Training Ground Sixteen, Mokgetsu is conducting roll call before the exam.
As the entire academy is taking the exam together and the practical exam requires a lot of space, the sports field clearly can't accommodate so many people, so we're going straight to the training ground for the exam.
Once all examinees are confirmed present, Mokgetsu and Kimura Sugihito announce the start of drawing lots.
The practical exam rules are straightforward: first, call names according to the class roster and let students come forward to draw lots. The lot numbers then determine the battle opponents: number one fights number two, number three fights number four, and so on.
"I'm number one. Hey, Rin, what's your number?" Obito couldn't wait to find Nohara Rin after drawing his lot.
"I'm number ten, which means you're in the first match, Obito," Nohara Rin replied.
"It doesn't matter which match; I will win no matter what." Obito was very confident, believing that everyone would be shocked by his current strength.
Having trained under Mokgetsu for a month, Obito felt that he made new gains every day. Nowadays, he's miles ahead of his self from a month ago.
After asking Nohara Rin, Obito went to ask Might Guy about his number.
"Number forty," Might Guy responded.
"So that means we might only meet at the very end." Obito hadn't expected that Might Guy's number was the opposite of his.
"Don't lose before you face me, Obito," Might Guy raised a thumb to cheer for Obito.
"That's my line; I'm an Uchiha, after all." Obito wasn't sure if Might Guy was being intentional or innocent; his words certainly sounded provocatively competitive.
"Where do you two get your confidence from?" A classmate nearby grumbled, puzzled by how these two underdogs planned such a peak showdown.
"The first match is about to begin. Will examinee number one, Uchiha Obito, and examinee number two, Uchiha Tekka, prepare to start the exam?" Mokgetsu glanced at the time and announced the official start of the exam.
Obito didn't argue with those who mocked him; he swiftly walked to the marked-off square ground, ready to begin the exam.
Uchiha Tekka also quickly entered the exam area, sharing a glance with Obito.
Though both belonged to the Uchiha Clan and were peers and classmates, they hardly spoke to each other.
No melodramatic scenes here, just pure mutual disinterest.
Uchiha Tekka thought Obito was a bit dimwitted, lacked ability, and was often late. He'd never seen an Uchiha so inept.
Obito found Uchiha Tekka cold and difficult to get along with.
"Both from the Uchiha Clan, this could be interesting." Some spectators almost couldn't hold back their laughter.
Being from the same Ninja Clan, whoever loses will have an awkward moment.
"What's interesting about this? Other than Uchiha Tekka winning, could Uchiha Obito possibly win?" Someone beside him thought the battle outcome was predictable.
"Remember, Uchiha Tekka was only surpassed by Kakashi in first grade. He's been the top of the class in second and third grades ever since."
"And what's Uchiha Obito's level? He never passes theory, and his practical skills are just average. How could he possibly defeat Uchiha Tekka?"
The spectator had to admit it made sense. Uchiha Tekka was the standard Uchiha Ninja: excellent in both theory and practice. Apart from the termed first-grade phenomena like Kakashi, no one in the class could rival him.
Expecting a Uchiha Clan underdog like Obito to defeat a highly capable Uchiha like Tekka seemed a bit of a stretch.
"Obito, be careful," Nohara Rin said worriedly.
She felt Obito's luck was indeed unfortunate.
Given Obito's ability, he wouldn't rank top of the class, but he shouldn't face elimination in the first round.
However, facing a perennial top contender like Uchiha Tekka, Nohara Rin hoped Obito wouldn't push himself too hard and risk getting hurt.
Emotionally, she supported Obito's victory, but realistically, there was a clear gap in their strengths.
"Almost everyone doubts him, but winning under such circumstances is even more exhilarating!" Might Guy crossed his arms with a bright smile, believing in Obito's victory.
The excitement from Class 4-2 even piqued the curiosity of the surrounding fourth-grade classes, with many coming over to check it out.
The practical exam was relatively free-form: as long as you didn't leave the training ground, it was fine.
But seeing it was Obito and Tekka, many lost interest.
Everyone knew who was strong and weak in their class from years of practical exams.
Uchiha Tekka fighting Uchiha Obito felt like pure bullying; what's there to watch?
Only a few who wanted to see Uchiha Tekka's prowess stayed.
The two stood facing each other and formed the Seal of Opposition.
This was a necessary procedure in Ninja Academy battles, indicating to the opponent that you're ready to attack. After the fight, the Seal of Reconciliation must be made to show you're still friendly rivals.
"Begin!" Mokgetsu announced the battle's start once both were ready.
As soon as Mokgetsu finished speaking, Uchiha Tekka swiftly retrieved three shurikens from his Ninja Pouch and hurled them towards Obito, targeting his head, torso, and feet, then quickly lunged toward Obito.
Obito casually extracted three shurikens and threw them rapidly.
The six shurikens clashed with a crisp metallic impact and fell to the ground.
"The Uchiha Clan's shuriken throwing is indeed remarkable. Even someone like Uchiha Obito, with relatively ordinary talent, can deliver a decent shuriken throw," Kimura Sugihito commented.
Intercepting shurikens with shurikens requires notable accuracy.
Given the small area, Uchiha Tekka quickly closed in on Obito, unleashing a right hook.
Obito showed no fear, meeting Tekka's punch head-on and engaging in a skirmish.
Both sides exchanged blows fiercely, kicking up dust across the field.
"Hmm, who would have thought Uchiha Obito's Taijutsu was this impressive?" Spectators expressed surprise.
That Uchiha Clan underdog, Obito, was going toe-to-toe with Uchiha Tekka.
Outer-class spectators were astonished, let alone those from the same class, who appeared as though they'd seen a ghost.
The regular scenario should have been Obito being swiftly kicked away by Uchiha Tekka, right?
"Obito has really improved a lot," Nohara Rin gaped slightly in disbelief.
She always assumed Obito was just bluffing as usual, but this time he had genuinely gotten stronger!
"Uchiha Obito still falls short," Kimura Sugihito shook his head, noting things others couldn't see as a Chunin.
"Taijutsu indeed needs improvement," Mokgetsu concurred.
With only a month's time, it's impossible to perfect everything. Throughout the month, Obito primarily focused on Fire Release Ninjutsu, achieving significant progress in Nature Transformation under Mokgetsu's guidance.
As Kimura Sugihito pointed out, Obito gradually got pushed back.
"See, how could Uchiha Obito be a match for Uchiha Tekka?" The earlier naysayers breathed a sigh of relief.
If Obito won against Uchiha Tekka, it would make them look like poor judges of talent.
However, they felt it was time to drop the underdog nickname for Obito Uchiha; given his performance, it seemed a bit unaware of his capabilities.
Finding an opportunity, Obito borrowed Tekka's punch strength to briefly create distance between them, then quickly began forming hand seals.
Training his Fire Release so hard wasn't just for a fistfight with Uchiha Tekka.