"Fire Release: Impatiens Claw Red!"
Obito swiftly completed the single-handed seal and then rapidly threw a fire-infused kunai.
Might Guy had anticipated it, quickly dodged, and then fiercely kicked towards Obito with a Tornado Kick.
Just when Might Guy thought he was about to win, he saw Obito smile.
"Breath of Flame, Full Concentration Breathing!" Obito steadily caught Might Guy's swiftly incoming kick and then a large amount of flames burst from his palm.
Even though his leg was enhanced with Chakra and the Breathing Technique also strengthened his body, Might Guy still felt the pain brought by the high temperature.
"How did Obito's strength and speed suddenly increase?" Might Guy wondered, as Obito should not have been able to catch it just now.
At this moment, Obito was extremely proud. After truly mastering it, he realized that his previous Full Concentration Breathing was not concentrated enough. The Full Concentration Breathing he mastered after initiation was the true Full Concentration Breathing, with a much greater increase than before.
The greater increase also brought a terrifying exhaustion of stamina and Chakra. After initiation, using Full Concentration Breathing with all his might once meant he could not use it a second time, maintaining normal breathing was already exhausting every bit of energy.
Although the enhancement was greater, from observing Might Guy and Shisui's battles, the strength of Obito with Full Concentration Breathing at most matched Might Guy, not surpassing him.
Matching strength and higher consumption, with less Taijutsu experience than Might Guy, Obito didn't think of defeating Might Guy in Taijutsu relying on Breathing Technique.
But he could catch Might Guy off guard with the power of Full Concentration Breathing. Obito deliberately exposed a flaw, urging Might Guy to attack him in haste.
Seize the opportunity ruthlessly, Obito launched a fierce flame attack without mercy. Even with the Breath of Rock pushed to its limit, Might Guy couldn't withstand Obito's onslaught and quickly lost the battle.
Mokgetsu nodded, as this was within his expectations.
After all, Obito's Breathing Technique progress was so much ahead, losing to Might Guy would mean only one result, that Obito himself was careless along with Might Guy's extraordinary performance.
"Uchiha Obito wins!" the examiner declared.
"Finally got first in the class once!" Obito couldn't help but punch the air in celebration.
Curiously enough, he had already ranked first in the grade once, but this was the first time he got first in the class.
Obito felt it wasn't easy for him. Fighting Might Guy was slightly disadvantageous because the power of Fire Release Ninjutsu was significant, and if not careful, something could happen. He felt somewhat constrained when fighting.
"Tomorrow's battle, win it steadily like this too, and secure dual firsts!" Obito silently vowed to himself.
In the last exam, though he was at an advantage, he got careless in the class battle and was defeated by Might Guy, leading to the awkward situation where he was the top of the grade but not the class.
This time, Obito decided to battle calmly like Shisui, never underestimating even with a strength advantage, securing the battle steadily.
"Obito, you performed really well this time, incredible," Rin Nohara praised sincerely.
"Hehe, Little Rin, you will soon become like me too," Obito's face flushed slightly as he smiled.
"Indeed, performed excellently, maximizing the Breathing Technique you learned first," Mokgetsu smiled and praised.
Obito felt the world was so wonderful, receiving praise from both Rin Nohara and Mokgetsu. Is there a happier thing than this in the world?
The exam concluded, Mokgetsu took his disciples back to the Southern Border Forest, first helping Might Guy with some treatment, then began teaching Obito a new ninjutsu.
"Next, I will teach you the Dust Concealment Jutsu. This technique is effective both for retreating and launching attacks," Mokgetsu introduced it to Obito.
Since Obito mastered four offensive Fire Releases, Mokgetsu chose to teach him a functional Fire Release technique.
"Fire Release: Dust Concealment Jutsu!" Mokgetsu gathered Chakra in his throat and then spewed high-temperature flames and scorching dust forward.
With the dense hardwood around, Mokgetsu controlled the power of the ninjutsu, creating more dust than flames.
Instantly, Obito lost sight of Mokgetsu, seeing nothing within the thick dust.
After a simple demonstration, Mokgetsu canceled the jutsu.
"But what if I can't see either when using this jutsu?" Obito scratched his head and asked.
"Two choices: use it just for retreating and run afterward, or undergo special training, enabling you to locate by sound and launch a surprise attack within the dense dust," Mokgetsu said.
Obito decided to learn it first, as this jutsu seemed powerful.
[You have taught your disciple Fire Release: Dust Concealment Jutsu. Due to the disciple's deep gratitude, a critical bonus is rewarded, obtaining ninjutsu Fire Release: Great Flame Jutsu (proficient level)]
A slight bonus, though the reward is somewhat average.
This ninjutsu is not something Mokgetsu could use openly in usual circumstances because this Fire Release is a secret technique of the Sorutobi Clan, mastered only by the Sorutobi clan members.
The third day's grade battle took place at the fourth-year venue chosen by Mokgetsu.
The first year had nothing worth watching, as Shisui completely dominated, and Anko was steady in second unless facing Shisui.
For the fourth-year, there was a chance of Obito losing, after all, it's Obito.
On the third day, Obito encountered Might Guy in the semifinals. Obito, perhaps learning from past lessons, remained cautious, despite winning yesterday, securing the battle soundly and defeating Might Guy once more.
"Obito is surely going to be first again." The observing students believed this match was like a prelude to the final.
The other semifinal victory went to Hyuga Kamon, the former first who was easily defeated by Might Guy in the last exam.
As many students predicted, Obito easily defeated Hyuga Kamon, and the intensity was nowhere near the semifinals.
Nowadays, Obito didn't need many ninjutsu against Hyuga Kamon, a Great Fireball to push him and then recklessly charging in with Breath of Flame was enough, Hyuga Kamon couldn't withstand it.
"The winner of this final term exam's grade battle is Uchiha Obito!" the examiner announced Obito's victory, also marking the end of this final term exam.
With the exam ending, it meant the holiday had begun for the students. However, the fourth-year students couldn't enjoy a long holiday. They needed to attend special training or internships after a four-day break.
Mokgetsu decided to give Obito, Might Guy, and Rin Nohara a short holiday, allowing them to rest for a few days.
"Remember, Obito and Guy, to gather at the training ground I mentioned next Monday. Meanwhile, everyone can take a good rest," Mokgetsu announced a break for everyone.
"We'll start taking on missions next Monday, huh," Obito felt some anticipation.
"It's only Wednesday today, such a long rest!" Rin Nohara, having been training hard with Mokgetsu since becoming his disciple, felt the break was lengthy.
"Youthful days should be spent training every day!" Might Guy had no plans to rest, intending to continue cultivation in the Southern Border Forest tomorrow.
"Teacher Mokgetsu, will you still be around the forest these few days?" Shisui asked.
"Yes, if any of you can't sit still, feel free to find me," Mokgetsu replied with a warm smile.
"I still feel there are some unclear parts about the Breathing Technique, so I'll trouble you then, Teacher Mokgetsu," Shisui stated.
Shisui felt that taking up Mokgetsu's time during a holiday was practically an imposition, and thus he used the word 'trouble.'
"It's a teacher's duty to resolve students' confusion; there's no such thing as an inconvenience. If you have questions, be sure to ask me timely," Mokgetsu said with a kindly smile.
"For a teacher, nothing's more joyful than seeing students' strength improve."
Shisui and Might Guy's intentions to continue cultivation made Obito feel a bit ashamed, like he would be the laziest Mokgetsu's disciple if he didn't show.
"Obito, are you planning to share your victory news with Kakashi tonight?"
"Indeed, to prepare for the upcoming ninja life, more cultivation is essential," Obito replied with a serious expression.