I Could Tell at a Glance You Weren't Human

Eiichirō continued announcing the rankings.

As expected, Hatake Kakashi took second place.

But he couldn't be happy about it, because he had fallen from first place.

Still, there was another chance.

The Final Exam rankings combined theory and practical combat.

As long as he took first place in the practical exam, it was still uncertain who would rank first overall.

Hatake Kakashi looked at Hikawa expressionlessly.

Hikawa looked calm and composed, as if he had expected this all along.

Wasn't that exactly how he used to be?

Hatake Kakashi unconsciously clenched his fists. The practical exam wouldn't be so simple.

Yuhi Kurenai came in sixth, which was about what she normally scored.

After hearing the results, Hikawa shifted his attention to the Lexicon System.

E-Rank Talent Entry: Scholar (Acquired).

Trigger Condition: Rank first in theory classes during the first semester.

Effect: Comprehension increased by 10%.

Note: Obtaining first place in more theory classes can deduce and upgrade this into the D-Rank Entry God of Study.

Comprehension?

Hikawa paused. The effect was somewhat unexpected.

But upon further thought, it might prove quite useful.

For example, when learning difficult ninjutsu.

"Last place, Obito Uchiha."

Eiichirō shook his head as he spoke.

Damn it!

His instincts had actually been wrong!

Obito Uchiha immediately revealed an unwilling expression.

His own failure was certainly depressing, but his opponent's success was even more agonizing.

First it had been Hatake Kakashi, and now it was Hikawa.

But the two situations were different.

Hatake Kakashi had no interest in Rin Nohara whatsoever and lived by the principle that women would only slow down his draw.

Not only was Hikawa close with Yuhi Kurenai, but he didn't reject Rin Nohara either.

That was simply enviable... Pah, what a scumbag!

Obito Uchiha instinctively looked toward Rin Nohara.

"Obito."

Rin Nohara noticed his gaze and consoled him. "Try harder next time."

She cares about me!

Hearing her gentle tone, Obito Uchiha immediately tossed Hikawa out of his mind and nodded excitedly.

"The first semester has ended. Everyone did quite well, though certain students need to straighten out their attitudes."

Eiichirō began his closing remarks.

Rin Nohara listened absentmindedly.

She was very curious about how Hikawa studied.

Maybe she could ask him next time.

"Alright, head to the training field in order."

Eiichirō clapped his hands as he spoke.

They were going to the training field to listen to Sarutobi Hiruzen's speech.

It was a Ninja Academy tradition during both opening and graduation ceremonies.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was not only the Hokage, but also the academy's nominal principal, so he had to give an address.

Besides, he was willing to instill the Will of Fire into Konoha's future so they could thrive.

"Next, I have six points to make..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen stood atop the platform, smiling as he spoke.

"What is this crap?!"

Half an hour later, Sarutobi Asuma was so anxious he wanted to go up there and drag him down.

The old man was simply wasting his time!

Hikawa wholeheartedly supported this display of father-son harmony.

The man could really talk—his words flowed endlessly.

Another half hour passed before Sarutobi Hiruzen's speech finally ended.

Eiichirō sighed in relief and said, "Next is the practical combat exam."

"Teacher!"

Sarutobi Asuma immediately raised his hand. "I want to challenge Hikawa."

"No!"

Obito Uchiha hurriedly said, "Hikawa is my opponent!"

"He's mine."

Hatake Kakashi suddenly spoke.

Rin Nohara raised her hand, then lowered it again.

She really wanted to tell them to stop fighting!

But she knew her two friends well enough to know they wouldn't be easy to persuade.

The only thing that surprised her was that Hatake Kakashi, who had always looked down on everyone, would take the initiative to challenge Hikawa as well.

"Hey!"

Obito Uchiha couldn't help asking, "Kakashi, why are you competing with me?"

He didn't remember Hatake Kakashi having any interaction with Hikawa.

The only explanation was that he wanted to compete with him.

"You're not his opponent."

Hatake Kakashi glanced at him as he spoke.

"What did you say?!"

Obito Uchiha immediately exploded with rage.

"You're too impulsive. If you go up there, you'll only bring humiliation upon yourself."

Hatake Kakashi analyzed the situation for him.

"You!"

Obito Uchiha completely lost his mind. "Then I'll beat you first!"

"You two, stop ignoring me!"

Sarutobi Asuma shouted.

Was Hikawa really that popular?

Sarutobi Hiruzen had just stepped down from the platform when he saw this strange standoff and instinctively stroked his beard.

He thought of his three disciples, who had been just as energetic in their youth.

"Quiet!"

Eiichirō noticed Sarutobi Hiruzen and hurriedly spoke.

If they kept arguing, he might end up getting fired.

But the current situation was indeed difficult to handle.

One was the Hokage's Son, one was the White Fang's Son, and the other was an Uchiha.

He couldn't afford to offend any of them.

"Hikawa, what do you think?"

Thinking quickly, Eiichirō asked.

I'm looking with my eyes.

Hikawa cleared his throat and said, "Since all three of you are so enthusiastic, then come at me together."

"Huh?"

Eiichirō was dumbfounded.

Those three weren't ordinary students!

Hatake Kakashi in particular was a genius among geniuses.

"As expected of children."

Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help laughing.

After all, only children wanted everything. Adults knew their bodies couldn't handle it.

"You wicked little brat, Hikawa! I'll show you—"

Enraged by Hikawa's arrogance, Sarutobi Asuma was about to make a move when he saw Obito Uchiha had already taken the position first.

"Then we'll start with Obito."

Hikawa said indifferently.

Eiichirō hesitated for several seconds before agreeing.

Hikawa casually took out two kunai.

"Using kunai against an Uchiha is the stupidest thing you could do!"

Obito Uchiha sneered disdainfully, looking as though he were just short of saying, Such a trifling skill, and you dare show it off before an expert?

Hikawa smiled.

Acting tough? You think you're so good? You little punk.

Whoosh!

Two kunai flew past Obito Uchiha's face.

He instinctively touched his cheek and found blood on his fingers.

I hadn't even started. How was I already defeated?

His whole body immediately froze in place.

"Not bad power."

Hatake Sakumo flashed forward, caught the two kunai, and praised him.

Super Strength?

No, it wasn't.

As a professor of ninjutsu, Sarutobi Hiruzen naturally understood Super Strength.

No technique had been used. It was simply raw physical power.

He couldn't help thinking of Tsunade, that girl who loved climbing walls.

No wonder she had been spending so much time with Hikawa lately.

"So fast!"

Alarm bells rang in Hatake Kakashi's mind.

His family's swordsmanship was renowned for its speed, yet he had almost failed to react to those two kunai.

"The winner is Hikawa."

Eiichirō swallowed and announced.

Bold monster, I could tell at a glance that you weren't human!

That level of kunai skill seemed even more terrifying than his own.

But he was a chūnin!

"Wait! I haven't—"

Obito Uchiha came to his senses and hurriedly waved at Eiichirō.

"Obito."

Rin Nohara walked over, pulled him aside, took out a bandage, and said, "I'll help you treat that."

It was both treatment and a way to give him an out.

She had already realized that Obito Uchiha was nowhere near Hikawa's match.