Obito, Like Mud, and Might Guy's Challenge to Seisui!

"Not bad."

Those words of encouragement somehow sounded more like mockery...

Obito Uchiha glared wide-eyed, on the verge of drowning but still stubbornly struggling, though his movements grew weaker by the second.

The scene fell deathly silent.

Iruka Umino and Kakashi both stared wide-eyed, unable to believe what they were seeing...

What had started as a routine end-of-term exam.

In just a few minutes, first a pair of Double Tomoe appeared, then an advanced, seal-less Water Release technique.

Was this really a den of hidden dragons?

Both Uchiha—one usually acting like an idiot, the other smiling silently—turned out to be ruthless the moment they made their move.

"Kakashi, that move looks like the Water Wave Technique, doesn't it?" Iruka didn't stop the match. As long as Obito hadn't surrendered, it wasn't over.

And he didn't believe Seisui would lose control and actually hurt Obito.

"The base of the technique is that, but the follow-up has traces of the Water Prison Technique. That water lock is an extremely advanced Water Release Chakra Nature Transformation."

Kakashi felt like his brain was overheating. Even as a genius and a Chunin, he'd never seen anything like this.

"On top of that, this is a Water Release performed in a waterless environment, but judging by the scale..."

Kakashi was unusually talkative. He was explaining to Iruka, but also analyzing for himself: "In short, just based on this chakra and Water Release mastery, Seisui Uchiha has at least Special Jonin-level combat ability..."

"Why has this guy been stuck at the Ninja Academy?"

Kakashi felt a knot in his chest.

He'd graduated at six, the village's celebrated genius. Though he never said much, he carried immense pride.

As the son of Hatake Sakumo, Kakashi didn't believe any peer should be on his level—even if Seisui was four years older...

He thought he was far ahead of his generation, charging toward Jonin.

But Seisui had apparently already reached that point and didn't even care, quietly attending the Academy all this time.

That stung Kakashi's pride. His gaze toward Seisui shifted to one of scrutiny, and a hint of fighting spirit.

"Still not giving up, Obito Uchiha? If this keeps up, you'll die..." Seisui looked up at Obito struggling in the water prison and said softly:

"Nod three times, and I'll let you out."

Obito Uchiha forced down the suffocation and the pain of water filling his lungs. He jerked his head down, his Double Tomoe spinning violently!

Seisui met his gaze!

"Damn it!" Iruka caught the detail sharply, frowning. "He got careless, Seisui..."

Obito's grin turned savage. His Dojutsu Genjutsu instantly enveloped Seisui.

But contrary to his expectations.

Seisui stood there smiling, his eyes clear: "Obito Uchiha, I may not have the Sharingan, but I have an unshakable faith—the Will of Fire..."

"Your Genjutsu can't shake my heart."

At those words, the whole arena erupted. Everyone stared at Seisui in disbelief.

That boring Will of Fire education class—Seisui Uchiha had actually trained Genjutsu resistance from it? Was this the value of being a senior student!

If that was the case, maybe they really should take the Will of Fire seriously from now on?

In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi lit his pipe and blew out a long, satisfied puff of smoke.

Danzo always said his Will of Fire textbooks were mediocre. Look at this—a good kid who truly understood! And an Uchiha at that!

Hiruzen grew more pleased, giving a low order: "I want all of Seisui Uchiha's files. Make it quick!"

Obito Uchiha stared blankly at Seisui.

He didn't understand why his Double Tomoe Sharingan couldn't pull Seisui into Genjutsu...

The truth was simple: Seisui's Dojutsu was stronger than his.

Shisui twitched his mouth. He knew the inside story—Seisui had told him he already had a Double Tomoe Sharingan...

Tobirama Senju couldn't hold back either: "Seisui, you little brat, aren't you misleading these kids! The Will of Fire can resist Genjutsu? I've never heard such nonsense!"

"Even if you have firm convictions, if you don't clear the chakra from your body in time, that conviction will only let Genjutsu breed obsession, trapping you deeper in the illusion!"

"Come on, Tobirama, are you really the Second Hokage? Are you trying to destroy The Root of Konoha?" Seisui watched the despair spreading across Obito's face while criticizing the white-haired man who lacked the Will of Fire:

"Look, after I said that, don't all the students feel drawn to the Will of Fire? And didn't I resist his Genjutsu with it? What's the problem..."

"You resisted Genjutsu because of your damn Sharingan!" Tobirama's expression was cracking.

"Oh, right, I forgot I have the Sharingan too. I just remembered my unshakable Will of Fire..."

From target Tobirama Senju, you have acquired: Mystical Palm Technique!

"Tch... fine, better than nothing." Seisui clapped his hands together and dispelled the water prison around Obito: "Come out... you'll suffocate to death if you stay in there."

The moment he was free, a kunai appeared in Obito Uchiha's hand, slashing viciously toward Seisui's throat!

Seisui's figure flickered. With Tobirama Senju's Taijutsu Essentials for the Uchiha Clan and the dynamic vision granted by his Double Tomoe Sharingan, Obito Uchiha's sneak attack looked as childish and laughable as a toddler's tantrum.

"Let me go! Let me go!" Obito Uchiha roared.

The tall Seisui clamped his arm around Obito's neck, lifting him off the ground, locking onto his carotid artery like an iron vise.

Seisui held Obito like that, slowly turning to present him face-forward to the crowd, like a roast duck hanging in a deli...

Right in front of him, as Obito's mind grew hazy, he saw Rin Nohara just a few meters away, frowning at him.

"Rin..." Obito Uchiha whispered, then passed out completely. When Seisui let go, he collapsed to the ground like a limp pile of mud.

From your target, Obito Uchiha, you have acquired the talent: Space Affinity (Obito Version)!

"Iruka-sensei, sorry about that. I lost control of my Water Release and broke the lottery box..." Seisui turned and gave Iruka Umino an apologetic smile.

Having just dealt with Obito Uchiha's defiance, Iruka Umino was almost flattered by Seisui's politeness. He waved his hands repeatedly. "Don't worry about it, Seisui. Your strength doesn't need a third match to prove it."

"Iruka-sensei, rules are rules. I still need to take the third match." Seisui declined Iruka's kindness, then turned to look at his classmates, who were gazing at him with admiration. He spoke softly:

"Anyone want to spar with me?"

Almost everyone fell silent. Who would dare challenge someone who could crush a Double Tomoe Uchiha?

"Seisui, my youthful comrade on the path of training! Let me challenge you!"

A spirited shout broke through the crowd. Might Guy's eyes were full of tears. "This is youth, Seisui!"

Sorry... a bit late. Got stuck on the writing.

I'll try to write earlier tomorrow and aim for two chapters right at midnight.