Drop Some power stones! If you like the chapter! It helps to keep me motivated to upload more!💎💎💎
------
Why did Akio think he was about to gain a huge number of Witness Points?
First of all, there was Kakashi. It was almost certain that Kakashi would pass the Chūnin Exams, which meant Akio could easily earn at least five points—possibly as many as ten.
More importantly, there was Obito. This time, he also had a real chance at becoming a Chūnin.
Akio couldn't recall if Obito had ever been promoted to Chūnin in the original timeline, but it definitely wasn't during this round of exams—barely half a year after his graduation. After all, Obito was considered the "dead last."
But now, even though Akio hadn't taught him any ninjutsu or taijutsu, Obito's chakra reserves and control had improved drastically through his training in woodcarving. From Akio's perspective, his overall strength was already about on par with a Chūnin.
That was why Akio's heart had leapt with excitement when Obito proudly presented his Chūnin Exam Registration Form. If this event turned out to be a complete—or at least major—change from the original timeline, Akio was bound to earn forty or fifty Witness Points at once.
Still, when Akio looked at Obito standing before him, brimming with mysterious confidence, clutching the registration form as if it were already his Chūnin vest, it was hard not to feel skeptical.
"Don't get too excited too soon. Kakashi is practically guaranteed to make Chūnin this time. If you don't get promoted…" Akio gave a faint smile.
"No way! This time, in the Chūnin Exams, I'll defeat Kakashi with my own hands!" Obito's confidence was overflowing.
Akio sighed. For the first time, he decided to seriously check on Obito's training.
"How many of the Uchiha clan's Fire Release techniques have you learned?"
At that question, Obito's bravado deflated.
"As a Genin, I can only practice the Fireball Jutsu. And you still won't teach me anything else…"
Akio blinked. He hadn't realized that even within the Uchiha clan, fire techniques were taught in levels.
"That makes sense. No clan would make all of its jutsu openly available," he muttered.
He didn't even bother asking how well Obito had mastered the Fireball Jutsu. After years of practice, if Obito still couldn't handle one basic technique, then there really was no saving him.
"The exam's tomorrow?" Akio asked.
Obito nodded. Akio sighed. "It's too late to teach you anything new now."
A trace of regret lingered in Akio's heart. If he'd known earlier, he would have taught Obito a couple more techniques just to be safe.
"You're really that confident with just one ninjutsu?" Akio asked helplessly.
Obito's face lit up. "I've already mastered the Three Basic Techniques and shuriken throwing! Plus, taijutsu!"
"Your taijutsu…" Akio shook his head. Every time Obito sparred, Kakashi completely outclassed him.
After some thought, Akio waved his hand and brought Obito to Training Ground Two.
"Come on. I'll guide you a bit and see where your strength really stands."
Obito's eyes shone with excitement. After all these years as Akio's disciple, this was the first time his teacher had offered him actual training guidance. Though he never said it out loud, he had always been envious that Kakashi had a powerful father teaching him.
"I don't even know how strong Master really is…" Instead of warning Akio to go easy, Obito charged forward immediately. He could at least guess that Akio was at jōnin level.
The sounds of taijutsu clashes echoed across the training field as Akio half-heartedly fed him moves.
Half an hour later, Obito stopped, panting heavily, and looked at Akio with expectation.
Akio smiled. "Not bad. Stronger than I thought. Your taijutsu is passable."
Not only that, but Akio had deliberately given Obito the chance to use Substitution Jutsu twice during the spar. His reactions had been sharp enough, and he hadn't taken too many hits. In combat, Substitution was the most important of the Three Basic Techniques, so Akio judged that as a pass as well.
With that, Akio finally felt some relief. At the very least, Obito's chances of making Chūnin weren't completely hopeless.
"Now let's test your ninjutsu," Akio said.
Obito nodded eagerly, forming hand seals. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
Akio nodded approvingly. "Two-point-six seconds for six hand seals. That's decent."
Then, without using his gravity ability, Akio formed his own seals. "Water Style: Water Formation Wall!"
Fire and water collided, erupting into a cloud of steaming mist.
"That's enough. I've got a good measure of your ability now." Akio's voice drifted through the haze.
From what he'd seen, Obito was the type who could pass if luck favored him, or fail miserably if it didn't.
With the exam only a day away, there was no way Akio could drastically increase his strength—short of cheating and giving him some hidden seal.
"Not necessarily," Akio thought with a sly smile. "I could still teach him a few… dirty tricks."
He beckoned Obito over. "I'll show you some effective taijutsu moves. Attack me again."
Obito's eyes lit up. Though tired, he charged once more.
As his punch came forward, Akio caught it casually—and Obito immediately yelped in pain, face flushing red.
Looking down, he realized Akio's foot was planted firmly on his toes.
Akio chuckled, releasing him as Obito hopped back clutching his foot and sucking in sharp breaths.
"Master… you… stepped on my toes…" Obito stammered through the pain.
"This works great in real combat. Stomping is faster than kicking, so it's easier to land. And toes are one of the most sensitive pain points for anyone. Think about Kakashi—his sandals usually leave his toes exposed. If you stomp down on him…"
Obito froze mid-grimace, then suddenly lowered his foot, the pain forgotten as he imagined himself crushing Kakashi's toes.
"Master, you're amazing!" he said sincerely. "Do you have any other tricks like that?"
Akio paused, then nodded. "One more. For now, two techniques are enough for you."
Obito nodded eagerly, then hesitated. "Could you… maybe use a little less force when you demonstrate? My toes still hurt…"
Akio grinned, then casually flicked a kunai high into the air. Obito instinctively looked up.
The next second, he felt a light jab on his forehead. When he snapped back, Akio's finger was already pressed there.
Obito blinked, then burst into delight.
"This one's even better! Thank you, Master! With these, I'm sure I'll make Chūnin!"
But Akio shook his head. "That move won't work on Kakashi. Some people just won't fall for it. But if you end up against Might Guy, you can give it a try. Single-celled brains are easier to trick."
With that, Akio waved his hand and turned to leave. That was as far as his last-minute guidance would go.
Obito stood there blankly for a moment before realization struck. He chased after him, shouting, "Wait, Master—are you calling me single-celled?!"
"Figure it out yourself," Akio replied coolly.
---
[Every 50 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter Drop]
For early access to advanced chapters visit my P@treon:
P@treon/ Dexy3
Thank you so much for your support and for reading!