Not only had he completed the task and avoided punishment, but he had also exceeded the target and received a random reward! He still didn't want to show his true colors in class, however. *'Ahem, well, let's go home and draw the lottery!'*
Just at that moment, "The last person in the assessment is… Nara Shikamaru! Choji! Wake him up!"
"…Yes, Iruka-sensei!" He shook Shikamaru frantically and finally managed to wake him.
"What are you doing, Choji?"
Iruka-sensei looked helpless. "Shikamaru! Cultural studies… zero points! You fell asleep during the exam again, didn't you?! You actually handed in a blank paper!"
Shikamaru rubbed his sleepy eyes. "Really?"
Iruka-sensei yelled, "Don't you know that yourself?! 60 points in ninjutsu class, 0 points in ninja sparring, for a total score of 60 points! What in the world is wrong with you?!"
Shikamaru yawned loudly, looking nonchalant. "Exams and such are too troublesome."
Iruka-sensei held his forehead and sighed. "You… why can't you learn from Naruto?"
Naruto couldn't help but cross his arms and nod. "Hm, hm!" He didn't know when it had started, but he had also become the kid others were compared to. Iruka-sensei also knew that talking too much would be pointless.
"Okay, that's all for this semester. Next up is the summer vacation, which will last for over a month. However, everyone should not let up. Don't forget that when school starts next time, you will be graduating students! The coming year will determine your destiny! During the summer vacation, you must study and practice hard! Class dismissed!"
"That's great!" For a moment, the classroom was in chaos. Everyone scattered and left, and it became a complete mess.
"Summer vacation?" Naruto nodded. The System would definitely not let him sit idle. *'It's just right. I can use the summer vacation to make up for my studies and practice. Next summer, I must graduate from the Ninja Academy in first place!'*
"Oh, right, there's also the random reward from the System. I wonder what big prize I'll win." Naruto couldn't help but start rubbing his hands together, looking forward to it.
Naruto was thinking about it, curious about what kind of reward he would get. At this time, the System's prompt sounded again in his mind.
[Host has completed the current mission. The next goal is for the host to graduate in first place in the final assessment one year from now! If you complete it, you will receive a generous reward. Otherwise, you will be baptized by the System's lightning release!]
Naruto was no longer surprised, and this goal had originally been his own. "First place in the graduation exam?! I'm sure I'll be fine!" Naruto had now obtained the most important reward of all: self-confidence. If he could get fourth place now, he could definitely get first place! He was also very clear that he had already scored 100 points in the ninjutsu class, and had even defeated Sasuke in ninja sparring to get extra points. The only shortcoming was his academic subjects. As long as he studied hard during the summer vacation and the next semester, with his current talent and hard work, this would be a natural thing!
"Um… I still need to find Hinata for more tutoring during the summer vacation!"
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. Just as Naruto thought of this, he saw that extremely familiar and friendly figure. He immediately cheered and greeted her loudly. "Hinata!"
At this moment, Hinata and Ino were walking home together. When they heard Naruto's call, their hearts couldn't help but tremble slightly. She looked back and blushed as she whispered, "Naruto-kun?"
Naruto rushed forward and patted Hinata's shoulder carelessly. "Hey, Hinata, congratulations on getting first place! That's amazing!"
"Th-thank you…"
"Ah, so, I'd like to ask you for extra lessons during the summer vacation. Is that convenient for you? Please!" Naruto clasped his hands together and pleaded pitifully.
How could Hinata not want to spend more time with Naruto? Only… "Naruto-kun, if it's possible, I would like to help you with your studies every day."
"Ah! That's great!"
"But… but, I may not be able to get out, after all…"
Naruto was now gradually understanding the affairs of the Hyuga clan. Although he was indignant, he also understood Hinata's helplessness. "It's okay, Hinata, I know everything. Anyway, whenever you're free, please help me with my lessons! If it's inconvenient, then just mind your own business!"
Hinata sighed softly and nodded. "Um…"
Ino threw the schoolbag in her hand over her shoulder, her long golden hair flying in the wind. She looked at the two of them and smiled teasingly. "Oh, doesn't that mean you two can date all summer long? I really envy you."
Hinata blushed all the way to her neck and couldn't help but punch Ino lightly. "I-Ino, don't talk nonsense…"
Naruto didn't care at all, or rather, he was completely unromantic. "Ah! A whole summer vacation would be best! I'm just worried Hinata won't have time! I'm leaving now, bye!" After saying this, Naruto rushed towards his home in a weighted handstand.
Hinata breathed a sigh of relief as she looked at his back. "Ino, you… you laughed at me again."
Ino covered her mouth and laughed but patted Hinata's shoulder. "Although Naruto is a careless guy, didn't you notice? Just now I mentioned a date, but he didn't deny it."
Hinata's body trembled. "Really?"
Ino nodded. "Of course it's true, but the more likely possibility is that he didn't understand my teasing at all! After all, it's Naruto."
Hinata smiled slightly. "Yeah, yeah." She looked up at the sky. In the early morning of summer, the sky was blue and the clouds were white. The sunshine was just right, shining on the young boys and girls, full of vitality, brilliant but not dazzling, warm but not scorching. The chirping of cicadas in the trees, the clamor of pedestrians, and the cheerful laughter of students all blended together, forming a scene that would linger in her memory. Summer vacation was here.
…
On the other side, Uchiha Sasuke, still lonely and indifferent, walked towards his home with his hands in his pockets. There were still many girls surrounding him. However, he had become more and more withdrawn recently, and his attitude towards these girls had become more and more violent, causing them to not dare to get too close to him. They could only follow him silently.
However, Sakura Haruno still chased after him. "Sasuke-kun, do you… do you have any plans for your summer vacation?" Naturally, there was no answer. Sakura Haruno did not give up and still had a bright smile on her face. "Well, how about going on a date with me, Sasuke-kun?" Still, there was only silence.
Sakura Haruno ran forward and walked shoulder to shoulder with Sasuke. "Sasuke-kun, I know you're upset, but… you're still in second place! That's a very good result! Hinata could only beat you because of the bonus points in the ninja sparring. Come to think of it, it's all my fault for losing to her. But you're still just as good!"
Sasuke suddenly stopped. He glanced at Sakura Haruno with cold, piercing eyes. Sakura was startled and stopped in an instant.
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