One year later, at the main gate of Konoha, the Minato team returned from a mission. Four figures emerged from the road, their silhouettes illuminated by the late afternoon sun.
"Hey, Minato, you're back."
The greeting came from a young Chunin stationed at the gate. It was Akasaka Yu, a former classmate of Minato's from the Academy who had once been a minor rival. Now in his early twenties, Yu had become a skilled ninja and often manned the village's gates.
"Yeah," Minato replied with a polite smile and nod. Then, turning to his team, he added, "I have something important to tell you all."
The three young shinobi perked up, waiting for their sensei to continue.
"Tomorrow, Rin will finish her year of medical training and return to our team," Minato announced.
"Yes!" Obito exclaimed, practically jumping with excitement. Even though he had seen Rin regularly over the past year, having her back on the team meant more time spent together.
"Obito."
Kakashi's voice cut through Obito's excitement like a kunai, causing him to freeze. The realization dawned on him: Rin's return meant Shisui would likely have to leave. A ninja team typically consisted of only three members under one jonin, and their year together had fostered a camaraderie that Obito couldn't deny—even if part of him secretly wished Kakashi would be the one leaving.
Shisui, on the other hand, remained calm and composed, his demeanor as serene as ever. His unflappable personality had made him easy to get along with, even for Obito.
"So, when Rin comes back, Kakashi will leave our team temporarily," Minato continued.
Obito's eyes widened in surprise, though he quickly suppressed a grin.
Minato added, "With the Chunin Exams approaching, Obito, Shisui, and Rin will form a three-person team to participate. I've already recommended you to Hokage-sama."
Kakashi, being a Chunin, was ineligible to participate. Minato had recommended him for a mission alongside Nawaki, Tsunade's younger brother, who had risen to prominence as a jonin over the past three years.
Kakashi nodded without complaint, his ever-stoic demeanor betraying no reaction to the change.
"I'll be handing the mission report to Lord Hokage now," Minato said. "Kakashi, go find Nawaki to discuss the mission details. As for you three, prepare for the Chunin Exams. Tomorrow, I'll give you tips to help you succeed. Remember, this is a chance to prove yourselves."
With that, Minato disappeared in a flash of yellow light, Kakashi left with a swift leap, and Obito turned to Shisui with a grin.
"Let's work hard together, Shisui!"
Shisui smiled warmly. "Of course, Obito-senpai."
The Chunin Exams were a cornerstone of ninja tradition, meant to test the best and brightest genin from all nations. However, after the Second Ninja World War, joint exams between nations had ceased. The Land of Fire's dominance following the war had created tensions that made cooperation nearly impossible. Though peace treaties were signed, they were more a pretense than a true resolution.
Thus, Konoha had resumed hosting its own Chunin Exams.
The Written Exam
The first round of the Chunin Exams was a written test, a trial in observation and information gathering.
Obito stared blankly at the questions on the test paper, his mind drawing a complete blank despite Minato's thorough reviews. The theoretical knowledge seemed to evaporate from his memory under pressure.
Fortunately, in front of him, Rin used subtle hand gestures to signal answers. It was a code the team had practiced, their silent communication ensuring Obito stayed in the game.
By the end of the round, only a small fraction of participants had been eliminated, as most genin came prepared to work as a team.
The Forest of Death
The second round tested survival skills in the infamous Forest of Death. Each team was marked with chakra seals, and if one team member's mark was destroyed, the entire team would be eliminated. Only half the participants could pass, turning the forest into a battleground where alliances and betrayals were inevitable.
On the third day, in the dense jungle of the forest, chaos unfolded.
"Boom!"
A massive fireball tore through the underbrush, narrowly missing a young genin who scrambled for cover.
"Swish!"
In the blink of an eye, Shisui appeared in front of the genin. His punch landed squarely on the boy's chest, shattering the chakra mark.
"I'm sorry," Shisui said calmly, turning to the boy's teammates. "Your team has been eliminated."
Nearby, Rin and Obito faced two other opponents. Shisui joined them after quickly dispatching his target.
"Hateful!" one of the opponents spat, glaring at the Konoha team.
The boy's partner, a girl with pale cheeks, sighed in resignation. Though clearly upset, she slumped against a tree, her defeat evident.
"Sorry, we won," Obito said with a smile, but his attempt to lighten the mood was met with a glare.
Before anyone could react, the boy's face twisted with fury.
"Who wants your pity?!" he yelled, hurling a volley of shuriken at Rin.
Shisui's eyes widened in shock, his body moving instinctively. But the distance was too great—he wouldn't make it in time.
The dark glint of the shuriken filled Rin's vision.
At the last moment, a figure appeared in front of her.
"Ding, ding, ding!"
Obito deflected the shuriken with his kunai, moving with a speed that even surprised Shisui. However, as the last projectile was deflected, a sharp pain seared across the back of Obito's hand.
"Swish!"
In an instant, Shisui appeared in front of the boy, his normally gentle expression replaced by a cold ferocity.
"Bang!"
The boy flew backward, crashing into a tree with a sickening thud. Leaves rained down as he coughed up blood, slumping to the ground in defeat.
"Obito-senpai, are you alright?" Shisui asked, his calm demeanor returning as he turned to his teammate.
"I'm fine, hehe," Obito replied, though he was clearly trying to downplay his injury.
Rin rushed over, gently pulling Obito's hand from behind his back. Blood dripped from a gash on the back of his hand.
"Hold still," Rin said softly, pressing her glowing palm over the wound. The green chakra light of her healing jutsu stopped the bleeding and soothed the pain.
"Thank you, Rin," Obito said with a shy smile.
Rin didn't respond immediately. Instead, she pulled a roll of bandages from her pouch and began wrapping his hand.
As she worked, she spoke softly. "I should be the one thanking you. You saved me back there."
Obito's cheeks flushed slightly, and he looked away. "It was nothing. I just kept my promise, that's all."
"Yes, you did," Rin replied, her voice light. She tied the bandage tightly, then looked up at him with a smile.
"So, before that promise is fulfilled, you can't hide anything from me." She tilted her head playfully. "Because I've been watching you this whole time!
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