Do you guy prefer Japanese terms or English one? Vote below.
A: Japanese
B: English
Reply to the one you prefer with anything.
I'll check it next week and decide which one to use based on the votes.
———
"Shisui, for this exam, if you can be promoted to chūnin, you must give it your all."
"Clan Leader-sama, I believe it's better not to be promoted. My sensei once said that a tree that grows too tall is easily blown down by the wind. I think that makes sense. Moreover, the Uchiha don't need such things to show off right now."
"Is that what you think? Then let's do as you wish."
Shisui's mind kept replaying the conversation he had with Fugaku last night.
The clan's internal affairs were truly complicated.
In the past, Shisui didn't understand.
But.
The words Kyōichi had taught to Yahiko last time had been secretly etched in his mind. After returning to Konoha, he observed while training and came to understand much of what Kyōichi had said.
Comrades, enemies.
That's right!
This was the priority.
Many within the clan were not comrades but rather enemies who held them back. Their abilities weren't strong, but their schemes were endless—not to mention, even something as simple as the chūnin exam could be turned into a stage for them to flex their muscles.
However.
Was it useful?
Shisui was only five years old, but he understood that it was utterly useless.
Just like the gap between the Land of Rain and the great nations, having one or two geniuses was not enough to reverse the fundamental decline.
The old folks in the clan, one by one, treated Konoha as their imaginary enemy…
Disaster was inevitable.
"Shisui, I heard this exam is unusual. You must be careful."
"…"
Shisui looked up at Obito, his mouth slightly open as if he wanted to say something but hesitated, his expression slightly dazed.
Beside them.
Kurenai couldn't hold back her laughter and teased, "Obito, I think you should be the one worrying. If you keep being so reckless, you might embarrass yourself this time."
"Tch, without Kakashi around, I'll prove myself this time!"
Obito gave a thumbs-up.
He was brimming with confidence!
However.
During the first exam, he was dumbfounded when he saw the test paper.
A written exam?
Why was there such a thing in the chūnin exam!
He was instantly overwhelmed.
Kyōichi did not participate in the first exam.
There wasn't much to change about the written test.
However.
The person who set the questions was Namikaze Minato.
Outside.
"You made the questions so difficult. Aren't you afraid Obito won't pass?"
Kyōichi was curious.
Obito's knowledge was about as lacking as Naruto's, but his taijutsu and ninjutsu were strong, making him somewhat of an oddity.
"I hope it will make him understand the importance of theory."
Minato said.
"Minato, you're really thoughtful."
Shirakumo Asama sighed.
Kyōichi thought for a moment, then couldn't help but smile. "Do you think he might get so stressed that he awakens his Sharingan?"
"Huh?"
Minato was stunned.
Was that possible?
But upon further thought, Obito was full of surprises, whether in battle or in daily life. His abilities weren't weak, so it wasn't impossible that he might awaken it.
At that moment, Obito was scratching his head in frustration.
He was so anxious!
So many questions, and he couldn't answer a single one.
His brain really wasn't cut out for this.
Kyōichi sighed inwardly and patted Minato's shoulder. "It's tough! Maybe it's better to send him back for a redo."
A redo might not be a bad thing.
Obito was a big problem!
Moreover.
Right now, Obito wasn't even on Madara's list. Shisui's priority might be much higher than Obito's.
But.
Humanely eliminating him was clearly not realistic.
Minato just took Kyōichi's words as a joke.
The exam was more than halfway through. Many inside were scratching their heads, but some had started using their own methods to cheat. All of this was seen by the jōnin outside.
However.
For ordinary methods, they turned a blind eye.
But Obito, using cheat notes? That was going too far!
"Put him on the reserve list. If the numbers work out for grouping, eliminate him. If not, let him join."
Sandaime said with a smile.
Obito.
He had a strong impression of this kid.
In fact, in Sandaime's mind, Obito was like a second Uchiha Kagami, far more important than Shisui, because in Sandaime's eyes, Obito was truly kind.
He could change the Uchiha!
Kyōichi narrowed his eyes.
Obito, huh?
Hmph.
The Second Hokage's words were clear.
Uchiha who awakened their Sharingan might become extreme, developing completely opposite personalities.
Sandaime didn't seem to remember that at all.
He only imitated the surface…
Kyōichi didn't say much more. His philosophy differed from the Sandaime's, but fundamentally, having Sandaime in power was better than that old man Danzō.
If it were that old schemer…
Kyōichi might already be lying in a lab for the sake of Konoha's "cause."
That much was worth acknowledging.
Time passed quickly.
The exam ended!
Kyōichi glanced over, picked up a scroll, and prepared to head to the second exam venue.
"Oh, Minato, for the second exam, I'll need you to step in during the jōnin sweep. 'Eliminate' those who fall behind and are within everyone's sight."
Kyōichi reminded him.
He would be announcing the rules soon and wouldn't have much time to give instructions here.
Minato nodded, indicating he understood.
Then.
Kyōichi walked out.
Not long after.
The exam results were out.
There wasn't much to grade.
During the exam, it was clear which papers were likely to pass. The only one that surprised the teachers was Obito.
Sandaime had personally designated him as a reserve!
A crowd gathered around the notice.
Obito looked nervous. He felt he hadn't passed, but he still hoped for a miracle.
One by one, he scanned the list…
No, no!
He hadn't passed!
His heart sank.
But.
"You think you'd pass after cheating?"
A familiar voice rang out.
It was Kyōichi-sensei's voice.
Sure enough.
Obito looked dejected.
He had been caught copying answers.
"Obito, look below!"
Rin said excitedly.
Obito immediately looked down.
Reserve?
Reserve genin, Uchiha Obito.
Huh?
Obito was stunned, then instantly overjoyed.
"Sensei, I passed!"
"Happy? Don't celebrate too soon. Teams are in groups of three. You'd better count if the official list is a multiple of three. If it happens to be a multiple of three, then sorry, you're just a reserve. Unless someone unexpectedly drops out due to injury."
Kyōichi said with a smile.
"Huh?"
Obito's face instantly fell.
Rin and Kurenai giggled beside him.
They had already noticed.
The list was exactly one short, so clearly…
Obito's passing.
Was a bit questionable.
Shisui glanced at Kyōichi, then at the outside, deep in thought.
However.
Obito passing was still a good thing.
He didn't think too much more about it.
"Alright, I told you not to celebrate too early. The first exam was just an appetizer. The second exam… will make you regret passing the first."
Kyōichi's demeanor remained the same.
Smiling, amiable.
However.
His eyes were serious.
Everyone immediately held their breath, no longer making noise, and lined up orderly in the narrow square.
They all understood.
Kyōichi was the proctor for the second exam.
He was here to announce the rules!
"Good, then…"
The scroll unfurled, and a map appeared.
"You have one minute to memorize this map. You're allowed to use any means except direct contact."
Whoosh…
Instantly, everyone crowded forward.
A map!
Every ninja knew how important this was.
In war, many lives might be lost just to obtain a single map.
Intelligence gathering!
Now, the exam had already begun.
This was a test of intelligence gathering, as well as ability.
Not long after.
"Time's up."