Year 41 of Konoha, at the Ninja Academy.
Final exams.
Uchiha Makoto sat in the classroom, looked at the test paper in his hands, and yawned.
He wasn't bragging. This test was way too easy.
So easy that even throwing it would be hard.
"Question one: what are the Three Basic Techniques?"
"Clone Technique, Transformation Technique, Substitution Technique."
"Question two: what two types of energy make up chakra?"
"Physical energy and spiritual energy."
"Question three: how many Hokage are depicted on Hokage Rock?"
"Three. The First, Second, and Third."
Uchiha Makoto wrote at lightning speed.
It wasn't that he wanted to rush. He could answer these questions with his eyes closed.
But he couldn't get full marks. That would draw too much attention, so he had to manage his score.
Around ninety points-not too high, not too low, just enough to be excellent.
Without standing out too much.
Ugh, Uchiha Makoto sighed inwardly. Being a genius is exhausting.
He glanced at Obito beside him.
Obito scratched his head and fidgeted, his face almost pressed against the paper.
Ten minutes later, Obito raised his hand.
"Teacher, I'd like to hand in my paper."
The teacher walked over, glanced at the paper, and scowled.
"Obito Uchiha," the teacher said. "Are you sure you want to hand this in?"
"I'm sure." Obito nodded.
"You don't want to change anything?"
"Nope."
The teacher sighed and took the paper.
Uchiha Makoto stole a glance. Good grief. He'd picked C for every multiple-choice question.
He'd written "I don't know" in every blank, and for the written-response questions... he'd put "I forgot."
No way he's passing this, Uchiha Makoto thought.
He glanced at Guy, who was also tearing at his hair.
Forget it.
There was no way Obito or Guy would pass the theory exam.
One relied on guessing, the other on youth.
It would take a miracle for either of them to pass.
The practical exam was held the day after the theory exam.
Naturally, it was also the first-years' parents' open day.
Uchiha Makoto stood on the training field, looking at the crowd around him.
Good grief. There were parents everywhere, packed shoulder to shoulder.
Some wore ninja flak jackets.
Some wore clan attire.
Some wore casual clothes.
Uchiha Makoto scanned the crowd and spotted a few familiar faces.
Might Duy. Green jumpsuit, thick eyebrows, bowl cut.
He and Guy looked like they'd been cast from the same mold.
So this is the beast who kicked the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist down to a lucky trio? Uchiha Makoto took a second look.
Unfortunately, he was still a perpetual Genin.
Nobody knew that this goofy middle-aged man in a jumpsuit would one day open the Eight Gates and nearly kick all the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist to death.
I need to get on his good side, Uchiha Makoto thought. The Eight Gates Formation is good stuff.
He also spotted Shinku Yuhi, whose expression was stern but whose eyes were gentle.
So this is Kurenai's dad? Uchiha Makoto sized him up. Hmm, not bad-looking.
He might be my father-in-law someday. Better make a good impression.
Then he spotted more.
The Uchiha, the Hyuga, the Inuzuka Clan, the Aburame-all the major ninja clans had come.
And, of course, there was that man.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He wore his Hokage robes, a pipe between his lips and a kindly expression on his face.
Sneaky old bastard, Uchiha Makoto grumbled inwardly.
But he kept a cheerful smile on his face.
Putting on an act? Anyone could do that.
Suddenly, he felt someone watching him. Uchiha Makoto looked in that direction.
Asuma Sarutobi, the Hokage's youngest son, was staring at him.
His gaze... wasn't very friendly.
"Makoto," Guy whispered, "does he want to beat you up?"
"Maybe," Uchiha Makoto said.
"Why?"
"Because I stole his girlfriend."
"..."
Guy fell silent.
Three seconds later.
"Makoto, when did you steal her?"
"I didn't," Uchiha Makoto said. "He just thinks I did."
"Oh." Guy only half understood.
But he quickly caught on.
"So he wants to fight you?"
"Looks like it."
"What are you going to do?"
"Deal with it," Uchiha Makoto said.
He really didn't want to fight Asuma. Winning would mean trouble. Losing would mean even more trouble.
The main problem was that he couldn't lose.
There were so many Jonin here, not to mention that sneaky old bastard Hiruzen Sarutobi.
If he held back, they would definitely notice. But if he didn't...
Ugh, Uchiha Makoto sighed again. Being a genius is exhausting.
The matches began. First up, two children from civilian families.
The two kids traded punches and kicks. Both were terrible.
So terrible that Uchiha Makoto wanted to yawn, but the parents watched intently. Those were their children, after all.
The second match was also between two children from civilian families.
So was the third.
In the fourth, someone from a minor ninja clan finally appeared.
But they were still terrible.
The school did this on purpose, didn't they? Uchiha Makoto had figured it out.
Civilian families against civilian families, minor ninja clans against minor ninja clans, major ninja clans against major ninja clans.
The divisions were clear-cut.
"Next match," Teacher Nakamura called. "Might Guy versus Akimichi Kosuke!"
The crowd fell silent for a second, then broke into whispers.
"Might? Which Might?"
"The son of that perpetual Genin, Might Duy."
"Oh! That green freak."
"An Akimichi against a Might? Isn't that just bullying?"
"Exactly. The Akimichi Clan is part of Ino-Shika-Cho, after all."
"Might Duy is just a Genin. How strong could his son possibly be?"
Uchiha Makoto listened without speaking. He knew how strong Guy was.
Having learned Flowing Iron Block and Life Return, Guy could now beat students in higher grades without breaking a sweat.
One Akimichi Kosuke wasn't nearly enough.
On the field.
Guy and Akimichi Kosuke stood facing each other.
Akimichi Kosuke was chubby and brimming with confidence.
Guy wore a green jumpsuit and looked completely serious.
"Begin!" Teacher Nakamura shouted.
Akimichi Kosuke formed hand seals.
"Multi-Size Technique!"
His hand instantly grew to the size of a large palm-leaf fan, then swung down at Guy.
"Holy shit!" someone exclaimed. "He can use the Multi-Size Technique in his first year?"
"A genius from the Akimichi Clan!"
"That Might kid is in for it."
Uchiha Makoto was surprised too.
Akimichi Kosuke had barely stood out in class. He hadn't expected him to know the Multi-Size Technique.
It was only a partial expansion, but it was still impressive.
At least, it was impressive for a first-year.
Unfortunately, his opponent was Guy.
Guy moved. No hand seals, no evasive maneuver.
He simply gave a light hop, avoiding the attack and leaping above Akimichi Kosuke's head.
Then came a kick.
Straight down.
Thud!
Before Akimichi Kosuke could react, the kick landed on his head.
Then his eyes rolled back.
He passed out.
The entire crowd fell utterly silent.
Three seconds later.
"What just happened?!"
"What happened just now?!"
"That Might kid knocked Akimichi Kosuke out with one kick?!"
"When did he jump up there?!"
"I didn't even see it!"
Uchiha Makoto smiled. This was exactly the effect he'd wanted.
Guy had made a name for himself in a single fight.
Guy's father, Might Duy, rushed out.
"Guy!"
Might Duy shouted as he dashed onto the field.
Then he wrapped Guy in a tight embrace.
"Son! You did it! You did it!"
"Father! I did it! This is youth!"
"That's right! This is youth!"
They hugged each other, tears streaming down their faces.
Then they started saying things nobody else understood.
"Burn! Youth!"
"Boil! Hot blood!"
"Blossom! Life!"
Uchiha Makoto: "..."
The entire audience: "..."
Uchiha Makoto had wanted to go over and congratulate Guy, but now he didn't dare.
It was too embarrassing.
Far too embarrassing.
Before you continue