Chapter 38 – The Second Round Begins

"The second exam is officially starting. Each team, draw lots to determine your opponent."

At the proctor's command, the Genin teams sent representatives to draw lots.

"Who are we up against?" Kiyosuke and Asuma both turned to Kurenai.

"It's Yamashiro Aoba's team," she answered.

"I see."

"Yamashiro Aoba, Binzoku Raitou, and Morino Ibiki," Kiyosuke clapped his hands with a smile. "Looks like this should be an easy win."

"Don't let your guard down!" Kurenai warned sharply.

But Asuma didn't seem concerned.

"Relax, Kurenai. With me and Kiyosuke on the team, unless we're up against that guy Kakashi, there's no way we're losing." He waved a hand dismissively, signaling her to stay calm.

"Alright then…"

She wasn't exactly worried either—Kiyosuke's strength was undeniable. Among their peers, only Kakashi posed any real threat to him. As for teams from other villages? Who knew...

"Hmm?" Kiyosuke glanced over and noticed Rin looking a little flustered. Meanwhile, Kakashi stood nearby, visibly annoyed. Kiyosuke walked over and asked with a smile, "Obito's late again?"

"I swear I'm going to kill that guy," Kakashi muttered darkly. He may have already passed the test, but that didn't mean he wanted to lose.

Rin sighed helplessly. "He should be here soon…"

"When's your match?" Kiyosuke asked.

"After one more round," Rin replied. "We're up right after you guys."

"You've got what it takes to beat them," Kakashi said. He had seen it for himself on a previous mission—out of all their classmates, only Kiyosuke had managed to surprise him.

That clone explosion jutsu of his was no joke. If this exam weren't non-lethal, that technique alone could have cleared the whole test for him. As it stood, his chances of passing were only slightly diminished.

"Obito wouldn't dare be late. Just give him a bit. I'm heading out—Asuma's already calling me."

Their match was about to begin.

"Let's go watch, Rin."

"Mm."

Everyone gathered around the arena. Kiyosuke and his team took their positions. Across from them, Ibiki and his team looked tense—they knew exactly how difficult Kiyosuke could be. Back when they were still in class together, no one could beat him once Kakashi had graduated.

And now, with Asuma on his team...

"Begin!"

At the referee's signal, Asuma quickly formed hand seals and unleashed a blazing stream.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

The fireball roared toward the opposing team. At the same time, Kiyosuke pressed his palms together and summoned a gale.

"Wind Style: Gale Palm!"

The wind intensified the fireball's power, turning it into a blazing inferno.

"Scatter!"

The blast broke up Ibiki's team formation. With their defenses in chaos, Kiyosuke's team charged forward, each locking onto their own target.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Kunai clashed. Kiyosuke's fierce attacks overwhelmed Yamashiro Aoba. His kunai moved unpredictably, making it impossible to anticipate where the next strike would come from.

"Over here!" Kiyosuke called.

Instinctively, Aoba turned toward the voice—but his foot caught on something. He stumbled, and in that moment, Kiyosuke spun and launched a spinning kick.

Crap!

Aoba broke into a cold sweat and reacted just in time, one hand catching the ground as the kick sliced past his face.

Opportunity!

As Kiyosuke withdrew his leg, Aoba seized the chance and swung a fist.

But to his shock, a snake burst from under Kiyosuke's collar, wrapping around him and locking his body in place.

"A real shinobi never shows his back to the enemy. So why would I ever leave mine open to you?" Kiyosuke said coolly, already dashing toward Ibiki, who was locked in combat with Kurenai.

Ibiki had been evenly matched with her, but the moment he saw Aoba go down and Kiyosuke charging at him, a chill ran down his spine. He hurled a storm of shuriken—none of which hit.

With explosive force, Kiyosuke slammed into him, sending Ibiki flying.

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

Snakes launched from his sleeves, catching Ibiki in mid-air and binding him tight.

Meanwhile, Asuma had already taken down Binzoku Raitou.

The match was over.

"Winners: Asakawa Kiyosuke, Sarutobi Asuma, and Yūhi Kurenai!"

With their opponents eliminated, one more team battle would put them through to the third round.

"Well played!" Kakashi commented from the sidelines.

Rin smiled brightly. "Congrats on the win! Kakashi doesn't compliment people often. Kiyosuke, you did great!"

"Of course I did," Kiyosuke said, thumping his chest.

"I worked hard too, you know," Asuma added.

"Yes yes, you were great too," Kurenai chuckled. Then she looked toward Kakashi and Rin. "Obito… still not here?"

"That guy…" Kakashi sighed, irritated.

Rin was exasperated too. Obito's chronic tardiness usually came from helping elderly villagers, which made it hard to stay mad at him.

Even Minato didn't know what to say about it. He fully supported Obito's kindness toward elders, though.

For a clan as proud as the Uchiha, having someone like Obito was a refreshing anomaly.

Kiyosuke, of course, knew the truth—Obito was off helping the elderly again. If not for Rin's death and his eventual descent into darkness, with his talent, achievements, and kind heart, Obito might've become Hokage one day.

Unfortunately... he met Madara.

And got manipulated into madness by Black Zetsu.

That guy... what a devoted son.

As Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's fragmented will, Black Zetsu had manipulated Indra, his reincarnations, and everyone else across generations… all to bring his mom back to life.

Truly, filial piety that could move the heavens.

But Obito... was still better off being the lovable idiot.

Like all true protagonists, he arrived at the very last moment. Barely avoiding disqualification.

Their opponent? The upgraded version of Bowl-Cut Guy—Might Guy.

Like Duy, and later Lee, Guy had no talent for ninjutsu or genjutsu. Instead, he dedicated himself fully to taijutsu and had even opened the Eighth Gate of Death. But despite his strength, he was warmhearted and gentle with his own comrades—his attacks remained simple hand-to-hand.

"Leaf Hurricane!"

Might Guy launched Obito into the air with a single kick, the candy stuck in Obito's throat flying free. With Obito down, Kakashi took on Guy's two teammates alone, and with his superior skill and agility, eliminated them both.

Only Might Guy remained.

Without using the Eight Gates, he was no match for Kakashi either—and was quickly eliminated.

Team Kakashi was victorious!

"What a disgrace," Kakashi muttered, shaking his head.

"You jerk! You wanna fight?!" Obito scrambled to his feet and shouted. "That was just a fluke!"

"Embarrassing."

"Damn you, Kakashi!!!"

...

[Author's Note: Minor retcon—Kakashi's team eliminated Guy's team, but they'll still meet again in the third round. The timeline of Obito's Chūnin Exams is a bit chaotic, so I made some adjustments.]

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