Chapter 35: See, You're Getting Impatient Again
"Dad, why are you still here?"
Kurenai Yūhi emerged from the bathroom, rubbing her damp hair, her face filled with confusion.
She had just finished her morning training and was getting ready for school.
Normally, Shinku Yūhi would have already left by this time.
"Shinku-ojisan took the day off to watch our practical exam," Hoshikawa said as he picked up a hairdryer and helped Kurenai dry her hair after she sat down.
The written exam was yesterday, and the results hadn't been announced yet.
Today was the practical exam.
"..." Shinku Yūhi wanted to speak but held back.
Give me a chance to talk, you two!
He felt like if things continued this way, there would be no place for him in his own home.
"I have something to say to you both," Shinku Yūhi said after Kurenai's hair was dry.
"We definitely won't disappoint you!" Kurenai Yūhi said proudly, her chin slightly raised. "Just wait for our good news!"
"That's not what I wanted to talk about," Shinku Yūhi said, shaking his head. "I know your strengths. But as genjutsu ninja, remember to know your limits."
"Huh?" Kurenai Yūhi tilted her head, looking at him with confusion.
"No matter what, surviving is the most important thing," Shinku Yūhi said earnestly. "If you can't win, surrender. Don't be a show-off, so you don't get hurt."
"But..." Kurenai Yūhi felt that what Shinku Yūhi was saying was different from what was taught in the textbooks.
It especially didn't quite align with the Will of Fire.
"Shinku-ojisan is right," Hoshikawa agreed.
Naruto was a popular shonen manga, but reality was not.
Without some kind of cheat code, it was better not to be reckless.
Charging in with cries of friendship and bonds would only make Madara Uchiha laugh.
Seeing this, Shinku Yūhi gave Hoshikawa a look of approval.
This kid would definitely survive.
Hoshikawa felt a bit strange.
Because in the original story, Shinku Yūhi died protecting the village during the Nine-Tails' attack.
"I understand!" Kurenai Yūhi nodded heavily.
Since even Hoshikawa said so, it must be right.
"Let's go," Shinku Yūhi said, getting up with a smile. "It should be lively today."
For students, the final exam was the most important thing.
And for parents, it was no different.
Hiruzen Sarutobi woke up very early.
He was organizing the list of team leaders.
Every year, the Hokage personally assigned team leaders to the newly graduated students.
The list contained both Jonin and Chunin.
Graduates from ninja clans or those with exceptional talent would get a Jonin as their team leader.
Average graduates would only get a Chunin.
There simply weren't enough Jonin.
"Are you ready?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, looking up at the sound of footsteps.
Normally, he would have been at the Hokage's office, but not this year.
It was all because of Asuma Sarutobi.
"Of course!" Asuma Sarutobi looked eager to prove himself. "I've been preparing for this day for a month!"
"Don't take it lightly," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a warm smile.
"I know," Asuma Sarutobi snorted and asked, "Are you done with your work yet?"
"See, you're getting impatient again," Hiruzen Sarutobi said slowly as he closed the scroll. "You must remain calm at all times, especially during a battle."
"You've said that a hundred times!" Asuma Sarutobi said with dissatisfaction.
"..." Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a sense of fatigue.
Why was this child's personality the complete opposite of his brother's? He wondered who he took after.
The two of them left the house.
"Lord Hokage!" People greeted Hiruzen Sarutobi along the way.
When they arrived at the school, he was completely surrounded, showing the immense popularity of the Hokage.
Asuma Sarutobi walked behind him, his face sullen.
His thunder had been completely stolen by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Even if someone noticed him, they would just say, "Is this your son? He's such a fine young man!"
How annoying! You just had to guess that!
Asuma Sarutobi was filled with enough complaining energy to blow up the school.
He glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi and went directly back to the classroom.
Before the practical exam, there was one more thing: the announcement of the theoretical exam results from yesterday.
Asuma Sarutobi wasn't confident in getting first place, but he was confident he would score higher than Hoshikawa.
The reason was that in the last theoretical exam, Hoshikawa was at the bottom.
He didn't believe Hoshikawa could surpass him in just one month.
If he did, he would eat... forget it, let's play it safe. No empty promises.
"Kakashi, are you confident about the theoretical exam?" Rin Nohara asked, finding a topic to discuss before the teacher arrived.
"More or less," Kakashi Hatake said casually. "Same as usual."
In the previous theoretical exams, he had always been in first place.
Rin Nohara nodded slightly but then saw Hoshikawa walking into the classroom.
Perhaps... this time might be different.
Lately, she and Hoshikawa had been exchanging notes on various difficult problems.
She had found that Hoshikawa's knowledge was far superior to hers.
"Rin, why didn't you ask me?" Obito Uchiha poked his head out, blocking her view, and asked with a grin.
"How do you feel about this time?" Rin Nohara asked, indulging him.
"I feel great!" Obito Uchiha said with conviction. "I definitely won't be in last place!"
"What's the difference?" Kakashi Hatake asked, looking at him.
"What do you mean, 'what's the difference'?!" Obito Uchiha glared at him.
Good, full of spirit!
Hoshikawa shook his head.
But it didn't matter; he would handle it.
The classroom was lively, and so was the area outside.
The most prominent figures were Hiruzen Sarutobi and Sakumo Hatake.
Eichiro stood to the side, looking like a mere underling.
Just then, the school bell rang.
He let out a sigh of relief and returned to the classroom.
"I will now announce the theoretical exam rankings," Eichiro said with a smile, meeting everyone's gaze. "The first-place winner is Hoshikawa! Let's give him a round of applause!"
He started clapping, but many people looked as if they had seen a ghost.
"Yay!" Kurenai Yūhi was so excited, it was as if she had won first place.
"Why is it Hoshikawa?" Obito Uchiha instinctively clenched his fist.
In the last exam, Hoshikawa was at the bottom with him; how did their positions suddenly flip?
Kakashi Hatake's pupils contracted slightly, and he fell into silence.
"That's amazing!" Rin Nohara's mouth was slightly agape, and she couldn't help but say.
Although she had a feeling it might happen, the moment it came true, she still found it hard to believe.
"Teacher!" Asuma Sarutobi stood up abruptly, questioning, "Did you make a mistake?"
Outside the classroom, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked helpless.
He was supposed to be calm, so why was he so impatient again?
But Hoshikawa getting first place was indeed a surprise to him.
"No," Eichiro said, shaking his head.
"..." Asuma Sarutobi gritted his teeth and finally sat down dejectedly.
Oh, heaven, why are you so cruel to me?
Did you cheat?!
"Hoshikawa still got first place even though he's had two fewer months of schooling. What does this show? That hard work pays off!" Eichiro said earnestly. "I hope everyone studies hard, especially during class..."
He suddenly stopped, his face turning a little awkward.
Because he remembered that Hoshikawa didn't pay attention in class at all; he was either doing problems or reading outside materials.
....
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