Obito: My Mindset Is Shattered

In the stands.

Crack.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face went as dark as Danzo's.

He had crushed the cup in his hand.

Mocking voices rang out all around him.

"Hahaha! I'm dying! Konoha really is a great ninja village. What a wealth of talent!"

"Indeed. That young fellow is quite a talent. I'd pay handsomely to bring him into my service."

"...Uh, why?"

"(´┓`*) No particular reason. It's just what I'm into."

"(°ー°〃) Oh..."

Hiruzen snorted and looked at Kisuke beside him.

"Kisuke, is this the fine student you taught?"

Kisuke felt terribly wronged.

The kid's ridiculous all on his own. What's that got to do with me?

Keep blaming me like this and I'll quit teaching.

I... I'll open a convenience store!

When Kisuke said nothing,

Hiruzen sat up straight, his face cold, and looked toward the stage again, pretending to be angry.

That Sexy Jutsu really is something...

No. I have to classify it as a forbidden technique!

A technique that can work such wonders must never fall into another village's hands!

On the arena floor.

Guy stared at the three women opposite him.

His blood surged, and his face flushed crimson.

"Obito, are you trying to humiliate me?!"

Obito was baffled.

I've given him three lovely young women.

How is that humiliating?

If he wants actual humiliation... that'll cost extra!

Just then.

The female proctor's cool voice rang out.

"Obito Uchiha has violated the examination rules. I hereby disqualify him from this match!"

Obito's heart skipped a beat.

He released the Sexy Jutsu and looked at the proctor in protest.

"Wait, how did I break the rules?!"

The proctor's pretty face was icy.

"What I say goes. Leave now, or you can forget about ever taking the Chunin Ninja Exams again."

Obito was annoyed.

Who the hell are you to talk like that? You say I can't—

Oh. Right.

When she introduced herself, she said her name was Sarutobi something...

Never mind, then.

Obito trudged off the arena floor.

He sighed inwardly.

If only the proctor had been a guy.

Forget throwing me out.

He'd probably have wanted me to stay up there forever.

In fact.

Guy was even more miserable than Obito.

His Youth was dead and buried.

Below the arena.

Rin saw Obito being sent down and hurried over, looking worried.

"Obito..."

Kakashi wanted to go over too.

But he had a cool, aloof image to maintain.

After a moment's hesitation, he stayed where he was.

(Readers: Another girl's about to steal your crush! Who cares about your image?!)

Obito gave Rin's little hand a squeeze and smiled at her.

"I'm fine, Rin. Really."

Rin gave Obito a suspicious look.

Then she realized he genuinely didn't seem upset!

While the two were talking.

The proctor's voice rang out again.

"Uesugi Huayi and Rin Nohara, please come to the arena."

"Oh, it's my turn."

Rin took a couple of steps toward the arena.

Then she looked back, still concerned, and told Obito,

"I'm off to my match, then. Take care of yourself, okay?"

Obito smiled, nodded, and made an encouraging gesture.

"You've got this, Rin!"

After Rin stepped into the arena.

Shikaba came over too.

He patted Obito on the shoulder and offered a few words of comfort.

Obito chatted with Shikaba for a moment, then left the examination venue.

Only after checking several times that no one was around.

Did he cautiously mutter to himself.

"System, that should count as completing the mission, right?"

"If that didn't stun the whole crowd... it must be because I didn't transform into Teacher Mikami!"

System: "..."

[Choice successful! Reward obtained: Hashirama Cells modification!]

The familiar notification sounded in his mind.

Obito couldn't help cheering.

"Woohoo!"

Who gave a damn about the Chunin title?

The reward for that choice was the real prize!

Obito felt a warm current well up inside him out of nowhere.

It flowed slowly through every inch of his body.

As it went, it reshaped his meridians, bones, muscles, and even his cells.

"Everything the system makes is top-notch!" Obito exclaimed.

In that short span of time.

He felt his physical abilities take a noticeable leap forward.

He could probably carry a sack of rice up several flights of stairs without even getting winded!

That meant the modification had boosted his strength, stamina, chakra capacity, and more.

More importantly.

He wouldn't have to worry so much about his eyes going bad when he used his ocular techniques.

"I don't know many Ninjutsu yet, but my strength should be at Special Jōnin level now, right?"

Obito shook his head smugly.

"Ah, this feels great. Isn't getting stronger better than becoming a Chunin?"

"To hell with being a Chunin. I can stay a Genin and still wipe the floor with anyone."

That evening.

Uchiha Chuan returned home looking exhausted.

He had watched the entire Chunin Ninja Exams that day.

So naturally, he had seen his nephew's outrageous performance.

Damn it.

That brat has disgraced the entire Uchiha Clan!

Though that girl in the middle did have a certain charm...

Shisui heard him come in.

He emerged from his room and asked curiously.

"Father, are the Chunin Ninja Exams over? How did Obito do?"

Ouch...

Seeing the anticipation on his son's face gave Chuan a headache.

After choosing his words carefully, he said,

"Shisui, your cousin Obito didn't pass, but he... well, he stunned the whole crowd."

"None of the other candidates managed that, so... well, I suppose he did all right."

Shisui clenched his fists excitedly.

"I knew it!"

Ouch...

Chuan looked at the admiration written all over his young son's face.

He made up his mind then and there.

I'd better keep Shisui away from Obito.

Before that guy becomes a bad influence on him!

The next day.

At Team Minato's meeting spot.

Obito stared at Rin in shock, wondering if he had heard her correctly.

"What did you just say, Rin?"

"...Everyone passed the Chunin Ninja Exams except me?!"

Rin fidgeted with her hands and gave him an awkward smile.

"That's right, Obito."

"Even that Nami guy..."

Obito muttered to himself, feeling utterly crushed.

He didn't care about the Chunin title.

But if everyone else was a Chunin and he was the only Genin left... that was embarrassing!

Kakashi glanced at Obito through half-lidded eyes.

"Idiot. That's what you get for clowning around during the exam. You had the strength to pass."

Obito huffed and punched Kakashi.

Seriously, Kakashi?

Instead of comforting me, you mock me!

"Kakashi!"

"Obito!"

"You two! Not again!"

As the three of them bickered.

Minato dropped down from above.

He smiled and said,

"Everyone seems full of energy today. Good."

"We've received a new mission and will be leaving the village shortly. Get yourselves ready."