Fugaku: Obito Is in Your Care

"Well, no..."

The moment he took the kunai, he had indeed felt something was off. But thinking Rin was still waiting to watch him perform, he had not examined it closely.

Then he remembered that the teacher had indeed mentioned something before the test, and many classmates had tried it out themselves. But as an Uchiha, he had his own pride and had not joined the crowd.

"Ah, how did I not notice..."

The next day, Teacher Araki posted the results at the entrance.

The rankings were based on the combined scores for theory, ninjutsu (Clone Technique), and taijutsu (ninja tool throwing).

Seeing that he was still ranked second, Aoba was speechless. He had gone so easy on the ninja tool throwing, yet he was still second.

As expected, Kakashi remained in first place.

Geniuses really were exceptional in every aspect. Aoba could achieve near-perfect score control only because he had the Chip's assistance, along with an adult's way of thinking.

But Kakashi was different. He relied entirely on himself; he had no weaknesses in theory, ninjutsu, or actual combat.

As for Yuhi Kurenai, without Aoba helping her cheat, her theory score dropped straight down. Fortunately, Aoba had marked the key points for her before the test, so she barely passed.

The last place was none other than Uchiha Obito. Aoba had not noticed at first, but the news was simply too explosive. After all, this might have been the first dead-last Uchiha in the Ninja Academy since Konohagakure's founding.

Aoba clicked his tongue in wonder. "Could this be where Obito's dead-last nickname came from..."

Many ninja clans had their own training systems. Outstanding clan members were trained within their clans, such as the Hyuga clan. Only Hyuga Hinata, the Main Branch's eldest daughter who was not highly regarded, had been sent to the Ninja Academy, while Hanabi, the next Main Branch heir who was being groomed with great care, remained within the clan.

Someone like Uchiha Obito, who received no attention at all within the Uchiha clan, was naturally sent to the Ninja Academy.

However, the Uchiha had not yet experienced the Night of the Nine-Tails and had not suffered all-out suppression from Konohagakure's upper ranks. With the Senju clan becoming commoners, the Uchiha could be said to be the strongest ninja clan in Konohagakure on the surface.

Now, the strongest ninja clan in Konohagakure had actually produced a dead-last student. That was truly humiliating.

With interested parties fanning the flames, the news spread throughout Konohagakure on the very day the results were announced.

"So even bloodline clans can have idiots."

"I heard the top-ranked students are all commoners."

"I thought ninja clans were something special. Turns out even the Uchiha are nothing much."

"..."

Gossiping was human nature, especially when it involved a great clan. No one cared whether Obito was merely the dead last of the Elite Class. They only cared that a proud Konohagakure great clan had produced a dead-last student.

"Damn it! What did you say?!"

An Uchiha instinctively activated his Sharingan and glared furiously at the group.

"Yuma, don't be impulsive!"

The Uchiha beside him hurriedly grabbed his companion.

Faced with an enraged Uchiha police officer, ordinary people were still somewhat afraid and quickly scattered.

"That idiot! He's simply the disgrace of the Uchiha!"

Having lost his target, Uchiha Yuma redirected his anger toward Obito. His clenched fists cracked loudly.

The same discussions appeared throughout Konohagakure, and people no longer regarded the patrolling Uchiha Police Force with the same fear as before.

Some even deliberately raised their voices, afraid the patrolmen would not hear them.

Several conflicts broke out as a result, and soon, quite a few letters complaining about the Konoha Military Police Force appeared on the Hokage's desk.

After hearing the Anbu's report, Sarutobi Hiruzen understood immediately. He did not need to think to guess that Danzo was involved.

Although smearing fellow villagers like this was somewhat inappropriate, the Uchiha clan had gone too far. They had actually attacked civilians over nothing more than a few remarks.

"Owl, have Uchiha clan head Fugaku come over."

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

After school, Obito returned to the Uchiha clan compound after parting with Nohara Rin.

Before he had even entered the clan grounds, he sensed that the atmosphere was off.

"Everyone's looks are a little strange today. It feels kind of..."

Whoosh~

Before Obito could react, a figure suddenly appeared in front of him, startling him into taking two hurried steps back.

"Clan... Clan Head Fugaku."

After recognizing the visitor, Obito quickly bowed.

Fugaku was still very young at this time, having only recently taken over as clan head.

"Obito, I heard your results in this Ninja Academy test were not very good?!"

Fugaku went straight to the point without beating around the bush.

"Uh... Clan Head, I... that was..."

Cold sweat instantly broke out on Obito's forehead as he stammered out an explanation, but Fugaku interrupted him directly.

"Enough. Sending you to the Ninja Academy was my oversight. But since you are already a Ninja Academy student, you cannot tarnish the Uchiha's reputation. From now on, you will also participate in the clan's training."

Obito immediately revealed a delighted expression, thinking that he had finally gained the clan's recognition. At that moment, a figure suddenly flashed through his mind.

"Clan Head, then what about the Ninja Academy..."

"You will attend school normally during the day. After school and on rest days, you will receive Uchiha training guidance."

Hearing that he could attend the Ninja Academy normally, Obito secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Before he could react, Fugaku continued.

"The guidance begins today."

"Yes, Clan Head... huh?"

"Tekka!"

"Here!"

A figure appeared behind Fugaku. Two scarlet Sharingan stared past Fugaku, making Obito's scalp tingle.

"Obito is in your care."

"Yes, Clan Head."

Fugaku turned and gave Obito one look before using Body Flicker to vanish from the spot.

"Uh, huh???"

Only then did Obito finally realize something was wrong. Watching Tekka approach him with red eyes, cold sweat poured down his face.

I'm going to die! I'm going to die!

"W-Wait..."

"Ah!!!"

Konohagakure, Ninja Academy.

"Obito, here."

"Rin, what's this?"

"Medicine for bruises. Forget it, I'll apply it for you."

Nohara Rin opened the ointment and applied it to the swollen areas on Obito's face.

"Why do you come to school covered in injuries every morning these days?"

"Ow~ Yeah, uh... I've been getting up in the morning to train..."

Obito blushed, not even daring to look at Rin as he stammered, unsure how to explain that he had been beaten up.

They called it training guidance, but in reality, they just took turns beating him up.

"Morning, Rin. Oh, isn't this our class's dead-last student? Got beaten up again?"

"Good morning, Rin. Good morning, Kenji."

Yuhi Kurenai and Aoba entered the classroom. Seeing Rin applying medicine to Obito's bruised and swollen face, they could not help finding it amusing.

"W-What do you mean beaten up? I'm undergoing secret training. I'll definitely surpass you in the next test! And you, damn Aoba, don't go changing people's names whenever you want! My name isn't Kenji! Obito! Uchiha Obito... ow~"

Obito covered his face and spoke angrily.

"Got it, Kenji."

"No problem, Uchiha Kenji."

Aoba made a joke no one around them understood, but Obito, as the person being teased, could still hear the perfunctoriness in his words.

So angry that he stepped onto the desk, Obito wanted to have a showdown between men with Aoba.

Aoba did not care in the slightest. After teasing Obito, he returned to his seat and lay down on the desk. Leaving aside whether Obito could beat him, Nohara Rin standing beside them could easily keep Obito in line.

"Alright, sit down and don't move around. I'm not done applying it yet."

"Oh, okay."

The irritable Obito instantly turned into an obedient child and sat properly in his seat when Rin spoke.

"Tsk, tsk. She's got him completely wrapped around her finger."