Chapter 81: The Exam Requires Your Personal Attention?
Sasuko looked directly at Naruko and said, "I'm different from you. For me, Yu is everything."
Naruko didn't refute.
She understood the weight of Sasuko's words—that nearly obsessive possessiveness had long surpassed ordinary sibling affection.
At school she'd noticed that aside from studying, Sasuko almost never communicated with others, rejecting all connections.
Even she herself, as the so-called friend, probably only had minimal contact because of Yu's introduction.
Naruko was completely different. She never rejected others' goodwill, and if boys confessed, she'd politely refuse: "You're a good person, but I already have someone I like." She wouldn't directly send people to the infirmary like Sasuko.
Therefore every day her desk drawer was stuffed full of love letters, though they'd all eventually be returned intact by shadow clones.
Naruko asked softly, "But if you were me, would you give up on Yu?"
Perhaps because she'd encountered someone too dazzling in childhood, she could never settle afterward.
Sasuko didn't answer immediately. She contemplated for a moment before finally speaking firmly, "No."
"So I understand you, but I'll never accept you."
Naruko gazed at Sasuko's cool expression and felt inexplicably envious.
Actually, many details showed that Sasuko was the most special existence to Yu.
While in Yu's eyes, she was perhaps just "the sister's friend," a junior who needed looking after.
Precisely because of this, she never dared express her feelings as directly as Sasuko. Afraid that once rejected, she'd lose even the current qualification to occasionally approach him.
Naruko's expression was somewhat bitter, but she still smiled. "Forget it, let's talk about the exam instead."
Sasuko raised an eyebrow. "Don't think this makes me accept you."
Naruko reached out and poked Sasuko's puffed-up cheeks, smiling gently. "You clearly have way more opportunities than me, so stop dwelling on what just happened. I genuinely want to help you."
Sasuko swatted away her unruly hand. "Then speak."
If not for the Yu issue, Naruko would indeed be a rare good friend. Her help was always sincere and asked nothing in return.
Right now she was carefully recalling the exam process, explaining every detail clearly from physical tests to jutsu demonstrations.
Though Sasuko still harbored reservations, she had to admit Naruko's preparation advice was indeed valuable.
She listened especially carefully because she desperately wanted to graduate. After graduation, she could stay by Yu's side all day long.
"Anything else unclear?" Naruko finally asked.
Sasuko shook her head. These assessments weren't particularly difficult for her, and her gaze toward Naruko no longer held as much hostility as initially.
Naruko smiled brilliantly. "That's good then! I'll head back today—good luck on your exam!" With that, she transformed into golden light and vanished.
The courtyard returned to silence. Sasuko looked at where Naruko had disappeared and sighed softly.
Konoha, Hokage's Office.
Tsunade was lazily leaning back in her chair, slender fingers lightly holding a teacup, savoring premium tea leaves tributed by the Hidden Cloud Village.
The loose Hokage robes couldn't conceal her proud curves, golden hair casually pinned up to reveal a snow-white nape, the slightly open collar vaguely showing delicate collarbones.
Five years not only hadn't diminished her charm but added a sense of composed authority.
These five years as Hokage had been truly comfortable—the Four Great Shinobi Villages submitted peace agreements one by one, annually paying tribute with rare treasures, and not even sporadic friction occurred at the borders.
This unprecedented peace—even her grandfather, the First Hokage, had never achieved it.
And she knew perfectly well that all this stemmed from the strike that youth had carved in the desert five years ago.
That abyss still unfilled by wind and sand had become a monument guarding peace throughout the shinobi world.
Tsunade contentedly sipped her fragrant tea, her thoughts gradually drifting.
It seems I haven't seen that guy in a long time...
These years Yu almost never appeared voluntarily—who knew what he did all day cooped up in his estate.
Clearly possessing power to easily overturn the shinobi world, yet living like a retired old man.
Tap tap.
A crisp knock sounded.
"Enter."
Tsunade maintained her lazy position until she saw who it was, then sprayed tea from her mouth with a "pfft."
"Uchiha Yu?!"
After several years, eighteen-year-old Yu had become even more distinguished. Even Tsunade, who held him in awe, couldn't help staring at that extraordinarily handsome face for a few extra moments.
She hastily wiped the tea from her mouth, instinctively sitting up straight.
Tsunade's loss of composure left Yu slightly puzzled, but he didn't particularly care and politely greeted, "Long time no see, Fifth Hokage."
"Long... long time no see." Tsunade barely steadied her mind, secretly grateful that the large desk could hide her slightly trembling knees.
Yu got straight to the point. "I came today to discuss Sasuko's graduation exam arrangements."
"Huh?"
Such a small matter requires your personal appearance, oh great one? Just tell me what score you want... in fact, if you said that little girl wanted to be Hokage, the robes could be rushed out today and Tsunade would announce her retirement tonight.
Yu seemed to see through her thoughts and smiled slightly. "This is also a summary of Sasuko's five years of study. It's better to be formal."
That smile made Tsunade daze again. She hurriedly collected herself—she wasn't a fangirl like Shizune.
She said seriously, "Ahem, it is indeed important and should be properly arranged."
Yu shook his head lightly. "No need to be too deliberate. Proceed normally. I'll also come to observe Sasuko's exam."
Tsunade's eyes widened in shock. "You'll come too?!"
"Family members aren't allowed to observe exams?"
"No, no! Of course they can..." Tsunade waved her hands hurriedly, privately thinking that if this person showed up, the examiners probably couldn't even hold their scoring sheets steady.
Yu nodded. "Then I'll trouble you. When will the exam be scheduled?"
Tsunade quickly calculated the process for customizing Sasuko's assessment—both accurately evaluating her abilities and ensuring his satisfaction. "How about the morning after tomorrow?"
"Good. See you then."
Before his words finished, space slightly distorted and his figure had already vanished.
Tsunade stared at the empty office for a while, finally resignedly picking up the phone. "Hello, Shikaku? You're good with ideas—think of something..."
"Here's the situation..."
.....
Space rippled as Yu returned to the familiar courtyard.
Sasuko sat alone on the moss-spotted stone bench, ink-black hair cascading like a waterfall over her shoulders. Sunlight filtered through cherry tree branches, casting fragmented light on her fair skin, her slightly furrowed brow carrying a trace of cool melancholy.
"Where's Naruko?" Yu asked.
Sasuko answered indifferently, "Just left." She suddenly narrowed her eyes, her tone carrying a subtle sourness.
"What, can't bear to see her go?"
***
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