One student after another completed the tests, and the Rookie Nine of this class seemed to possess some kind of natural magnetism, gathering together as if by mutual agreement.
Of course, with Yamei added this time, there were ten of them.
After gathering, they introduced themselves to one another.
Shikamaru was still lazy and hated trouble, Choji loved eating, and after Sakura finished her test, she ran over to whisper with Ino... Every now and then, they would laugh, and Ino would glance at Yamei at those moments.
Naturally, there was also little Hinata, who kept sneaking glances at him from time to time.
Then there was Naruto. Once he had finished testing, he dragged Yamei aside and chattered away, occasionally snapping back at Sasuke.
Kiba and Shino?
Sorry, their presence was just too weak.
Before long, the Ninja Academy teachers finished compiling the results and came before them.
"This year's Ninja Academy has admitted a total of three hundred and sixty students!"
"Classes will be assigned according to scores! There are six classes in total! We will now announce the results!"
"Second Pillar: Chakra Refining Technique: 10 points, taijutsu: 10 points, Ninja Tools usage: 10 points!!"
The moment the results were announced, most of the people present turned their gazes toward Sasuke.
The corners of Sasuke's lips lifted slightly, but he nodded with feigned composure. "Not bad."
Yamei: "..."
You really were showing off!
"Ah!! So handsome! Sasuke is really so handsome!"
"Handsome and talented! Mom... I'm in love..."
Shrieks rang out all around them, and Sasuke could barely keep the smile off his face...
Well... Sasuke had yet to suffer any major blow at this point. His personality was not gloomy or cold; he was simply a little tsundere.
But Sasuke's appearance made Naruto furious. He poked Yamei with a finger and said unhappily, "Yamei, don't you think that guy is really putting on airs?"
"Ahem, maybe a little."
"Hmph! He even stole Sakura's attention! That's unforgivable!"
Naruto clenched his fists and said indignantly, "Once my scores are announced, I'll definitely be even better than him! I'll shock everyone!"
"Mm-hm, I believe in you!"
"Yamei! You're too nice!" Naruto said with a touched expression.
Just then, Iruka's voice rang out again. "Hyakawa Yamei: Chakra Refining Technique: 10 points, taijutsu: 10 points, Ninja Tools usage: 10 points!!"
"Whoa!"
As soon as he finished speaking, another wave of exclamations broke out.
"This one's a genius too! And... he's so handsome! He even smiles so gently!!"
"Oh my god, there are so many handsome guys in our class... and every one of them is so outstanding! I'm... so happy!"
The chatter continued without end, and Yamei's lips curved upward slightly.
It seemed... he understood a little why Sasuke enjoyed showing off so much.
Was it true that dragon slayers eventually became dragons?
"Yamei, you're amazing!" Ino said with a bright smile, somehow having appeared at Yamei's side.
"Thank you. I'm sure Ino's results won't be bad either," Yamei replied with a smile.
"Lord Yamei, con... congratulations." Hinata also worked up the courage to congratulate him.
"Hinata, you need to do your best too." Yamei raised a fist.
Hinata shrank her neck and lowered her head shyly, her little face turning slightly red.
"Lord Yamei... he... he remembered my name..."
"Uh... was there really any need to be this shy?" Yamei scratched his head. He knew Hinata was easily embarrassed... but he had not expected her to get shy from just a few words!
"Ino, Yamei really is just like you said... he's no worse than Sasuke!" Sakura's gaze moved back and forth between Sasuke and Yamei.
The moment Ino heard that, she stared at Sakura warily. "We already agreed that Yamei is mine. You're not allowed to compete with me!"
"No, no... I was just making an observation."
Sakura smiled awkwardly. She certainly would not admit... that she had been conflicted just now. Who could blame her when there were so many handsome and outstanding boys in this class?
Meanwhile, Choji approached Shikamaru with a bag of chips in his arms. "Shikamaru, Ino seems pretty familiar with Yamei."
Shikamaru rolled his eyes at Choji. "You only noticed now?"
Choji froze at that. He had been eating the whole time... How could he have noticed any of that?
Shikamaru shook his head helplessly. Seeing Ino and Sakura, who had been chatting happily only moments ago, now looking ready to clash, he could not help but shake his head again. "Girls really are too troublesome."
After Sasuke and Yamei's scores were announced, the following results seemed much more ordinary.
"Nara Shikamaru: Chakra Refining Technique: 8 points, taijutsu: 8 points, Ninja Tools usage: 8 points!!"
"Hyuga Hinata: Chakra Refining Technique: 8 points, taijutsu: 8 points, Ninja Tools usage: 7 points!!"
"Aburame Shino: Chakra Refining Technique: 8 points, taijutsu: 8 points, Ninja Tools usage: 7 points!!"
Those ranked in the top ten were all children of major clans.
As Naruto waited without hearing his name, he became increasingly restless.
Finally, when the last name in Class A was called, Naruto's name appeared.
"Uzumaki Naruto: Chakra Refining Technique: 3 points, taijutsu: 3 points, Ninja Tools usage: 3 points!!"
"Pfft..."
"Did this guy get assigned to Class A just because he got lucky?"
"Dead last!"
Faced with the mockery around him, Naruto's aura visibly darkened. He lowered his head, looking utterly aggrieved.
Once class assignments were complete, the crowd formed several lines on the Ninja Academy playground. Several figures slowly emerged atop the platform.
The leading man wore a conical hat and the Hokage's ceremonial robe, with an old smoking pipe in his mouth.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi!
"Wherever leaves dance, fire burns. The shadow of the flames shines upon the village, and new leaves will sprout. You are the village's future!"
"..."
The impassioned speech made many students below flush with excitement!
Naruto was among them.
Yamei merely sneered disdainfully at this. Those words were complete bullshit!
What Will of Fire could compare to my Red Ideology!?
If I were strong enough right now, just watch me start a revolution!
After Hiruzen Sarutobi presided over the entrance ceremony, the matter was considered successfully concluded. They only needed to wait two days before entering the academy to begin their studies.
So, after saying goodbye to Ino, Hinata, Naruto, and the others, Yamei headed home.
Meanwhile... at Root.
Danzo frowned slightly as he looked at the information in his hand. "I never expected the Uchiha Clan to produce another genius! Hehehe... Hiruzen, I wonder what you're thinking now?"
After setting Sasuke's file aside, he picked up Yamei's.
"Hyakawa Yamei... Perhaps after he grows for another two years, we can find a way to bring him into Root... But that old fool Hiruzen probably won't agree!"
"How are things on the Uchiha side?"
A Root ninja responded, "The voices of discontent are growing louder and louder. Shisui's attempts at persuasion have become nearly ineffective. A coup may be imminent."
"Hehehe! Hiruzen... I told you that you would regret this!"
Danzo's eyes flickered. Thinking of the power of Shisui's eyes, his heart could not help but burn with desire.
"Tell Shisui that this is his final deadline. Give him half a month!"
"Yes!"
Before you continue