Practical Combat Assessment

Watching Veigar continue to laugh, Kaoru Iwabe lost his temper and swung his hand at Veigar.

However, when Kaoru Iwabe's hand actually landed on Veigar's head, he gently stroked Veigar's hair instead and asked softly with a warm smile, "Does it hurt?"

Veigar answered with a smile, "It doesn't hurt."

Looking at Veigar's smile, Kaoru Iwabe's heart stirred faintly.

When they returned to school, the students in the class grew curious upon seeing Veigar's injuries.

However, Veigar did not reveal much about the matter. He only said that he had accidentally hurt himself. After all, it involved a mission carried out by Anbu ninja.

Time always passed quickly at school, and the day vanished in the blink of an eye.

Standing by the window, Veigar put away the hundred thousand ryo that the Anbu ninja had just delivered, then resumed the daily training he had persisted in.

In the blink of an eye, more than two months passed.

At that moment, Veigar was attending class when he lost focus for the first time. It was not that he was being careless; he was already preparing to submit an application to Kaoru Iwabe for the Graduation Exam ahead of schedule.

A week ago, Veigar had already completed the second stage of the Body Strengthening Technique.

After another week of training, he had also successfully completed the third and final stage of the Body Strengthening Technique.

According to Veigar's estimate, given his current condition, he would need around twenty more days to completely finish cultivating the Body Strengthening Technique. By then, his physical attributes would have reached the peak of what he could currently achieve through strengthening.

After the morning lessons ended, Kaoru Iwabe noticed that Veigar had been somewhat distracted during class. After announcing that they would hold a practical combat assessment that afternoon, he also left the classroom.

In the classroom, Veigar was just about to get up and leave when Obito Uchiha suddenly appeared in front of him and blocked his path.

"Obito, is something wrong?"

Veigar asked in confusion.

At that moment, Obito Uchiha said to Veigar with absolute confidence, "For this afternoon's practical combat assessment, I'm challenging you again. This time, I'll definitely beat you so badly you won't know what hit you."

Seeing how competitive Obito Uchiha was, Veigar did not refuse. Instead, he readily agreed. "All right. Give it your best during class this afternoon!"

Looking at Veigar's smiling face, Obito Uchiha really wanted to punch him, but after thinking it over, he gave up on the idea.

"Veigar, you jerk..."

"Just you wait. This afternoon, I'll show you what I can do."

After throwing out his threat, Obito Uchiha turned and left.

The students in Veigar's class had also heard Obito Uchiha's challenge. After Obito Uchiha turned away, they all mocked him from behind.

"Obito, were you not beaten badly enough last time?"

"Obito, how could a Dead Last like you possibly beat Veigar?"

"Obito, you're definitely going to lose again this afternoon."

Obito Uchiha had not gone far when he heard the laughter behind him. He encouraged himself with great optimism.

"Hmph! This time, I'll show all of you what I can do."

Veigar did not take Obito Uchiha's challenge too seriously, because he was confident enough that he would win.

At the same time, Veigar knew that ever since he had easily defeated Obito Uchiha in the previous practical combat assessment, Obito Uchiha had remained dissatisfied and had added him to his list of opponents.

Veigar also knew very well that Obito Uchiha had not yet experienced the series of events that would later occur, turning him evil and making him spend every day dreaming of using the Eye of the Moon plan to create a peaceful world. At this moment, he was still a warmhearted and kind little boy.

Although Obito Uchiha was born into the Uchiha Clan, he did not possess the outward pride of the other Uchiha clan members. Instead, he was very easy to get along with.

Compared with the other Uchiha clan members, Obito Uchiha's pride was restrained.

He was kind. Even when an unfamiliar old woman needed to cross the street, he would offer her a helping hand.

He refused to admit defeat. He had never bullied the weak and would only challenge people stronger than himself. Repeated failures would not discourage his optimism; instead, they would spur him to work harder and become stronger.

That afternoon.

Kaoru Iwabe appeared on the outdoor grounds of the Ninja Academy carrying a form, while Veigar and the rest of their class had already assembled.

After taking attendance and confirming that everyone was present, Kaoru Iwabe held up the form and said, "I've already assigned everyone's opponents. When I call your names, come onto the field."

"Wataru Yamanaka versus Sasaki Yamada."

"Shirahime Aburame versus Tadashi Kobayashi."

"Rin Nohara versus Kurenai Yuhi."

"Veigar Yuejian versus Asuma Sarutobi."

"Shizune Kato..."

"Obito Uchiha versus Might Guy."

After hearing Kaoru Iwabe announce the matchups, Obito Uchiha immediately objected. He stepped forward and shouted, "Teacher Kaoru, I don't want to fight Guy."

"I want to challenge Veigar."

Kaoru Iwabe looked at the Obito Uchiha who had jumped out and said, "Obito, the matchups your teacher arranged were based on your respective strengths."

"If Veigar accepts your challenge, your teacher can change the matchups and approve your fight."

As soon as Kaoru Iwabe finished speaking, everyone in the class burst into laughter, thinking Obito Uchiha was overestimating himself by challenging Veigar.

"Teacher Kaoru, I accept Obito's challenge."

Seeing Obito Uchiha turn his gaze toward him, Veigar also agreed.

After looking at Obito Uchiha and Veigar, Teacher Kaoru changed the matchups on the form with her pen and said, "All right, your teacher approves the fight."

"Then it will be Might Guy versus Asuma Sarutobi, and Veigar Yuejian versus Obito Uchiha."

"Now, prepare to begin the assessment."

The group quickly formed a circle around the Training Ground. The first pair to enter the field and fight was Wataru Yamanaka and Sasaki Yamada.

The two figures on the field constantly crossed paths, but Wataru Yamanaka, who came from the Yamanaka Clan, one of Konoha's prestigious ninja clans, steadily held the upper hand.

Although Sasaki Yamada wanted to counterattack, he lacked the strength to support it. He soon fell into Wataru Yamanaka's rhythm, then was beaten down and pinned to the ground.

"Good! The battle is over. The winner is Wataru Yamanaka."

"Both sides, perform the Reconciliation Seal."

"The next match is Shirahime Aburame versus Tadashi Kobayashi."

The assessment gradually reached its conclusion. At that moment, Asuma Sarutobi and Might Guy were fighting on the field.

Before the battle began, many people thought Asuma Sarutobi would win easily. However, Guy, who knew neither ninjutsu nor Genjutsu and only practiced taijutsu, gave everyone present except Veigar a rude awakening.