Huff… huff…
Obito panted heavily, then handed the long box in his hands to Makoto.
"Makoto-sensei, I heard you like calligraphy, so I used the prize money from the competition to buy you a brush."
Originally, Obito had wanted to buy a gift for Nohara Rin.
But after thinking about it carefully, he felt that wouldn't be right.
Sometimes he liked to act stubborn, but that didn't mean he was clueless.
Without Makoto's dedicated guidance, would he have been able to win first place?
Absolutely not.
Not just the tournament victory—his first passing score on the theory exam, redeeming himself in the practical combat exam, and finally shaking off the title of Dead Last…
All of those changes had happened because of Makoto's teaching.
So after thinking it over again and again, Obito ultimately decided to buy a gift for Makoto.
Seeing the long box being handed to him, Makoto swallowed the lecture he had originally planned to give.
He accepted the box and opened it for a quick look.
After nodding slightly, he closed it and held it in his left hand while using his right hand to help Obito catch his breath.
"I do like calligraphy. I'm very satisfied with your gift. Rest for a bit before preparing for training."
Since his disciple had given him a gift, he needed to provide positive feedback, not scold him as originally planned.
Judging from Obito's condition, he had probably been late to class because of this.
If someone carefully prepared a gift for their teacher, only to get scolded immediately, anyone would feel upset.
Of course, Makoto could have used a reversal tactic.
He could have scolded Obito first, then after training apologized and thanked him—explaining that during training they were teacher and student, but afterward they were friends.
That would turn Obito's initial frustration into positive emotions, greatly increasing his affection.
But today, Makoto didn't want to use that method.
After all, this was the first gift he had received since arriving in this world.
"Hehe, I'm glad you like it, Teacher. I don't really understand calligraphy—I just thought the brush looked nice," Obito said with a silly grin.
After taking a few deep breaths, he stood up.
"Makoto-sensei, I'm ready. Let's start today's training."
Seeing Obito so enthusiastic, Makoto nodded and gestured for Might Guy to come over.
"Next, we'll resume the training we started three weeks ago. You haven't forgotten it, right?" Makoto asked with a smile.
Obito's memory slowly returned to the time before the tournament special training.
"Every time I get hit, I have to solve another question…"
Cold sweat appeared on Obito's forehead as memories flooded back.
Over the past twenty days, they had focused entirely on chakra control and nature transformation, causing him to temporarily forget the hellish training routine from before.
"If I fail to land a hit, I have to solve 50 questions. Each successful hit reduces the number by one, up to a maximum reduction of 40 questions," Guy recalled.
He might not remember who his practical exam opponents were, but he definitely remembered the training plan.
"For Obito, he's not allowed to use ninjutsu in battle. Every hit he takes adds one question."
Guy gave Obito a thumbs-up as he explained.
Obito stared at Guy's shining white teeth with tearful eyes.
Thank you so much…
"Teacher, I think I may have overestimated myself. Maybe I should rest today," Obito said weakly, collapsing onto the ground.
Training to become stronger was great.
But doing test questions was pure suffering.
Better to leave that problem to tomorrow's Obito.
Makoto chuckled.
"Rest? Of course you can rest. If you can't train, then just focus on doing questions. I have plenty of exam papers."
As he spoke, Makoto pulled out a stack of test papers from a scroll.
And then a medical miracle occurred.
Obito instantly jumped to his feet.
"A little discomfort is nothing! Makoto-sensei, I believe I can endure it. Let's begin training!"
Makoto smiled warmly.
"No need to force yourself. If you need rest, you should rest."
"Thank you for your concern, Teacher. But the final exam is only one month away. I want revenge on Hyūga Homon, so I need to become stronger as soon as possible."
Obito's expression was full of determination.
Makoto nodded in satisfaction. Still holding the brush box, he patted Guy's shoulder.
"Guy, since Obito has such determination, make sure to help him improve his taijutsu."
Guy straightened up and flashed a brilliant smile.
"Don't worry, Makoto-sensei! I'll give 120% of my strength!"
Obito, listening to the conversation: …
It seemed that today, either his body or his brain was going to die.
Guy wasn't exaggerating.
When he said he would use his full strength, he meant it.
While Obito had been undergoing special training for the tournament, Guy had been continuously strengthening his body.
With the help of the system's Soldier Pill, Makoto had even increased Guy's training intensity.
After more than twenty days of hard training, Guy had achieved real physical improvements—greater speed and stronger power.
Meanwhile, Obito's improvements were mainly in ninjutsu.
Unfortunately, today's training forbade the use of ninjutsu.
Under these circumstances, Obito was almost completely beaten down.
Fortunately, the enhanced water-walking training Makoto had designed had also improved Obito's movement techniques.
Otherwise, the situation would have been even worse.
This nearly one-sided battle forced Obito to recognize his true strength.
Winning first place in the Youth Ninjutsu Tournament, tied with Kakashi Hatake, had made him a little overconfident.
But after fighting Guy, Obito realized that even his current self still couldn't defeat Hyūga Homon from the practical exam.
His ninjutsu had grown stronger, but against the combination of Byakugan and Gentle Fist, his taijutsu wasn't good enough to create an opportunity to use ninjutsu.
With Byakugan, Homon could see his chakra points.
With Gentle Fist, Homon could block his chakra flow.
Once the battle fell into Homon's rhythm, defeat was almost inevitable.
"But these questions are so hard…"
Looking at the test papers in front of him, Obito nearly collapsed.
He understood the logic.
But solving the questions was still painful.
"Let's eat first."
Makoto handed Obito a lunchbox, then gave one to Shisui and Guy as well.
The moment Obito tasted the food Makoto had cooked, his lifeless expression vanished.
Suddenly, the world felt beautiful again.
It was as if he had come back to life.
[You gifted your disciple Delicious Home-Cooked Food]
[The disciple is extremely grateful — Critical Reward Triggered]
[Reward: Chakra +100]
A heartfelt gift being praised, combined with giving food at the perfect moment…
The critical reward was completely expected.
Because Obito had been hit so many times, Makoto allowed him to complete the questions in installments, so it wouldn't affect training efficiency.
The Next Day
To further improve the strength of Class 1 and obtain more system rewards, Makoto began putting his plan into action.
First, during the ninjutsu class, he organized a practical combat exam for the entire class.
Then he evaluated each student individually and gave them advice.
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