One Thing Conquers Another! [First Update, Please Bookmark and Send Flowers~~]

"I'll apply to Teacher, but there's no guarantee we'll be assigned together. The previous Advanced Class has also graduated, and we still don't know how Lord Hokage will arrange the teams. I think you, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya might be placed together."

Hiko naturally didn't want to miss this graduation. As long as the Third Hokage didn't reject him again, he would apply to graduate early with them. There was nothing left for him to learn at the Academy anyway. As for so-called accumulation? Forget it.

Making someone whose soul was nearly thirty sit at school and "accumulate experience" with a bunch of children? What kind of international joke was that?

"Hmph!! Who would want to be on the same team as those two? One idiot and one cold fish!!"

Tsunade lifted her little head proudly. She absolutely didn't want to be assigned to the same team as Orochimaru and Jiraiya.

She wanted to be assigned with Hiko. That would be much more interesting.

Jiraiya came over, rubbing his face and dark circles, and said unhappily, "You say that like anyone wants to be with you."

"What did you say?!"

Tsunade's eyes widened, and Jiraiya instantly jumped in fright. One thing conquered another indeed. If it had been Orochimaru, they probably would have started fighting right away. Tsunade was practically Jiraiya's nemesis.

Gasp~~~~

Jiraiya's body reacted on instinct, and he sprang away from the violent Tsunade, his face filled with alarm. "Y-you, what are you trying to do!!! Let me make this clear, I'll fight back."

"You say that as if you're all that."

Tsunade curled her lips disdainfully, wearing an expression that said, If you don't accept that, come try me. Jiraiya was left speechless.

"Pfft~~ Hahahaha..."

Watching the two fool around, even Hiko, as patient as he was, couldn't hold back his laughter.

It was too hilarious. Especially when Tsunade glared at him—Jiraiya's butt seemed to have springs installed, and he bounced straight away.

It had already become a conditioned reflex.

"Hmph hmph!!!"

Pleased that Jiraiya was afraid of her, Tsunade gave two satisfied snorts. Then she turned to Hiko and said, "Then it's settled. We'll apply to graduate early together."

"Mm, together."

Hiko smiled. He was hitching a ride anyway, so why not go along with them?

Hiko wasn't seeking too much right now. Graduating smoothly would be enough. Only after graduating could he gain greater freedom and more resources.

"Sigh~~~"

Inside the Ninja Academy, Teacher sat in his chair and sighed softly. Several of the most outstanding students in his class were about to graduate together. To be honest, he was proud, but also somewhat reluctant to let them go.

Hiko, Tsunade, Orochimaru, Jiraiya—students like them might not even appear once in an entire class year, yet they had all gathered together now, and they were all graduating early.

The most conflicted thing for a teacher was hoping that his students would grow stronger and stronger, while also being reluctant to part with them.

That was exactly the state of conflict he was in.

"Teacher, may I come in?"

After leaving the Training Ground, Hiko headed straight to the Ninja Academy and made his way to Teacher's office. He needed to settle his application first. Otherwise, if Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya graduated successfully while he was left behind because he hadn't applied, that would be truly depressing.

Hiko didn't want such an absurd mishap to happen, so he came directly to Teacher's office.

"Hiko, is that you? Come in."

Teacher found Hiko more pleasing the more he looked at him. Hiko's growth over the past half year had pleasantly surprised him. Of course, he also knew why Hiko had come.

"Teacher." Entering the office, Hiko looked at Teacher and sighed inwardly. I hope it goes through smoothly this time.

Hiko didn't know why the Third Hokage had rejected his application last time. He could only hope that the Third Hokage wouldn't reject him again.

"Teacher..."

"Alright, I already know why you're here. No need to say it. I knew you wouldn't be content staying at the Academy, you brat."