Chapter 15: Obito is Not Favored
Training Ground 16. Mugetsu was calling out names before the exam.
Since the entire school was taking the exam together, and the practical portion needed space, the playground obviously wasn't large enough to accommodate everyone. So, they headed straight to the training grounds.
After confirming all candidates were present, Mugetsu and Sugito announced the start of the lottery.
The rules were simple. Students were called up according to the class roster to draw lots. The numbers drawn determined the matchups: number one would fight number two, number three would fight number four, and so on.
"I'm number one! Rin, what number are you?" Obito asked eagerly after checking his lot.
"I'm number ten. So Obito, you're in the first match," Rin replied.
"It doesn't matter when I fight—I'll win anyway," Obito said confidently, convinced his strength would shock everyone.
After a month of training with Mugetsu, Obito felt like he was improving every single day. Compared to his past self, the difference was like night and day.
After asking Rin, he turned to Might Guy.
"What number did you get?"
"Forty," Guy said.
"In that case, we can probably only meet at the end," Obito replied, surprised by the difference.
"Don't lose before I do, Obito!" Guy gave a thumbs-up with a wide grin.
"I should be saying that. I'm an Uchiha," Obito shot back, unsure if Guy was trying to provoke him or was just being himself.
"Where do these two even get their confidence?" a classmate nearby muttered. "Two nobodies talking about meeting at the peak—ridiculous."
"The first match is about to begin. Candidates number one—Uchiha Obito, and number two—Uchiha Tekka, prepare for your exam," Mugetsu glanced at the time and announced the start.
Obito ignored the grumbling voices and quickly walked to the white-lined square, ready to fight.
Tekka followed, stepping into the ring with a glance toward Obito.
Although they were both Uchiha, classmates, and the same age, they had barely spoken.
There was no dramatic backstory—just mutual disinterest.
Tekka thought Obito was silly, weak, always late… He'd never seen such a useless Uchiha.
Obito found Tekka cold and unapproachable.
"Both are Uchiha? This might be fun," someone snickered nearby.
Being from the same clan, whoever lost would be thoroughly embarrassed.
"What's fun about this? Tekka's obviously going to win. Obito doesn't stand a chance," another replied.
"Tekka was only ever beaten by Kakashi in first grade. He's been top of the class ever since."
"And Obito? He's never even passed theory. His practical scores are average at best. How's he supposed to beat Tekka?"
The one who initially sounded excited realized they had a point. Tekka was practically a textbook Uchiha—strong in both theory and combat. Aside from that monster Kakashi, no one in class could touch him.
Expecting Obito, the clan's joke, to beat someone like Tekka? That was just wishful thinking.
"Obito, be careful," Rin said softly, worried.
She felt like his luck really couldn't get any worse.
With Obito's strength, he might not have been among the top, but he should've made it past the first round. But against someone like Tekka, the undisputed number one… Rin could only hope he didn't get hurt.
She believed in him—but reality made the gap between them hard to ignore.
"Everyone's doubting him… but winning when no one believes in you is the sweetest victory!" Guy said with a grin, arms crossed.
Class 2's match even caught the attention of nearby classes. A crowd began to form.
The exam rules were relaxed—as long as you didn't leave the training grounds, you could wander around and watch.
But once people saw the matchup, most lost interest.
Everyone already knew who was strong and who wasn't after years of exams together.
Tekka vs. Obito? That was just going to be a one-sided beatdown. No point in watching.
Only a few stayed, mostly curious to see Tekka's performance.
The two stood opposite each other, making the traditional confrontation sign.
A necessary formality—signaling the start of the fight, and afterward, the sign of reconciliation to show you were still classmates, still partners.
"Begin!" Mugetsu called once both were ready.
As soon as he spoke, Tekka pulled out three shuriken and hurled them at Obito, aiming for his head, torso, and legs. He then dashed forward in one smooth motion.
Obito quickly responded, pulling out three of his own and throwing them in return.
The six shuriken collided mid-air with sharp metallic clangs before dropping to the ground.
"The Uchiha clan's shuriken technique really is something. Even someone like Obito—whose talent is said to be average—has quite the skill," Sugito commented.
Interception like that required serious precision.
Since the area was small, Tekka closed the distance fast and swung a sharp right hook.
Obito didn't back down. He clenched his fist and met it head-on, and the two began a fierce bout of taijutsu.
The scuffle kicked up clouds of dust—fists flew, feet stomped, and blows echoed across the field.
"Wait… Obito's this good at taijutsu?" someone gasped.
The so-called deadweight of the Uchiha clan was holding his own against Tekka.
Other classes were shocked. Even Obito's own classmates stared as if they were seeing a ghost.
Wasn't he supposed to get knocked out in one hit?
"Obito's really gotten stronger," Rin whispered, mouth slightly open. She had assumed he was just bluffing like before—but not this time.
"Obito's still a little lacking," Sugito shook his head. As a Chunin, he could see deeper than the students.
"His taijutsu's decent, but not enough," Mugetsu nodded.
After all, a month wasn't long enough to polish everything. Obito had mainly trained his Fire Release under Mugetsu's guidance. His nature transformation had improved a lot, but taijutsu had taken a back seat.
As the fight went on, Tekka gradually pushed him back.
"I knew it. How could Obito possibly beat Tekka?" the same skeptic said in relief.
If Obito had won, he'd have looked like a fool for doubting him.
Still, he figured it was time to retire the nickname 'Uchiha's deadweight.' With this performance, continuing to call him that was just plain ignorant.
Using Tekka's strike to create space, Obito leapt back and quickly began forming hand signs.
He hadn't trained all month in Fire Release just to play punch-out with Tekka.
Don't think this chapter lowers everyone's IQ—it's just that Obito's arrogance was enough to get on people's nerves.
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