The testing continued.
However, after witnessing the intense battle between Ren and Hyūga Homon, the atmosphere among the students had completely changed.
Before that fight, many students had approached the examination casually, believing it to be nothing more than a routine academy test. But now, everyone felt a sudden surge of competitive spirit.
If a civilian ninja like Ren could defeat a Hyūga clan prodigy using only the Three Basic Jutsu, then perhaps they could also impress the teachers.
One after another, students stepped forward, pushing themselves harder than before.
Some of them succeeded.
For example, Shiranui Genma stepped onto the stage with a calm expression. His shuriken technique was precise, and his chakra control during the Transformation Technique was extremely stable. The teachers nodded approvingly.
Not long after, Aoba Yamashiro also displayed impressive ability. His Clone Technique was executed cleanly, producing well-formed clones that lasted far longer than average.
The two boys had clearly received proper training.
In the future, both of them would become Tokubetsu Jōnin, and even now their talent was beginning to show.
But not everyone enjoyed such success.
Some students tried too hard to imitate Ren's performance, only to embarrass themselves.
And then there was Obito Uchiha.
Earlier in the classroom, he had loudly declared his dream:
"I'm going to become the Hokage someday!"
Unfortunately, reality proved far less glorious.
Because of his low ranking in the class, Obito was called to the stage almost last. By the time his turn came, nearly every other student had already finished their test.
He nervously formed the hand seals for the Clone Technique.
His face turned red as he forced chakra through his body.
Then—
Poof!
A puff of white smoke appeared.
When the smoke cleared, a strange clone stood beside him.
It looked thin and distorted, with weak limbs and a drooping face, barely resembling a human shape.
For a moment, the arena was silent.
Then laughter erupted.
"Hahaha!"
"That's supposed to be a clone?"
"A dead last is still a dead last!"
"He can't even perform the Clone Technique properly!"
"And he said he wants to become Hokage?"
Some children laughed so hard they nearly fell over.
One particularly rude boy shouted loudly,
"You're not even worth a single hair of Asuma Sarutobi!"
The laughter grew louder.
Obito clenched his fists.
His face burned with humiliation, but he stubbornly refused to cry.
Among the crowd, however, one voice spoke gently.
"Obito… don't worry."
It was Rin Nohara.
She stepped closer and gave him an encouraging smile.
"You'll get better. Just keep trying."
Those simple words were enough to make Obito's heart race.
Meanwhile, Ren stood quietly nearby, watching everything unfold.
He didn't laugh.
In fact, he had no intention of mocking Obito at all.
After all…
Who in their right mind would laugh at Obito Uchiha?
Ren understood something most of the students did not.
As the top student in theoretical ninja studies, Ren had studied chakra mechanics extensively.
And from what he observed, Obito's problem was obvious.
It was the same issue that Naruto Uzumaki would face years later.
Too much chakra.
When someone possessed an unusually large chakra reserve, controlling it precisely became extremely difficult. Techniques like the Clone Technique, which required delicate control, became especially troublesome.
However, such individuals often excelled at powerful techniques that relied on sheer chakra output.
Techniques like the Great Fireball Technique.
Or even the legendary Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
Ren glanced at Obito thoughtfully.
Obito probably didn't realize it yet.
But in terms of raw chakra potential…
He was anything but weak.
Obito himself didn't seem discouraged for long.
He stood up and muttered quietly,
"Hmph… I won't bother arguing with ignorant fools."
His eyes gleamed with determination.
"I'll show everyone during the combat sparring."
In fact, Obito had secretly learned the Great Fireball Technique from his clan.
He had originally planned to reveal it dramatically during the sparring matches.
If everything went well, he could shock everyone and regain his dignity.
Unfortunately…
Things did not go well.
When the sparring matches began, Obito's opponent turned out to be Might Guy.
The moment the match started, Obito quickly formed the hand seals.
He opened his mouth—
"Fire Style—"
But before he could even release the flames—
"Yosh!"
A green blur rushed forward.
Might Guy had already closed the distance.
With incredible speed, he launched a spinning kick.
"Leaf Whirlwind!"
BAM!
Obito was sent flying backward.
Before he could even stand up again, Guy rushed forward with unstoppable enthusiasm.
Punch!
Kick!
Punch!
Kick!
Obito was beaten like a training dummy.
Finally—
THUD!
One last powerful kick sent him tumbling off the stage.
The entire crowd burst into laughter again.
"Obito!"
Rin hurried over and helped him up.
"Are you okay?"
Obito lay flat on the ground, staring dreamily at the sky.
A silly grin spread across his face.
"Hehe…"
"Rin is worried about me…"
"She definitely has me in her heart…"
Rin blinked in confusion.
"…What?"
Nearby, Ren covered his face.
He couldn't bear to watch anymore.
This level of delusion was honestly impressive.
As the matches continued, more students stepped onto the stage.
Eventually—
Ren's name was called again.
Technically speaking, his earlier fight against Hyūga Homon had not been part of the official exam.
It had simply been a personal challenge.
This time was the real test.
Ren stepped onto the stage calmly.
His opponent was someone few people paid attention to.
Mizuki.
Yes.
That Mizuki.
The same Mizuki who, more than ten years later, would still be a Chūnin who barely mastered the Three Basic Jutsu.
The same Mizuki who would eventually trick Naruto into stealing the Scroll of Seals.
Right now, however, Mizuki was just another ordinary academy student.
Like Ren, he came from a civilian background.
Unlike Obito, though, Mizuki attracted almost no attention.
He wasn't strong.
He wasn't loud.
He simply blended into the crowd.
Ren didn't waste time.
The moment the match started—
SHING!
Several shuriken and kunai flew forward in a sharp volley.
Mizuki panicked and barely managed to dodge.
But before he could recover—
Ren had already closed the distance.
His movements were swift and efficient.
Punch!
Kick!
Within seconds, Mizuki was overwhelmed.
A final strike sent him stumbling backward.
The match ended quickly.
Ren stepped down from the stage without a word.
Meanwhile, Hyūga Homon had also returned for another match after resting.
This time he faced Shiranui Genma.
With his Byakugan activated, Homon fought skillfully and eventually secured victory.
Yet his expression remained gloomy.
From time to time, he glanced toward Ren with a complicated look in his eyes.
Confusion.
Frustration.
And perhaps a bit of lingering disbelief.
By the time the final matches ended, the sun had already begun to descend.
Teacher Oki cleared his throat.
"Ahem."
"Everyone, the testing for today is finished."
"The final rankings will be announced next week after the cultural theory exam."
"Class dismissed."
The students quickly scattered, chatting excitedly about the day's events.
However—
Ren remained behind.
Teacher Oki and Teacher Himura approached him.
Oki looked curious.
"Ren, the technique you used earlier during your duel with Hyūga Homon…"
"What exactly was that?"
"Could you explain it?"
Ren scratched his head slightly.
"Oh… that?"
"It's just the Substitution Jutsu."
To demonstrate, Ren picked up a small stone.
He formed a quick hand seal.
Poof!
In an instant, his body disappeared and reappeared several meters away.
Teacher Oki's eyes widened.
"Incredible…"
Ren calmly explained the chakra circulation involved in the technique.
Of course, the real reason he could cast it so quickly was because of his mysterious system.
But since he was the one using the jutsu, he could still describe the theoretical principles convincingly.
The two teachers listened carefully, fascinated.
Teacher Himura stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"This version of the Substitution Jutsu seems to be a modified technique…"
"In other words… it's practically a new ninjutsu."
He looked at Ren with admiration.
"I never expected an academy student to develop such insight."
"Would you mind if we recorded this and reported it to Lord Third Hokage?"
Ren had already anticipated this.
After all, the Ninja Academy reported directly to the Hokage.
If someone showed exceptional talent, it was natural for the Hokage to take notice.
Ren smiled calmly.
"Of course I don't mind."
In fact…
That was exactly what he wanted.
After all, if he wanted to encounter more powerful ninjutsu…
There was no better way than attracting the Hokage's attention.
And besides—
Ren suddenly thought of a certain energetic man in a green jumpsuit.
A ninja who ran around the village endlessly.
A man who might possess one of the most powerful forbidden techniques in existence.
Ren smiled slightly.
"Speaking of learning new techniques…"
"I wonder if I'll get the chance to meet that green-clad uncle someday."
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