So many students were motivated to do well on the exam just so that he would continue teaching. Auron was naturally pleased.
But Auron could only say that they were worrying for nothing. Even if the teacher changed, it would be evaluated based on the entire semester and academic year.
Besides, the mock exams Auron gave them were actually harder than the real ones.
Walking into Class 4-2's classroom, Auron went straight to the podium and announced, "Everyone quiet down, the exam is about to begin."
Teachers were randomly assigned to proctor the exams, and it just so happened that Auron was assigned to Class 4-2.
"Mr. Auron!"
Many students in Class 4-2 greeted him, and Auron smiled and nodded back at each of them.
Not only were Guy and Kakashi his students, but he also substituted in this class more often than others. So everyone was fairly familiar with him. Compared to the previous teacher, Chiya, everyone liked Auron more.
"With Mr. Auron watching, I have to pass this time!" Guy took a deep breath, looking like he was heading into battle.
If he had to choose between a written exam and fighting a real ninja, Guy would have preferred to fight a real ninja.
He was graduating next year. In a real battle, there was at least a chance he might win with a sudden burst of strength. But some of the theory questions left him completely helpless.
"Just watch, Rin! This time I'll totally change your impression of me," Obito whispered smugly.
"You're definitely going to pass this time. I believe in you, Obito!" Rin replied with an encouraging smile.
Although Obito had said things like this many times before, and never succeeded, Rin still chose to believe in him and support him.
"Just focus on getting the ones you know right, double-check them, and leave the hard ones for last," she reminded him gently.
As a good friend, she sincerely hoped Obito could finally shake off his "last place" title.
"Mhm!" Obito nodded.
Soon another proctor walked into the classroom — it was Sugito Kimura, a colleague from Auron's office. Two teachers would be invigilating each exam room.
When the bell rang, Auron and Sugito began handing out the exam papers.
The two teachers monitored the class — one still, one walking around — and occasionally chatted briefly while sitting at the podium.
"Mr. Chiya must be having a rough time this term. His bonus might be gone with those two dead-last students," Sugito muttered.
"Hard to say. Maybe they'll surprise us this time and pass," Auron replied with a smile.
He actually thought Obito and Guy's performance this time would shock a lot of people.
"No way. They haven't passed a single theory test in three years. If they were going to pass, it would've happened already. The higher the grade, the harder the content," Sugito shook his head.
"Good thing they're graduating after this academic year. Otherwise…" Sugito didn't want to imagine having students like that in his class.
Their brief chat ended, and Auron continued pacing the classroom.
He missed teaching. Due to exams, the whole ninja school suspended classes for three days. Day one was theory, days two and three were practical combat assessments — which determined the students' final rankings.
To Auron, this three-day break meant losing time to train new jutsu and refine chakra.
Fortunately, his teaching-feedback system was still in effect. After the theory exam, Auron gave Obito some shuriken, which helped him burst out 50 chakra points.
"Just wait and see, Mr. Auron! I'll use those shuriken you gave me and defeat them all — I'm going to take first place!" Obito said gratefully.
At Training Ground 16, Auron was calling attendance before the practical exams.
Since the entire school was testing, and combat required space, the schoolyard wasn't nearly big enough. They moved the tests to training grounds instead.
After confirming everyone was present, Auron and Sugito began the lottery for match pairings.
The rules were simple: students were called by class to draw lots. The numbers determined the matchups: #1 vs. #2, #3 vs. #4, and so on.
"I'm number one! Rin, what number are you?" Obito asked eagerly after drawing.
"I'm number ten. That means you're in the first match," Rin answered.
"Doesn't matter what match it is. I'm going to win!" Obito said confidently. He believed everyone would be stunned by how strong he'd become.
After training with Auron for a month, Obito felt like he made progress every single day. His current self was miles beyond the old one.
He also asked Guy what number he drew.
"Number forty," Guy said.
"So we'd only meet at the very end, huh," Obito noted, surprised by the contrast.
"Don't lose before I get there, Obito," Guy said, giving a thumbs-up.
"That's my line. I'm a Uchiha!" Obito wasn't sure if Guy was joking or not — it sounded like a challenge.
"Where are you two getting this confidence from?" a nearby classmate muttered. Two underachievers talking like they're about to have an epic final showdown?
"The first match is about to begin. Uchiha Obito versus Uchiha Tekka — prepare to start!" Auron announced.
Obito ignored the people mocking him and walked confidently to the marked square for combat.
Uchiha Tekka also stepped onto the field. The two locked eyes.
Though both were Uchihas, same age, and in the same class, they had barely ever spoken.
No dramatic rivalry here — they simply had no interest in each other.
Tekka thought Obito was dumb, weak, and constantly late — the worst Uchiha he'd ever seen.
Obito found Tekka cold and unapproachable.
"Two Uchihas going head to head — this should be good," someone nearby chuckled.
Same clan — whoever loses is gonna be embarrassed.
"What's so interesting? Tekka's obviously going to win. Obito beating Tekka? Come on," someone else snorted.
"Tekka's been top of the class since second grade — only Kakashi beat him once in first year. Obito's never passed theory, and his combat skills are average. No way he wins."
Sound logic. Tekka was the model Uchiha: excellent in both theory and combat. Obito? The clan's weakest link.
"Be careful, Obito," Rin said with concern.
She felt bad for his terrible luck.
Obito's strength wasn't top-tier, but he didn't deserve a first-round elimination. Facing someone like Tekka, she just hoped he wouldn't get hurt.
She wanted to believe in his victory, but the power gap was real.
"Seems like no one believes in him. That just makes victory even sweeter!" Guy smiled with arms crossed. He, unlike the others, believed in Obito.
Their match caught the attention of other fourth-year students. Curious students came over to watch.
But when they saw it was Tekka vs. Obito, many lost interest.
They'd seen these students fight for years — everyone knew who the strong ones were.
This would be a one-sided beatdown, they assumed.
Only a few stayed behind — mostly to admire Tekka's skills.
The two faced each other and made the Seal of Confrontation.
This was a formality in ninja school battles — it signified the start of the fight. Afterward, they would do the Seal of Reconciliation to show there were no hard feelings.
"Begin!" Auron announced once they were ready.
Tekka immediately pulled out three shuriken and threw them at Obito — aimed at his head, chest, and legs — then charged in right after.
Obito also quickly pulled three shuriken and threw them back.
Six shuriken clashed mid-air, producing crisp metallic clangs before falling to the ground.
"Impressive shuriken skills from the Uchiha clan — even Obito, who's not especially gifted, handles them well," Sugito commented.
Intercepting shuriken with shuriken required solid precision.
The arena wasn't large, so Tekka quickly closed the gap and threw a right hook.
Obito didn't flinch. He met the punch head-on, and the two began grappling at close range.
They exchanged blows rapidly, dust flying everywhere from their skirmish.
"Huh? Obito's taijutsu is actually decent?" a spectator exclaimed.
The so-called weakest Uchiha was holding his own against Tekka?
Outsiders were surprised — even more so were his classmates, who looked like they'd seen a ghost.
Wasn't Obito supposed to be knocked out with a single kick?
"Obito's gotten so much stronger…" Rin said, her mouth slightly agape.
She had assumed he was just bluffing again — but this time, he really had improved!
"Obito still isn't quite there," Sugito said with a shake of his head. As a Chuunin, he could see more than the students.
"His taijutsu still has flaws," Auron agreed.
After all, Obito had only trained for a month — there was no way to master everything. He focused on fire-style ninjutsu. Under Auron's guidance, his chakra nature manipulation had improved dramatically.
Just as Sugito predicted, Obito started to get pushed back.
"Told you. No way Obito beats Tekka," the same student from before said smugly.
If Obito had actually won, he would've looked like a fool.
Still, he now felt that maybe they should stop calling Obito the clan's weakest link — this performance deserved more respect.
Obito suddenly used Tekka's punch to spring away and quickly began forming hand seals.
// Let me know whether you like this fanfic or not.
Should I continue to translate it?