He followed a normal squad to perform missions and didn't have any S-level mission records, but managed to mix with an intern team and completed two A-levels and one S-level mission. Kakashi felt the world was indeed wonderful.
"The mission being upgraded to S-level isn't really our doing; it must be because of Teacher Mokgetsu's huge contribution," Kakashi rationally analyzed.
He felt their performance on the battlefield was decent, but Kakashi believed it was Mokgetsu's merit that was the decisive factor.
"But Teacher Mokgetsu is also part of our team, meaning it contributes to our overall strength," Obito felt Kakashi was unnecessarily splitting hairs.
He thought that during this mission, their Mokgetsu Squad was just wreaking havoc on the battlefield.
Kakashi found it hard to counter Obito's comment. Surely, considering the whole team's strength, Mokgetsu had to be counted in. However, the issue was that without Mokgetsu, their team's strength would drop to the point of disbanding.
"I did contribute, and your performances weren't bad either. Lord Jiraiya values you highly and sees a bright future for you," Mokgetsu said with a gentle smile.
"Keep working hard, and one day you'll be able to complete an S-level mission on your own."
In truth, it was due to his massive contributions that the mission got upgraded to S-level, but encouraging the students a bit had no downside.
"To become Hokage, how could you not have the strength to complete an S-level mission?" Obito was full of expectation and confidence in his future.
"To become Hokage, you need more than just strength. With your current knowledge, you're not even qualified to become a Jonin," Kakashi calmly reminded.
"Does becoming Hokage require an exam too?" Obito looked surprised.
"You don't need an exam to become Hokage, but generally, people don't want someone who's all brawn and no brain as Hokage."
"Damn you, Kakashi, you're the muscle-brain," Obito realized Kakashi was mocking his lack of theoretical knowledge.
"But I got full marks in Ninja Academy exams, what about you?" Kakashi smirked.
Obito: ...
He regretted ever letting Kakashi accompany him to check the results.
"By the way, I scored full marks on the written test in the Chunin Exams too. I truly worry for your future teammates. Being eliminated in the first round due to theoretical questions would be quite a joke," Kakashi continued his remarks.
After Obito taunted him several times before, now that he had a chance, he had to seize it to strike back.
"I should worry about your future teammates too. Losing to an intern ninja in the Chunin Exams," Obito began to counterattack.
They both knew the team wouldn't last forever. After Obito and others graduated, this team formed for internship purposes would disband.
"Alright, very spirited. Let's start the Full Concentration Breathing constant state training," Mokgetsu interrupted their verbal battle, urging them to channel their energy into training.
Kakashi, though just getting into the breathing technique, had no urgent cultivation project. Breath of Thunder was currently the highest priority for Kakashi, so starting constant state training in advance wasn't an issue.
After all, so-called constant state actually refers to raising the upper limit of Full Concentration and keeping the body in a highly concentrated breathing state for a long time.
Might Guy was different. Mastering the third gate faster was more important for him. Only after that could he start constant state training, as the first three gates of the Eight Gates were relatively easy to practice.
As they began Full Concentration Breathing training, the two still had the leisure to compete with each other. Later, they got so exhausted that all they could think about was their training.
The training ended with both of them lying on the ground, too tired to continue their verbal jabs.
But Obito remembered he had more to say. Mustered by willpower, he stood up and slowly walked over to sit beside Nohara Rin.
"Rin, you'd never guess how many enemies we encountered this mission," Obito adjusted his state with a deep breath and said.
No matter how tough or tiring, he had to recount his heroic deeds to Nohara Rin.
Kakashi noticed Obito's movements and saw him chatting with Nohara Rin. He quietly moved closer to sit against a nearby tree, to prevent Obito from secretly slandering him.
"Did you encounter twenty enemies?" Nohara Rin, with her finger on her chin, smiled as she asked.
"Twenty? That's too few."
Obito exaggeratedly said, "At least over six hundred! Ninjas wearing Hidden Rock Village headbands were everywhere, seemingly endless. Defeating one, three more came to attack you."
"With so many enemies, you didn't get hurt, did you?" Nohara Rin was very surprised. There were barely over three hundred students per year in Ninja Academy. She found it hard to believe so many official ninjas fighting together would be so dangerous, thus asked with concern.
"Just some minor injuries, which Teacher Mokgetsu healed after the battle, so nothing much," Obito felt warm inside seeing Nohara Rin's concern.
"Though there were many enemies, we had lots of companions on our side too. I saved several, including some Chunin. They all praised me, and the enemies were amazed by my strength, calling me a genius."
As he spoke, a proud smile appeared on his face.
"That's wonderful." Nohara Rin showed a gratifying smile.
"I still remember how years ago, Obito couldn't even take care of himself, often forgetting admission documents. Now, you've become a reliable boy who can save comrades at critical moments."
Hearing Obito talk about saving village comrades and earning the enemy's praise, Nohara Rin felt the joy of a diligently planted seed blooming.
For four years in Ninja Academy, she had helped Obito as if he was a younger brother, and seeing him grow to such an extent, she was both surprised and happy.
"You seem as reliable as Kakashi now."
Nohara Rin smiled with her eyes narrowed, her slightly upturned eyes like two curved boats, brimming with the joy of harvest.
Obito only felt her smile as warm and bright like the spring sun, dispersing the fatigue from his training.
"It would be better without those three words," Obito internally criticized.
What does it mean to be as reliable as Kakashi? It sounded like he was a notch below Kakashi, whereas he didn't mind being compared to Teacher Mokgetsu.
"Hehe, thanks to you back then, Rin. I almost missed the chance to enroll," Obito scratched his head and laughed with gratitude.
"After all, helping future classmates is expected," Nohara Rin softly said.
"Right, I took a lot of pictures during the mission, and some flowers I've never seen in Konoha seemed pretty. I wonder if they're unique to the Land of Grass," Obito recalled about the pictures.
"I'll give you some after they are developed."
"Great, I'll thank you in advance then," Nohara Rin replied with a big smile.
Not hearing anything personal about themselves, Kakashi nodded internally, feeling rested enough, so he got up to leave.
"It seems Kakashi understands you well, he must have carefully selected to buy them. You must get along well," Nohara Rin said with her palms together, smiling.
Kakashi, about to pass by, slightly turned his head to explain, "Don't overthink, the shop camera was just on sale."
"Maybe I bought the wrong thing. I should have bought dozens of exam papers like Teacher Mokgetsu and given them to him. He might need those more."
Obito was dumbfounded by Kakashi's words. Never had he heard such a malicious idea; dozens of test sheets as a gift, wasn't that a death sentence?
"Damn you, Kakashi," Obito pondered on how to deal with it if Kakashi really sent them.
After speaking, Kakashi didn't linger long and headed home for dinner.
...
Learning from Obito that it would take two more days to get the photos, Mokgetsu prepared dinner and communicated with Kushina through a food delivery ninja.
After finalizing the arrangements, Mokgetsu took Minato's photos and the pastries he made to the designated spot to wait for Kushina on the morning of the fourth day after returning to the village.