"What a pity."
Uchiha Setsuna opened his eyes.
"If I could obtain Tobi Uchiha's Sharingan, why would I need the Mind Body Switch Technique?"
Uchiha Setsuna shook his head.
"Because Tobi Uchiha was there, the moment I controlled Ao to use the Byakugan on the Mizukage Office Building, Tobi Uchiha discovered it and killed Ao."
"That caused my plan to fail this time."
"But it proves that my line of thinking was correct."
"I just need to do it when Tobi Uchiha isn't around."
"When can I be sure Tobi Uchiha won't be there?"
"The Night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall."
"On the Night of the Uchiha Clan Downfall, Tobi Uchiha accepted Uchiha Itachi's invitation and attacked the Uchiha Clan."
"Those Uchiha members of the Military Police Force were all killed by Tobi Uchiha."
"I can use that opportunity to throw Kirigakure into chaos."
"Then I'll have a chance to escape Kirigakure and head to Kumogakure."
Uchiha Setsuna claimed the reward.
"I choose 1!"
A stream of information entered Uchiha Setsuna's mind. In an instant, he mastered the Mind Body Switch Technique.
The two-day break ended.
After breakfast, Uchiha Setsuna headed to the Ninja Academy.
Quite a few students were discussing the monthly exam.
"I wonder who got first place."
"Probably Second Pillar."
"After all, Second Pillar took first place in both Ninja Tool studies and physical fitness."
"He's amazing."
"As expected of a genius from the Uchiha Clan."
"Uchiha Itachi was amazing back then too."
Some people noticed Uchiha Setsuna.
"But not everyone in the Uchiha Clan is impressive."
"Quite a few Uchiha are actually worse than many of us."
Uchiha Setsuna: "..."
He had gotten caught in the crossfire again for no reason.
But Uchiha Setsuna did not care. As he passed them, he did not even spare them a second glance.
He entered the classroom.
Most of the students were still discussing the monthly exam results.
Second Pillar raised his chin.
Naruto had expected his results, but he still held onto a sliver of hope.
Kiba Inuzuka was much the same as Naruto.
Finally.
Iruka entered the classroom.
"Good morning, everyone."
"Good morning, Teacher."
Iruka smiled.
"The results of the first monthly exam are out. Congratulations to those of you who achieved good results."
"But those who did not get the results they hoped for should not lose heart. You still have many years ahead of you at the Ninja Academy."
"You have more than enough time to work hard and improve."
"Now, I will announce the top three students in this exam."
"I'll post the full list on the wall beside the blackboard. You can check it yourselves after class."
"First place: Second Pillar!"
A round of applause broke out.
Second Pillar seemed to raise his chin even higher.
For most of the students in the classroom, this result came as no surprise.
"Second place: Hyuga Hinata."
Uchiha Setsuna glanced at Hyuga Hinata.
Strictly speaking, Hyuga Hinata's talent was not especially high. Her Byakugan was exceptionally pure, and she had been acknowledged by Otsutsuki Toneri.
Yet throughout her life, she never became a particularly powerful ninja.
During the Fourth Shinobi World War, she was not even as strong as Sakura.
But right now, Hyuga Hinata had her own advantages.
Born into a major ninja clan, she had received training before entering the Ninja Academy.
"Third place: Nara Shikamaru."
Hearing his name, Nara Shikamaru's expression did not change.
"That lazy guy?"
Several students looked stunned.
But Yamanaka Ino and Akimichi Choji knew that Nara Shikamaru was fully qualified for that ranking.
If Nara Shikamaru had wanted to perform well, he might even have achieved better results than Second Pillar.
"All right, save the ranking discussions for after class."
"Let's begin."
"I'll hand out the rewards for the top-ranked students this afternoon."
Many students had lost all interest in the lesson.
They were eager to learn their scores and rankings.
After class, a large crowd of students surged toward the posted score sheet.
Some were delighted, while others were disappointed...
Seeing the scene, Uchiha Setsuna felt a faint sense of nostalgia.
In his previous life, Uchiha Setsuna had attended school as well, and for a long time—nine years of compulsory education, high school, university... Like these students, he had squeezed into crowds just to find out his results sooner.
However, Uchiha Setsuna did not care much about this month's exam results.
"Setsuna, you're thirty-first."
Yamanaka Ino returned after checking the rankings for Uchiha Setsuna.
"Thanks."
Uchiha Setsuna's expression did not change.
Sakura looked at Yamanaka Ino, then at Second Pillar, unable to stop herself from thinking, My taste is better than Ino's. Sasuke is far more outstanding than Uchiha Setsuna.
Hyuga Hinata glanced at Uchiha Setsuna.
"Setsuna worked so hard, but his results weren't very good. He must be very sad."
Sad?
Not in the slightest.
How could Uchiha Setsuna possibly be upset over monthly exam results?
What did these little brats in the classroom amount to?
Uchiha Setsuna was already someone who could contend with people like Uchiha Itachi and Tobi Uchiha.
Uchiha Setsuna only hoped class would end sooner. He could hardly wait for the next day to arrive so he could conduct another Life Simulation and strive to escape Kirigakure successfully in a single attempt.
Before afternoon classes ended, Iruka returned to the office.
"Everyone, it's time to distribute the prizes."
"Students whose names are called, please come up one at a time."
"Second Pillar, Hyuga Hinata, Nara Shikamaru..."
There were ten students in total.
After receiving her prize, Hyuga Hinata returned to her seat and looked at Uchiha Setsuna hesitantly. She wondered whether she should give Uchiha Setsuna part of her prize.
But she was worried Uchiha Setsuna would misunderstand and think she was showing off.
Just as Hyuga Hinata hesitated.
The dismissal bell rang.
"Class is over!"
Iruka announced the end of class.
Uchiha Setsuna immediately left his seat, gathered his things, and rushed out of the classroom at great speed.
Hyuga Hinata watched Uchiha Setsuna's retreating back.
Only after a long while did she look away.
"This monthly exam must have been a blow to Setsuna."
"Maybe he can't wait to get home and train even harder."
This time, Hyuga Hinata was not entirely wrong.
After returning home, Uchiha Setsuna would indeed put in extra training.
It was just not for the reason Hyuga Hinata imagined.
When Second Pillar returned home, the first person he sought out was Mikoto Uchiha.
"Mother, I'm back."
"I got first place in this monthly exam."
Before you continue