Practical Test

After school, the students gathered in small groups to discuss tomorrow's practical test and guess who would take first place.

Most eyes, though, were on Kakashi. He was Konoha's White Fang's son, a prodigy who could use Ninjutsu at just four years old.

Kakashi looked unfazed. He was long used to such talk, but Obito, sitting in the front row, bristled.

"What's so great about that bastard Kakashi? Just watch. I'll beat him tomorrow."

Beside him, Rin smiled gently and clasped her hands before her chest to cheer him on. "You can do it, Obito!"

At Rin's encouragement, Obito scratched his head and grinned foolishly again. Kakashi finally stood and walked over to Nara Tsukimi.

"I hope I get to fight you tomorrow." Without waiting for Tsukimi's response, he headed straight for the door. Only when he passed Obito did he spare him a glance.

"Idiot."

"Bastard Kakashi, just you wait! Watch this Uchiha genius beat you." If Rin hadn't held him back, Obito would have gone after Kakashi right then.

The rest of the class turned surprised looks on Tsukimi. They had heard about Kakashi's personality, and now they had seen it for themselves. If a prodigy like him looked forward to a fight, Nara Tsukimi had to be strong too.

Asuma Sarutobi, in the front row, looked at him with particular fighting spirit. Before coming to school, Asuma had thought Kakashi was the only one in their year worth his attention. Even his old man had praised Kakashi, but Asuma wasn't convinced.

As the Hokage's son, he knew he was no slouch. He wasn't going to admit defeat over a few words before they had even fought.

Asuma knew the Nara well, too. He hadn't expected someone like Nara Tsukimi to be among them, someone even Kakashi wanted to fight. He would defeat them both fair and square and prove himself to his old man.

Obito caught on as well. He turned to Nara Tsukimi and asked bluntly, "I'm Obito Uchiha, the future Hokage. What's your name?"

"Nara Tsukimi."

"Tsukimi, huh? Don't worry. After you lose to Kakashi, I'll avenge you. Hahaha!"

As he spoke, Obito gave Tsukimi's shoulder a familiar pat. He was already lost in some glorious fantasy, laughing wildly.

Ding! The four madly laughing Uchiha (1/4).

Tsukimi couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing, jolting Obito from his daydream. Obito stared at him, his face darkening.

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean? You think I can't beat Kakashi either? I was going easy on him before, you know!"

"Right, right. I wasn't laughing at you. I just remembered something nice—my clan raised my monthly allowance. Sorry, I have to get going. See you tomorrow."

After saying goodbye to Kurenai Yuhi, Tsukimi slipped away. Before turning evil, Obito was an overfamiliar egomaniac. Tsukimi could barely handle him.

Outside the school building, he saw Guy running laps around the field. A banner hung from his back reading, "Run 500 laps to enroll," and a large figure in green ran beside him.

Tsukimi didn't linger at school. He knew Guy would get in eventually and should make it in time for tomorrow's test.

The next day, after introducing Might Guy, who had been admitted later, Takashi Murakami led the whole class to the field. Before he could announce the rules for the matches, Obito jumped out impatiently.

"Mr. Murakami, I want to fight Kakashi! I'll beat him this time."

Obito was so excited that he failed to notice Murakami's darkening expression—until a fist landed on his head.

"This test is just to gauge your abilities. The matchups are entirely random. You'll all get your chance to fight each other in future drills. Obito Uchiha, get back in line. Do that again, and you'll run fifty laps around the field!"

The punch finally quieted Obito. He returned obediently to the line. Murakami nodded in satisfaction, took out the class roster, and began announcing the rules and matchups.

"First match: Obito Uchiha versus Ken Tanaka."

"I didn't think I'd be first! Don't worry, Rin. I'll win!" Obito sprang out of the line.

"Both sides, form the Seal of Confrontation. Begin!"

The moment Murakami finished speaking, Obito moved. He leaned forward and drove his right fist swiftly toward Ken Tanaka. Ken didn't panic. He raised both arms and crossed them before his chest to block.

Obito's fist struck Ken's arms with a dull thud, forcing him back two steps. Obito pressed on with a second punch, aimed lower at his stomach. Ken twisted aside and pushed down with his left hand, trying to redirect Obito's attack, while throwing a right-handed punch at his face. Obito hastily caught Ken's fist with his left palm but was driven back two steps.

Watching the two trade blows, Tsukimi was a little surprised. People called Obito the class's dead last, but this was an elite class. His fundamentals weren't bad at all. His personality just kept getting him into trouble.

After all, if Obito had truly been hopeless, even his position as a Uchiha close to the Hokage wouldn't have made Hiruzen Sarutobi place him under Minato Namikaze.

By the time Tsukimi turned his attention back, the match was still going. Ken's balance wavered. Obito seized the opening and drove a fist toward his shoulder, ready to end the fight. Then he caught sight of Rin at the edge of the field, waving and cheering him on. His gaze froze. Rin was all he could think about. Ken had no idea what was happening, but he didn't stop. He ducked and swept his right leg at Obito.

Obito was still lost in his happy fantasy with Rin when the world suddenly spun. By the time he came to his senses, Ken had pinned him down with a hand pressed against his neck.

There it was. The same old problem.

"Ken Tanaka wins. Both sides, form the Seal of Reconciliation."

After they formed the seal, Obito trudged back to the line. Rin asked with concern, "Are you all right, Obito?"

"I'm fine, Rin. I let my guard down this time. I'll definitely win the next one."

"I believe in you, Obito."

Obito brightened at once and started grinning foolishly again.

Tch!

The next few matches were nothing special, though Tsukimi watched them with keen interest.

"Next match: Nara Tsukimi versus Asuma Sarutobi."

At the sound of his name, Tsukimi stepped out of the crowd. Before he could take his place, Asuma leaped forward and spoke first.

"Kakashi acknowledged you, so you must be pretty strong. But I'll beat both of you. Remember my name. I'm the man who'll surpass the Hokage."

Yeah, I know. Thirty-five million ryo.