"It's the first exam, and I'm a bit nervous. I don't know if the questions will be difficult or not."
"Hope it's not too hard. If I don't pass, I'll get a beating when I go home."
"It shouldn't be that bad. Didn't Teacher Mokgetsu give us mock tests? Passing should be easy."
Perhaps because it was the first exam, many students in Class 1-A were somewhat nervous.
Worried the questions were too hard and afraid of being scolded at home for bad grades.
"Anko, Izumo, are you nervous?" Hagane Kotetsu asked Kamizuki Izumo.
"What's there to be nervous about? It's just a small test. Watch me ace it," Anko said with a grin.
"Of course, aren't you nervous? This is not the same as usual; the scores will be posted for everyone to see," Kamizuki Izumo replied.
"I'm a bit nervous too. I only got an 80 on Teacher Habu's mock test. The actual exam might be harder; probably just manage a 60 or 70," Hagane Kotetsu nodded.
"My mock score was a bit better, got an 87, but I also feel this time might just be 60 or 70," Kamizuki Izumo said with a troubled expression.
"Wait, did you all score that high?" Anko was a bit dumbfounded, as she had confidently scored only in the 60s on the mock test.
"Mock scores are all fake; they're not the real deal," Kamizuki Izumo sighed.
"Try to do better in the exam because I heard if the scores are too low, they might change the teacher. It might not be Teacher Mokgetsu anymore," Hagane Kotetsu shared a rumor he had heard.
"Change teachers? Anyone can change, but Teacher Habu cannot," Anko hoped Mokgetsu wouldn't leave.
Though he's the homeroom teacher, Mokgetsu only teaches most of the classes for Class 1-A; not all classes are taught by him, as there are other teachers too.
"Yeah, other teachers are too boring. Only Teacher Habu's classes are interesting and easy to understand," Kamizuki Izumo agreed.
"Why don't we tell this to the whole class and motivate everyone?" Kamizuki Izumo came up with a good idea, thinking how in novels, morale is boosted before a big battle.
Anko thought it was a great idea and immediately stood on her seat to announce the news to everyone.
Anko's words caused quite a stir in the classroom, as Mokgetsu was their most beloved and respected teacher.
"Everyone, try to do well. If Teacher Mokgetsu leaves and we get a boring Taijutsu teacher, that would be terrible," Hagane Kotetsu took the chance to say loudly.
"Do your best to perform well, and don't let Teacher Mokgetsu be replaced!"
"I'll be blunt; if anyone fails this time, I'll look down on you. Teacher Mokgetsu has explained everything so well."
Shisui wasn't involved; uncaring, he planned to just ace the exam and get the top score in the grade, ensuring the teacher wouldn't change with such student achievements.
"Everyone, quiet down. The exam time is almost here. Just do your best,"
Teacher Mokgetsu's voice suddenly brought the classroom to silence. Everyone looked toward the direction of the voice, only to see Mokgetsu already at the door.
"I believe everyone can get good grades," Mokgetsu said with a smile, not lingering long before heading to the class he was supervising.
Many students wanted to do well so he could continue teaching; this made Mokgetsu naturally happy.
But Mokgetsu could only say they were worried for nothing. Even if the teacher changed, it would be based on the whole semester and year.
Besides, Mokgetsu's mock tests were actually harder than the real ones.
Entering the classroom of Grade 4, Class 2, Mokgetsu went straight to the podium and announced, "Everyone, quiet down. The exam is about to begin."
The exam proctoring for teachers was randomly assigned, and he happened to be supervising Grade 4, Class 2.
"Teacher Mokgetsu,"
Several students in Grade 4, Class 2 greeted Mokgetsu, who responded with smiles and nods.
Grade 4, Class 2 not only had Obito and Might Guy as his students, but it was also one of the classes he taught more often, so everyone was quite familiar with him. Plus, compared to Iketani Isamu, everyone preferred Mokgetsu.
"With Teacher Mokgetsu watching, I must pass this time!" Might Guy took a deep breath, looking as if he was facing a formidable challenge.
If Might Guy had to choose between a theoretical exam and an official Genin battle, he'd rather fight the official ninja.
He was also graduating next year. Engaging in battle with an official ninja might just trigger a burst of strength, and winning wouldn't be impossible, but there were some theoretical questions that left him utterly helpless.
"Rin, just wait and see. This time I'll change your perception of me," Obito said smugly in a low voice.
"You'll pass this time, right? I believe you, Obito. You can do it," Nohara Rin smiled and encouraged him.
Even though Obito has said this countless times before and never succeeded, Nohara Rin still chose to believe in Obito and offered encouragement.
"Try to get right what you know how to do. Double-check a few times and leave the hard ones for last," Nohara Rin gently reminded Obito.
As a good friend, she sincerely hoped Obito could shed the "last place" title.
"Mm-hmm," Obito nodded in agreement.
Soon, another exam proctor walked into the classroom: Kimura Sugihito, a teacher who shared the office with Mokgetsu, with two teachers supervising one exam room.
When the bell rang, Mokgetsu and Kimura Sugihito distributed the papers.
The two then monitored quietly and actively, occasionally sitting on the podium together chatting.
"Iketani Isamu is having a tough time too. His bonuses for the semester are up in the air, dealing with two major underachievers," Kimura Sugihito sighed quietly.
"Hard to say; they might just study hard this semester and pass," Mokgetsu chuckled and shook his head.
Mokgetsu thought that this time's performance by Obito and Might Guy might just surprise everyone.
"Three years of theoretical exams without passing once. If they could pass, they should have done so before. As the courses get harder," Kimura Sugihito thought Mokgetsu was being too optimistic.
"Fortunately, they'll graduate after this academic year. Otherwise..." Kimura Sugihito shuddered at the thought of having such students.
After a brief chat, Mokgetsu continued his supervision.
He missed teaching a bit because of the three-day suspension of classes due to the exams—the first day being all theoretical exams, the second day practical, and the third day also practical, to determine the year rankings.
This three-day suspension meant losing several ninjutsu practices and missing out on refining dozens of chakra.
Thankfully, the student-teacher feedback still worked. After the theoretical exam, Mokgetsu gave Obito some shuriken, causing a small burst, generating fifty chakra.
"Just wait and see, Teacher Mokgetsu. I'll surely use the shuriken you gave me to defeat everyone and take first place!" Obito said gratefully.
The practical exam was about to begin.