The reception teacher saw Obito next to Asuma and thought, "This isn't good."
If we're talking about excellence, Asuma certainly can't compare to Obito and the others. Just the time it took to achieve Jonin status tells the difference.
However, as analyzed by Asuma, Obito and the others became Jonin at an overly exaggerated young age. After detailed discussions by the leadership of the Ninja Academy, they ultimately chose Asuma.
"Jonin Asuma, Jonin Obito," the reception teacher greeted with a forced smile.
Obito nodded, curiously looking around the Ninja Academy without engaging much with the reception teacher.
Seeing Obito not mentioning the graduate excellence, the reception teacher instantly breathed a sigh of relief and discussed the event speech with Asuma.
Next, the reception teacher led them to the office, handing over the speech script to Asuma for reference.
Feeling bored, Obito wandered around the school alone.
Probably due to the event, there were no classes today across the school.
"Let's check out Yamato's class. If I remember correctly, it should be First Year, Class One." Based on his memory of the teaching building layout, Obito quickly found Yamato's class.
Obito didn't go in directly. He first observed from outside, noticing the First Year, Class One teacher wasn't there due to some matter, then walked into the classroom.
When the wooden classroom door opened, all the students instinctively looked towards the door, thinking the teacher had returned.
They looked carefully and saw it was a youthful ninja.
"Hello there," Obito grinned and greeted the students.
"Hello, teacher."
Obito's amiable demeanor left the students momentarily uncertain of his identity, so they defaulted to calling him teacher.
Since this was a Ninja Academy, calling an unknown ninja 'teacher' was never wrong.
Being addressed as teacher amused Obito; it was the first time he was called that, and it felt rather pleasant.
"Obito-senpai,"
Yamato looked at Obito entering the classroom with surprise, not expecting to see him here.
"Yamato, do you know him? Is he the new teacher at the school? He seems quite young, like he hasn't graduated long ago," Hyuga Oriko asked curiously.
Yamato nodded and then shook his head.
"He's a very skilled senior I know, not a teacher," Yamato explained.
Obito scanned the classroom, noticing that because classes weren't in session, the students weren't sitting in their assigned seats but rather randomly according to personal preference.
A bunch of students were gathered around Yamato, seeming to be the focal point of the class.
Seeing this scene, Obito realized he didn't have to worry about Yamato's school life; it looked much more enjoyable than his first year.
As he pondered whether he should make his exit, Hyuga Oriko, hearing Yamato compliment Obito, lit up and approached Obito with a small notebook in hand.
Yamato thought to himself, "This is not good."
Hyuga Oriko was a very studious and excellent student, being the theory top of First Year, Class One, and had already started learning higher grade theoretical courses ahead. Yamato often got questioned by her on various ninja knowledge.
Yet, Yamato could only answer ninja-related questions. For subjects like math, national language, history, or chemistry, he would have to ask Hyuga Oriko for help.
In Yamato's impression, Obito was not strong in theory and often faced Kakashi's teasing. If he gets stumped by first-year students, it would be quite embarrassing.
"Yamato says you're a very skilled senior. May I ask you some questions?" Hyuga Oriko quickly approached and asked.
"Haha, of course, no problem."
Obito responded with a relaxed smile, mentally giving Yamato a thumbs up; it wasn't in vain that he treated Yamato to meals and spread his accomplishments.
"Sorry, Obito-senpai, I'll treat you to a meal to apologize sometime," Yamato silently apologized to Obito in his heart.
"Thank you so much, I'll begin asking then," Hyuga Oriko said with a beaming smile.
Next, Hyuga Oriko started asking questions from early village history, moving to geographical strategy ones, and even classic math problems like 'chicken and rabbit sharing a cage.'
To Yamato's surprise, Obito answered them smoothly, with only the math answers taking a bit longer.
Was this really the theory-resistant Obito? Yamato was quite astonished.
"Have you ever seen a desk at midnight?" Feeling the surrounding students' surprised and admiring gaze, Obito maintained a calm exterior while feeling proud inside.
He was no longer the Uchiha Obito who failed to become Jonin due to poor theory grades; now he not only cultivated daily but also frequently read books.
Initially, learning was challenging for Obito; he felt sleepy after reading briefly.
However, considering he couldn't become Hokage due to lacking cultural knowledge and risking Kakashi's taunts, he forced himself to keep studying.
After some time, Obito gradually developed the habit; eventually, even dull math books didn't make him sleepy.
Just then, the assembly bell rang, and the students in the classroom started moving.
Yamato walked beside Obito, "Obito-senpai, why are you here today, participating in our school event?"
"Hmm, just wandering around since I have free time." Obito nodded and replied.
The two chatted while heading to the assembly area.
On the way, Obito spotted his former homeroom teacher, Iketani Isamu.
"Mr. Iketani," Obito greeted warmly, approaching him.
He still hadn't forgotten Iketani Isamu's kindness for granting leaves.
"Just returned to Konoha recently, right? I've heard about your endeavors; you're all very impressive. I've heard even Guy can fight to a draw with Kitsuchi from the Hidden Rock Village," Iketani Isamu looked excited responding to Obito.
He probably couldn't forget Obito and Might Guy.
Because they not only brought him additional bonuses during school time but, even after graduation, positively influenced Iketani Isamu's teaching career.
Sometimes Iketani Isamu felt a bit undeserving, as initially, he considered himself unlucky, taking over a class known for having the two worst students in the school. During the first semester, he often had Mokgetsu cover his class due to dating mishaps.
"I should have listened to Ueda back then and focused entirely on teaching," Iketani Isamu sighed, realizing he never won over the goddess.
"Lucky for us that you didn't, sir. Otherwise, our Fourth Year, Class Two would've had a great loss," Obito remarked with relief.
If Mokgetsu hadn't covered classes, where would he find such a good teacher?
"You're too blunt," Iketani Isamu said with a laugh, not offended.
After all, Obito wasn't wrong. The substitute was Mokgetsu, now the top contender to become Hokage in Konoha.
Thinking back, Iketani Isamu felt reality was too surreal that the future Hokage had covered his classes, drank with him, and worked in the same office.
He even borrowed money from the future Hokage.
"Haha," Obito chuckled before returning to Yamato's side.
After the assembly finished, it was the speech from leadership that Obito was least interested in. After listening for a few minutes and finding it boring, he sneaked away quietly, as he was neither a student nor a special guest.
After leaving, Obito didn't continue wandering randomly, heading straight to the Uchiha Clan Land for cultivation.
Thinking of Kakashi developing a big move, Obito couldn't fully enjoy his time.
...
Obito's departure didn't impact the events of the Ninja Academy.
To highlight the excellence of the thirteen-year-old Jonin, the Ninja Academy specially prepared a segment where Asuma would battle a Ninja Academy teacher and then select students from the academy for guidance.
Unsurprisingly, the Chunin teacher from the Ninja Academy was easily defeated by Asuma, winning loud cheers from the audience.
The final part was the student guidance segment.
"You, come up," Asuma said, pointing at Yamato.
Seeing Obito and Yamato chatting together, Asuma preferred to guide a friend's junior.
"Me?" Yamato asked unsurely.
"Yes, it's you," Asuma answered calmly.