The exam was about to begin.
The three candidates stood in the center of the open field, while their homeroom teacher, Heishou Nian, explained the rules.
"This exam is different from the usual sparring tests. Although the battles will stay within safety limits, the three examiners will not go easy on you just because you're young."
"If you want to pass, you must be prepared to give it everything you've got."
"Of course, if you want to give up now… there's still time."
When he said the last sentence, Heishou Nian deliberately moved his gaze away from Hatake Kakashi.
Obviously, that line was meant for the two bottom-rankers…
Uchiha Obito was still a bit nervous, staring fixedly at the Hyuga chūnin, not really hearing anything else.
But Uchiha Jingyan—
He was actually… excited.
The fact that a Hyuga examiner had appeared said a lot: schemes, backroom deals—anything was possible.
It meant his wish to stay low-key could no longer continue. But…
That didn't really matter.
Compared to the reward for passing the exam, all of that was trivial.
"Teacher, can the three of us freely choose our examiners?" Jingyan asked.
"No." Heishou Nian shook his head. "A ninja doesn't have the right to choose his enemies."
"Especially Konoha's ninjas."
That sounded pretty serious.
Every great ninja war, it was like the other four nations had agreed on one thing—
No matter what the plan was, first mess with Konoha!
Konoha's ninjas really didn't get to choose their enemies…
"I see… thanks for teaching me another lesson, teacher." Jingyan looked a little disappointed.
But then his gaze shifted to the Hyuga chūnin. He tilted his head, lips curling into a mocking, provocative grin!
Beside him, Kakashi sensed something was wrong and was about to stop him.
But it was already too late…
"What I want to say is—our Uchiha have never cared who the enemy is!"
Jingyan suddenly stepped forward, staring straight at the Hyuga.
"Once, some academy students provoked us Uchiha. They thought numbers and age were advantages, but they forgot the gap between them and me—born from blood!"
"Among peers, sparring should stop at moderation. But I still broke that guy's arms—because my surname is Uchiha!"
At this point, Jingyan paused slightly.
The field had fallen completely silent…
The boy's tone was calm, as if he were talking about something trivial, but the aggression in his words made no one dare respond!
Even Heishou Nian's eyes filled with disbelief.
As a teacher, his first reaction was to think about a serious campus-fighting incident.
As for Jingyan openly admitting it himself…
Aside from shock, Heishou Nian could only turn a blind eye.
He couldn't control the affairs of big clans. Since the Hyuga hadn't brought this to the school, he didn't want to dig into it at this moment.
Everything could wait until after the exam.
What truly confused him was—
Why had a student who ranked bottom in everything suddenly become like this?
What was he trying to do by saying all this?
At this moment, he suddenly began to look forward to Jingyan's exam performance…
Just from that aura alone!
Beside Jingyan, Kakashi silently sighed.
He of course knew Jingyan's goal…
To provoke that Hyuga.
Then let Obito face a "normal" examiner instead.
What a pity… If Heishou Nian had allowed them to choose, Kakashi had planned to directly challenge that Hyuga himself.
"So… what exactly are you trying to say?" Heishou Nian rubbed his temples.
He had a very bad feeling.
Jingyan's words were full of momentum, sure.
But… no matter how he looked at it, it felt like he was provoking an examiner.
"Nothing much." Jingyan shrugged, then raised his small hand and pointed at the Hyuga chūnin.
"I don't think an Uchiha's exam should be judged by a Hyuga. But teacher is right—Konoha's ninjas don't get to choose their enemies."
"So…"
Jingyan curled his finger at the Hyuga.
"If you're still a man, don't let me look down on you!"
If you're still a man, you should know what to do, right?
I don't have the right to choose my examiner—but the examiner should have the right to choose his examinee.
At this point…
Jingyan no longer planned to stay low-key.
They'd already come knocking on his door!
Deceiving himself was not his style either.
The Hyuga's expression changed again and again…
At this moment, all eyes in the field shifted from Jingyan to him.
His name was Hyuga Kouta. He should have been rushing toward the Mist frontlines right now.
But before departure, he had received an order from the clan head…
Delay going to the battlefield, and as a chūnin, examine an Uchiha.
The clan head's order was simple and brutal—
Use a hidden method to inject chakra into this brat's body.
Basically, cripple this Uchiha kid's future.
Cruel—but he accepted it.
Especially after hearing Jingyan admit to beating people…
"What you did was very good. When you know the gap between yourself and your enemy, you use this method to disturb their judgment and gain a slim chance."
"And as an examiner, I'm willing to give you that chance."
Hyuga Kouta said coldly.
The words were well-crafted. He didn't look angry at all over Jingyan's provocation. Instead, he spoke like an elder praising a junior's psychological tactics.
The other two examiners and Heishou Nian finally relaxed…
As expected of the Hyuga.
That composure, that upbringing…
And the smile on Jingyan's face only grew brighter…
"So—shall we begin?"
T/N:
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