Chapter 194: Kakashi's Graduation
Half a year later.
Inside the Taobao Shop.
"I did it, Master!" Obito's shout jolted Masahiko awake, who was dozing off with his eyes half-closed.
"One hundred pieces, and you still have energy left? Not a small improvement." Masahiko counted the stones in front of him and smiled.
Obito had been carving stones for half a year. From the initial six stones to one hundred now, from characters barely recognizable as words to clearly reading "Uchiha Obito." Both his chakra volume and control had improved significantly.
"That's for sure!" Obito looked proud, with an expression that screamed "praise me."
Masahiko secretly curled his lips. In just half a year, Obito's chakra volume couldn't have improved that much. However, he had learned how to conserve energy, carving only the very surface layer of the stone, making it look like he had improved dozens of times over.
Seeing Obito's "praise me" look, Masahiko didn't burst his bubble.
"Good job. Next, let's proceed to the second step of learning."
Obito's expression collapsed instantly. "Second step? More than half a year for just the first step? How many steps are there in total?"
Masahiko smiled. "Three steps in total. Step one, open the refrigerator... Hmm, actually four steps."
Obito looked confused. "Refrigerator?"
"Nothing."
Masahiko changed the subject, taking another stone from behind him. He covered it with his palm, focused slightly, and used Earth Release to completely change the internal structure of the stone.
"Still a stone?" Obito looked exaggeratedly dismayed; he had been struggling with stones for more than half a year.
"Try this one." Masahiko wore a mischievous smile and lied through his teeth. "This is a stone I brought back from the world's highest peak back then. It's different."
Obito looked admiring. "The world's highest peak? Where is it? I want to go there too in the future."
Masahiko's expression stiffened. This kid's brain circuit wasn't quite normal.
"It's gone. After I climbed it, I felt the scenery wasn't good, so I chopped the mountain away with a Wind Release." Masahiko said with a sigh.
Obito looked even more admiring. "You're so amazing, Master."
Masahiko felt a little embarrassed... How could this kid be so gullible?
"Stop thinking about useless things and hurry up and practice."
Obito naturally picked up the carving knife and infused chakra. The blade glowed faintly blue, then his expression froze on his face.
"Master, why is this stone so hard?"
Masahiko waved his hand. "Use some strength. Didn't you eat breakfast this morning?"
Obito found the feeling of his first carving practice again. After finishing one stone, his head was already covered in sweat.
However, this time he managed not to collapse and sat on the ground panting.
"Master, are the stones on the world's highest peak this hard? It's amazing that you could chop it apart!" Obito's admiration grew even stronger.
Masahiko glanced at him a few times, shook his head helplessly, then had an idea and looked towards the door.
"Get up quickly. Your crush is here. Isn't it embarrassing to sit on the ground?"
Obito blushed first, then immediately jumped up and walked a few steps to the door to look out.
"Where is she?"
Obito turned back, only to find two more identical stones in Masahiko's hand. The corners of his mouth twitched.
"Master, you didn't move the entire world's highest peak back here, did you?"
Masahiko didn't explain. "Since you still have strength, do two more."
Obito deflated and picked up the carving knife again.
Half an hour later. "Finished!"
This time Obito couldn't maintain his image at all and lay directly on the ground.
Masahiko was about to speak when he paused slightly and revealed a mischievous smile.
"Is it really okay to lie on the ground? Your crush is here."
Obito panted twice and smiled. "Don't try to trick me. How could I fall for it twice?"
"Obito, why are you lying on the ground?" Rin Nohara's voice came, and Obito's smile froze on his face.
He first looked at Masahiko's expression, then turned his head stiffly, and Rin's smiling face appeared before his eyes.
"Ah!" Obito yelled, jumped up, and hurriedly dusted himself off. "Rin, why are you here?"
Rin's expression changed slightly, remembering her purpose, and she grabbed Obito with her right hand.
"Hurry to the school. I heard Kakashi applied for graduation!"
"Kakashi applied for graduation? Isn't he the same age as us? For real?"
"It's true..."
The two walked further away, leaving Masahiko smiling bitterly alone in the shop.
"This little apprentice doesn't take me seriously as a master. But since Kakashi is graduating, I have to go too."
Masahiko closed the shop door. Without dispelling the Transformation Jutsu, he went directly to the Ninja Academy, only to find he had made a trip for nothing.
"Exam at the Hokage Building? Hiruzen is doing it personally? He really values Kakashi. But it makes sense; he is the first child to apply for graduation at five."
Masahiko arrived at the Hokage Building. A group of children had already gathered there, Obito and Rin among them, presumably waiting for the results.
Obito was probably one of the most nervous people there. It was only after Rin reminded him that he noticed Masahiko.
"Master, you're here too." Obito looked guilty. Upon hearing Kakashi applied for graduation, he had run out without even saying hello.
Masahiko smiled. "What, anxious to congratulate Kakashi on becoming a Genin?"
Obito was stunned, then stubbornly said, "He might not necessarily pass the exam."
"I just love seeing you act tough."
As they spoke, the door of the Hokage Building opened, and Kakashi walked out. No one needed to ask the result; the forehead protector on Kakashi's head explained everything. At the same time, Masahiko received 10 Witness Points.
The "onlooking crowd" stepped forward to congratulate him one after another, leaving only Obito standing beside Masahiko.
"What, not going to congratulate Kakashi?"
"I don't want to..."
Obito didn't go, but Kakashi walked over.
"Senior." He greeted Masahiko first, then turned to Obito. The two looked at each other for a few seconds, and suddenly Masahiko's "Left Hmph, Right Hmph" carving was perfectly reproduced in real life. Masahiko laughed out loud instantly.
Saying nothing, Kakashi walked past Obito with a "cool and arrogant" look. The other children chased after him, Rin included.
Obito looked unwilling, clenched his fists tightly, and looked at the Hokage Building in front of him.
"No, I want to apply for graduation too!"
Masahiko was startled and quickly grabbed him. After more than half a year of carving, Obito had strength close to graduation level. If he got lucky and passed... actually, graduating wouldn't be a big deal.
Thinking of this, Masahiko let go of Obito but added, "Kakashi graduated. Now there's no one in the Konoha Academy to disturb you and your little crush. Are you sure you want to apply for graduation now?"
Obito paused, showing a pleasantly surprised expression.
"Master, you really are experienced!"
Masahiko felt like he had been stabbed again...
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