At noon, the teachers gathered in the staff office, trading stories from the morning's exam like warriors discussing battlefield reports.
"Hyūga Kamon from Class 4-1 is absurdly strong."Iketani Isamu sighed with thinly veiled envy."No one in his class can last even a minute against him. Typical Hyūga. He'll probably top the practical exam again."
He looked miserable.If he were the homeroom teacher of Class 4-1 instead of 4-2, the bonus would fall into his lap.And with that bonus—finally, he could take his blind date somewhere fancier than the dumpling shop.
But fate was cruel.Classes with high scores never got their teachers swapped.
"Not necessarily. I think Uchiha Obito in your class is pretty strong too," Kimura Sugito cut in.
Iketani blinked slowly."…You mean Uchiha Tekka, right? You definitely meant Tekka."
"No. Obito." Kimura deadpanned.
"Obito?" Iketani stared at him as if he'd sprouted a second head."The… last-place Uchiha? That Obito?"
Kimura clicked his tongue. "Do I look old enough to mix up names? He beat Uchiha Tekka. Easily."
Iketani's jaw went slack.
So Kimura dragged in his witness.
"Teacher Hanyū was invigilating with me. Ask him."
All eyes turned to Hanyū Yuuma.
He gave a calm, unbothered nod."Kimura is correct. Obito defeated Uchiha Tekka in the first match."
Iketani rubbed his temples.
"…What kind of fever dream is that?"
He trusted Yuuma completely—everyone did.Within one month, Teacher Hanyū had become one of the most respected instructors in the entire academy.
But Obito?Of all people?
"How? How in the world did he beat Tekka?" Iketani mumbled."The last-place kid beating the former class ace… what is happening?"
Yuuma coughed softly in his throat, hiding a private thought.
If you're stunned by Obito, you'll probably die on the spot when Guy shows his true strength.
Honestly, Iketani was catching stray blessings without lifting a finger.Yuuma mentally conceded he shouldn't be too hard on him—the man had at least bought him dinner several times.
Ueda Aya, who had been quietly grading papers, finally spoke.
"Teacher Hanyū's class is unbelievable."Her tone was somewhere between awe and resignation."I invigilated their exam. The average Three-Body Technique level is on par with the second-years I teach."
"And the genius in there—Uchiha Shisui—he reminds me of Kakashi from a few years ago. He'll absolutely take first place among all first-years."
Iketani choked on his tea.
"Comparable to Kakashi? That Kakashi? Isn't that… too much?"
"Not an exaggeration," Ueda Aya said firmly."Compared to Shisui, the other first-years look like they're moving in slow motion."
Iketani deflated completely.
"So cool… Teacher Hanyū gets bonuses just by existing…"
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Ueda shot back."His class is strong because he's good. The whole academy knows how solid his methods are. All the classes he substitutes for keep begging for him to return."
"Slip of the tongue! Slip of the tongue!" Iketani said quickly."My students… also… hope Teacher Hanyū teaches more."
Yuuma smiled politely.
"The students simply work very hard."
He didn't add: because the System bribes them with chakra growth.Details were unnecessary.
After a short break and some calligraphy practice, the afternoon exam began.
Training Ground No. 16 had far fewer spectators now—students who were already eliminated weren't required to stay.
The battles advanced rapidly.
Nohara Rin was knocked out first. She wasn't built for combat, and her opponent was decent enough.
But then—Might Guy stepped onto the field.
And suddenly, everyone was watching.
"W–wait… Guy is that fast?!""He beat Daisuke with one kick! Just one!"
They were stunned.Third-year Guy had been "decent."Fourth-year Guy was a monster.
"Maybe he trained like crazy over the summer?" someone guessed weakly.
By the final round, the entire class was buzzing.
Yuuma announced the matchup:
"Final match: Number One, Uchiha Obito… versus Number Forty, Might Guy. Prepare to begin."
Obito and Guy locked eyes, sparks crackling between them.
Kai clenched his fist."Obito, I'm taking first place. To be the strongest, I'll seize every victory I can!"
Obito shot a look toward Rin and felt his heart ignite.
"Sorry, Kai… I'm not losing. Not today."
The student who mocked them earlier winced.
He had listed both as hopeless losers…Now they were the final contenders for first place.
No one could've predicted this before the exam.
After exchanging declarations, the two boys fell into silence, stepping onto the battlefield.
They met at the center.
Performed the seal of confrontation.
And then—
"Begin!"