Tobirama Senju Answers Seriously, Hiruzen Sarutobi Awaits the Grading

"Yo, if it isn't the Second Hokage himself... haven't seen you in a few days, and now you want to try your hand at a kid's test?"

Seisui grinned as he looked at Tobirama Senju, then shook his head. "Better forget it, Tobirama. What if you end up scoring lower than me? That'd be pretty embarrassing, wouldn't it? Awkward for your reputation."

"And then you might even blame your beloved student. If I indulged your whims, wouldn't that count as sowing discord?"

"You've been dead for years. Back when you founded the Ninja Academy, there weren't any written exams. You probably never even put together a template..."

"Ah, forget it. No need. If you're that set on it, just give me a sharp critique instead..."

Seisui's tone was all about fairness and objectivity, thoughtfully pointing out the different contexts of the Warring States and wartime eras, graciously offering Tobirama a way out.

But his delivery was deliberately provocative, making Tobirama's temples twitch. The strange impression Seisui had just made on him was temporarily forgotten as he ground his teeth in irritation.

"Don't underestimate me, brat. I am the Second Hokage. If I couldn't even beat an Uchiha kid like you in a Will of Fire exam, that would be the world's biggest joke..."

"Templates were never the core of the Will of Fire. The essence and logic are what matter most."

"Enough nonsense. Can you let me take the test or not? If you can't, just say so!"

Hah, using reverse psychology on me... He saw my answers were decent, got excited, and wants to try it himself?

Tobirama, I warned you. Times have changed. You've got no grasp of the Will of Fire or exam-taking strategies...

Seisui shook his head with an amused smile, refusing to judge Tobirama's provocation or his desire to have his student grade his paper. He spoke like an adult soothing a child:

"Alright, alright. I can't do anything with you. I'll let you take it."

"What's with that tone? Are you implying I'm being unreasonable?"

Seisui shrugged. "I didn't say that. You're old, but so sensitive. Honestly..."

"..." Tobirama's face darkened. Why does everything this kid say sound so infuriating?

That wicked Uchiha brat!

Seisui slowly scanned the exam room. Many of the younger students were sound asleep.

No help for it—the test, crafted by Hiruzen Sarutobi to gauge Seisui's level, was far too difficult for them.

Rather than scribble nonsense on such sensitive questions, turning in a blank paper was the safer bet.

"In a way, that's the wisdom of a slacker..." Seisui thought, glancing at Obito Uchiha, who was writing furiously.

With the brain Obito had after being taken away by Setsuna Uchiha, what earth-shattering answers would he produce? Seisui was genuinely curious to see the grader's reaction.

It would definitely be entertaining.

Seisui stood up, passed a sleeping student, bent down, and tapped his shoulder. "Hey, did you drop this pen?"

The student jolted awake, confused. "Teacher, I... I really don't know how to answer! It's not that I don't want to!"

The whole exam room burst into laughter, though it carried a bitter undertone. Which teacher set this test? It's way too hard. This is just torture...

Even Iruka Umino on the podium smiled helplessly, thinking to himself:

"Kids, I don't blame you. This was the Third Hokage's test for Seisui-kun... For the village's future, bear with it for now. I'll make it up to you with extra lessons later..."

"Seisui-kun, this isn't my pen. Thanks anyway..." The student saw Seisui's kind smile, scratched his head awkwardly, and looked at him with a hint of admiration.

Having dominated the double-tomoe Obito in the Ninja Academy practical exam while staying approachable, Seisui had become a legend. His words of encouragement to Might Guy had also inspired many insecure students to work harder in secret.

"Inada-kun, try to answer. You can do it. Don't be afraid of mistakes. This is a precious chance to learn about the Will of Fire. This test is excellent—it'd be a shame to miss out..."

Seisui pulled out a pen bearing the Uchiha Clan crest, clearly expensive, and handed it to him with an encouraging smile.

Kojiro Inada took the pen with trembling hands. He never expected Seisui to remember the name of a dead-last like him.

And in that moment of eye contact, the tomoe behind Seisui's Water-Release contacts slowly rotated, just like the fate of Konoha.

"Seisui-kun... rest assured, I'll do my best!"

"Good..." Seisui nodded to him, walked to the front, and handed his paper to Iruka Umino. "Iruka-sensei, I'm turning in my test."

Iruka accepted Seisui's paper with a gratified look. Seeing many students who had given up hesitantly pick up their pens, a deep sense of pride welled up in his heart.

Who says being a teacher has no future?

Look—a good kid from the Uchiha Clan, taught by me. He's from my class!

I, Iruka Umino, have the teaching prowess of the Second Hokage!

In that classroom, the gazes following Seisui's retreating back were complicated.

Obito Uchiha pursed his lips, mulling over the clan-first ideology Setsuna had drilled into him. He snorted coldly, merging his version of the Will of Fire with the Uchiha, and wrote even faster on his paper.

Asuma Sarutobi's expression was conflicted. If not for being in class, he'd have pulled out the cigarette he'd stolen from his pocket and lit one.

Rin Nohara smiled softly, humming a pleasant tune as she thought about visiting Seisui's house over the weekend.

Might Guy, on the other hand, was in tears, moved to his core. "This is youth!"

It wasn't until Iruka signaled him to quiet down that Guy refocused on his test, scribbling things like "youth" all over every question.

[From target Might Guy, you have acquired the taijutsu: Leaf Great Whirlwind!]

"So emotional, Guy..." Seisui sighed at the electronic sound, sat down on a chair outside the classroom, and waited for Shisui to finish his exam.

"Alright, esteemed Second Hokage, Lord Tobirama Senju. Tell me what you want to answer, and I'll relay it. I've already placed Inada-kun under Genjutsu—he'll write your answers on the paper."

"Write it well—don't make them fail..."

Tobirama Senju snorted coldly but didn't bicker with Seisui. Instead, he closed his eyes and began to think.

After a long while, he slowly spoke the answer to the first question, his expression quite serious.

No one would have expected that, in an ordinary final exam, one of the test papers would be answered by the late Second Hokage...

#

That night.

In the Hokage building.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the exam paper from Seisui's exam room on his desk, lit his pipe with anticipation, and took a contented puff.

"Let me see how the village's children did on their answers..."