"Yo, isn't this the Second Hokage... It's been a few days, and you still want to answer kids' questions?"
Aomi grinned at Senju Tobirama and shook his head, "Forget it, Tobirama. Imagine if your score ends up being lower than mine, wouldn't it be quite embarrassing for you?"
"You might even end up blaming your favorite student. If I indulge your whimsical idea, wouldn't I be sowing discord?"
"You've been dead for so many years, and back when you founded the Ninja School, there weren't even written tests. You probably haven't even summarized the templates..."
"Sigh, just let it be. There's really no need. If it's not working, feel free to disapprove of me..."
Aomi's words, while fair and objective, compassionately referred to the different backgrounds of the Warring States and wartime eras, giving Senju Tobirama a way out very reasonably.
However, the tone was rather provoking, causing Senju Tobirama's temples to twitch. The odd feeling he had just felt for Aomi was momentarily forgotten as he ground his teeth:
"Stop underestimating me. I'm the Second Hokage. If I can't even beat an Uchiha kid in the Will of Fire exam, that would be a joke..."
"Templates have never been the key to the Will of Fire. It's the core and logic that matter the most."
"Stop saying useless things. Can you or can you not make me take the test? If you can't, just say so!"
Hey, is he trying to provoke me... Looks like he liked my answer, and out of interest wants to try it himself?
Tobirama, I'm warning you, times have changed. Whether it's the Will of Fire or exam thinking, you're clueless on both...
Aomi shook his head, amused, choosing not to comment on Senju Tobirama's provocations and his behavior of wanting his student to grade the paper, and spoke soothingly as if comforting a child:
"Alright, alright, there's no helping you. I'll agree to it."
"What kind of strange tone is that? Do you think I'm being unreasonable!"
Aomi shrugged, "I didn't say that. You're quite old, yet still so sensitive, honestly..."
"..." Senju Tobirama's face darkened. Why does everything this kid say sound so strange?
Oh, wicked Aomi kid!
Aomi glanced around at the exam hall. Quite a few young students were snoring away.
There's no helping it. The test, crafted by Sarutobi Hiruzen to gauge Aomi's skill, was simply too challenging for them.
Instead of writing random answers on such sensitive questions, it might be safer just to submit a blank paper. At least that way they won't get scolded.
"In some sense, that's the wisdom of the underachievers..." Aomi thought upon seeing Uchiha Obito frantically writing beside him.
Considering Uchiha Obito's brain after being taken by Uchiha Setsuna, Aomi was quite interested in seeing the examiners' reaction to whatever earth-shattering answers might be written.
It would surely be interesting.
Aomi stood up. As he passed by a sleeping classmate, he bent down and patted him on the shoulder: "Classmate, is this your pen that fell?"
The startled student awoke in confusion, "Teacher, I... I really don't know how, it's not that I don't want to answer!"
The whole exam hall burst out laughing, but the laughter held a hint of helplessness. Who was the teacher that set such a hard test, making it difficult for everyone?
Even Unno Ikkaku on the podium smiled helplessly, thinking to himself:
"Kids, I don't blame you. This was set by the Third Hokage to challenge Aomi... For the village's future, endure it for now. I'll make it up with extra lessons later..."
"Aomi, this isn't my pen, thank you..." The student said, scratching his head awkwardly, a hint of admiration on his face at Aomi's kind smile.
In the Ninja School, Aomi had already become a legendary figure for his gracious demeanor after demonstrating overwhelming skill against two-tomoe Obito, even inspiring many self-doubting ninja students through his encouragement to Might Guy.
"Inada, try answering. You can do it. Don't be afraid of getting it wrong; this is a precious chance to learn about the Will of Fire. This test is great, and it'd be a shame to miss it..."
Aomi handed him a pen with the Uchiha Clan symbol on it, which looked quite expensive, encouraging him with a smile.
Inada Kojiro trembled as he took the pen, not expecting Aomi to remember the name of someone at the bottom of the class.
And in their shared glance, the tomoe beneath Aomi's Water Release eyes slowly revolved, much like the destiny of Konoha.
"Aomi, rest assured, I'll give it my best!"
"Good..." Aomi nodded at him and went to the desk to hand in his paper to Unno Ikkaku: "Teacher Unno, I'm submitting my test early."
Unno Ikkaku took Aomi's paper with satisfaction. Watching as many students who had given up began to hesitantly pick up their pens, a deep pride surged in his heart.
Who says there's no future in teaching?
Look at the fine child of the Uchiha Clan I taught, my student from my class!
I, Unno Ikkaku, possess the teaching grace of the Second Hokage!
In this classroom, the gazes that followed Aomi's departing figure were filled with complexity.
Uchiha Obito pursed his lips, contemplating the clan-above-all ideology instilled by Uchiha Setsuna, as he merged his understanding of the Will of Fire with that of the Uchiha, scribbling even more fervently on the paper.
Sarutobi Asuma had a complicated expression, wishing to pull out a cigarette he had stealthily taken just outside of class to light up.
Nohara Rin chuckled lightly, thinking about visiting Aomi's house this weekend, and hummed a pleasant tune softly.
Might Guy was tearful, exclaiming from the bottom of his heart, "This is youth!"
Until Unno Ikkaku signaled him to cut it out, Might Guy refocused on his test, frantically writing about youth on every question...
[From the opposing target: Might Guy, you've learned Leaf Great Whirlwind!]
"Ah, you're quite emotional, Guy..." Aomi sighed at the electronic sound while sitting outside the classroom on a chair, waiting for Shisui to finish his test.
"Come on then, honored Second Hokage Senju Tobirama, let me know what you want to answer. I've used genjutsu to control Inada so he can write your answers..."
"Write properly, so you don't fail him..."
Senju Tobirama snorted coldly but didn't bicker with Aomi. Instead, he closed his eyes deep in thought.
Only after a long time did he slowly give the answer to the first question, looking quite serious.
No one could've imagined that an ordinary end-of-the-term exam, among the various test papers, was completed by the spirit of the deceased Second Hokage…
#
That night.
Hokage Building.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, looking at the test paper Aomi submitted from the exam, contentedly lit his pipe, puffing away with pleasure.
"Let me see how the village's children have done..."