Chapter Twelve ــ Tests Part Three
The air in the academy courtyard was thick with tension, a palpable haze of anxiety and concentrated effort.
(Sousuke) was acutely aware of the beginning of the exam.
His dark eyes, sharper and more observant than any typical child's, scanned the crowd.
There weren't many who could truly master chakra control from the start.
The civilians were the least likely to succeed in this test.
A dry, almost mocking breeze rustled the leaves of the single tree in the training ground, as if laughing at their struggle.
Most of them couldn't use chakra at all, their lives untouched by the mystical energy that defined the shinobi world.
Meanwhile, the orphans had been taught a little in the orphanage by some ninja appointed by the Hokage.
The reason (Sousuke) knew this was because he, too, had been an orphan in this new life.
The memories he had acquired upon transferring into this world made it clear to him.
They trained the orphans, but in a lesser way than the clan children.
Yet, on a basic level, it was almost the same.
At least, if they possessed talent, the level of their training would rise.
One could see that with people like (Orochimaru), and also (Jiraiya), in addition to (Minato).
All of them were orphans.
Nevertheless, they reached a terrifying level.
Simply because they were talented and worthy of education.
He had been pondering these thoughts initially, but now he had returned his focus to the exam.
The scent of damp earth and nervous sweat filled his nostrils.
(Obito) was next to him, and next to (Obito) was (Guy), who was sweating profusely.
It wasn't from physical exertion, but from sheer, unadulterated concentration.
He was focusing on keeping the leaf stuck to his palm with chakra.
His father, (Duy), was watching from a distance, unable to even look away from his son.
It was clear that he was also nervous, a tightness around his eyes belying his wide, encouraging smile.
Yet, he smiled and encouraged his son in silence.
But (Sousuke) was even calmer.
From afar, he was able to see the circle drawn on (Guy)'s hand.
He was surprised at first, a slight flicker of emotion in his otherwise impassive face.
But then he looked at (Obito) and smiled, a small, knowing curve of his lips.
"It seems this boy really carried out my request."
The rustle of a falling leaf from a civilian child's hand punctuated his thought.
"He did well."
"In this way, he has obtained a good relationship with (Guy)."
"And if he succeeds, unlike the original version where he failed…"
In the original, he had been forced to succeed through the written exam, in addition to meeting strong physical criteria to enable him to enter the Ninja Academy.
"But thanks to (Obito)'s intervention, (Guy) might be able to pass this time."
In the original version, it was mentioned that (Guy) had failed this first chakra control test.
Therefore, he was not accepted.
However, he did not give up and managed to enter the academy in the end.
The reason wasn't stated, but now, being in this world, (Sousuke) knew.
Perhaps he had passed the written exam, or he had managed to convince the academy director and the Hokage of his effort.
And so, they approved his joining the academy even after his failure.
But now, the result might be different.
And this might be because of that circle.
This was the method (Sousuke) had thought of to help himself with chakra control.
At the same time, he had taught (Obito) this method to help him as well.
It was also a simple method.
Shinobi usually focused on their whole body and the entire environment.
They focused the chakra in the palms of their hands to grab the leaf and stick it using chakra.
But this method was wrong.
Especially for people who did not possess strong chakra from the start.
They couldn't practice the primitive method used by most children of shinobi clans.
Instead, it required a different technique.
By drawing a circle on the hand, a person could unconsciously focus on a single point in their palm.
This allowed for precise concentration of chakra, which simplified the process.
On the other hand, (Guy) was doing a good job.
Even though he was sweating, he managed to hold on for five minutes since the start of the test.
He was still holding on, even smiling.
Yet, it was clear he was concentrating heavily and not moving a muscle.
The leaf rested securely in the center of the circle on his palm.
On the other hand, (Obito) was breathing very calmly.
The leaf was still stuck precisely to his hand, unmoving since he first attached it with his chakra.
He was performing a breathing exercise to maintain a precise, continuous flow of chakra to a single point.
So the leaf would never fall.
This continued until the time he and the other remaining students approached a full seven minutes.
In the same timeframe, many other civilians saw their leaves flutter from their hands.
Swish. Plop.
One after another.
Some of them were crying, their shoulders shaking with quiet sobs.
Some were cursing under their breath in low, frustrated tones.
Most of these people were civilians.
Meanwhile, the orphans' leaves began to fall when the time reached eight minutes.
A series of soft, rustling sounds marked their failure.
The people from shinobi clans or shinobi families didn't pay them any mind.
They were focused on the individuals who were able to endure.
Among the most prominent people being watched were three individuals.
The first was (Asuma Sarutobi), the son of the Third Hokage, looking confident and relaxed.
On another side was (Ryū Uchiha), a student of the future head of the Uchiha clan, his expression haughty.
And finally, the last and most dazzling person was yawning while sticking multiple leaves to his palm.
He looked bored as he observed the other examinees.
His position couldn't tolerate any more boredom.
That person was (Hatake Kakashi).
He was also looking at his father, who was smiling proudly from the sidelines.
At the same time, many students were looking at him with envy.
Especially the people whose leaves had fallen.
They could only look at him with anger.
But when they saw him looking utterly bored, they could only stare in astonishment.
"This child is amazing. You've taught him well, (Sakumo)."
The Third Hokage was next to (Sakumo Hatake) and couldn't help but say that in amazement as he watched the child control his chakra.
"This extraordinary precision at his age…"
It must be noted that (Kakashi)'s age did not exceed six years.
Yet, he possessed this kind of control that far exceeded his age by years.
"You embarrass me greatly, sir."
(Sakumo) replied, his voice a low rumble.
"I didn't teach him anything."
"This is talent."
"But he is still far from being at a level that deserves such words."
The Third Hokage couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at this statement, but he didn't comment.
Instead, he thought in his heart, "That statement is both true and false, but I cannot speak of it now. The future will tell us."
The test continued, and the leaves of even some children from shinobi clans began to fall.
Flutter. Tap.
Particularly those from the Inuzuka clan.
This clan was accustomed to using civilian skills in addition to dealing with dogs.
Therefore, they didn't use full control skills, especially since they were still young.
It was known that the children of the Inuzuka clan had the least ability to control chakra.
But they were the most skilled in terms of physical strength.
It was true they were weaker than the Uchiha and the Senju, in addition to the Hyūga clan.
But they were on the same level as the Akimichi, who used close combat.
In the end, even some members of the Akimichi saw their leaves fall.
In the end, very quietly.
Unlike the Inuzuka children, who were annoyed and growled low in their throats as their leaves fell, the sons of the Akimichi were uninterested.
Some of them even took out some food and began to devour it in other parts of the field.
Crunch. Munch.
The leaves of a few individuals from other clans also fell.
Swish.
Some were concerned, their faces falling.
Some were unconcerned, shrugging their small shoulders.
They were sure they would be admitted to the academy anyway.
At this moment, after the exam duration exceeded ten minutes, Proctor (Nino) looked at the time and smiled.
He watched the children who had exceeded the allotted time.
"Their talent is very good."
"All the people who reached this duration can reach the rank of Chūnin at least in the future."
"But—"
His eyes, sharp and experienced, focused on the children who had passed the ten-minute mark.
Their number was twenty students.
Each one of them was quiet, except for a few individuals among them who were trembling.
This meant they were almost reaching their limits.
Yet, his eyes were very happy to know this.
"This is good."
"These children might easily reach the rank of Jōnin if they continue."
While thinking that, he focused on the child with white hair, who was wearing a mask covering half his face, and whose black eyes held an expression full of boredom.
"The son of the White Fang deserves his reputation."
"With such talent, it isn't difficult for him to become a Kage level in the future."
"Perhaps he might even become Hokage if he continues."
(Nino) thought.
He was a Jōnin working under the current Hokage, currently serving as the test supervisor.
But he couldn't help but think about these matters.
The duration exceeded another five minutes.
At this point, (Obito) couldn't help but think that it had been easy so far.
He wasn't tired and was sure he could go on for a longer period if he wanted to.
He was so comfortable he was looking at the others.
His eyes scanned the crowd, noting the strained faces.
"(Guy)! He passed the test! He exceeded ten minutes! This means he can join!"
At the same time, (Guy) was trembling.
He had reached his limit.
But he wanted to surpass it.
He felt the leaf moving in his hand, a slight, almost imperceptible tremor.
But the feeling of accomplishment he had achieved was driving him forward to achieve a better result.
But in the end, after one more minute…
Fwip.
The leaf fluttered down, landing softly on the dusty ground.
(Guy) knelt on one knee, breathing heavily.
At the same time, (Obito), who was close to (Guy), couldn't help but say to him in a loud voice,
"You did well, (Guy)! You passed the test, my friend!"
"You showed the power of your youth!"
(Obito) was happy that his friend had passed the test.
(Guy), who heard this, ignored the slight sadness of the leaf falling and looked at (Obito).
"All of that is thanks to you, (Obito)! I thank you!"
(Guy)'s eyes almost teared up.
In fact, they had already started.
He wanted to hug (Obito), to thank him, but he didn't dare do it.
He was afraid that if he moved, (Obito)'s leaf might fall and his efforts would disappear.
So he thanked him from a distance, his voice thick with emotion.
The other children who were concentrating on controlling their chakra so their leaves wouldn't fall were surprised by the loud voices.
They turned their heads slowly, so as not to affect the leaves in their hands.
They were surprised to see a boy in green spandex crying as he looked at a member of the Uchiha clan, thanking him with gratitude.
That sound reached (Kakashi), who was looking bored at everything.
Finally, he stared at (Guy) and (Obito).
He knew at that moment that (Guy) had succeeded in exceeding ten minutes.
As for (Obito), he also knew that (Obito) was still able to control the leaf and was still continuing.
He could even talk with (Guy) while concentrating on keeping the leaf stuck.
"Perhaps it isn't boring after all."
To the surprise of everyone, (Kakashi) began to move.
Shuffle. Shuffle.
His footsteps were quiet in the dirt.
He reached the side of (Obito) and (Guy).
(Obito) smiled, his leaf remaining perfectly steady.
"Hello, (Kakashi)! You're still continuing with the test! That's awesome!"
(Obito) noticed him and spoke in a natural way with (Kakashi), who replied silently while looking at (Guy).
"You passed the test. Well done."
He said it in a quiet, indifferent voice.
But those words made (Guy) smile even wider, his tears now flowing freely.
"Thank you!" (Guy) said, his voice booming again.
After that, (Kakashi) continued, "I will go now, (Obito)."
Proctor (Nino), after watching (Guy) succeed, asked him to move away quietly so as not to cause distraction for the remaining participants.
(Guy) left very quietly, walking on the tips of his toes, trying not to cause a problem.
But everyone was staring at the spot (Guy) had left.
This time, it wasn't to stare at the boy in green clothes, but at the other two boys who were looking at each other, their leaves firmly fixed to their hands by chakra.
"How does (Hatake Kakashi) know this boy from the Uchiha clan?"
"Do they have a relationship?"
This thought reverberated in the heads of all the other participants in the exam.
But (Kakashi) and (Obito) didn't pay any attention to them.
They looked at each other, and the leaves were held tightly by chakra on the palms of their hands.
A silent understanding passing between them, a challenge held in their gazes, as the test of endurance stretched on.
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Author's Note:
Thank you,dear readers, for your unwavering support! Your enthusiasm is the fire that keeps this story burning brightly.
❤️😊
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End of Chapter.
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