Mikami Yuu and Nohara Rin entered the classroom.
Soon after, Might Guy, Sarutobi Asuma, Yuhi Kurenai, Ebisu...
One familiar face after another appeared.
Among them, Might Guy and Mikami Yuu were close, often training together.
Upon seeing him, Guy threw a few punches into the air, gave a thumbs-up, and flashed his pearly white teeth with a wide grin.
"Good morning, Yuu! Today's the final exam! Ready to burn with the flames of youth?!"
"Can't burn what's already been reduced to ashes," Mikami Yuu chuckled, brushing off Guy's enthusiasm. "Go burn yourself."
Sarutobi Asuma, currently channeling Sasuke's character arc, had his hair meticulously styled despite his young age, his hands tucked into his pockets, striking a cool, aloof pose.
He was flanked by two shades-wearing figures: Ebisu and Yamashiro Aoba.
Yuhi Kurenai, considered part of this little clique, chatted and laughed with Asuma as they entered the classroom.
Spotting Mikami Yuu, she waved a small hand and whispered a quiet greeting.
As everyone settled into their seats, the bell rang.
Teacher Oki, the homeroom teacher, strode into the classroom with his lesson plans in hand, beginning to outline the key points and precautions for the upcoming exam.
Just as he was speaking,
The classroom door burst open with a loud bang, revealing Obito panting at the entrance. "R-Report!"
"...Obito, it's you again! How many times has this been this month?"
Teacher Oki frowned.
Obito scratched his head, trying to explain. "Sorry, Teacher. On my way to school, I ran into a lost elderly lady and had to help her get home. That's why I'm late..."
"Always the same excuse! Stand at the back of the classroom for this lesson!"
"Yes, sir."
Obito glanced furtively at Rin before reluctantly shuffling to the back of the classroom.
Teacher Oki tapped the blackboard to regain everyone's attention. "Ahem, let's continue.
"This end-of-term exam is a comprehensive assessment covering cultural subjects, the Three Body Technique, practical combat... All scores will be factored into your overall annual grade and serve as a crucial reference for next year's graduation exam.
"The exam will begin at 10:00 AM. Except for the practical combat segment, all other sections will proceed in the order of your previous rankings. Remember to prioritize safety..."
After further instructions, Teacher Oki left to set up the exam venue.
At that moment, a tall, muscular boy turned around to face Obito, who was standing in the back as punishment.
"Hey, Obito," he taunted, "how come you're always late and come up with such lame excuses? Talk about honoring your teachers!"
"Lies? I'm telling the truth! How dare you slander my reputation like that!" Obito retorted, his eyes wide with indignation.
"What truth? This is the third time this week you've helped an old lady cross the road! Are there really that many elderly women in Konoha Village who need your help?"
"Exactly! Last time's excuse was even more ridiculous—claiming you'd encountered a lost black cat!"
"Ugh, every time you're late, Teacher Oki wastes a minute scolding you. That's one minute per person, and with over twenty students in the class, it adds up to half an hour! As the saying goes, 'Every inch of time is worth an inch of gold.' You owe us each a gold coin!"
"Huh?"
As more students joined the chorus of teasing, Obito's face flushed crimson, veins bulging on his forehead.
He sputtered defenses like, "I know all the elderly people in the village!" and "Uncle Murata can vouch for me!"—only to be met with uproarious laughter.
The classroom buzzed with merriment, both inside and out.
"Hmph, how childish," Sarutobi Asuma scoffed from his seat by the window. "The test is just around the corner, yet you're all still laughing and joking. Are you all so confident in your abilities? I heard that anyone who ranks at the bottom might get held back!"
"Held back? Seriously?" Several students gasped in alarm.
"Hmph, have you all forgotten who Big Brother Asuma is? He would never lie to us!"
Ebisu pushed up his glasses and immediately jumped in, clinging tightly to the Son of the Hokage's leg.
His keen sense of observation would later earn him the role of exclusive tutor to Konohamaru.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the room:
Hyuga Himon declared coldly, "There's no need to wait for next year's exam. In today's practical test, I, Hyuga Himon, will prove to all of you that the Hyuga Clan is the strongest! First place in this test will undoubtedly be mine!"
"Bullshit! The Uchiha are the strongest!" Obito retorted, abandoning his earlier argument about the old woman's existence.
He shot to his feet and exclaimed, "I, Uchiha Obito, will crush every single one of you! Then I'll teach that arrogant Kakashi a lesson, earn Lord Third's attention, and become the future Hokage!"
"Ah! This is the essence of youth!" Might Guy leapt onto a desk, pumping his fist wildly and sending whistling gusts of air through the classroom.
"I can feel the passion burning within each of you! Let's ignite our youth together, starting with 500 laps around the training ground!"
Before he could finish speaking, Might Guy burst out the door with a 'bang', sprinting toward the training ground.
"..." Mikami Yuu sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
'Truly, these little gremlins making such scene everyday.'
If I had to face students like this every day, being a teacher at the Ninja Academy might not be an easy job after all...
The argument over Obito's tardiness was just a minor incident.
By ten o'clock in the morning, all the students had filed out of the classroom and gathered in small groups on the training grounds outside.
The arena had already been set up.
Teacher Oki, who taught Mikami Yuu's class, and Teacher Himura, the homeroom teacher of the neighboring class, stood side-by-side at the edge of the arena.
The former clapped his hands loudly to quiet the students. "Everyone's here, right?"
"You've already been briefed on all the necessary precautions. Now, I hereby declare... the exam officially begins! First up is the Three Body Technique! When I call your name, come forward one at a time and perform the assigned ninjutsu. Everyone else, stay in place and prepare!"
"Sarutobi Asuma, Hyuga Himon, Nara Shinmaru... Mikami Yuu..."
As Teacher Oki began calling names, the students below reacted with varying emotions—some joyful, others anxious.
Those who had mastered the Three Body Technique were eager to showcase their skills, hoping to impress their crushes.
Achieving high scores on the test could even bring them into the spotlight of the academy and the Third Hokage, potentially leading to special cultivation opportunities—a dream come true.
Meanwhile, those with only average skills were secretly tense, dreading the possibility of embarrassing themselves again.
Soon, the students began taking turns stepping onto the stage.
Sarutobi Asuma was the first.
Ever since Kakashi graduated early and left the Ninja Academy, Asuma, as the Son of the Hokage, had consistently held the top spot in practical combat classes.
With a solid foundation in the Three Body Technique, shuriken throwing, and sparring, his performance this time was also outstanding.
A while later, it was Mikami Yuu's turn to take the stage.