Ninja Academy.
Today was the last day of the third year, which meant it was time for the final exams. Haneul and Kurenai Yuhi had arrived early, before the exams were scheduled to start. He sat in Asuma Sarutobi's seat, contemplating the mission he had received yesterday. Theoretically, according to the original story's plot, he would meet Yamato and the others. But in reality, that wasn't a certainty. After all, his existence was an unexpected variable. The only thing he could be sure of was that he would encounter ninja from the future; he just didn't know who.
The reason was Anrokuzan. He was actually the ninja Mukade, whom Yamato and the others had been chasing. But by a stroke of luck, he had traveled six years further into the past, changed his name to Anrokuzan, and worked his way up to become a minister of the Roran kingdom. As for the so-called terrifying weapon, it was just a series of combat puppets powered by the Dragon Vein's energy.
"Haneul, are you worried about losing to me?" Asuma Sarutobi asked, entering the classroom and seeing Haneul's pensive look, a wide grin spreading across his face.
"How is that possible?" Kurenai, sitting beside Haneul, immediately retorted. "You've never beaten him. What's there to worry about?"
"That was before!" Asuma's face flushed red. "We haven't fought today. How can you say I'll lose?"
"Whatever. I'll handle it," Obito Uchiha suddenly interjected.
"Don't cause trouble," Asuma said, waving his hand dismissively. Although Obito's practical skills were decent, his theoretical knowledge was abysmal, and he was always at the bottom of the class.
"Damn it!" Obito roared. "I'll definitely beat you this time!"
"I wouldn't be so sure," Asuma said proudly. "I've recently learned a new fire ninjutsu. My strength has greatly increased."
"Fire Style?" Obito was taken aback. "Didn't you learn Wind Style?"
"I have both Wind and Fire chakra natures," Asuma said, clapping him on the shoulder. "If you lose to my Fire Style, that would be..."
"Impossible!" Obito shivered and quickly interrupted. The Uchiha clan's greatest strengths, besides the Sharingan, were their fire jutsu. He couldn't imagine how his clansmen would look at him if he lost in a fire-style duel.
"Go for it, Obito," Rin Nohara said with a light laugh.
"Hehe!" Obito immediately abandoned his argument with Asuma and smiled. "Rin! I promise I won't let you down!"
"Just do your best," Rin said with some hesitation. She knew Obito well; his chances of getting a good score were practically zero, yet he was always inexplicably confident.
"Don't worry," Obito said, patting his chest. "He's learning so many different things, it's actually having a negative effect."
"How is it a negative effect?" Asuma said defensively. "Look at Haneul, he learns even more things than I do."
"Well, you're not..." Obito suddenly stopped. Why was he praising his love rival? Did he subconsciously believe Haneul was the strongest?
"We'll know after we fight. There's nothing to argue about," Kakashi Hatake said calmly.
"As expected of my eternal rival!" Might Guy's body trembled. "Kakashi, I can finally have another youthful duel with you!"
"..." Kakashi's lip twitched. Logically, Haneul was stronger, so Guy should be challenging him. But he was always taking leave and spent less than a few months a year at the academy, so Kakashi became the default target. Another reason was that Haneul was just too strong. The current Might Guy had only just started learning the Eight Gates and was no match.
Just then, the class bell rang. "I'm heading back. See you in a bit," Haneul said, standing up.
"If only you could switch with Asuma..." Kurenai said, then stopped herself, realizing it would be too hurtful. Even so, Asuma had heard enough. He froze on the spot, his entire being turning a petrified gray. Rin subconsciously covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. Obito was about to laugh but realized he wasn't much better off than Asuma and could only sigh. When will Rin understand my feelings?
"Good luck, everyone," Haneul said with a smile, returning to his seat. A moment later, their teacher, Eiichiro, appeared at the door. He scanned the room and saw that everyone was present. "Line up in order and head to the training grounds for the exam," he said, clapping his hands.
The class got up and followed him. There were already several other classes on the field, but they all turned to look as Class 3-A arrived. After all, they were a legendary class in the academy, especially Haneul and Kakashi.
"When I call your name, step forward for a spar," Eiichiro said, holding a roster. "First match, Uchiha Obito and Mizuki."
The practical exam was more about performance than winning or losing. Take Haneul, for example. Everyone who fought him lost, but that didn't mean they were weak. Haneul was just too strong; it was the same for anyone who faced him. In that case, the evaluation was based on who could last longer and perform better.
"Watch me go!" Obito winked at Rin and ran onto the field. Mizuki was a civilian ninja who only knew the Three Basic Jutsu taught at the academy and was defeated in short order.
"How was that?" Obito asked proudly.
"You did well," Rin said with a smile.
"It was just Mizuki," Asuma snorted. "Wait until you see my Fire Style."
"The Uchiha's Fire Style is the strongest!" Obito retorted, not to be outdone.
The exams continued. Half an hour later, it was Obito's turn to face Asuma. He had prayed for it, and his Great Fireball Technique came out successfully without a hitch. Asuma formed seals at the same time. Fire Style: Dragon Fire Technique! He tilted his head back and spat out a long stream of fire that collided with the great fireball. Both were C-Rank jutsu, but Obito's proficiency was lacking. The clash of flames was won by Asuma.
"How is that possible?" Obito stood frozen in shock.
"Good chance!" Asuma saw his opening, slid forward, and tripped him. Obito was immediately pinned.
"Asuma Sarutobi is the winner," Eiichiro announced.
"The Uchiha's Fire Style is nothing special," Asuma said, getting up with a smug grin.
"You bastard!" Obito was furious. "Wait until I awaken my eyes! I'll beat you until you beg for mercy!"
"I'll be waiting," Asuma said, not taking him seriously.
"Haneul and Kakashi Hatake," Eiichiro announced the next match, ignoring them. The surroundings immediately fell silent. For Class 3-A, this was a battle of titans.
"How about a ninjutsu-only spar this time?" Haneul asked, seeing Kakashi draw his sword.
"Ninjutsu?" Kakashi was taken aback. "You've learned ninjutsu?"
"I learned one yesterday," Haneul said casually.
"..." Kakashi's face darkened. You're going to use a jutsu you learned yesterday against me? Do I mean so little to you?
"Watch out," Haneul said, raising his hand. Lightning Style: Swift Thunder Arrow!
The next second, an intensely bright light gathered in his palm. A gasp went through the crowd; it was the first time they had seen him use Lightning Style. Kakashi's gaze sharpened. Just as he adopted a cautious stance, Haneul flicked his wrist, and multiple bolts of white lightning shot out. Danger!
Kakashi didn't hesitate, his hands flying through seals. Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall! A thick wall of earth rose from the ground, four dog heads carved into its surface. The white lightning arrows slammed into it. The wall shook violently but held.
Before Kakashi could breathe a sigh of relief, a second wave of lightning shot from Haneul's hand. BOOM! The wall was completely shattered. Kakashi reacted quickly, using a Body Flicker to escape. While in mid-air, another wave of white lightning came for him. Is there no end to this?! He landed and slapped his palm on the ground, raising another wall.
To the astonishment of the onlookers, the cycle of Earth Flow Wall versus Swift Thunder Arrow repeated again and again. But compared to Kakashi's desperate defense, Haneul was completely at ease, standing in one spot and continuously casting his jutsu. With his 100% boost to hand seal speed, he could cast it nonstop.
"I give up! I surrender!" Kakashi, sensing his chakra running low, conceded directly. He had lost so many times, one more didn't make a difference.
"Thanks," Haneul said, letting out a breath. By watching Kakashi continuously cast his Earth Style, he had acquired a new trait.
[D-Rank Talent Trait: Truly Earthy Earth.]
Activation Condition: Defeat a young Kakashi Hatake.
Effect: Earth Style talent increased by 30% from its base rate.
With this, all five of Haneul's elemental affinities had a 30% boost, while his Yin and Yang were at 100%.
"How is Haneul casting jutsu so fast?!" Asuma was flabbergasted. It had been a long time since they had sparred. He was shocked to see how much Haneul had improved, leaving him far behind.
The exam continued. The final results were, unsurprisingly, Haneul in first place and Kakashi in second, but the third place was a surprise: Kurenai Yuhi. Water Style countered Fire Style, and she had also defeated Obito. Haneul treated his friends to barbecue and then announced he would be leaving for a while, which didn't cause much of a stir, as he went on missions every month. After dinner, he bought the necessary supplies and waited for the departure to Roran the next day.
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