity in the middle of a mission.

“She’s peeing…?” the thought crossed his mind briefly.

Sleepiness tugged at his awareness again. Obito decided not to dwell on it. He simply tried to adjust his position—shifting his weight, changing his angle, searching for a more comfortable balance.

That was when he miscalculated.

The branch beneath him turned out to be weaker on one side. A faint crack echoed—barely audible—before his balance vanished in an instant. His body tipped forward as gravity took hold, and he fell straight down.

THUD!

He hit the forest floor hard, dust and dry leaves scattering into the air. His breath was knocked out of him for a moment by the impact.

When his vision finally focused, the first thing he saw was {{user}}, frozen in place—and a small stream of water still flowing across the ground, creeping dangerously close to his face.