No Such Thing as So Many Accidents in Life

Ink erupted uncontrollably from the brush tip like floodwaters released from a dam!

The pitch-black liquid completely defied the laws of physics, pouring out as though the pen barrel were connected to an ink factory in another dimension.

The test paper was instantly soaked through. The black liquid spread across the page in the blink of an eye, even trickling over the edge of the desk with a "drip-drip."

At the same time, that intensely concentrated, sickeningly sweet stench of rotten durian exploded on the spot.

Like an invisible biochemical weapon, it instantly swept through the entire sealed classroom!

[ Ding! Guard-Break Points from Obito Uchiha, +999! ]

[ Ding! Guard-Break Points from Obito Uchiha, +999! ]

[...]

Obito's breathing stopped for a moment. Only one thought remained in his mind: Save it. He had to save it!

He grabbed a corner of the paper and swung his arm wildly through the air, trying to shake off the pooled ink.

Little did he know, he had just performed a suicidal maneuver worthy of being recorded in Ninja Academy history.

Ink droplets flew off the soaked paper, spraying outward in every direction with Obito at the center.

In the front row, Uchiha Tekka had just set down his brush with satisfaction and let out a long breath.

The final question, a comprehensive essay on ninjutsu principles, was worth thirty points.

He had spent a full forty minutes meticulously writing every step of his reasoning in the answer area.

For the sake of neat formatting, he had deliberately tightened the line spacing. The paper was so immaculate it could have been framed and hung on a wall.

Tekka flexed his aching wrist and examined his masterpiece, a rare smile appearing on his face.

He did not care about being first in the grade, but this flawless answer sheet absolutely could not disgrace the Uchiha Clan.

Just then, a thumb-sized blob of foul-smelling black ink landed with a splat in the center of the final question.

The ink splashed and spread, instantly swallowing the most crucial steps into a black hole. There was no longer a single blank spot on the paper that could be salvaged.

Tekka lowered his head and looked at his test paper.

His expression went through four stages.

The first second: confusion.

The second second: denial.

The third second: confirmation.

The fourth second: all the blood rushed to his head, and his reason was completely destroyed.

Tekka abruptly turned around.

Obito stood there helplessly, holding up a ruined black sheet whose original color could no longer be seen. His face and hands were covered in ink.

"Uchiha... Obito!!!"

Tekka forced those words through gritted teeth.

Both hands clenched tightly around the edge of his desk, veins bulging around his eyes as the whites instantly filled with bloodshot lines.

A scarlet glint churned deep within his pupils. He was nearly furious enough to awaken his Sharingan on the spot.

[ Ding! Guard-Break Points from Uchiha Tekka, +999! ]

Of course, that was not the end of it!

On the left side of the front row, Kurenai Yuhi was checking for typos when a black droplet landed on the tip of her nose, and the foul stench rushed straight into her head.

She threw down her brush and covered her nose and mouth tightly, her stomach churning violently.

Every extra second she breathed it in came with dry heaves, and tears slid down her cheeks beyond her control.

On the right, Ibiki Morino's test paper had also been splattered with more than a dozen black stains.

His fierce face had turned purple from holding it in. His whole body shook as he fanned the air with his palm, only making the stench grow even stronger.

For the freshmen of the Inuzuka Clan, whose sense of smell was exceptionally sharp, this was an even more devastating blow!

The first boy rolled his eyes back and fainted, his head hitting the desk with a bang.

The second did not even have time to struggle before slumping sideways in his chair.

Inuzuka Tsume held out for three seconds. She clawed blindly at the desk a few times, then kicked her legs out and collapsed backward.

Even the ninja hound pup by her feet had rolled onto its back, foam spilling from its mouth as it completely lost consciousness.

The entire classroom instantly descended into chaos, with despairing wails rising one after another.

[ Ding! Guard-Break Points from Kurenai Yuhi, +666! ]

[ Ding! Guard-Break Points from Ibiki Morino, +777! ]

[ Ding! Guard-Break Points from Inuzuka Tsume, +999! ]

[...]

Tekka could no longer hold himself back. He kicked his chair aside, rose to his feet, raised his right hand, and glared angrily at the proctor on the podium.

"Teacher! I request a replacement test paper!"

The proctor on the podium, Class Two's homeroom teacher with a walrus mustache, pushed up his black-framed glasses.

His gaze fell upon Tekka's utterly ruined paper.

Fairness and Class Two's year-end bonus battled in his heart for less than a second.

He put on a stern expression, his voice grave.

"Request denied. There is no precedent for replacing test papers in Ninja Academy exams."

"On the battlefield, you would not ask the enemy to start over just because your Ninja Tools were damaged."

"Everyone gets only one chance. You must take responsibility for whatever circumstances you encounter."

Tekka gritted his teeth, his fist creaking as he clenched it. He turned and pointed at Obito.

"Then I request that he be thrown out! He has severely disrupted the order of the examination room!"

The mustached teacher swept his eyes over Obito, then over the Class One students sprawled every which way. Joy bloomed in his heart.

Throw out the source of the contamination?

In his dreams!

Let this biochemical weapon fly around a little longer. Once Class One was wiped out, the bonus for first in the grade would belong to Class Two!

He placed both hands on the lectern, pretending to ponder for a moment before raising his hand and heavily rapping the blackboard.

"Request denied."

The mustached teacher's voice became even harsher.

"Anything can happen on the battlefield: poison gas, fog, enemy ambushes. There is no guarding against them all."

"As a ninja, you must adapt to any extreme situation, anticipate abnormalities in advance, and protect your own intelligence."

"This itself is part of the examination."

"The exam will continue. Anyone who causes another disturbance will receive a zero!"

As soon as he said that, the entire class fell silent. Only suppressed breathing and the grinding of teeth remained.

[ Ding! Guard-Break Points from Uchiha Tekka, +888! ]

[ Ding! Guard-Break Points from Kurenai Yuhi, +666! ]

[...]

At the window seat in the back row of the classroom, Ye sat perfectly upright.

Within five minutes of the exam beginning, he had already finished every question using the brush he had brought himself.

Now, with one hand supporting his chin, he leisurely watched this human tragedy caused by a single pen.

Listening to the proctor's lengthy speech from the podium, Ye gave the teacher a thumbs-up in his heart.

That argument was airtight. Had he not anticipated it in advance and taken proper precautions?

His classmates simply had not been careful enough...

If they had all noticed early on like he had, would this have happened?

Ye turned his attention back to the System Panel. Watching the values continuously jump, he was in an excellent mood.

Obito, this harvesting machine, truly had an effect unmatched in all of Konoha.

A true expert never needed to enter the field personally.

Meanwhile, the teachers' office was peaceful and harmonious.

Class One's homeroom teacher, Gang Ziyun, was sitting with one leg crossed over the other.

In his left hand was a freshly brewed cup of Konoha Spring Tip tea, its fragrance curling through the air.

In his right hand, he held a red bean cake his wife had made that morning, looking utterly content.

A Taijutsu teacher carrying a lunchbox walked past and gave Gang Ziyun a thumbs-up.

"Gang Ziyun, Class One taking first in the grade this year is practically guaranteed, right?"

Class Three's homeroom teacher across the desk also leaned over with a smile, his words carrying a trace of envy.

"Isn't that so, Teacher Gangzi?"

"Those promising students in your class have been training like mad lately. How could the honor of this year's freshmen possibly slip away?"

"We're all waiting to see you collect that bonus at the end of the year."

Gang Ziyun took a sip of Spring Tip tea and let the warm liquid slide down his throat.

He tried hard to suppress the upward curve of his lips, repeatedly waving his hands with a humble expression.

"How could anything be so absolute?"

"The children are merely enthusiastic for the moment."

"Besides, with exams, there might be some unexpected mistake. It still depends on how they perform today."

But what he was really thinking was: "An accident?"

"My ass! There aren't that many accidents in life. First place is mine!"

Gang Ziyun knew very well that victory was already in his grasp.

He set down his teacup, leaned back leisurely in his chair, and closed his eyes.

Class One's examination room was surely orderly now, with good news pouring in one after another.