"Then I want to challenge you." Obito initiated a challenge against Uchiha Inabi.
He was just worrying about how to gain rewards, but after listening to Uchiha Inabi's words, his thoughts became clear instantly.
"I accept your challenge." Uchiha Inabi looked at Obito with an appreciatively glance; daring to challenge someone stronger scores high in his book.
"When the time comes, just fight without holding back, don't worry about anything else." Uchiha Inabi continued.
Although Uchiha Tekka said Obito has the strength to pass the Chunin Exam, Uchiha Inabi didn't think a nine-year-old Obito could hurt him.
Firstly, he passed the Chunin Exam last year, and secondly, he felt that Uchiha Tekka had just graduated and didn't understand the difficulty of the Chunin Exam.
"Fight without holding back, alright then." Obito nodded in agreement, thinking Uchiha Inabi was like Might Guy, a battle maniac.
"Tekka, you can be the referee for us." Uchiha Inabi said to Uchiha Tekka beside him.
The Uchiha didn't have a dedicated referee; they usually just found a friend or simply didn't have one.
"No problem." Uchiha Tekka nodded, and once Uchiha Inabi and Obito's fight was over, he also wanted Uchiha Inabi's guidance.
Then, they went to the courtyard's open space together, and nearby there was a small pavilion where Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Yashiro were sipping tea after finishing their conversation.
Because it was just the beginning, there was no one else fighting in the courtyard; Obito and Uchiha Inabi were the first to engage in combat.
"I'll count down from five, then the battle begins: five, four, …," After taking their stances, Uchiha Tekka started counting down.
Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Yashiro, who were drinking tea, noticed Obito and the others preparing to fight.
"This Uchiha Obito is quite a good seedling, with decent talent and the courage to challenge." Uchiha Yashiro nodded as he watched the scene.
He thought highly of Obito, believing that among the Uchiha of Obito's age, only Shisui was more of a genius, with Obito coming in second.
"Yes, Inabi is also good; despite his age, he's very steady during his work in the Police Department." Uchiha Fugaku put down his teacup and nodded.
"Two, one, battle begin!" Uchiha Tekka finished the countdown and quickly retreated, reaching the house's side as he declared the start, then looked seriously towards the open space to enjoy the fight.
Uchiha Tekka believed that Uchiha Inabi would eventually win, but it wouldn't be an easy victory; it would take some hard work.
Uchiha Tekka's voice attracted the attention of the Uchihas inside the house.
"They're already fighting so soon? Let's see who it is."
"Anyone willing to step up in the first fight must be quite good."
Some curious Uchihas came out to watch.
"It turns out to be Inabi; that's not surprising. But who's the person facing him? He seems unfamiliar and looks quite young." An Uchiha asked curiously after seeing Obito.
"I don't know, don't recall." The people around shook their heads.
"He must be a newcomer who's not good at socializing, so he's less visible. This fight is probably a guidance battle."
So, a few Uchihas went back inside to continue chatting, thinking such a battle was meaningless.
As Uchiha Tekka finished counting, Obito immediately changed his breathing rhythm, entering the Breath of Flame state, cautiously observing Uchiha Inabi.
"He's not moving; what kind of tactic is this?" Watching Uchiha Inabi standing still, Obito wondered.
From school fights to encountering enemies during missions, he'd never seen an opponent stand still, full of openings.
Obito didn't quite understand what Uchiha Inabi was trying to do.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Obito quickly formed seals, gathered Chakra in his throat, performed Nature Transformation, and spat a massive amount of flames.
The flames accumulated together, eventually forming a huge, nearly four-meter orange-red fireball, looking quite formidable.
Since he didn't know Uchiha Inabi's information and his strategy was so strange, Obito opted for the all-purpose starting Ninjutsu, the Great Fireball.
"To have mastered the Great Fireball at such a young age." Watching the incoming gigantic fireball, Uchiha Inabi's face showed surprise.
His full-powered Great Fireball was about this level, and Obito was only nine years old this year whereas he was already thirteen.
"It seems he's a Ninjutsu prodigy." Uchiha Inabi thought to himself.
He decided to focus his guidance on Taijutsu, as there wasn't much to guide on Fire Release, given Obito could use such a Great Fireball at his age.
"Who has information on him, to have such mastery at this age?" Not just Uchiha Inabi thought Obito's Great Fireball was impressive.
Some even suspected that Obito was already twelve or thirteen, just shorter in stature.
"His name is Uchiha Obito, same age as me, nine this year," Uchiha Tekka came forward to clarify.
"Uchiha Obito? I've heard the name before. Isn't he rumored to be the Uchiha's 'dead last'?" An Uchiha Ninja, three years senior to Obito, recalled some information upon hearing the name.
In his last year before graduation, he heard of a lower-grade Uchiha named Obito who had poor grades, known as the Uchiha's 'dead last.' Although they belonged to the same clan, he didn't feel the urge to defend Obito, thinking it served him right for lacking the skills and earning the 'dead last' title.