Raj, seeing the additional hundred-plus points, licked his paw contentedly.
'It's not much, but every little bit counts.'
Yesterday, he'd only noticed Asuma.
But today, he realized this class was full of talent.
Besides Asuma, there was Ebisu, Genma, and even the famous Konoha's Gatekeepers duo.
'A goldmine of easy points!'
'Asuma and Ebisu are right here! Why did I waste my morning trying to provoke that cunning Kakashi?'
'I must have left my brain at home this morning, letting those tempting points cloud my judgment.'
Raj glanced around and then slunk over to the toothpick guy.
The boy had been chewing on toothpicks since he was little, but he dared not do so in front of Takuma.
Instead, he held the toothpick between his fingers, twirling it without putting it in his mouth.
Genma listened intently to the lecture, knowing the instructor was his uncle.
This gave Raj the perfect opportunity to strike.
He crept forward cautiously, only to realize he couldn't reach-he was still too short.
This was awkward.
If he jumped, he'd definitely be spotted.
Raj fell into deep thought.
The shop did offer solutions, such as the Transformation Technique for 1,500 points.
Using it would solve the problem instantly.
However, his priority was the Needle Jizo, a versatile technique that could both attack and defend, costing only 3,000 points-a true lifesaver for a beast.
Compared to that, the Transformation Technique could wait.
The Rasengan was powerful, but faced with the harsh realities, the little cat tearfully placed it third in his priorities.
'5,000 points? That would take a monumental effort to earn.'
Besides, even if he got it, he might not have the chakra to use it-another practical concern.
Rin still had a month or two before graduation, giving him time to accumulate some points.
He could decide whether to get the Rasengan later.
After pondering for a long time, the little black cat ultimately couldn't resist the temptation of the swaying senbon needle.
It was similar to a cat teaser.
Whenever it saw something moving, it couldn't help but want to pounce-a primal instinct hard for Raj to control if he wasn't careful.
Swish!
A soft sound, but the needle slipped through its paws.
The senbon needle clattered to the ground with a ting.
Fortunately, Ebisu was still answering questions, so few noticed.
But as a Chunin veteran of the battlefield...
Takuma glanced over and glared fiercely.
Genma remained silent, picked up the toothpick from the floor, stared at the little black cat for a few seconds, then quietly placed the toothpick back on the table and looked up at the blackboard.
'He's remembered me.'
Raj glanced guiltily at Genma, not daring to linger near him any longer.
'A biting dog doesn't bark.'
A prime example was Kakashi-even when ambushed, he wouldn't get angry, merely retaliating silently and decisively.
Guy was even more extreme.
After running with him for half the morning, Raj's legs were still
Trembling.
'Can't mess with him, can't mess with him...'
It moved away, deciding to avoid Genma for now, regardless of whether he was cunning or just plain honest.
This haul was substantial, even slightly larger than the previous one from Ebisu, totaling a hundred and fifty points.
'Hmm, I'm up to eighteen hundred now. Keep going, and Needle Jizo is within reach.'
Raj tried to focus on positive thoughts.
With so many resources available in class, there was no need to fixate on Genma.
Having already scored two consecutive point hauls in quick succession, it decided to lay low for a while.
So, it crawled over to Rin's side.
Around Rin and Kurenai, Raj had no intention of causing trouble.
It settled down quietly, ready for a short nap.
"Ebisu, your answer was excellent. You may sit down," Takuma nodded, gesturing for the student to take his seat.
He then called on Genma to answer the next question, just like the teachers Raj remembered from its previous life.
It noticed the System Panel's points jump another thirty or forty points.
"Genma, answer the question about kunai throwing," Takuma said calmly.
This question posed no challenge to his nephew.
The Shiranui Clan was renowned for its mastery of concealed weapon techniques; if Genma couldn't handle this, his uncle might as well recycle him and build a new one.
"Yes, sir," Genma Shiranui rose, bowed, and immediately launched into a confident explanation.
Raj eavesdropped from the side, finding the lesson immensely beneficial.
These kunai techniques were practical and effective; mastering them would undoubtedly elevate his skills significantly.
'Alas, I'm just a cat.'
He sighed inwardly, experiencing the same sense of unfulfilled potential that ancient scholars and artists must have felt, their talents wasted in obscurity.
Genma sat down, glanced at the little black cat's position, then wiped his senbon needles clean and began idly twirling them in his hand.
'This cat is quite the troublemaker, yet it behaves so docilely around these two. No wonder it's a Ninja Cat-it's too clever for its own good.'
He wasn't particularly resentful, just annoyed by the cat's constant presence.
Raj, meanwhile, paid little attention, simply curling up to rest with his eyes closed.
Perhaps due to exhaustion, before long, a soft purring sound filled the classroom...
Rin heard it and glanced down curiously, only to find the little black cat curled up quietly at her feet, fast asleep.
Realizing the potential trouble, she immediately picked it up.
But the purring only grew louder when she lifted him.
"What's that sound?" Takuma frowned slightly.
'Who dares sleep in my class? This is utter disrespect!'
"I... I apologize," Obito stammered, glancing at the cat before rising to bow deeply. "I'm sorry, Teacher. The cat followed me and fell asleep."
"..."
Takuma remained silent for a moment.
He admired Obito.
The boy might lack natural talent, but he was kind, earnest, and always eager to help others.
Too kind, perhaps.
"I'm sorry, Teacher. It's not Obito's fault. I accidentally brought Raj here. I'll take him away immediately."
"Forget it, forget it. Ninja Cats aren't like ordinary ninja dogs. Their wild instincts are stronger, so it's good you're bonding with him. But... don't let him sleep during class."
Takuma waved his hand wearily, gesturing for both girls to sit down.
He had clearly learned that his students had adopted a stray Ninja Cat.
This wasn't surprising; after all, ninja beasts weren't ordinary pets, and stray Ninja Cats were particularly untrustworthy.
Only Kurenai's guarantee had saved Rin from serious trouble yesterday.
"Yes, Teacher."
Rin reluctantly poked Raj awake.
"Huh?"
Raj blinked in confusion, glancing up.
He saw his teacher's pained expression, then looked at Rin and the others... their faces were all strange.
'Especially Kurenai - why was that girl giggling so much?!'
"Don't snore next time you sleep," Rin whispered as she sat down. "It's so embarrassing."
'Huh? Snore? Me?'