The answer came the moment Obito asked.
Footsteps echoed across the clearing.
Light.
Measured.
Unhurried.
A figure stepped out from the trees.
Silver hair.
A black mask covering half his face.
A short sword strapped across his back.
And those same, half-lidded, utterly uninterested eyes—
Kakashi Hatake.
His gaze swept lazily over Ren and Rin, lingering for only a fraction of a second before shifting to Minato.
"Minato-sensei," he said flatly, "shall we begin?"
---
Ren exhaled slowly.
Of course it's him.
Technically, it made sense.
Most ninja teams followed a simple structure:
One chunin or jonin leader
Three genin
Kakashi, already a chunin, was more than qualified to act as a teaching assistant.
And with Minato constantly on missions—
It was logical to have someone else guide their daily training.
---
But still…
---
That means…
---
We have to treat Kakashi like a teacher?
---
Ren didn't react outwardly.
Obito, however—
Exploded.
---
"Damn it, why is it you?!" Obito shouted, pointing straight at Kakashi. "I'm not calling you teacher or anything! You're just a chunin! I'm a genin now too—I'll surpass you soon!"
Kakashi didn't even blink.
---
"Oh."
---
That single word hit harder than any insult.
---
"What do you mean 'oh'?!" Obito snapped.
Kakashi shrugged slightly.
"It means," he said calmly, "you should wait until you become a chunin before talking about surpassing me."
Then, without missing a beat—
"According to Minato-sensei's instructions, you have five minutes."
"To come up with a plan."
---
"Your objective—"
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"Defeat me."
---
"…Or at least survive."
Silence fell.
Ren glanced at Minato.
The blond jonin simply stood there, arms crossed, watching quietly.
---
No objections.
No interference.
---
Which meant—
---
This is the test.
---
Ren took a breath.
Then moved.
---
"Rin. Obito. Over here."
---
He pulled them aside without hesitation.
---
"I won't waste time," he said.
---
"The graduation exam tested individual strength."
---
"This—"
---
His eyes sharpened.
---
"—is about teamwork."
---
---
Obito immediately raised his hand.
---
"I'll lead—"
---
"Sit down."
---
Rin grabbed his collar and yanked him back.
---
"Listen to Ren."
---
Obito: "…!"
---
Ren didn't even pause.
---
"Kakashi specializes in Lightning Release and Earth Release. He also uses sword techniques."
---
"He's a close-range fighter."
---
"We divide roles."
---
"Frontline pressure."
"Support."
"Finisher."
---
He looked at Obito.
---
"You're the attacker."
---
Obito blinked.
Then—
Grinned.
---
"Got it!"
---
Of course he agreed.
At this stage, Obito still believed—
Deep in his heart—
That he wasn't that far behind Kakashi.
---
And more importantly—
Rin was watching.
---
Ren turned to Rin.
---
"You provide support."
---
Rin nodded immediately.
---
"Understood."
---
That left—
---
Ren himself.
---
The finisher.
---
The one waiting for the opening.
---
Assassin role.
---
In truth, his offensive capability was higher than Obito's.
But—
Obito couldn't handle precision strikes.
---
So this was the best arrangement.
---
Ren quickly redistributed their ninja tools.
Kunai.
Shuriken.
Positioning.
---
Every second mattered.
---
Not far away—
Minato watched quietly.
---
And nodded.
---
Interesting…
---
The earlier academy exam—
Had been his design.
---
Part of it was to evaluate Ren.
To see if he had the potential for space-time ninjutsu.
---
The other part—
Was to test teamwork.
---
And most students had failed.
---
They fought alone.
Without coordination.
Without structure.
---
Even Kakashi—
Had struggled with this.
---
But Ren…
---
He understands.
---
Minato's eyes softened slightly.
---
Let's see how far this goes.
---
---
Five minutes passed.
---
"Time's up."
---
Kakashi's voice cut through the air.
---
And instantly—
---
They moved.
---
Obito charged first.
---
Fast.
Reckless.
---
Hand seals flashed.
---
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
---
Whoosh—!
---
A blazing fireball roared forward—
Heat rippling through the air.
---
But—
---
Poof!
---
It hit—
Nothing.
---
A log replaced Kakashi.
---
"…Eh?"
---
Obito froze.
---
Too late.
---
The ground beneath him—
Split open.
---
A hand shot out—
Grabbing his ankle.
---
"Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique!"
---
"WAAAAAH—!"
---
In an instant—
Obito was dragged underground.
---
Only his head remained above the surface—
Covered in dirt.
---
"RIN!"
---
He struggled helplessly.
---
"Watch out!"
---
Rin reacted immediately.
---
Her hands moved—
---
Shuriken flew.
---
A barrage—
Precise.
Fast.
---
But—
---
Clang! Clang! Clang!
---
Kakashi's kunai flashed.
---
Every projectile—
Deflected.
---
Effortlessly.
---
Then—
He moved.
---
In a blur—
---
Straight toward Rin.
---
Fast.
Too fast.
---
Rin raised her kunai—
---
Clang!
---
Impact.
---
Her arm shook violently.
---
Clang!
---
Second strike.
---
Her grip broke.
---
The kunai flew from her hand.
---
Rin stumbled back—
Completely overpowered.
---
---
And in that instant—
---
Ren moved.
---
"Substitution Jutsu!"
---
His figure vanished—
Switching positions—
---
With the airborne kunai.
He appeared—
Behind Kakashi.
Mid-motion.
Already attacking.
"Leaf Whirlwind!"
A sweeping kick—
Aimed directly at Kakashi's ribs.
---
---
Ambush.
---
Kakashi reacted instantly.
---
He abandoned Rin—
Twisted his body—
---
His kunai swung back—
---
BANG!
---
Leg met steel.
---
The force exploded outward.
---
Both of them—
Pushed back.
---
Sliding several meters apart.
---
---
No pause.
---
Ren's hands were already moving.
---
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
---
WHOOSH—!
---
A massive fireball surged forward.
---
Bigger.
Hotter.
Faster.
---
Far beyond Obito's version.
---
The surrounding grass—
Instantly charred black.
---
Kakashi's pupils shrank slightly.
---
No hesitation—
---
"Earth Style: Earth Wall!"
---
RUMBLE—!
---
A thick wall of earth erupted from the ground—
Carved with crude dog heads.
---
---
BOOM—!!!
---
The fireball slammed into it.
---
Explosion.
Flames.
Debris.
---
The wall cracked—
Shattered—
Half of it blown apart.
-
Dog-head carvings flew through the air.
But—
It held.
Smoke filled the battlefield.
Vision obscured.
And within that cover—
Kakashi vanished.
Silently—
Sinking into the ground.
Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique.
Ren narrowed his eyes.
---
Underground…
---
No hesitation.
His hands formed seals again.
"Water Release: Water Clone Technique!"
The next phase—
Had begun.
--------------------------------
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