Monthly Exam

"It's a good opportunity."

"This time, I'll definitely beat him."

Kakashi, Tekka Uchiha, and the others rubbed their hands together, eager to give it a try.

They all looked toward Jueming, who was lying on a bench.

He had been in school for a month and spent that entire month lying around, so many teachers considered him a problem student.

Yet their homeroom teacher, Funano Daikoku, kept protecting him.

"I really don't know what Teacher Daikoku is thinking."

Kakashi shook his head. Even now, he was certain he still could not see through what kind of person Senju Jueming truly was.

"But no matter what, I'm taking first place in this exam!"

An hour later.

The monthly exam officially began.

The first round was "Tactics," the written portion of the exam.

The papers were handed out, and Jueming answered every question with ease, quickly finishing the written test.

In fact, Jueming had finished reading every textbook after just one week at the academy.

In his previous life, Jueming had already possessed sharp ears and keen eyes.

In this life, the strange energy known as Chakra enhanced Jueming's Mental Strength. Whether it was intelligence or anything related to knowledge, everything came effortlessly to him.

"He's much smarter than Hashirama. As expected, he should follow Tobirama's path."

Seeing Jueming answer perfectly, Mito Uzumaki nodded.

Comparing Jueming to the two brothers once again, she became even more certain that he should follow Tobirama Senju's path.

"Teacher Daikoku, I'd like to hand in my paper."

About ten minutes into the test, Jueming stood up and submitted his paper.

Kakashi and the others, who were still struggling with their pens, looked up in stunned disbelief.

"He finished that quickly?"

"He didn't just fill it in randomly, did he?"

With the mature soul within him, Jueming had effortlessly crushed all the little kids present in both intellect and wisdom.

It was like throwing a top college student into an elementary school classroom.

There was no suspense at all.

Second Round.

Ninjutsu.

Since they had not yet learned the Three Body Technique, what they were actually being tested on was "Chakra Refinement."

This time, the proctor was replaced by a Perception Ninja.

By switching his Chakra into a state called "Chakra Perception Mode," he could easily sense and judge every student's level of Chakra Refinement.

"I'll go first."

Jueming stepped forward directly.

He brought his hands together and began refining Chakra.

The proctor, Funano Daikoku, and the twenty-nine students in the class all stared at Jueming without blinking.

The result was... no fluctuation whatsoever.

"I'm done."

Jueming spoke, lowered his arms, and turned to leave.

Most of the students: "???"

They watched in confusion as Jueming returned to his seat and lay down.

In theory, refining Chakra would produce a blue Chakra vortex.

It would stir the air and flutter one's clothes.

But Senju Jueming...

"Not a trace of Chakra leaked out. Perfect."

The two teachers nodded meaningfully.

They exchanged glances, each seeing the other's astonishment.

The Senju Clan... perhaps it truly was about to rise again after hitting rock bottom.

As soon as that conclusion was announced, all kinds of discussion broke out in the classroom.

"This guy..."

Kurenai Yuhi, who had originally looked at Jueming with disdain, had a flicker of curiosity flash through her rabbit-like red eyes.

"I thought Senju Jueming only knew how to bully girls and refuse to pay attention in class..."

Who would have thought he actually had some real skill?

As the daughter of Kurenai's Mother, a famous Illusion Technique Ninja and a powerful figure in Konoha...

Kurenai Yuhi had naturally inherited her father's Illusion Technique talent.

One of the requirements for Illusion Techniques was exceptionally precise Chakra control.

The moment Jueming made his move, she knew... this guy was guaranteed to rank near the top.

Third test.

Individual skills.

This round tested Shuriken throwing.

"This is the Uchiha Clan's specialty."

Tekka Uchiha stood before the white line, confidence flashing in his eyes.

When it came to Ninja Tool Throwing, no one was stronger than the Uchiha Clan.

A sharp whistle suddenly tore through the air as two black shadows flashed past.

Thud! Thud!

After the muffled sounds, Tekka Uchiha and the others looked over.

Then their eyes widened.

Two blades of grass were embedded in the center of the target.

Jueming, having thrown the grass blades, casually turned around and brushed past Tekka Uchiha.

"..."

Tekka Uchiha stood frozen in shock, his gaze fixed on the two grass blades that had struck the bullseye.

"Even falling flowers and leaves can be weapons?"

A gleam flashed through Funano Daikoku's eyes.

He stepped up to the target and plucked off the two blades of grass, discovering that they were just ordinary leaves.

"Gasp..."

Funano Daikoku sucked in a sharp breath.

Impressive, Senju of Konoha.

Without another word, Funano Daikoku gave Jueming a perfect score and first place.

Fourth test.

The way everyone looked at Jueming had completely changed.

Jueming lay on the ground, his expression calm.

Although his behavior still looked ridiculous.

At this moment, however, no one could laugh.

All because of Jueming's performance in the first three rounds.

He handed in his paper at lightning speed in the first round.

He refined Chakra perfectly in the second.

In the third, even flowers and leaves became throwing weapons.

Three consecutive rounds, three complete crushes.

His various performances left the crowd as silent as the pitch-black night.

They stared at Jueming lying on the ground with all kinds of expressions.

Jealousy, shock, awe...

Every reaction imaginable was present.

Simply lying there casually, he gave them immense pressure.

"This guy is really amazing."

For once, Genma Shiranui did not make a snide remark. Cold sweat seeped across his forehead instead.

Senju, Senju.

As expected, the foundation of a great clan was different.

Even after declining, it could still produce a genius like this.

"Alright, which student wants to draw lots first?"

Funano Daikoku swept his gaze across the room, taking in everyone's reactions.

There was almost no suspense in the monthly exam. Senju Jueming would definitely rank near the top.

But taking first place would still be difficult.

Because greater challenges awaited him.

"I'll go first."

Jueming rose from the ground.

"Also, Teacher Daikoku, there's no need to draw lots."

How could drawing lots display my true strength?

"Over the past few weeks, I've already beaten many of my classmates..."

Jueming had first beaten up girls.

Then he had challenged every boy in fencing.

So far, only four people had not undergone Jueming's baptism: Kakashi, Tekka Uchiha, Asuma, and Kurenai Yuhi.

Clearly, he had to choose his opponent from among those four.

"..."

Funano Daikoku nodded and temporarily changed the rules for Jueming.

Because Jueming really was qualified to say such things.

Mito Uzumaki: "So which of the four will you choose?"

"Kakashi Hatake is Konoha's White Fang's son, so he's a pass."

Jueming shook his head.

He did not yet know what kind of person Konoha's White Fang was. It would be troublesome if the man took notice of him.

After all, he was a powerhouse second only to the Third Hokage.

Tekka Uchiha... was also a pass.

The reason was even simpler. That woman Mito Uzumaki was always urging him to target the Uchiha Clan.

I refuse.

Money could not buy what he wanted. If he was unwilling, he would not do it.

That left Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi, and there was really no suspense there either.

Asuma was the Hokage's son.

He had an older brother who was outstanding.

Asuma, meanwhile, was like the foolish son of a village chief, a useless brat whose mind was filled with nothing but chasing girls. Every day, he followed Kurenai Yuhi around.

And Jueming also wanted Kurenai Yuhi to help him strengthen the Senju Clan bloodline.

So... the result was obvious.

Defeat Asuma and lower Asuma's image in Kurenai Yuhi's heart by one.

That way, he could not only make a name for himself, but it would also help him obtain Kurenai Yuhi's... body in the future.

"I choose young master Asuma Sarutobi."

Under everyone's gaze, Jueming chose Asuma Sarutobi as his opponent.