"By the way, Teacher Mokgetsu, we don't have to pay an entry fee for the second challenge, do we?" Obito suddenly remembered something important.
"You can attempt the second challenge once for free after passing the first one for the first time. Normally, the fee is the same as the first challenge." Mokgetsu explained.
"First time is free, that's great." Obito was very happy, feeling like he avoided doing three extra test papers.
"Teacher Mokgetsu, let's start quickly." Obito couldn't wait any longer.
Then Mokgetsu took Obito to the riverbank and explained:
"This river is only fifteen meters wide, and you need to cross it in ten seconds without falling into the water."
After explaining to Obito, Mokgetsu created more than ten Shadow Clones standing by the river, preparing to perform Ninjutsu.
When Obito first heard there were ten seconds, he was excited. After all, it was only a fifteen-meter distance with plenty of time.
But seeing Mokgetsu create so many Shadow Clones, Obito felt uneasy, harboring a dreadful guess in his heart.
More than ten Mokgetsus simultaneously performed hand signs, and soon the water surface was filled with dozens of large water dragons rapidly colliding back and forth along the river.
Obito was stunned at the sight of the river almost completely occupied by water dragons. How is this supposed to be 'minor interference'?
With so many Water Dragon Bombs crashing back and forth, he felt there wasn't much room to maneuver.
"Obito, are you ready? Once you are, I'll start the timer." Mokgetsu asked.
If it weren't right by the river, performing Water Release would be much easier than in a place without water; with his current Chakra, it would be hard to execute.
"I'm ready, let's begin." Obito said through gritted teeth.
Having already agreed to start the challenge with Mokgetsu, he had no choice but to forge ahead.
Obito frantically thought about how to complete the second challenge.
Although during water-walking training, he dodged Water Dragon Bombs while on the river, the number of Water Dragon Bombs in the second challenge was on a whole different level.
In water-walking training, there was only one Water Dragon Bomb on the river; it was enough to be careful not to get overturned by the waves it created.
This challenge, however, had the river packed with Water Dragon Bombs; finding a footing spot was a test of perception.
"Start!" Mokgetsu shouted while using Ninjutsu.
Upon hearing Mokgetsu, Obito plunged into the river filled with Water Dragon Bombs.
Obito still had a glimmer of hope, thinking he might just dash through with his eyes closed given it was only fifteen meters.
But Mokgetsu's challenge wasn't something that could be passed on sheer luck.
Obito had barely advanced three meters before being struck by a rapidly approaching Water Dragon Bomb, falling into the river and swallowing a mouthful of water.
"What a pity. Challenge failed." Mokgetsu stopped the Ninjutsu and quickly pulled Obito out, saying.
"Teacher Mokgetsu, this challenge is too hard. With so many Water Dragon Bombs, how can I get through?" Obito complained.
He felt like he failed as soon as he started.
"The time is more than enough, exactly ten seconds; why not stop and observe the Water Dragon Bomb patterns before acting?" Mokgetsu reminded him.
Obito was not one to think thrice before acting, but thrice before thinking was likely.
He thought that even for Obito, after three failures, he ought to think more carefully.
"Teacher Mokgetsu, let me try the challenge again." Obito felt he was too impulsive, merely shocked by the sea of Water Dragon Bombs, neglecting details.
"Retrying the challenge will cost a hundred-question entry, are you sure you want to challenge again now?" Mokgetsu smiled at Obito.
Obito thought of the three test papers he received yesterday and ultimately gave up.
Although Mokgetsu's reminder was valuable, the difficulty of this challenge was evident, advancement was tough.
Failing would mean answering a hundred questions for nothing, and Obito had no intention of doing something so foolish.
"Then let's start training. Today, I'll teach you a special Chakra technique that can boost your speed; if you cultivate it well, you should be able to dash across the river." Mokgetsu said.
"Teacher Mokgetsu, you're like the Six Paths Sage to me!" Obito was very excited to hear Mokgetsu's words, suddenly seeing a glimmer of hope.
"Then train well." Mokgetsu pinched his fingers together, tapping Obito's head.
"I've always been training hard," Obito laughed sheepishly.
Then Mokgetsu began explaining some techniques of Soru to Obito.
...
On Monday afternoon at 3:30, Mokgetsu started the first strength test.
This time, he didn't ask the Ninja Academy teachers for help, instead sending out two Shadow Clones, each tasked with grading one group.
"Hagane Kotetsu." Shadow Clone Mokgetsu pulled out a form and began calling students to start the exam.
Upon hearing his name, Kotetsu quickly stepped forward.
Kotetsu swiftly formed hand signs and used Transformation Jutsu, Clone Jutsu, and Substitution Jutsu, then performed a set of Taijutsu moves, finally pulling out shuriken and aiming it at a target thirty meters away.
"A little progress, keep it up." Mokgetsu commented after grading.
"Okay, thank you, Teacher Mokgetsu." Satisfied with Mokgetsu's compliment, Kotetsu nodded.
"Kamizuki Izumo." Mokgetsu continued calling.
Izumo also quickly stepped forward to showcase his skills.
After grading, Mokgetsu found that Izumo and Kotetsu were about the same in group tests and had similar progress over the week.
Perhaps this was the bond of the gatekeeper brothers, even keeping the same cultivation pace.
"Mitarashi Anko." Mokgetsu continued calling.
Upon hearing Mokgetsu's voice, Anko jogged forward, first greeting Mokgetsu with a bright smile before demonstrating her Ninja skills.
When Mokgetsu called Anko's name, Izumo and Kotetsu were a bit nervous until they saw her performance and finally relaxed.
Though stronger than them, not overwhelmingly so, it was unlikely she would directly advance to Group B, perhaps just score a bit higher.
"Izumo, we're definitely going to make a splash in next week's practical test!" Kotetsu smiled brightly, thinking of their nearly perfected Deception Jutsu.
"Yes, with Brother Ebisu's genius ideas, we'll surely dominate Group C." Izumo nodded enthusiastically.
"It's a pity Brother Ebisu is so unambitious, he doesn't want us to disclose that the brilliant idea came from him." Kotetsu sighed.
"Brother Ebisu may not seek fame, but we can't disregard him. If we achieve great success, we should share the glory with him!" Izumo expressed the sentiment of gratitude.
"Ah, it's you, Izumo. Otherwise, I might have made a mistake." Kotetsu patted Izumo's shoulder, and they both shared a smile.