Chapter 14: Assessment

Even for the Transformation Jutsu that consumed the least chakra, Uchiha Kiyoshi could only practice it six times.

Uchiha Kiyoshi was troubled by this limitation imposed by his chakra levels. It seemed that chakra restricted him too much.

After six attempts, Uchiha Kiyoshi could barely control his transformed appearance, although there were still some blurry details.

However, Uchiha Kiyoshi didn't lose heart. It wasn't that he couldn't learn it; it was just a matter of proficiency. As long as he persisted, he would be able to practice it perfectly after consuming his lunch.

Since he couldn't practice the Shadow Clone Jutsu anymore, Uchiha Kiyoshi took out the introductory book on medical ninjutsu and started reading it.

With a foundation in medical knowledge from his past life and the previous years of study, Uchiha Kiyoshi already had a certain understanding of medical ninjutsu.

Now, he just needed his chakra to replenish so that he could start practicing.

As for chakra control, Uchiha Kiyoshi hadn't paid much attention to it since he extracted his chakra. However, according to the book, his chakra control might still be insufficient.

But with limited chakra, he couldn't do exercises like tree climbing or water walking to train himself.

Such training consumed a lot of chakra, and after a single session, he would lose half of his chakra.

Therefore, Uchiha Kiyoshi had refrained from practicing. Although he had other ideas, the chakra issue couldn't be bypassed.

Now Uchiha Kiyoshi was truly limited by his chakra. He could only hope for his chakra to increase as soon as possible.

He also needed to find a method to control his body's energy sooner. If he could successfully nurture his body, his physical abilities would likely improve significantly, which would, in turn, accelerate chakra growth.

After borrowing the book, Uchiha Kiyoshi no longer needed to go to the library every day. Once his chakra was replenished, he started studying the contents of the introductory book on medical ninjutsu.

...

The next day, Uchiha Kiyoshi woke up early because he remembered there was an exam today.

After preparing breakfast for himself and packing lunch in a bento box, Uchiha Kiyoshi finished eating and headed to the ninja school.

"I seem to have forgotten something yesterday. Right, Nawaki. He was close to me, which might attract the attention of the Third Hokage. Even if it's something special, an Uchiha interacting with a member of the Senju clan will surely be noticed. Although I didn't initiate it."

Fortunately, he didn't do anything special yesterday. It seemed that he needed to secretly study certain matters from now on. At least he shouldn't do it directly in the courtyard.

He didn't need a training field, or purely theoretical research should be done inside the house. That way, even if someone was monitoring, they wouldn't know what he had been doing.

It would be even better if he had an excuse. Hmm! Reading books was a good reason.

Uchiha Kiyoshi had figured out how to hide his activities in the future.

It had to be this simple, there was no other way to hide under the eyes of other ninjas. Otherwise, it would be too much and would arouse suspicion from others.

As the Uchiha clan was located in the bustling central area of the village, Uchiha Kiyoshi's home wasn't far from the ninja school. It took about twenty minutes to walk there.

Arriving in the classroom, Uchiha Kiyoshi sat in his seat and contemplated the upcoming exam.

"So, how much should I reveal in this exam?"

Uchiha Kiyoshi thought of another headache-inducing problem.

After careful consideration, Uchiha Kiyoshi decided that he should reveal what needed to be revealed during the theory class. Of course, he still needed to be careless at times, deducting some points each time, which would mislead others into thinking he was just a careless person.

In future combat classes, he should still maintain his persona and focus on defensive tactics. If he learned medical ninjutsu by then, he should incorporate it into his tactical system.

"Hmm... I'm thick-skinned, and I can heal myself. How about that? Feeling desperate?"

Nawaki arrived a bit late today, and judging from his appearance, he seemed to have been beaten by someone.

As for how Uchiha Kiyoshi judged this from his appearance?

Look at his eyes, they're still swollen! And there's a bruise on his nose, plus the way he walks.

Of course, with someone's treatment, his injuries must have been stabilized, but the pain and visible signs remained.

Uchiha Kiyoshi didn't know why Nawaki got beaten, but he could guess that it was Tsunade who did it. It would be best for him not to get involved.

Although they shared the same profession, Uchiha Kiyoshi was still an Uchiha clan member, and Tsunade must have had her own opinions about him. And haven't you heard? Comrades can be the greatest enemies.

Uchiha Kiyoshi didn't ask, and Nawaki didn't mention it. If he said it himself, it would be embarrassing, and Uchiha Kiyoshi understood that.

Whether wanting to change the subject or genuinely recalling the incident, Nawaki looked somewhat worried and asked Uchiha Kiyoshi.

"What should we do if we fail the exam today? Will we be expelled?"

Nawaki seemed to have realized the punishment he would face if he didn't perform well, and his face turned pale.

Uchiha Kiyoshi casually replied, "It won't come to that. This exam is just to assess everyone's level. Even if you don't do well, as long as you study properly afterward, you'll be fine."

Not long after, Uekura Naoki entered the classroom and announced the exam rules before starting the exam.

The test paper, except for the last question, wasn't very difficult, and Uchiha Kiyoshi quickly finished it and handed it in early before leaving.

Uchiha Kiyoshi took his book and sat outside to read.

However, for Nawaki, Uchiha Kiyoshi's action was like a bolt from the blue.

"I haven't even finished half of it, and you already handed in the paper? Are we taking the test together? Besides, as my desk mate, aren't you supposed to let me copy your answers? I was just thinking whether or not to copy yours, and you didn't even give me a chance?"

Nawaki was about to go crazy.

At that moment, he realized why this seat was considered the best by Uchiha Kiyoshi.

He knew everything, so it was only natural for him to daydream during class. It was good that the teacher didn't pay attention, and it didn't affect him being in that position.

Nawaki felt helpless and frustrated. He thought Uchiha Kiyoshi didn't want to study properly!

As a result, you turned out to be a top student? It means I'm just a bottom-ranker.

Nawaki didn't think about the fact that Uchiha Kiyoshi was always reading when he had free time. It would be strange if he didn't excel in his studies.

Nawaki didn't know what was going on in Uchiha Kiyoshi's mind.

At that moment, Uchiha Kiyoshi was focused on studying the introductory book on medical ninjutsu.

However, Uchiha Kiyoshi felt uncomfortable always reading the same book. It would be better to switch and read something else. So he decided that when he found the opportunity, he would borrow the book on sealing jutsu.

Unfortunately, he would have to spend another 1,200 ryo. It was a bit of a pity.

He needed to find an opportunity to earn some money, but he also didn't want it to interfere with his training.

...

Soon, the one-and-a-half-hour answer time came to an end. Uekura Naoki collected the test papers, left the classroom, and went back to his office to grade them.

The class wasn't very large, so he should be able to finish grading and calculate the rankings within an hour.

That hour was quite annoying for Uchiha Kiyoshi.

Yes, it was annoying.

When he returned to his seat, Nawaki kept complaining about how he wasn't loyal enough, and it was his own fault for not letting him copy.

Uchiha Kiyoshi had no words. Nawaki never mentioned copying before, and besides, cheating during the Chunin Exams was one thing; it tested the ability to gather information. The test paper was indeed a bit difficult.

However, during a regular exam at the ninja school, if Nawaki copied his answers and got caught, Tsunade would probably beat him to a pulp. Uchiha Kiyoshi wouldn't fare well either.

"Ah! How did I end up with such a desk mate?"

Uekura Naoki was quite efficient. In less than an hour, only forty minutes, he returned to the classroom and handed out the grade sheets to everyone.

"This time, the maximum score is 100, and the highest score goes to Uchiha Kiyoshi with 98 points! Everyone should learn from Kiyoshi."

Nawaki also looked shocked. So the genius was right beside me?

Before, he doubted if everything Uchiha Kiyoshi did was correct, but now, seeing the results, this guy was definitely a genius!

"Kiyoshi, how did you score 98? I only got 40 points. And it seems like you're the only one who got the last big question right. You're amazing!"

Uchiha Kiyoshi casually started showing off.

"It's nothing, I just skipped one multiple-choice question, which deducted two points, so it became 98."

"Ngh..."

Nawaki gasped.

So that's how you get high scores!