As the proctor for this early graduation exam, Minato Namikaze had already seen through Veigar Koshima's actions and intentions. With a faint smile, he mentally mused to Kakashi Hatake, What will you do?
"Kakashi."
Watching Veigar standing in the arena, gripping a kunai, Obito Uchiha felt a surge of pride welling up inside him.
Because Veigar had truly kept his promise—he was wielding the very kunai that Obito had gifted him for this graduation exam.
Yes, the kunai in Veigar's hand was the one Obito had given him before.
"Veigar, you got this!"
"Knock that guy Kakashi flat on his back!"
Obito shouted excitedly, cheering for Veigar.
If Veigar's opponent had been anyone other than Kakashi, or if he hadn't taken out the kunai Obito had given him, Obito might not have been this worked up.
But because Kakashi was the one standing opposite Veigar, everything changed.
Due to Rin Nohara, Obito had always seen Kakashi as his imaginary rival, believing that if Kakashi weren't around, Rin would have surely fallen for him already.
Instead, her heart remained steadfastly drawn to Kakashi.
Thus, Obito harbored deep-seated hostility toward Kakashi. No matter the situation, no matter the challenge, he wanted to defeat Kakashi—but up until now, he had never succeeded.
Compared to Obito's enthusiastic cheering, Might Guy was the most conspicuous presence in the crowd.
Somehow, he had procured a large flag—one side embroidered with the symbol of the Hidden Leaf Village, the other inscribed with the words "Certain Victory." He waved it vigorously as he shouted.
"Go, Veigar, go!"
"Victory, Veigar, victory!"
...
The noise from outside the arena had no effect on Kakashi Hatake. Unable to distinguish which of the figures before him was Veigar's real body, he reached into his pouch and swiftly drew four sharp shuriken.
"Swish, swish, swish, swish!"
The shuriken flew toward Veigar's clones with incredible speed.
Since Veigar's clones were mere illusions, they lacked any real combat ability and were effortlessly dispersed by Kakashi's attack.
"All clones... the real one is—"
Seeing that all the targets he struck were fakes, Kakashi's eyes narrowed, and a sense of foreboding surged within him.
At the same time, Veigar, who had used the Transformation Jutsu to blend into Kakashi's blind spot, launched his attack.
"Ittō-ryū: Iai Slash."
Using a kunai in place of a ninjatō, Veigar executed the strongest technique in his kenjutsu arsenal—a lai slash.
Though it felt somewhat awkward to use a kunai instead of a proper blade, the attack's power remained unaffected. The only drawback was that he had to get even closer to Kakashi.
A longer weapon grants a stronger reach.
Because the weapon in Veigar's hand was merely a 24-centimeter-long kunai, what could have been a decisive strike gave Kakashi just enough time to react.
Adopting a counteractive stance, Kakashi twisted his short blade and unleashed one of the Hatake Clan's deadly techniques—
"Hatake-ryū: Fang Thrust."
A razor-sharp blade, a piercing gaze, and an unwavering resolve not to lose—Kakashi thrust forward with all his might.
One could not afford to lose.
One was unwilling to lose.
But every battle must have a victor.
The wind stilled, and the clouds ceased.
Both Veigar and Kakashi wore tense yet solemn expressions.
Then, in the blink of an eye, the intensity was shattered.
The arena, which had been filled with razor-sharp tension as the two prepared to decide the match, suddenly fell into silence at the sound of Minato Namikaze's voice.
"The battle is over!"
At that moment, Minato, Veigar, and Kakashi were all grouped together, with Minato's hands gripping both their wrists. A warm smile spread across his face.
It turned out that the three-minute time limit had been reached, and Minato had intervened at the last moment to stop the fight.
Veigar's kunai hovered just before Kakashi's chest, unable to advance even a fraction further. His wrist, gripped firmly by Minato, was completely immobilized.
Similarly, Kakashi's blade was poised just a mere inch from Veigar's heart—so close, yet so far from landing a decisive blow.
Initially puzzled by Minato's sudden intervention, both boys quickly understood when Minato gently announced, "The exam is over."
Today's battle had been a test to determine whether Veigar could graduate from the Academy ahead of schedule.
In an instant, Veigar and Kakashi withdrew their hands from Minato's grasp. Without waiting for further instruction, they both performed the Seal of Reconciliation.
"Thank you for the match."
Inwardly, they both acknowledged their own defeat.
"I lost."
"I lost."
Veigar's face held a trace of regret. He had been so close to victory—if only he had been wielding a ninjatō instead of a kunai, he would have surely defeated Kakashi.
But reality held no "ifs."
There were no second chances in training, in practice, or in battle.
Kakashi's expression showed frustration. He had been so close to defeating Veigar—if he had just one more second, no, even 0.1 seconds more, he could have driven his blade into Veigar and secured the win.
But the three-minute time limit had run out.
As Veigar and Kakashi completed the Seal of Reconciliation, Minato Namikaze made the official announcement.
"I hereby declare that Veigar Koshima has passed the early graduation exam and is now a shinobi of the village."
The moment his words fell, a thunderous cheer erupted from the audience. Veigar's status as a prodigy had now been cemented in the minds of all who watched.
As Veigar walked toward the raised platform at the front, he approached Hiruzen Sarutobi, who watched him with a kind yet solemn expression.
There, he was about to receive the symbol of the Konoha's shinobi—a Konoha forehead protector.
Looking at Veigar standing before him, Hiruzen's expression was dignified as he addressed him seriously, "Veigar, congratulations on passing the early graduation exam. I now bestow upon you this forehead protector."
"By wearing it, you become an inheritor of the Will of Fire and a guardian of Konoha's peace."
Veigar bowed his head respectfully and extended both hands to receive it. "Yes, Lord Third."
He then felt the weight of the Konoha forehead protector being placed in his palms.
Under Hiruzen's watchful gaze, Veigar solemnly tied the forehead protector onto his forehead, marking his official status as a shinobi of the Hidden Leaf.
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