Obito’s is having a hard time computing what he's seeing. 

On stage, Minato stands in front of a giant screen, which has the words "the Five Wonders" listed across. He can only wonder what the hell it all means. And all the explanations he comes up with inside his head brings on more confusion and anxiety.

It felt like a nightmare he's been having-- The ceiling shattering into a hundred pieces and falling down on him... His body falling through the floor like he's made of nothing...

Minato clears his throat and speaks, listing off the words using his fingers. “The Five Wonders: Athletics, Fortitude, Charisma, Leadership, and Passion. These are the five main qualities that every SCP must possess. What we have here is a test of physical/ mental/ and spiritual degree-- A competition to see who is the most worthy candidate and who possesses more of these qualities than the other.”

What the hell? Obito stares up at the screen in disbelief. Is this some kind of test to find out who is the more superior being??

Confused murmurs from students start up around him. The whispering and chattering doesn't really help to ease his anxiety. 

Minato waits for the chattering to die off, then he smiles in his usual warm and humble way and continues. “You see, I borrowed the idea from the Obito vs. Gai competition earlier this year. It’s the perfect way for both candidates to demonstrate their qualities AND for all students to see who is worthy of becoming SCP.” 

“Luckily, Principal Hashirama agreed this will not disrupt our studies. We will schedule the competition to be after school, during lunch, or when there is a lull in study time. And it will be live streamed on the school news show if students can’t see the events in person...”

Minato's words continue to list the rules of the competition and Obito subconsciously starts to tune it out. It feels like he's having a mild heart attack. 

This is utterly insane. This competition is the best Student Council can come up with?

Right next to him, Kakashi starts chuckling to himself. Obito shoots him a glare. "And what are you laughing at?"

Kakashi looks over at him with an amused expression. "Oh nothing. But it sounds like this school is about to have its own form of the olympics." Then a fond smile forms on his lips as he gazes at Obito. "I'm sure it's nothing you can't handle."

Obito stares into Kakashi's eyes for a few moments as the information starts to sink in. Just how far am I willing to go to achieve my dream? Do I have what it takes? 

Kakashi continues to watch his face, keeping that adoring smile as he watches Obito digest all this information.

It seems like Kakashi has full faith in me. Obito swallows reflexively and he looks back up on stage. But do I have faith?

The atmosphere in the auditorium starts to change into one of excitement and rapt attention. 

Minato's voice continues to ring true and clear. “It will take place the last three weeks of the school year. That’s 3 weeks before finals.”

Damn… Obito thinks to himself. I'll need to prepare for this competition, as well as finals? Fuck…

Kakashi sees the dreaded look on Obito's face and hides a small laugh.

“The challenges themselves will be up to the Student Council Board to decide," Minato continues, "After each test is done, the students will have the opportunity to vote for who they think better demonstrated the SCP quality.”

Then Minato raises his fist into the air and yells, “Once the competition is done and all the votes are cast, we will have our new SCP!”

The auditorium erupts in wild and excited cheers. The ground starts shaking as hundreds of students thump their feet in optimized rhythm.

Gai yells out in excitement. “Woohoo this is perfect! The springtime of youth is here and I am ready to dominate!”

Obito holds his forehead in disbelief, then shakes himself out of it. Here is his chance to redeem himself in front of everyone. If this insane competition is what it takes to accomplish his dream, he’s definitely in.

Obito stands up straight, determination and battle readiness in his eyes. “Alright then, let's do this!”

….

Team Obito Meeting….plus Kakashi

“Athletics," Obito prompts. "The first challenge should be pretty straightforward."

Back in the History Classroom/ team meeting room, he stands at the front, facing his team. Everyone is watching him with full attention. 

Now with this new "Five Wonders" competition, the group is back in high spirits. After the past couple weeks of falling down in the polls, the group is eager to leap their way back to the top. 

Obito smiles confidently at all of them. He's turned his team into a well oiled machine.

"What do you think will happen for athletics?" says Rin. "The SCP quality of the challenge may seem obvious, but it will still be difficult. Gai is also an excellent athlete. I see him training 2 hrs before school and after school everyday."

"Rin is right, Obito," says Kakashi. "Gai may not be on any sports teams, but he's excellent at track and long distance running. I think he also competes in martial arts." He shakes his head to side, causing the white wisps of his hair to wave slightly. Obito stares at it, mesmorized. "I know, because Gai is always challenging me for these things."

Obito slumps his shoulders slightly. "Damn, that would've been nice to know." He looks over at Zetsu, deadpan.

Zetsu tilts his head innocently. "Why are you looking at me, Boss? You never told me to watch Gai. You only told me to stalk Kakashi." 

Obito starts coughing in a fit and uses his hand to cover his face away from Kakashi. Kakashi keeps his face blank, except for arching up his eyebrows curiously at Zetsu. Everyone else keeps a blank face, keeping attention at their leader, who seems to be choking under stress.

Obito calms down his coughs and then stands up straight while adjusting his shirt. His face is flushed and he keeps looking away from Kakashi. "Anyway…," he desperately changes the subject, “I don't know what they have planned for Fortitude. How are they going to test Fortitude?"

“Maybe to see how you handle tough situation,” says Nagato, voice plain.

Obito sweatdrops at that statement. Clearly the irony is not lost on him.

Itachi strokes his chin with a pen. “Hmm… Fortitude could also mean courage.”

Yahiko looks at them both, furrowing his brows. “Fortitude means courage? How could they test courage?”

“Scary movie night,” says Konan. The tone of her voice comes out sounding bored as always. “They can tie you both up. Make you watch Suspiria or something. See who cracks first.”

Obito gives her a weird look. “What the fuck? That sounds like torture. It can’t be that.”

Konan shrugs. 

Rin looks at him with concern. “Obito, if it's something to test for stress, you can handle that. But if it's a scary movie or something, you're doomed.” 

Damn she's right. Obito thinks to himself. I can’t handle jump scares.

Zetsu brightens up with sudden realization. “Ahh, that’s why you're so skittish when people creep up behind you.”

From the direction of his right, he hears Kakashi start chuckling to himself. “Wow, that’s so true.” He remembers the time he caught Obito creeping around the lockers that one night and he fell flat on his face with his ass in the air. Oh and the time he squeaked during their kiss at the end of their first date.

Obito frowns and rolls his eyes. “Alright, alright. How do I fix it?”

Itachi speaks up. “Exposure therapy?”

Obito whips his head in Itachi's direction, eyes strained with panic. Oh fuck. That sounds bad.

Yahiko grins widely, eyes glittering with anticipation. “I’m on it. I can be pretty sneaky.”

Kakashi scoffs. “Yea right. Like when you planted the device at the groomers.”

Yahiko jumps up from his chair, shaking his fist. “Hey, you shut it! I don't think I even like you yet!”

“Come at me, bro,” says Kakashi, sounding bored and unalarmed.

Zetsu and Shisui grab the popcorn.

“Alright guys,” says Obito groaning. “We're on the same team now-- I don't want discord within my ranks. Geez.”

Yahiko squints his eyes at Kakashi, conveying imminent pain. Kakashi just watches him, calm and collected with an infuriating smug expression.

Zetsu and Shisui continue chomping on the popcorn, sharing it between them like good buds.

Obito rolls his eyes again, then he continues, “So the next week after that is: Charisma. It's got to be another singing competition. Minato said he was inspired by my challenge with Gai. Its got to be that.”

“What’s with all these trick words?” Yahiko says, scratching his head. "Fortitude, Charisma… Just say what you mean. Is this some kind of word puzzle game?”

"That's part of the challenge, dumbass," says Konan. Yahiko looks at her with sad, puppy dog eyes and Konan rolls her eyes, but smiles. She reaches up to put her palm against his cheek and says, "I'm sorry, sweetie. But you can be a bit dumb sometimes."

Yahiko melts at her touch and smiles all goofy.

“If that's true. We are already at a disadvantage,” says Itachi. “Gai is skilled at singing and dancing.”

Kakashi raises his hand in a relaxed manner. “I can help him with that.”

Everyone turns to look at him curiously. 

Obito raises an eyebrow at him. “Oh really? Help me with Charisma? And how would you do that?”

Kakashi smiles sweetly at him and then finally raises his shoulders in a shrug. "Well I can't tell you. It will ruin the surprise..."

“Uhhh.. Ok then?,” says Obito, not thinking anymore of it. He turns back to the group. “Alright, so we got that one crushed. The final two are Leadership and Passion. Leadership sounds pretty straightforward. As for Passion, there’s a reason its last-- It must be the deciding factor. If anything, that's the one I need to win.”

Everyone nods in agreement.

Obito grins in satisfaction. “Alright! Looks like we have a plan-- The beginnings of a plan anyway. We're almost there, guys. Meeting adjourned!”

The rest of the team starts packing up their stuff and heading out the door. Kakashi keeps leaning against the side counter, observing Obito as he's packing up his things. He starts walking towards Obito from behind.

Obito puts the last of his things into his backpack, then he turns in time to see Kakashi standing really close to him. 

"GRAH!" He squeaks. He brings up his hand to hold his chest, his heart is thumping uncontrollably. "Geez, Kakashi. We literally just explained I can't handle jump scares."

Kakashi is smiling coyly at him. "I know. It's one of your weaknesses. And its awfully cute." He starts getting closer to Obito and Obito slowly backs away until his backside is up against the desk. 

Obito looks up at Kakashi's face, his heart starting to race for a whole other reason. Kakashi pulls down his mask and leans in close to Obito's ear. Obito feels heat rush to his face.

"You know," Kakashi says huskily, "You owe me for sending Zetsu to stalk me."

Obito gulps nervously as Kakashi places both his hands to either side of him on the desk, trapping him there against his body. Kakashi keeps speaking into his ear, his hot breath causing shivers down Obito's spine. "That's quite a debt you're racking up to me. I expect full payment."

Kakashi starts kissing him below the ear and Obito lets out a gasp. Kakashi holds him closer and presses him up against the desk. Then he picks Obito up around his hips, and puts him on the desk, letting Obito's thighs straddle him around the waist. 

Obito blushes furiously as Kakashi continues to kiss below his ear and neck. He looks over at the clock and starts panicking even more. "Kakashi the bell is about to ring! We need to get back to class."

"Just a little longer," Kakashi murmurs, and he starts trailing kisses along his jawline. One of his hands rests on Obito's thigh and he pulls Obito's leg tighter around him.

"Ahh," Obito lets out a tiny moan and he covers his mouth. It feels like heat is rushing through his body. And oh no its starting to feel really hot down south. His eyes shift to the door. He worries that someone might arrive early to this class and barge in on them. "Kakashi, please… someone might come in."

Kakashi smirks and says between kisses, "Mah, wouldn't that be fun? Another scandal." His other hand starts wandering up and down his back, spreading heat across his body.

Obito starts squirming under his touch, feeling his mind about to shut down. "Kashi, I can't. Not when I just got another chance."

Kakashi stops his kisses and leans his head away to look Obito in the eye. Obito's face is flushed and his brows are knit together. His chest is heaving up and down as he's breathing unevenly. Kakashi lets out a frustrated sigh, Damn… 

Then Kakashi smiles adoringly at him and says, "I know. And I will support you completely."

He holds Obito close and brings him down from the desk. Then he whispers close to his ear again. "But, you still owe me."

Obito smacks him on the chest.

_____________

A/N: Hi guys! Its been a while since I updated this story and I apologize. I got a bit sidetracked working on my new story: Tobi, Master Thief. Feel free to check it out if you want. :3

It was a bit weird for me to switch gears from naughty, flirtatious Thief Obi to feisty, overachiever, Student Obi. Seriously, it hurt my brain lol. 😅

So anyway, when I first came up with the idea for "Tactics," I came up with a series of challenges that would prove someone worthy to gain the title of SCP. Obviously, this idea is far beyond reality lol. Also, I think I was high on something, when I first came up with these challengrs... like seriously, wtf?? Lol 😅

Well, I've made my bed with this. And the beginning half of this story is written to end with these challenges... so I should stick with this original plan. BTW, this story is planned to have about 38 main chapters? 🤔(Not counting bonuses). Also I will still be updating this randomly. I hope you all stick around for the next one. 😀