Chapter 59: The Somewhat Redundant Hanabi Hyuga
Chapter 59: The Somewhat Redundant Hanabi Hyuga
"I'm not a failure of the Uchiha clan! I ranked third in last year's practical exam!"
Upon realizing that Kakashi's impression of him was still stuck before his lessons with Mu Yue, Obito proudly declared his most recent exam results.
"If being third is considered a failure, then there would only be two non-failures in each grade. And I was just careless last time; I'll definitely rank first next time!" Obito added defiantly.
Kakashi paused slightly, thinking about Obito's performance in the Chunin Exams. Being ranked third in practical exams certainly didn't make one a failure, and he acknowledged that it was quite normal for Obito to achieve that rank.
However, Kakashi disliked Obito's arrogant attitude and decided to retort, "I don't know if third place counts as a failure because I've always been first. I don't know what it feels like to be third."
Obito opened his mouth to respond but found himself unable to argue. After all, what Kakashi said was true—during their school days, Kakashi had ruled supreme, always securing the top rank.
"By the way, did you get third place in the theory exam as well? I got first place in that too," Kakashi added, twisting the knife.
Obito felt like he had been struck in the heart. Theory was his eternal weakness; not only had he placed third, but he had only passed because of Mu Yue's tutoring.
Despite his poor performance in theory, Obito refused to back down in front of Kakashi. "I didn't sleep well the night before the last theory exam, so I did slightly worse than in the practical exam. But this time will be different!"
"Slightly worse, huh? You didn't fail, did you?" Kakashi asked, knowing full well Obito's struggles with theory.
As expected, Obito immediately revealed the truth. "Of course not! I barely passed, but it was my first time passing!"
"Barely passing is a bit worse than being third, don't you think?" Kakashi said, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Obito fell silent. He made a mental note that if he ever became Hokage, he would abolish the theory exams at the Ninja Academy—they were too torturous.
"Obito has been working really hard lately," Hanabi Hyuga spoke up in Obito's defense. "I see him studying every day. His scores on the final exams might just surprise you."
Obito's previously gloomy mood instantly brightened, and he felt like the world was a beautiful place again. Even the retreating figures of Might Guy and Genma Shiranui seemed adorable to him now.
"Wait a minute," Obito suddenly realized something. "Guy and Genma are training, but here I am, wasting time bickering with Kakashi?"
As Guy progressed, the gap between his strength and Obito's would only widen, and he would have to spend even more time studying, leaving him with less time to play with Hanabi.
"The more I play with Hanabi, the more questions I'll have to answer, and the more questions I answer, the less time I'll have to play with Hanabi. So, if I play with Hanabi, I won't have time to play with her." Obito's train of thought led him to this somewhat odd conclusion.
Obito was perplexed as to why Guy and Genma would choose to train together at night. One was his clan member, and the other was his classmate, yet he felt like an outsider.
Obito racked his brains and recalled that they had invited him along, but he had refused because he wanted to play with Hanabi.
Obito found himself in a dilemma. How could he resolve this conundrum? His gaze fell on Kakashi, and an idea began to form.
No matter how much Obito denied it or put up a tough front, he had to admit that Kakashi was exceptionally skilled.
Kakashi had graduated from the Ninja Academy at five and become a Chunin at six. By the time they were in the second grade, Kakashi had already reached the level of a Jonin, the same rank as their teachers.
If Obito could learn something from Kakashi, he might gain an edge in his battles against Guy.
"But what if you could only use taijutsu?" Tobirama added another condition.
"Why wouldn't I use ninjutsu if I know it?" Kakashi refused to answer.
Tobirama scratched his head, inwardly cursing Kakashi. "Because my chakra would be nearly depleted, so I couldn't use ninjutsu," he thought aloud.
"Then I'd go all out and clash head-on," Kakashi stated.
"Why? If I'm at a disadvantage in both strength and speed, how could I possibly win in a direct clash?" Tobirama asked, perplexed.
"That way, I can at least die valiantly. Do you think taijutsu doesn't require chakra?" Kakashi retorted bluntly.
Tobirama felt a bit exasperated; this damn Kakashi was completely unpredictable.
Sensing that he had teased Tobirama enough, Kakashi finally said, "Since your body's strength and speed are inferior to your opponent's, you should focus on your movements and techniques."
"Battles are all about how I hit my enemy and how I avoid their attacks. Agile movements can help you dodge and avoid taking damage, and more advanced techniques can make up for your lack of strength during offense," Kakashi explained.
Tobirama felt that Kakashi's words made sense, but it also seemed like he wasn't saying anything new.
Upon further reflection, he realized that Mu Yue had already imparted similar advice.
"Are you participating in some competition where you can only use taijutsu? Is there someone stronger than you?" Kakashi speculated.
"It's not a competition, but my two rivals in the practical exam are both proficient in taijutsu," Tobirama admitted, choosing not to reveal the full truth to Kakashi.
He felt that if Kakashi knew about the battle-punishment, he might refuse to help and instead enjoy watching him struggle with the questions.
"If you truly want to improve your taijutsu, I don't mind helping you. I'm just worried you won't be able to handle the hardship," Kakashi said.
"I, Tobirama Uchiha, fear no hardship," Tobirama declared proudly.
Hearing Kakashi's words, Tobirama smiled. What hardship could be worse than having to fight and answer a hundred questions? His suffering was greater than Kakashi's, he thought.
Kakashi then led the two of them to a nearby training ground.
"Now, I will fight you without using ninjutsu, but I won't hold back. Are you sure you want me to train you?" Kakashi asked one last time.
"Go ahead and use your full strength," Tobirama said nonchalantly.
He wanted to test Kakashi's strength himself.
Undoubtedly, Kakashi was more skilled in ninjutsu, so Tobirama believed that a pure taijutsu duel wouldn't result in a significant gap in their abilities.
"Alright, then. Here I come," Kakashi said, deciding to grant Tobirama's wish.
In the next instant, Kakashi used the Body Flicker Technique to appear in front of Tobirama and kicked him, sending the unprepared Tobirama flying.
Tobirama, who had been chatting with Naru, was taken aback. He dusted himself off and said, "I was caught off guard and didn't dodge. Let's continue."
A minute later, Tobirama was covered in dust with several shoe prints on his body.
Despite his repeated defeats, with Naru watching, Tobirama insisted on acting nonchalant, standing up and calling for another round.
Naru watched the two of them, deep in their spar, and hesitated to speak. She felt a bit out of place.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
