Practical Combat Test

After school, the students gathered in small groups, discussing tomorrow's practical combat test and guessing who would take first place.

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

Kakashi looked perfectly calm. He was used to this sort of talk, but Obito, sitting near the front, bristled.

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

Beside him, Rin smiled softly and clasped her hands before her chest. "You can do it, Obito!"

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

"I hope we get to fight 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!"

"You bastard, Kakashi! Just you wait. Watch this Uchiha prodigy 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 fighting Nara Tsukimi, Tsukimi couldn't be weak.

Asuma Sarutobi, sitting near the front, looked especially eager for a fight. Before coming to school, he had thought Kakashi was the only one in their year worth his attention. Even his old man had praised Kakashi, though Asuma refused to accept that Kakashi was better than him.

As the Hokage's son, Asuma knew he was no slouch. He wasn't about to concede on the strength of a few words before they had even fought.

Asuma knew the Nara clan well, too. He hadn't expected them to be hiding someone like Nara Tsukimi. If even Kakashi wanted to fight him, Asuma would have to beat 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. Once 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 a glorious daydream, laughing wildly.

Ding! Four great Uchiha cacklers (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 good. 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 such an overfamiliar braggart that Tsukimi could barely handle him.

Outside the classroom 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 stay at school. He knew Guy would eventually get in, and Guy would probably make it in time for tomorrow's test.

The next day, after introducing Might Guy as a late admission, Takashi Murakami led the whole class to the field. Before he could announce the match rules, Obito jumped out impatiently.

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

Obito was so excited he didn't notice Murakami's face darkening—until a fist came down on his head.

"This test is only to gauge your abilities. The matchups are completely 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 obediently returned to the line, and Murakami nodded in satisfaction before taking out the class roster and announcing the rules and matchups.

"First match: Obito Uchiha versus Ken Tanaka."

"I'm up first? Don't worry, Rin. I'll win!" Obito leaped out of the line.

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

Obito moved as soon as Murakami finished speaking. Leaning into a right punch, he rushed Ken Tanaka. Ken stayed calm and quickly crossed his arms in front of his chest to block.

Obito's fist struck Ken's arms with a dull thud, driving him back two steps. Obito followed with a second punch, aimed lower at his abdomen. Ken turned aside and pressed down with his left hand to redirect the blow, then punched at Obito's face with his right. Obito hastily caught Ken's fist in his left palm but was forced back two steps.

Watching the two trade blows, Tsukimi was a little surprised. People called Obito dead last, but he was dead last in the elite class. His fundamentals weren't bad; his personality just kept getting him into trouble.

After all, if Obito had truly been hopeless, Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't have assigned him to Minato Namikaze, even if Obito was a member of the Uchiha who supported the Hokage.

Tsukimi turned his attention back to the fight. Ken's balance was faltering, and Obito seized the chance, driving a fist toward his shoulder to finish it. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Rin waving and cheering for him from the sidelines. His gaze fixed on her, and she filled his thoughts. Ken had no idea what had happened, but he didn't stop. He ducked and swept his right leg at Obito.

Obito was still lost in a lovely daydream about Rin when the world suddenly spun. By the time he came to his senses, Ken had pinned him down with a hand on his neck.

There it was. Same old problem.

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

After making 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 win the next one."

"I believe in you, Obito."

Obito immediately brightened and started grinning foolishly again.

Tch.

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

"Next match: Nara Tsukimi versus Asuma Sarutobi."

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

"Kakashi thinks you're worth fighting, so you must be strong. But I'll beat both of you. Remember my name—I'm the man who'll surpass the Hokage."

Yeah, got it. Thirty-five million ryo.