Obito felt terrible after hearing Shindai's analysis; in Shindai's words, he seemed utterly useless.
The worst part was, he actually felt Shindai was right.
Obito said, somewhat deflated, "According to you, I'm inferior to Kakashi in every way. How am I supposed to pursue Rin then? I'm bound to fail, aren't I?"
Shindai looked seriously into Obito's eyes and said, "Don't get discouraged, Obito. I just said I'd help you pursue Rin. While you truly are useless right now, from this moment on, under my guidance, you can start to improve until Kakashi is utterly defeated!
So... Uchiha Obito! Do you have confidence? My guidance is quite strict!"
Shindai's sudden loud voice invigorated Obito.
A flame named fighting spirit ignited in Obito's eyes: "I have confidence! Shindai, help me! I'll definitely listen to you!"
Shindai clapped his hands forcefully: "Excellent, that's the spirit I want. So let's start changing now, beginning with your appearance!"
Obito looked down at himself: "Appearance? How should I change my appearance?"
Shindai scrutinized Obito while commenting, "First, your clothes are too tacky; they look very dismal, so they absolutely must be changed!
And your silly goggles, take them off. Wearing that thing, anyone who doesn't know might think you're going for a swim in some river."
Obito quickly shook his head: "No, I can't. The goggles are to protect my Sharingan."
Shindai rolled his eyes at Obito: "Sharingan? Activate one and show me."
Obito said, somewhat awkwardly, "I, I haven't activated my Sharingan yet, but! I will activate my Sharingan one day, so until that day comes, I need to protect my eyes!"
Shindai retorted, "A bad student always has too many tools. If someone truly wanted to attack your eyes, do you think these goggles could block it? Don't deceive yourself, this thing just makes you look stupid, take it off! You just said you'd listen to me absolutely, are you going back on your word now?"
Obito reluctantly took off his goggles: "I've worn them for so long, taking them off feels like I'm naked and streaking."
"Wait a moment."
Shindai took out some materials from what Jiraiya had given him and immediately began crafting.
Soon, a pair of sunglasses was completed in Shindai's hands.
"Here, try them on."
Shindai handed the sunglasses to Obito.
Obito took the sunglasses and put them on: "Shindai, these sunglasses will make it hard to see at night. What about during a fight?"
Shindai sighed: "Oh, your brain. If you can't see during a fight, can't you just take them off?"
"Uh..." Obito said awkwardly, "You make a very good point."
Shindai continued, "Next, your hairstyle. That spiky hair won't do; it screams 'energetic young man.' Since you'll be wearing sunglasses from now on, let's go for a slicked-back look, pffft!"
Shindai spat twice into his left and right hands, then started messing with Obito's head.
"Ah! Saliva! Shindai, what are you doing? Don't get your spit on my head!"
"Don't move!"
Obito felt so wronged right now. Why did Shindai immediately tell him not to wear goggles, and then put spit on his head? What exactly was he doing?
He really regretted asking Shindai for help in a moment of impulsiveness...
A moment later, Shindai finished styling Obito's head.
Shindai stepped back two paces and examined Obito: "Hmm, it's starting to look decent, but your clothes are dragging you down. Do you have a Uchiha clan outfit?"
Obito nodded resentfully: "Yes, it's in my backpack in the tent."
"Wait for me here, I'll go get it for you!"
Now Shindai was highly motivated, having suddenly found a joy in 'nurturing' someone.
In the blink of an eye, Shindai returned to his tent with Obito's Uchiha clan outfit.
"Hurry and put it on, let me see."
Obito obediently took off his clothes and put on the Uchiha clan outfit.
After putting on the Uchiha clan outfit, Shindai examined Obito again.
The slicked-back hair, sunglasses, and the simple, sharp Uchiha clan outfit looked incredibly cool.
Shindai pulled out a mirror: "Look at yourself now. Are you satisfied?"
Obito looked in the mirror and was instantly dumbfounded: "Huh? Is this me? Am I really this handsome?"
Shindai proudly tilted his head: "How about it? I didn't lie to you, did I? Isn't this much cooler than how you looked before?"
Obito kept looking in the mirror: "It's not just much cooler, it's like a completely different person! Shindai, what do you think if I wear a mask? Would that be even cooler?"
Shindai couldn't hold back his retort: "Idiot, I beg you, use your brain, okay?! If you wear a mask, you're just imitating Kakashi, and you'll only be a poor imitator. Wouldn't Rin just be seeing a second Kakashi when she looks at you?
What you need to do now is have your own style, not imitate Kakashi, understand, you fool!"
Obito recoiled, shrinking his head from Shindai's scolding.
Obito decisively admitted his mistake: "I was wrong, Shindai, you're right. I can't imitate Kakashi; I need to have my own style."
Shindai rubbed his temples and continued, "And your way of speaking needs to change too. It's so silly and doesn't suit your new look at all. From now on, try to keep your sentences concise, within six words."
Obito said, troubled, "Huh? Concise within six words? How am I supposed to talk then!"
Shindai waved his hand: "Talk to me now, I'll show you."
Obito thought for a moment then asked, "Shindai, how do you plan to make Lord Jiraiya's puppet?"
"None of your business."
Obito's mouth slightly agape, he stared blankly at Shindai.
Shindai coolly said, "Keep asking."
Obito thought again then asked, "Shindai, are there any fun or interesting places in Hidden Sand Village?"
"Just sandstorms."
Obito's mouth twitched. He racked his brains, determined to make Shindai say more than six words today!
"Shindai, what do you want to eat tomorrow?"
"Good food."
"What time do you sleep today?"
"At night."
"What kind of person do you think Lord Jiraiya is?"
"My idol."
"Do you think I..."
Before Obito could finish his question, Shindai answered first.
"An idiot."
Obito:???
Obito, refusing to believe, asked one last question.
"If it were you reporting that the Cloud Shinobi will attack our outpost in an hour, how would you report it?"
Shindai paused. Seeing this, Obito immediately felt he had won: "Hahaha, you can't do it now, can you!"
Shindai glanced disdainfully at Obito and said, "Cloud Shinobi, one hour."
Obito's mouth opened and closed, but he finally chose to give up, because he'd thought through all possible questions, and it seemed Shindai always had a way to keep his answers within six words.