His golden, slit-pupiled eyes were fixed on the young disciple below, who clutched his arm with a look of "innocence" and "regret." His laughter was full of amusement.
"Just as I thought... a little monster who defies understanding."
He had seen through it.
Given the shuriken's trajectory, Uchiha Makoto could easily have dodged it with a smaller movement, or even blocked it outright.
He had deliberately "taken" the hit, then used it as the perfect excuse to... give up trying.
After a brief moment of disbelief, the referee confirmed that Uchiha Makoto was not joking and checked the wound on his arm. With an odd expression, he could only announce, "The winner is Kakashi Hatate!"
Kakashi stood where he was, looking at Uchiha Makoto. No one could see his expression beneath his mask, but his visible eye held far more confusion than the joy of victory.
The two left amid an uproar of exclamations and discussion.
As soon as they left the arena entrance and reached a relatively quiet passage, Kakashi could no longer hold back. His voice carried unmistakable bewilderment. "Makoto, why?"
Uchiha Makoto was grimacing as he treated the tiny wound with the bandages he carried. He answered without looking up, "Why what?"
"Forfeit," Kakashi said succinctly. "I know an attack like that wouldn't work on you."
"Oh, come on, I got hurt. It really stings," Uchiha Makoto replied dismissively.
Then, apparently deciding that excuse was too far-fetched, he casually added, "Besides, lately I've spent all my time tinkering with ninja tool blueprints and rune arrangements with our teacher. My brain's turned to mush. I really can't get excited about fighting, becoming a chunin, or any of that."
"What would winning get me? More work, that's all. This is fine. You advance, and I save myself the trouble."