A few days after the final exams ended, the Ninja Academy students gradually returned to the classroom.
Before the official evaluations were announced, they began discussing each other's rankings and their plans for the holiday.
Naruto had no interest in joining their discussion. He casually picked up a magazine with a rather lowbrow cover, written by the renowned Jiraiya.
Just as he was engrossed in it, Shikamaru and Choji turned around, stared at the cover for a while, then said, "Naruto, what are you planning to do over the holiday? Go traveling, or stay in the village and keep training?"
Naruto put down the magazine and smiled as he shook his head. "I'd like to go out, but neither my wallet nor the Third Hokage will allow it. I can only use magazines to learn about the outside world for now. I'll wait until I officially become a ninja..."
After a pause, Naruto continued, "By the way, how many points do you think you got on the final exam? Make a prediction."
At the mention of grades, Choji's expression darkened considerably. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "I got quite a few questions wrong, but I should be able to guarantee eighty points. As for Shikamaru, you know him. He definitely scored right on the passing line. He always wants to keep a low profile, but he's not low-profile at all."
Shikamaru rolled his eyes at that. He could not be bothered to argue with Choji.
As far as exams were concerned, sixty points was enough to pass. Every extra point was a waste. That time would be better spent sleeping.
However, Shikamaru's attention shifted to the magazine. If he remembered correctly, Naruto had been reading it for several weeks in a row. That did not fit Naruto's usual