"Hehe, Guy, it seems like they're all talking about us." Obito listened to the students' chatter and smiled.
The reason Kakashi was here was that Obito specifically pulled him over, wanting to show off in front of Kakashi.
Having always been outshone by Kakashi in various aspects, he had long wanted Kakashi to experience what he felt.
"But indeed, we are quite exceptional. Not everyone gets the privilege to do higher-level missions early." Without waiting for Might Guy to speak, Obito added.
"I actually think Teacher Mokgetsu has a lot to do with this," Kakashi said indifferently, unable to accept the praise.
"Definitely, in the end, the Lord Hokage consulted Teacher Mokgetsu before giving us the privilege," Might Guy said, nodding while stroking his chin.
He acknowledged his own excellence but also felt that Mokgetsu played a significant role.
Due to the chaotic crowd of students watching, not many noticed Obito and the others' arrival. Even if they were seen, the most they'd do is mention it to a friend rather than exclaim, "Look, Uchiha Obito is here."
They were only gradually noticed by more people once they squeezed in.
"Obito, Guy, Rin, hello there. Oh, Kakashi, you actually came too. Long time no see." Shiranui Genma looked at Kakashi as if he had seen something rare.
Unlike Obito and Nohara Rin, he did not have a good relationship with Kakashi, so he hadn't seen Kakashi for over three years.
"Hmm, long time no see." Kakashi responded calmly with a nod.
"I knew what Obito said must be true—the guy's strong." Shiranui Genma laughed and patted Obito's shoulder.
"Of course, I wouldn't boast. It's just okay." Hearing Shiranui Genma's straightforward compliment, Obito was overjoyed inside and tried not to smile too exaggeratedly.
"How about it, Kakashi? That's something you couldn't do before." Obito pointed to his mission completion numbers, smiling smugly.
"When I graduated, there was no intern ninja system, so obviously not possible," Kakashi said, maintaining his composure.
Although he felt it would be hard to replicate such a record even as an intern ninja, the person before him was Obito, and Kakashi had no flattering thoughts, only wanting to strike back hard.
"You say it like being an intern ninja would mean you could achieve that, but didn't you also say C-class missions couldn't possibly have mishaps?" Obito retorted, pouting.
Obito's words rendered Kakashi silent, as it was a matter he still couldn't understand.
Though it was true that wartime would have more unexpected events, having mishaps in all three missions was a bit over the top—encountering figures like elite jonin or candidate for the Raikage.
"It's due to the wartime conditions and a bit of bad luck. Normally, it wouldn't be like this." Kakashi gave what he thought was the most reasonable explanation.
Then Kakashi turned his attention to the scoreboard, finding a point to attack Obito.
"There's one thing you indeed did that I couldn't."
"Oh, Kakashi, you're finally admitting..." Obito's smile grew even brighter.
But before Obito could finish smiling, Kakashi continued:
"Scoring forty in the theoretical exam—indeed, I couldn't do that. After all, those simple papers, even by doodling, the total shouldn't be below sixty, right?"
Obito's smile froze, thinking, 'Oops,' as he had only thought of enjoying today's praises and forgot his poor theoretical scores displayed above.
Though he followed Mokgetsu in cultivation this term, scoring forty was due to the final term exam covering previously taught content plus solving Mokgetsu's assignments.
"So what if my theory scores are lower? Being good at solving problems can't defeat opponents—you still lost to me in real combat."
Seeing Kakashi aim at his weakness, Obito brought up the occasion he defeated Kakashi.
Ignoring Kakashi's mood, the students observing the scores were shocked by Obito's words filled with massive info.
"Obito beat Kakashi in real combat?" Shiranui Genma was stunned.
Students from the same batch as Kakashi knew how strong he was—not just ordinary, but extraordinarily strong, giving a feeling no matter how hard you tried, you couldn't surpass him.
While others were still struggling with Clone Jutsu, Kakashi was already proficient at Shadow Clone. While others were trying to hit targets with shuriken and kunai, Kakashi could casually hit every target with a hand's throw.
While others were in ninja school, Kakashi graduated early, becoming a Genin at five, a Chunin at six, advancing faster than many who had long been older Genin.
That's why Shiranui Genma was so surprised hearing Obito defeated Kakashi in combat.
"One victory doesn't mean every time, I'll reclaim it eventually." Kakashi admitted his failure.
Their dialogue threw the surrounding fourth-grade students into silence, with faces showing a collapsed worldview.
Especially intern students knowing Obito as Kakashi's teammate, assuming Obito was riding on Kakashi's coattails, when in fact, Obito's strength seemed to surpass Kakashi.
"My close friend, keep striving; I've always awaited your challenge." Might Guy gleamed with a big smile, giving Kakashi a thumbs-up.
"That day won't be far off," Kakashi said seriously.
He was nearing mastery of Full Concentration Breathing; once he completes cultivation in Constant State and learns to enhance neural reflexes via nature transformation, his power would transform profoundly.
Might Guy and Kakashi's discussion once again shocked those nearby.
The notion of Kakashi in a challenger stance against Might Guy indicated he also lost to Might Guy.
But recalling Obito, who beat Kakashi days ago, also losing to Might Guy, everything became reasonable.
"Truly drifting farther from them," Shiranui Genma reflected.
During the summer training, he dreamt of catching up to Might Guy and Obito, but now he completely abandoned that thought—the gap was too wide and pursuing them felt pointless.
Not yet graduated but having beaten a Chunin, especially a genius ninja like Kakashi.
"No wonder watching Guy and others fight feels immensely strong—their strength has reached this level," Shiranui Genma seemed to realize.
Noticing odd gazes directed at him, reminiscent of fans seeing a fallen star, Kakashi did not care.
After that incident, the only valuable lesson he learned was ignoring irrelevant gazes and words.
After observing grades and amid Kakashi and Obito's exchanges, they returned to the forest to begin cultivation.
[Disciple Uchiha Shisui diligently cultivates and achieves perfect grades in the academic assessment, rewarded with: Chakra +300, Ninjutsu Proficiency Scroll]
[Disciple Uchiha Obito diligently cultivates and achieves good grades in the academic assessment, rewarded with: Chakra +170]
[Disciple Might Guy diligently cultivates and achieves good grades in the academic assessment, rewarded with: Chakra +230]
After grades were posted, Mokgetsu also received exam reward settlements, totaling seven hundred in Chakra and one useful Ninjutsu Proficiency Scroll.
Although the practical results were as expected, the theoretical grades slightly dropped due to a period without study, but Mokgetsu didn't mind.
He earned far more Chakra than exam points during the time with Obito and others on missions.
Lead the disciples in three days of training as usual; after exam's sixth day, Mokgetsu took the disciples to the Hokage Building for missions.
With Obito's birthday and exams, they stayed in Konoha for over half a month, ready to work some missions to stretch their muscles.
"Are there any C-class missions left, any country or type will do," Mokgetsu asked.
This time he was not aiming for anything in particular, ready to go with the flow.