"Why? Are you planning to admit defeat?"
Kakashi struck a familiar hand seal stance, his posture relaxed yet sharp.
"Hmph. Kakashi, even if I can't maintain Sage Mode during close combat like you, don't underestimate me."
A smile crept across Obito's face.
He formed a single hand seal and slammed his palm downward. At the same moment, a smoke bomb detonated beneath the arena. The shadow clone that had been hidden underground using Earth Release instantly dispersed into smoke.
A surge of natural energy flowed back into Obito's body along with the clone's chakra. In the next instant, markings symbolizing Sage Mode appeared on his face.
"Oh? Usually foolish, but sometimes surprisingly sharp."
A glint of surprise flashed through Kakashi's eyes. Without hesitation, the two rushed at each other once more.
"They've really improved."
From the viewing platform, Tsunade teased Ryoma beside her.
"Looks like you didn't slack off when you were teaching."
"What kind of look is that supposed to be?" Ryoma shot back irritably.
Snorting, Tsunade turned her gaze back to the arena.
Ryoma, however, watched his two disciples intently. He couldn't help but nod in approval—these brats had truly grown.
Kakashi and Obito exchanged dozens of blows in a single breath. Sage Mode vastly enhanced their physical abilities; every punch and kick caused violent air pressure to explode outward.
Kakashi possessed chakra affinities for all five basic natures, and his mastery over ninjutsu was effortless. Combined with his taijutsu and Sage Mode, his strength hovered between elite jōnin and Kage level.
Obito, with the Sharingan, ninjutsu, and Sage Mode working together, wasn't inferior in raw combat ability.
The difference lay in experience and battlefield awareness.
Lightning, fire, and explosive chakra techniques ravaged the arena as the two collided again in a violent shockwave.
Suddenly, Obito's right hand lunged toward Kakashi's throat.
Kakashi didn't retreat.
Instead, he countered directly—his hand knife, crackling with Lightning Release, stabbed toward Obito's neck.
The throat was a vital area. A powerful impact could fracture cartilage, restrict breathing, and deprive the brain of oxygen. This was a mutual-destruction exchange—extremely dangerous.
Obito instantly recognized the risk. Kakashi's physical strength was superior; forcing this exchange would put him at a disadvantage.
He decisively withdrew, twisting his body to the right to break out of the clash.
Exactly as Kakashi had predicted.
Kakashi had already identified Obito's weakness in close-quarters combat and his slight hesitation under pressure.
That moment of doubt was enough.
Kakashi's left hand shot forward.
"What?!"
Obito's right wrist was seized firmly. A dark shadow followed immediately.
Obito's muscles tensed instinctively, his mind reaching unprecedented focus under the looming threat. The three tomoe of his Sharingan spun wildly.
At that instant, he saw everything.
But seeing didn't mean escaping.
His physical speed couldn't match Kakashi's, and the Sharingan's chakra drain left his body unable to react in time.
Kakashi stepped in close, his right hand locking Obito's other arm. He lowered his stance slightly.
Boom!
A perfectly executed shoulder throw slammed Obito into the ground. The shockwave rippled through his entire body.
Still, Obito reacted quickly. He rolled aside just as a massive lightning strike obliterated the spot where he had been lying.
Through the smoke, he saw Kakashi already charging toward him.
"Damn it—!"
Obito retreated, but it was too late.
Lightning erupted around Kakashi, the deafening sound resembling a thousand birds crying out at once.
"Chidori!"
Empowered by Sage Mode, Kakashi appeared before Obito in an instant. The thunderous force slammed into Obito's body.
Whoosh!
Obito was sent flying backward more than ten meters, crashing violently into the examination hall wall.
Bang!
Spiderweb cracks spread across the massive stone surface. Obito dropped to one knee, barely able to stay upright, his body no longer capable of continuing the fight.
"Winner—Hatake Kakashi!"
The Continental United Chūnin Exams came to a successful conclusion.
A total of twenty shinobi were promoted from genin to chūnin, including Kakashi, Obito, Rin, Terumi, and Maji.
During the award ceremony, Terumi's gaze never left Ryoma.
When Ryoma finally stopped in front of her, he reached out and gently patted her head.
"Keep working hard, little one."
With that, Ryoma left alongside Tsunade and the others.
Terumi watched his departing figure, her heart filled with both joy and quiet frustration. The distance between them was still far too great.
Her fingers tightened around her forehead protector.
"I'll become stronger," she whispered.
"One day… I'll walk to your side."
After the ceremony, Obito made his way into a side corridor. The relaxed expression he had worn earlier finally cracked.
"Kakashi… that bastard really didn't hold back," he muttered through clenched teeth, clutching his right shoulder.
At that moment, faint footsteps echoed from the corridor to the right.
Obito stiffened and instinctively turned toward the sound.
"Rin? Why are you here?"
When he saw who it was, the pain on Obito's face vanished, replaced by unmistakable joy. He straightened up immediately.
Rin didn't answer.
She walked over, lifted the cloth covering his shoulder, and revealed a charred, blackened wound beneath.
"Look at you," Rin said unhappily, glaring at him. "You're practically throwing your life away."
Before Obito could respond, Rin entered Sage Mode. Placing both hands above his shoulders, she released a soft, emerald-green glow as medical chakra flowed steadily into his body.
"Rin…"
Obito lowered his head, watching her focused expression as she treated him. A clear, foolish smile slowly spread across his face.
Maybe… this is happiness.
Under Rin's treatment, the damage to Obito's shoulder rapidly healed, restoring it to its original state. Through her connection to the Shikkotsu Forest, Rin's medical ninjutsu had reached a new level. Though she couldn't yet compare to Tsunade, this kind of injury posed no difficulty for her.
After withdrawing her hands, Rin crossed her arms, annoyance flickering in her eyes.
"This wasn't even an official match," she said. "It wasn't a battlefield either. Don't you two have any sense of restraint? Look at the state you're in."
Obito sniffed, wiped his nose, and put on a brave front.
"It's just a minor injury. Nothing serious."
"Yeah right," Rin replied flatly. "Only your mouth is tough."
Just then, Kakashi emerged from the opposite end of the corridor.
With his usual deadpan tone, he added, "Rin, you really don't need to heal Obito next time. They're all small injuries anyway—he'll recover on his own."
"Kakashi, you—!"
"All right, both of you."
Rin interrupted them, casually twirling a strand of hair around her finger.
"If you keep arguing, I'll have no choice but to report this to the teacher."
The moment those words left her mouth, both Kakashi and Obito fell silent.
Among the three, Rin was clearly Ryoma's favorite. If she truly complained, neither of them doubted they'd be dragged in for a "lesson."
Watching the two instantly behave themselves, Rin smiled inwardly.
So this is how it works, she thought. If talking doesn't help, just bring up Teacher Ryoma.
Half a Month Later
On the top floor of Konoha Hospital, Ryoma paced back and forth outside a private room.
For someone as calm and unshakable as him, the faint unease in his eyes was rare.
Half an hour passed.
Finally, the door opened.
Tsunade stepped out alongside several medical-nin staff.
"Well?" Ryoma asked, his voice betraying tension despite himself.
"It went smoothly."
Tsunade removed her mask, a bright smile appearing on her face.
"Congratulations," she said.
"Two healthy girls."
...
(End of Chapter)
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