Chapter 224: Chunin Inferior to Intern

"I wonder what kind of gift they'll give me?" During the lunch break, Obito couldn't help thinking.

With less than a week until his birthday, he felt that Muyue, Yano Rin, and the others should have already prepared gifts for him.

"Gai's gift will probably be a tight-fitting sportswear suit," Obito speculated.

It wasn't that he thought Might Gai didn't care about gifts and gave everyone a tight-fitting suit; Obito just felt that Might Gai liked tight-fitting clothes too much.

He had never seen Might Gai wear any other clothes, and he suspected that all the clothes in Might Gai's wardrobe were of that style.

Because he liked them himself, he wanted to recommend them to friends—Obito could understand that feeling.

But if Might Gai really gave him one, Obito would definitely just keep it well stored and never wear it.

He understood Might Gai's feelings, but he couldn't accept Might Gai's unique taste; wearing that kind of clothes would definitely make Kakashi laugh him to death.

"As for Rin, she'll probably make something herself," Obito recalled the gifts Yano Rin had given to Shisui and Might Gai.

The gift Yano Rin gave Shisui was a handmade craft, and the one she gave Might Gai was a personally drawn picture.

Actually, Obito felt it would be nice if Yano Rin drew a picture of them hanging out yesterday, but only if she didn't draw Kakashi—just him and Yano Rin.

"Shisui and Kakashi will probably give me something I can use." He remembered that last time for Might Gai's birthday, Shisui gave training tools, and Kakashi straightforwardly gave cultivation secret medicine.

Although the cultivation secret medicine was valuable, Obito felt it was still not as good as Gai giving a tight-fitting suit, because the cultivation secret medicine definitely had to be eaten, and once eaten it would be gone—he preferred gifts that could be kept.

"I wonder what gift Teacher Muyue will give me," Obito said, unable to hide an expectant expression.

If you asked about the gift he looked forward to most, it would definitely be Muyue's gift.

Obito felt that Muyue put a lot of thought into every disciple's birthday gift; to give Shisui a gift, he personally learned forging and bought precious materials to craft a short blade.

For Might Gai's birthday, he helped Might Gai's father get promoted to chunin, and the gift was a taijutsu scroll created together with Might Gai's father.

"Hehe, maybe Teacher Muyue will directly say he's the reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths, and then tell me I'll definitely become Hokage..."

As he thought, Obito couldn't help but indulge in a dream he himself thought was a bit unrealistic.

"Obito, what are you thinking about? You're smiling so happily."

Yano Rin's voice pulled Obito back to reality.

"Nothing much, just that it's almost my birthday, and I'll get to eat cake. I'm really happy," Obito said with a chuckle.

"Birthdays are really nice, everyone gathers together happily and plays," Yano Rin said, sitting beside Obito, hugging her knees, looking up at the sky with a smile.

"Rin, do you think there's something wrong with my smile?" Obito thought of Kakashi's earlier mockery and asked Yano Rin.

"There's nothing wrong. Obito, your smile has its own style, and it looks really kind," Yano Rin replied with a soft laugh.

With Yano Rin's praise, Obito immediately dismissed Kakashi's words as baseless slander—in his book, Yano Rin's words carried much more authority than Kakashi's.

"Haha, Rin, your smile also has its own style, and it looks really gentle," Obito said, unable to stop the corners of his mouth from turning up.

"I think everyone's smile is fine, unlike that face-shy guy Kakashi—he's no good himself and still mocks others." While praising others, Obito didn't forget to take a jab at Kakashi.

Kakashi was on his way to find Muyue to ask a question when he happened to hear Obito's slander. He stopped and said calmly, "I was just stating the facts."

"I think you're just jealous of my kind smile." With Yano Rin's praise, Obito was full of confidence.

"Heh." Kakashi let out two cold laughs and said nothing.

"Look at you, wearing that mask all day—you must have no confidence in your own face." Because Kakashi had ruined his alone time with Yano Rin yesterday, Obito showed his aggressive side.

"So I'm a chunin, and you're not even a full-fledged ninja. Hiding your true face is basic for a ninja," Kakashi attacked Obito from the angle of status.

"There are no enemies here, so why hide? And so what if you're a chunin? You still can't beat me." By the end, Obito wore a smug smile.

Kakashi's brow twitched; he knew this day would come ever since he was defeated by Obito.

"Ninja rank isn't just about strength; it's also about mastering all kinds of knowledge—information gathering, trap-making skills. Someone like you would never pass the first theoretical test of the chunin exams without a teammate's help," Kakashi said after a moment's thought.

Since he couldn't win in a fight now, he could use his rich theoretical knowledge to confuse Obito.

"I'm not even a full-fledged ninja, so what's the point of telling me all this? Anyway, I'm just stronger than you," Obito seized a sore point and attacked fiercely.

Kakashi was speechless.

"I need to train hard and win back quickly," Kakashi thought to himself.

He really couldn't stand this frustration; winning it back a day earlier would mean suffering a little less frustration.

Thinking of this, Kakashi ignored Obito and went to ask Mu Yue about the problems he encountered in practicing Thunder Breathing.

Although it was break time, Mu Yue would not stop diligent disciples who wanted to train. Mu Yue answered all of Kakashi's questions and gave a demonstration.

After being taught by Mu Yue, images quickly formed in Kakashi's mind, and he instantly understood most of it.

"So that's how it is." Kakashi looked as if he suddenly understood.

"Don't try to solve problems alone. Whether it's about training or other matters, you can always come to me." Mu Yue said with a warm smile.

"Mm, thank you for your guidance." Kakashi nodded in thanks, then began his Thunder Breathing practice.

Mu Yue glanced at Kakashi's Thunder Breathing proficiency; the increase was quite good, already over sixty points.

Ever since his epiphany during the battle with the jōnin last time, Kakashi's Thunder Breathing had advanced by leaps and bounds. If this momentum continued, he might even break Obito's record for breathing method entry.

"Lightning Release, Earth Release, swordsmanship, and breathing methods." Mu Yue pondered Kakashi's development focus.

In the original story, Kakashi copied over a thousand ninjutsu because of his Sharingan, earning the title "Copy Ninja." He definitely didn't want Kakashi to take that path.

In Mu Yue's understanding, learning a thousand ninjutsu was not as good as mastering ten ninjutsu to the proficient level.

Of course, he didn't mean to only learn ten ninjutsu; it was just a metaphor. Learning in a scattered way is not as good as learning systematically and deeply — except for people like him who cheat.

That's all for today. I'm sorry for delaying the time with personal matters.

Also, I'd like to recommend a friend's book.

Title: Longevity: Starting from Obtaining the Earth Fiend Dao Fruit to Grind Experience

Synopsis: The celestial phenomena are alienated, Dao Fruits collapse and descend, immortals and buddhas have died, demons and evils wreak havoc in the world...

Seventy-two "Earth Fiends" manifest in the world, condensing into "Dao Fruits." Those who consume a "Dao Fruit" can begin the cultivation of 【Sequence】.

Those who hold a 【Sequence】 can traverse the underworld, summon spirits, carry mountains, control water, and also borrow wind, spread fog, pray for clear skies, and pray for rain.

But the Heavenly Dao is tainted, and cultivating the 【Sequence】 also brings tribulations.

Awakening from a dream, Wang Changsheng arrived in this bizarre and fantastical world, reborn as a young Daoist who died from blindly swallowing a "Dao Fruit."

Compassionate Mother Pities the World, Ghost Gate Opens Wide, Drought Demon Burns the Sky...

The hardships of this world are beyond words.

Fortunately, Wang Changsheng still had a golden finger.

【Completed morning lessons, 【Daoist】 experience points +1】

As long as he performed tasks related to a Daoist, he could gain 【experience points】 and raise his class level and stats.

Relying on the panel, he could raise his stats, meet the requirements to accommodate a Dao Fruit, and master Earth Fiend and even Heavenly Fiend techniques...

【Completed sword control practice, 【Earth Fiend Dao Fruit - Sword Technique】 experience points +1】

Comprehending the mystery of the unity of sword and Qi, the primordial spirit controls the sword, and where a white light rises, it kills invisibly!

【Completed Thunder Method cultivation, 【Heavenly Fiend Dao Fruit - Mastering Five Thunders】 experience points +1】

Thunder and lightning are the commands of heaven. Drive thunder and command lightning, subdue evil and vanquish demons!

Time passed imperceptibly, and Wang Changsheng had already become the world-renowned Great Might Demon-Slaying Exorcist True Man...