Chapter 42: The Unremarkable Uchiha

The crunch of footsteps in the snow echoed, and Kurenai looked up, her slightly chubby cheeks breaking into a cheerful smile. She exhaled a warm breath into the cold air and waved with her right hand.

"Mirai! Over here!"

"Did I keep you waiting, Kurenai?"

"No, I just got here too."

As Mirai approached, Kurenai suddenly became a bit shy, fidgeting with her hands clasped behind her back.

"Got hemorrhoids or something?" Mirai asked, puzzled.

"Hey! No, I don't! Who'd say something like that!" Kurenai huffed, clearly annoyed.

Mirai just tilted his head, still confused. "Then what's with the awkward fidgeting?"

Glaring at him in exasperation, Kurenai thrust a red scarf into his hands.

"A scarf?"

Mirai looked at her questioningly, and Kurenai tilted her chin up, letting out a small, defiant "hmph."

"I noticed you were underdressed, and I didn't want you catching a cold right before the Chunin Exams. Don't get any ideas."

Her exaggerated attitude made Mirai struggle to hold back a laugh. Wrapping the scarf around his neck, he feigned amazement.

"Wow, it's so warm!"

Kurenai's lips curled into a smile, but before she could say anything, Mirai spoke up again.

"Kurenai, where did you buy this? I think I'll get, like, ten more."

"Mirai, you big dummy!"

"Just kidding." Mirai chuckled, giving her a warm, genuine look. "Thank you, Kurenai. I really do like it."

"Oh, whatever… No need to tell me that." Kurenai blushed, looking away.

"Hey, it's about time we head to the exam hall."

A voice from the side made Mirai look over in surprise. "Asuma? When did you get here?"

Asuma clenched his fist, muttering with annoyance. "What's with a guy wearing a scarf anyway, especially a red one? Not manly at all…"

Mirai walked past Asuma without a word, then turned to Kurenai.

"Weird… why do I smell so much jealousy in the air this morning?"

Argh!!

As the two walked off, Asuma stomped his foot in frustration, fists clenched. He was itching to knock some sense into Mirai.

They continued through the academy corridors, where they encountered Kakashi Hatake, Rin Nohara, and Obito Uchiha.

"Mirai, morning!"

"Huh? How'd you know this scarf was hand-knitted by Kurenai?"

All three blinked, staring blankly at him.

Who even asked about your scarf, Mirai?

After Mirai left, Obito glanced hopefully at Rin.

"Um, Rin…"

"No way!"

…

Inside, at the corner of a staircase, a group of shinobi seemed to be arguing about something.

"Why won't you let us in?"

"Yeah, we're here to take the exam! Get out of the way!"

"It's almost time—move it!"

Looking forward, Mirai and his group noticed two individuals standing guard at the door to room 501, blocking everyone who tried to enter.

"These guys are overdoing it a bit," Asuma growled. "Blocking the exam hall like that…"

"Should we go over and check it out?" Kurenai asked Mirai.

"No need." Mirai shook his head. "Anyone lingering here is bound to be eliminated anyway."

Asuma grunted in annoyance. "So, what, you're saying you agree with those two jerks blocking the door?"

"You think you can knock out your competition like this?"

"This isn't a mission, so if you're making a bad call, don't expect me to stand back and let it happen."

Mirai shrugged. "Suit yourself."

Then he turned to Kurenai. "Let's head up."

"Huh?" Kurenai looked surprised. "Mirai, isn't the exam hall here?"

Mirai gave her a look. "Kurenai, take a closer look—does this really look like our exam hall?"

Kurenai paused, noticing something odd. With her natural talent for genjutsu, she quickly sensed the illusion, thanks to Mirai's hint.

"Release!"

As she dispelled the genjutsu, the room number on the door flickered, changing from 501 to 401.

"Mirai, you already noticed?"

Kurenai gazed at him, impressed. Although the illusion wasn't hard to break, sensing it immediately was no easy feat.

"Kurenai, remember: the Chunin Exams test more than just skills. Exams don't always happen inside the hall."

"If you let rigid thinking limit your perspective, you'll easily fall into someone else's trap."

"Got it, Mirai."

As they continued up the stairs, Asuma's expression darkened, realizing how foolish he'd sounded earlier. He felt like a clown.

Why? Why did Mirai always have to one-up him, no matter how hard he tried?

Standing there for a moment, Asuma clenched his jaw and followed Mirai up the stairs. If he didn't push forward, he'd never escape the shadow of being the "Hokage's son."

…

Finally reaching the real exam hall, Mirai, Kurenai, and Asuma opened the door and stepped in. The room was packed, like a sea of people.

"How are we supposed to take an exam like this?"

"Isn't this overkill?"

Kurenai looked around in shock, while Asuma frowned. It was complete chaos. How could they conduct a test with so many people in one place?

Asuma almost moved to confront a proctor, but noticing Mirai's calm expression, he stopped, sensing something was off. Maybe he'd wait and see what Mirai thought.

A sense of shame rose in him, but the memory of past embarrassments kept him still.

"Look, there he is—Mirai Uchiha."

"That Uchiha prodigy? Hmph, he doesn't look like much."

"Hard to believe this little kid took down two Jonin… I'd never believe it if the Hokage hadn't confirmed it himself."

"Seriously? Letting this monster take the Chunin Exam? Isn't this just unfair?"

Amidst the murmurs, Mirai made his way to a seat by the window. "You guys move—it's mine now."

The next day.

Just as Obito had expected, their team's first assigned mission was none other than finding a missing cat.

The three decided to split up and meet back at the designated spot before lunch.

"Nope... Not here either…"

Rin wandered through the streets and alleys, diligently searching every corner, but the cat was nowhere to be found.

Rounding a corner, she ran into Kakashi and quickly waved him over.

"Kakashi! Did you find it?"

Kakashi shook his head.

"No, I came up empty-handed on my side too."

Rin sighed, brushing her slightly messy hair out of her face.

"Me neither… Who knew finding a pet could be this troublesome?"

Kakashi nodded in agreement.

"Even so, if we can't handle something this simple, we'll never be ready for real missions."

"Oh, by the way, where's Obito?"

Rin shrugged helplessly.

"Obito said he had an idea he wanted to try out. No clue where he ran off to."

By midday, at their agreed meeting point, Obito appeared with a big grin, carrying a small cat in one arm and several bags in the other.

"Look! Found the cat! Big thanks to the grandmas who helped out." He raised the bags with a proud smile.

"They even gave me some snacks. Let's share them later!"

Rin exclaimed in amazement, "Obito, your popularity with grandmas is incredible! All those times being late have finally paid off."

Obito puffed up with pride, tilting his head smugly.

"Well, of course! They don't call me the Grandma Whisperer for nothing. If I ever wanted to take it easy in life, I could coast on soft meals until the end of my days!"

Minato chuckled and added, "A small kindness brings great rewards. Obito, this is the fruit of your goodwill."

Obito glanced at Kakashi, who stood silently nearby, looking a bit disheartened.

"Tch, tch, tch," Obito clicked his tongue, shaking his head.

This guy's still young—he doesn't understand how important connections are yet.

Just look at the past Hokages.

If you know, you know. If you don't, well, explaining won't help.

That afternoon, the four gathered at a training ground near the forest.

For a ninja, completing missions was important, but daily training was essential.

"The soles of your feet are the hardest place to gather chakra. Climbing trees with your feet will help you refine, maintain, and control your chakra more effectively," Minato explained. He clapped his hands with a smile.

"Rin, you go first."

Rin nodded, looking a little nervous as she charged toward the nearest tree.

Just before reaching it, she leaped up, planting one foot on the trunk.

One step, two steps, three steps—

"Ah!"

The chakra in her feet suddenly dispersed, and without the adhesion, she flipped backward off the tree.

Looking sheepishly at Minato, Rin waited for his reaction.

Minato smiled encouragingly and nodded. "Not bad for a first attempt. Keep it up!"

"Next, your turn, Kakashi," Minato said.

Kakashi gave a small nod and stepped forward. Without hesitation, he placed a foot on the tree and began walking upward effortlessly.

He moved as if strolling on flat ground, steadily making his way to the top of the tree.

Rin watched in awe. "Kakashi, you're amazing! You did it so easily!"

Kakashi said nothing, turning to glance down at Obito. With a graceful leap, he descended smoothly from the treetop.

!!!

Obito fumed inwardly.

To him, Kakashi's actions screamed provocation.

"What's the big deal? It's just walking! Anyone with legs can do it!"

Obito stormed toward a tree, his tone defiant.

"Watch me show you something even cooler!"

Oh?

Minato raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Was Obito about to demonstrate some new chakra control technique?

Even Kakashi focused, curious about what Obito had up his sleeve.

"Go, Obito! Be careful!" Rin cheered, pumping her fists.

Obito turned, flashing a confident thumbs-up and his brightest grin.

"Got it! Just watch, Rin!"

Then, to everyone's shock, Obito pressed himself against the tree and began wriggling upward… like a snake.

With his waist twisting fluidly, he slithered up the trunk in a coiling motion, occasionally flicking his tongue like a serpent tasting the air.

Minato's hopeful expression froze.

Rin's jaw dropped.

Kakashi's eyes widened, almost bulging out of their sockets.

The three were utterly dumbfounded.

Who would even think of such a pose?!

Was this something a mammal was supposed to do?!

Even Orochimaru would call him a natural!

When Obito finally reached the treetop, he agilely flipped around and slid back down in the same bizarre manner. Landing lightly, he struck a triumphant pose with his hands on his hips.

"Well? How was it, Rin, Minato-sensei?"

"This method I developed trains chakra control and strengthens core muscles. Genius, right?"

Minato opened his mouth but seemed at a loss for words.

Inwardly, he regretted not vetting his students more thoroughly.

Obito turned to Kakashi, his gaze challenging.

Kakashi pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing deeply.

He wondered why he'd ever expect anything normal from Obito.

Rin remained silent, too shocked by the spectacle to respond.

"Uh… Did I mess up again?" Obito scratched his head awkwardly, noticing their reactions.

Minato finally found his voice.

"No, no. Obito's method is… unique, creative, and, uh… impressive."

Obito frowned slightly. Why did those compliments feel so off? Was Minato-sensei really praising him?

Before he could dwell on it, Minato continued.

"Kakashi, Obito—you both already have solid chakra control. From now on, your training will focus on combat practice."

Forming a hand seal, Minato called out, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

With a puff of smoke, a clone of Minato appeared.

"Follow me. We'll train deeper in the forest," said Clone Minato to the two boys.

Kakashi and Obito nodded, following him into the woods.

Meanwhile, Original Minato turned to Rin with an encouraging smile.

"Rin, keep practicing tree climbing. I'll stay here to help."

Rin nodded firmly. "Got it, Minato-sensei!"

Watching the three disappear into the forest, Rin clenched her fists and steeled her resolve.

Rin, you have to work hard! Kakashi and Obito are both so talented—you can't fall behind!

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