In Naruto: Getting Stronger by Drinking

"How... how am I supposed to explain this?"

Tanaka Shuichi stared at the empty classroom, on the verge of tears.

"Lord Hokage, that's what happened."

At dusk, Tanaka Shuichi arrived at the Hokage's office building and reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi on the results of the recent crash tutoring sessions.

"Forget it. It hasn't been easy for you either."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the guilt written all over Tanaka Shuichi's face. His lips moved slightly, but in the end, he only sighed.

It wasn't just Tanaka Shuichi. Even Hiruzen himself had felt powerless when teaching Yuu before.

Once Yuu had been drinking, he simply wouldn't listen to reason.

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

Tanaka Shuichi immediately breathed a sigh of relief and respectfully withdrew from the Hokage's Office.

"What am I supposed to do now?"

After Tanaka Shuichi left, Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his brow, his face full of frustration.

"Hehe, the old man's run into a problem?"

At the side, a white-haired young man with two tear-like markings beneath his eyes spoke with undisguised delight at his misfortune.

"Jiraiya, has my education of you been insufficient?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi shot Jiraiya a cold glance.

The last time Jiraiya had spoken carelessly, Hiruzen had given him a harsh lesson.

And he still hadn't learned!

"Uh..."

Jiraiya's expression froze.

For some reason, the old man had been finding him extremely unpleasant lately.

He had even found an excuse to beat him up last time.

"Anyway, as long as that kid named Yuu passes the written test, right?"

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression grow increasingly dangerous, Jiraiya hurriedly said.

"Hm? Do you have an idea?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of his pipe and spoke calmly.

"Heh, why not just help him cheat?"

Jiraiya smiled as though it were only natural.

The first round of the exam had originally been meant to test each student's ability to gather intelligence.

But although Yuu was powerful, his intelligence-gathering ability... Hiruzen Sarutobi truly couldn't guarantee it.

That was why he had Tanaka Shuichi give Yuu crash training.

"What a crooked idea! What the hell do you think about all day, you brat?! Konoha is hosting the Chunin Exams, and you want us to help someone from our own village cheat?! Have you no shame?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was instantly enraged. What kind of terrible suggestion was that?!

His disappointing disciple spent every day either peeping on women's baths or visiting some little inn.

He had no idea how to share his Teacher's burdens!

He had even gone around saying nonsense to Yuu before!

The more Hiruzen thought about it, the angrier he became. He simply began teaching this disappointing disciple a lesson.

"Old man, you're actually hitting me!"

"Hey, I gave you that idea out of kindness, and you repay me with violence!"

Jiraiya let out a string of miserable cries before fleeing the Hokage's Office as if for his life.

After Jiraiya escaped, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat before the Hokage's desk, stroking his chin as he pondered carefully.

"Actually... that might work?"