Chapter 6
The next morning, the sky was just beginning to lighten.
Obuya lay sprawled on his bed, breathing softly in a deep sleep.
Suddenly!
Thump, thump, thump…
The rapid sound of footsteps grew closer.
Bang!
The door to Obuya's room was violently pushed open.
"Ah!!"
Accompanied by a girl's scream, the door was slammed shut again in a blur of motion.
"Obuya, you! Why are you sleeping naked?!"
Nohara Rin's embarrassed and furious voice rang out from outside.
Startled awake by the sudden commotion, Obuya rubbed his eyes, slowly bringing his vision into focus.
He glanced down at his shorts.
"I was wearing clothes… well, they were a bit short."
Quickly, he got dressed with practiced efficiency.
"Come in, Rin!"
Hearing his voice, the door cracked open just a little. A small head peeked in. Seeing Obuya now fully dressed and sitting on the bed, Rin's cheeks flushed as she stepped inside.
"Sorry, I got too excited just now. I was a bit rude." Rin looked somewhat shy.
"It's fine. By the way, isn't today the graduation exam? Why are you here instead of at school so early?" Obuya asked, puzzled.
Upon mentioning this, Rin's excitement surged again.
She hurried forward, stopping in front of Obuya, her face glowing with emotion. "Obuya, last night I told sensei about your awakened Kekkei Genkai…"
"And…?"
Obuya smiled faintly at her teasing tone but, judging by her expression, he guessed it wasn't bad news.
"Obuya, you're allowed to participate in the ninja graduation exam!" Rin exclaimed joyfully.
"Graduation exam??"
Obuya froze for a moment, then realized the meaning behind her words.
"You mean… I have a chance to officially join Konoha and become a ninja of the village?" he asked uncertainly.
"Yes! Yes!"
Rin nodded vigorously.
"As long as you pass the graduation exam, you'll become a Konoha genin, earn a ninja forehead protector, and be able to stay in Konoha forever."
Obuya knew well that as a war refugee, Konoha had only taken him in out of humanitarian concern. They couldn't support him indefinitely. At a certain age, he would have to leave.
Now, the Konoha leadership had granted him permission to take the exam, which clearly meant they were open to accepting him as one of their own.
Of course, everything was based on utility. Yesterday's incident had shown the decision-makers his value. Thus, he won't have to struggle with food anymore.
"Obuya, you… don't want to join Konoha?"
Seeing that he wasn't as ecstatic as she had expected, Rin's expression grew anxious.
Obuya smiled broadly. "How could I not want to? I was just surprised by the sudden news. Besides, Konoha has done so much for me. Being able to give back, to serve the village, is something I've always wanted."
"That's wonderful!"
Rin clapped her hands in delight.
"This means we'll always be partners. Once you become a genin, you'll go on missions with me, Obito, and Kakashi."
She looked at him with an expression full of anticipation.
Obuya thought to himself: In the ninja world, I have no family, no connections… and only a few true friends in Konoha. Staying here, becoming one of them, seems like the best outcome I could hope for.
"Let's go quickly. Today is an important day for the graduation exam."
Before Obuya could prepare, Rin had already pulled him out of the room…
…
[Demon Task · Side Quest]: Participate in the Konoha Ninja Academy graduation exam, use all means to pass, and become a Konoha genin.
[Task Difficulty]: Medium
[Task Reward]: 20 Demon Points upon completion (accumulating enough Demon Points allows promotion to a one-star demon).
[Failure Penalty]: None.
As Rin pulled him toward the academy at a run, Obuya heard the system issue the task.
Completing tasks was the only way to advance to a one-star demon. Only by achieving this rank could he awaken the "Human Modification" ability, granting him the freedom to transplant others' Kekkei Genkai.
Normally, receiving a mission like this would make him happy, but Obuya felt conflicted.
He had come to Konoha only a year ago and knew very little. Just thinking about the graduation exam made it feel almost impossible.
"The boat will find its way to the bridge when it arrives… I'll take it one step at a time," Obuya sighed inwardly.
The exam venue was their usual classroom. By the time they arrived, the room was already filled with students.
Obuya initially thought his name wouldn't be listed, but after searching, he found it in the back-left corner—a clear last-minute addition.
Rin's seat was a few steps ahead to his right, which brightened his spirits.
He scanned the other students:
The cute and well-behaved Yuhi Kurenai, glancing around Might Guy, the rebellious Sarutobi Asuma, and five meters away, whispering together, Gekkō Hayate and Uzuki Yūgao…
Each face was familiar.
In his previous life, he had only ever seen them in manga.
Thinking of their eventual fates, Obuya sighed silently: Knowing the future isn't always a blessing. But with my presence in the ninja world, perhaps history could change.
Amid the chatter, an examiner entered from the doorway.
Obuya didn't recognize him—but that wasn't surprising. Only a few left their names in ninja history, but that didn't mean the others never existed.
The examiner glanced at his pocket watch and said, "Time's nearly up. Anyone not here will have their exam eligibility canceled…"
Before he could finish, the door made a scraping sound.
A boy in sunglasses and a tracksuit dashed into the room, skidding to a stop against the doorframe.
"Uchiha Obito!"
The examiner frowned slightly. "You didn't disappoint me. On such an important day, you're, of course, late."
"Examiner… sir, I…"
"No need to explain. Had you been ten seconds later, you'd have been disqualified. Now, come in!"
The boy breathed a sigh of relief.
As he passed, classmates laughed, but he didn't flinch, shooting each of them an angry glare.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up when he saw Obuya sitting in the corner. He waved and greeted him.
"Idiot."
No sooner had Obito sat down than a low voice growled beside him.
"Kakashi, you mean to sit on my left? Don't even think about copying my answers. I'll bet you fail this test—unless you're dreaming."
"Fool, mind your own business." Kakashi sneered.
"You…"
Obito's anger flared, ready to retort, when Rin's voice reached him.
"Why are you two fighting again, Obito…"
Rin raised a finger to her lips, signaling him to be quiet.
Seeing Rin, Obito's anger vanished instantly, replaced by a goofy, harmless smile.