Time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, more than half a year had passed.
…
…
"Naruto!"
"It's you causing trouble again!"
"Get back to your seat right now!"
Iruka stood with his hands on his hips, looking exasperated at Naruto, who was leaping and bounding around the classroom.
Once the room finally quieted down, he walked up to the podium, holding a long document in his hand.
"Class, half a year of study has gone by. Many of you have performed very well, and I'm proud of you. For those who are still struggling to keep up, don't lose heart. If you work hard, there's still every chance to catch up."
"Now, I have something to announce. The end-of-year exam is coming soon. Please take care of yourselves at home, rest well, and eat properly so you can be in the best condition for the test."
Iruka's words caused an uproar among the students.
"No way."
"The year-end exam already? I'm doomed!"
"This is too hard for me."
"Ugh, I still haven't mastered the Clone Technique. I can't even throw a shuriken straight."
"Tell me about it. Who here isn't in the same boat? You think everyone's a genius like Sasuke or Kusuo?"
"This is bad. If I don't get a good grade, my dad's going to kill me!"
Almost the entire class groaned and whispered miserably. Only Hatake Kusuo remained unmoved.
He had been keeping up with the academy's lessons too. His Clone, Substitution, and Transformation Techniques, along with his shuriken skills, all earned top marks.
Only in academic subjects was he less focused.
The main reason was that he spent his days trying to master [Total Concentration Breathing - Constant].
That training required his full attention and a highly focused mental state. Even when he slept, he practiced it.
The rest of his time was spent on sword training.
Naturally, that left no time for studying subjects that wouldn't help his strength much.
After all,
what was the point of learning those?
In Kusuo's own words, one good sword was all he needed to cut down any enemy. Why bother with anything else?
"Don't worry, Kusuo. If it's you, I'm sure you'll get great results!"
A shy girl at the next desk lowered her head and spoke softly.
"It's you, Hinata. Thanks for your concern."
Kusuo smiled gently, glancing at Hinata, who was blushing so hard she couldn't meet his eyes.
His spot in class really was enviable, seated between Hinata and Ino. With these soft, sweet girls at his side every day, school life wasn't so boring after all.
Hinata's face turned even redder at his words.
Her pale eyes swirled as she grew dizzy, steam practically rising from her head.
Ever since her father, Hiashi, learned that Kusuo was her deskmate, he'd bring him up countless times each day at home, comparing them. Over time, Kusuo's name became etched deeply into her heart.
"Don't worry, Hinata. You know how strong Kusuo is. He's definitely going to be top of the class!"
Ino looked at Kusuo with admiration, her tone full of certainty, as if she could already see the result.
Up front,
Sasuke heard that and raised a brow, snorting quietly through his nose, clearly displeased.
"Hmph."
On the podium, Iruka watched Kusuo's ever-present smile. That gentle, confident expression reminded him so much of the Fourth Hokage.
The resemblance.
It was uncanny.
They were just too alike.
Both like radiant suns, warming everyone around them.
Yes, compared to Sasuke's cold, aloof demeanor, Kusuo's kindness and warmth earned him far greater popularity.
[Ding! Congratulations, host. Portrayal level increased.]
[Current portrayal level: 4%. Sun Breathing Third Form - Setting Sun Transformation unlocked.]
The sudden system voice rang in his ear.
Kusuo's lips curved slightly. Just as he expected, portraying Yoriichi's character was a key part of the process.
Though there was one thing that troubled him: over these past six months, he'd practically turned into a walking heater, the ultimate nice guy.
If he were plain-looking or lacking in other ways, it might have been fine.
But no, he was ridiculously handsome, powerful too, and now almost every girl in school had made him the star of their dreams.
It brought him more than a few headaches.
"Oh well, I'll just take it as it comes. Can't help being this good-looking. What can I do?"
He sighed inwardly, helpless in the face of his own charm.
That's just how it was.
When you're good-looking, you really can do anything.
…
Inside the Hokage's office.
The aging Third Hokage sat in his robes, pipe in hand, reading a report.
"How's Naruto doing lately? Any signs of instability?"
He asked casually without looking up, addressing the masked ANBU beside him.
The cat-masked ANBU knelt on one knee and answered in a steady voice.
"Report, Hokage-sama. Naruto's situation has been stable these past six months. He's made several friends at the academy and his mood has been very good."
"Hmm."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded faintly and continued reading through the academy's latest performance records.
"As expected of an Uchiha child. Sasuke may not be as dazzling as Itachi was, but he's still far ahead of the others."
His casual remark made the ANBU's heart skip a beat.
Was the Hokage hinting at something more? The village's pressure on the Uchiha had been intensifying lately, especially with Danzo's hand in it...
"This Hatake Kusuo is interesting. His taijutsu scores are off the charts, even better than some kids in the graduating classes."
"Hm?"
"Why are his academic scores so terrible?!"
Hiruzen had just been thinking that the Hatake clan had finally produced another extraordinary genius. After all, both the White Fang and Kakashi had been proud members of his Hokage faction.
But the next second, Kusuo's disastrous written scores shattered that thought.
"This won't do!"
"Focusing only on strength without nurturing inner growth will lead to trouble. Looks like it's time for me to go to the academy and give a good talk about the Will of Fire..."
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100 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter