Monday morning.
Obito's biological clock woke him up automatically. After freshening up, he ate the breakfast his grandmother prepared and got ready to head to the Ninja Academy.
Today was the day of the Ninja Academy's final exam, but for Obito, this exam was unlike any other because it was the graduation exam. Passing meant receiving a forehead protector on the spot, symbolizing graduation from the Ninja Academy.
"Obito, are you up? Today is the graduation exam, you know?"
Just as Obito was about to leave, Nohara Rin's voice reached his ears, prompting him to quickly change his shoes and say:
"There's no way I'd sleep in today. I've already had breakfast."
Obito quickly put on his shoes and walked out, immediately seeing Nohara Rin smiling and waving at him.
"I was worried you might be late like when you first enrolled, so I came to get you. Looks like I underestimated you," Rin said with a laugh.
Rin wasn't sure what would happen if Obito was late for the graduation exam, but she felt it wouldn't be good, so she got up early, finished freshening up, had breakfast, and then went to Obito's house to call on him.
"I'm the man who's going to end the war and become Hokage. I won't keep making the same mistake," Obito declared confidently, chest puffed out.
Even if he encountered someone in need of help today, Obito had a way not to be late. He could use the Shadow Clone Jutsu to send a shadow clone to assist the elderly while he went to take his exam.
"So, will you no longer need my help in the future?" Rin asked with a soft laugh, her hands behind her back, her body leaning slightly forward, looking into Obito's eyes.
"This... this..." Obito stammered, knowing that saying he'd need help could be a self-deprecating blow, yet he couldn't say he didn't need Rin's help.
"That's a different matter. Even the Hokage needs help from companions, just like how Senju Hashirama became Hokage with everyone's support. Of course, I need your help, little Rin," Obito quickly said, recalling an example Teacher Mokgetsu had mentioned in class.
At that moment, he was glad he had listened carefully to Mokgetsu's lesson. Although he didn't understand a lot, he'd remembered it.
"Let's hurry to school then." Rin laughed as she watched Obito's reaction, then spoke.
Actually, she was just joking earlier. She knew full well that Obito would never say he wouldn't need her help.
"Yeah, getting there early means we can handle any situations that arise on the way," Obito said, feeling relieved as he saw Rin's smile, and nodded firmly.
"I wonder what the graduation exam questions will be this year."
Along the way, Obito searched for topics to chat with Rin. Opportunities for the two of them to stroll down the street like this were rare.
"No matter what ninjutsu it is, I'm sure you won't have any problems, Obito." Rin had great confidence in Obito's ninjutsu prowess.
For the exam, Mokgetsu had specifically reviewed the basic ninjutsu of the students who needed to take the test. Even Might Guy could perform basic ninjutsu well, and Obito was particularly proficient.
"Haha, after all, these basic ninjutsu are much simpler than the Fire Release Teacher Mokgetsu taught us," Obito said with a proud smile.
The graduation exam didn't involve theory; it only tested basic ninjutsu, and it could be any one of the basic ninjutsu taught. Obito thought he could easily score full marks regardless of what the exam covered.
"If only every exam didn't have theory," Obito couldn't help but sigh.
Theory was practically his lifelong enemy. His "dead-last" nickname was given because he was terrible at theory, even though in practical combat, he wasn't at the bottom.
Because of these damn theory scores, he'd done countless exercises, only to be mocked by Kakashi for his poor theory.
"When I become Hokage, I must abolish theory exams!" Obito thought to himself.
But soon, he realized that once he became Hokage, no one would assess his theory skills, and no one would ever understand the struggles he'd faced in school.
"Forget it, there's a reason these exams exist. Better keep an eye on it," Obito thought it wasn't a good idea to arbitrarily strip students of their theory exams.
Not only shouldn't it be canceled, but more test papers should be given as homework to raise the overall theory skills of students.
"Obito, you can't stop learning after graduation, can you? Didn't Kakashi say the Chunin Exams also have a theory test?" Rin reminded Obito after hearing his words.
Unwanted names and unwanted exams flooded his mind, and Obito suddenly felt his head swell.
"We'll deal with future problems in the future. Let's pass the graduation exam first!" Obito said, helplessly tugging at his hair.
Thinking it over, he decided that future problems should be left to his future self. Cheer up, future him!
"Obito-senpai, Rin-senpai, good morning!"
At this moment, a lively and adorable female voice came from behind them, accompanied by two male voices.
Obito turned around and saw several students from the Mokgetsu Squad, so he responded.
"Obito-senpai, why do you look so glum in the morning? Could it be that even someone as strong as you has worries?" Anko asked curiously.
After last time's results were announced, Obito and Might Guy's task quality shocked the entire Ninja School. Their fame spread across each grade, becoming the two strongest in the school.
"Haha, nothing big, just thought of something unpleasant." Obito chuckled lightly to dismiss it.
He didn't want his admiring juniors to know that he was afraid of the theoretical exams.
"Perhaps this is the loneliness of a strong warrior. Obito-senpai has already defeated all opponents in the Ninja School." Hagane Kotetsu put on a melancholic expression, believing that Obito's a lonely expert.
"Kotetsu, have you been reading too many novels recently? I think Obito-senpai might be reluctant to part with friends and classmates upon graduation." Kamizuki Izumo teased.
"I have been reading quite a few novels lately, feeling like I'm going to fail this exam badly." Kotetsu nodded, showing a regretful face.
"Now that you mention it, I remember too—I've been gaming nonstop without revision, feeling worse than last time. I can't do this next time." Izumo also revealed a regretful expression.
"Really? I actually studied for three days, so maybe this time I'll score higher than you?" Anko was a bit pleased, though her gaze still had some suspicion due to her two good buddies' usual antics.
No matter how innocent and carefree she was, after being fooled often enough, she'd have some wariness.
"I doubt it; no matter how poorly I do, it shouldn't be lower than Anko." Kotetsu shook his head.
He thought that no matter how low, he couldn't score below 95, while Anko never scored over 90.
"Indeed, scoring lower than Anko would require not reading for two months in a row, which is quite difficult in its own way." Izumo showed agreement.
"Ah, I knew you two scoundrels had bad intentions! Have you had breakfast? If not, eat my punch!" Anko couldn't restrain herself and chased after them.
Kotetsu and Izumo quickly rushed to the school, entering the exam classrooms where Anko couldn't act wildly.
"Such wonderful friendship." Nohara Rin smiled as she watched the trio's playful chase.
Though Kotetsu and Izumo were sharp-tongued, and Anko was quick with her punches, Rin could tell their relationship was good. Anko never hit hard, and Kotetsu and Izumo mostly joked around.
"Feels like I see shadows of you and Kakashi in them." Rin chuckled, covering her mouth.
Though their behavior wasn't quite the same, they also had contrasting words and liked to prank each other.
"Not at all." Obito denied this statement.
As they were approaching the Ninja Academy, they encountered Might Guy jogging ahead.
"Morning half-hour warm-up completed! Next is giving my all for the exam!" Might Guy flashed his bright white teeth, giving himself a thumbs-up and laughing heartily.
"Hmm, good luck." Nohara Rin raised her fist to cheer for Might Guy.
Among Teacher Mokgetsu's students, Might Guy had the worst Ninjutsu skills, learning it inefficiently. This Ninjutsu talent was truly awkward, but having some is better than none. After all, with zero talent, he couldn't learn Armament. For Might Guy, just beginning Armament was a gain.
"Guy, good luck." Obito also smiled, cheering for Might Guy. The graduation exam didn't involve combat, so this time they wouldn't be rivals.
"Yes, let's all passionately pass the exam with youthful vigor." Might Guy smiled and nodded, also giving thumbs-up to Obito and Rin.
Then the three of them entered the classroom together.
They arrived rather early, with some time before the graduation exam started, and the classroom wasn't fully occupied yet.
As soon as the three entered, they attracted considerable attention, mainly from Obito and Might Guy.
Back then, Might Guy and Obito glanced at the scores and left, but left many legends within the Ninja School.
For instance, the interaction among Obito, Kakashi, and Might Guy revealed that Obito and Might Guy had defeated Kakashi in a fight.
Also, there were those two mysterious A-Class Missions of Obito's. Chunin Teachers personally said he never did A-Class Missions, leading to curiosity about how Obito's squad completed such high-difficulty missions since Obito said the missions involved encountering Jonin.
But it was a graduation exam related to becoming ninjas, so students took it seriously. Only a few students close to Obito asked him during the opportunity, rather than students crowding to discuss.
When the exam time arrived, homeroom teacher Iketani Isamu of Class 4B walked into the classroom with another Class 4 teacher.
Graduation exams are usually monitored by the class's teaching staff, with the homeroom teacher definitely participating.
"Everyone, quiet now. The graduation exam officially begins. When we call your name, follow us to the neighboring classroom for the exam."
"This year's topic is Clone Jutsu!" Iketani Isamu announced the graduation exam topic for this year.