Running

"Now, the third test officially begins!"

At Iruka's command, the students enrolling this time began to run in a large group around the track of the training field.

"Yo, just like we were back then! Don't you think so, Neji!" On the third floor of the teaching building, a girl leaned against the window and said.

Hyuga Neji did not answer the girl's question, his gaze was locked on Hyuga Hinata in the crowd.

The girl seemed to notice Neji's gaze: "That's the princess of your main family, Hyuga Hinata, right?"

"Mm!"

"She's really a cute little sister! Huh, the little brother beside her seems to be Kakashi Gu Qi!"

Hyuga Neji looked at Gu Qi beside Hinata: "Is it him? The most brilliant genius of Konoha's younger generation."

"That's right! I love the explosives he researches the most!"

"There's nothing to see, let's go, Tenten!"

After Neji finished speaking, he glanced at Hyuga Hinata one last time before leaving without looking back.

Tenten shrugged and followed him.

"Te, teacher, how much longer do we have to run~" On the training field, many students' eyes were already starting to spin.

Iruka stood outside the training field with his arms crossed and said, "Two more laps, everyone keep it up."

"What, two more laps?" Choji stumbled, almost falling.

The school's training field was very large, and one lap was at least a thousand meters.

Moreover, they had already run two laps before. Unless one trained from a young age like Gu Qi, most children could not run this far.

By the third lap, someone finally couldn't hold on.

With the first one, there was naturally a second.

Before even a quarter of the third lap was finished, two-thirds of the running group had already dropped out.

Among the remaining one-third, Gu Qi was surprised to find that Choji and Shikamaru were actually among them.

"Ouch, I can't do it, I can't do it!"

Just as Gu Qi was looking at Shikamaru with new admiration, the latter suddenly faked a fall and lay down on the ground.

"This guy~" Gu Qi's face darkened, realizing he had indeed overestimated him.

By the fourth lap, only Gu Qi, Sasuke, and... Hinata were left in the entire group.

Regarding Hinata beside him, Gu Qi honestly couldn't quite believe it.

Because in his impression, Hinata wasn't known for her stamina.

However, thinking that she was the young lady of the Hyuga main family, this might be the result of family special training.

While Gu Qi was lost in thought, the three of them finally reached the finish line.

As soon as they reached the finish line, Sasuke and Hinata collapsed on the ground.

Only Gu Qi stood there relaxed, as if nothing had happened.

"Kakashi Gu Qi, Uchiha Sasuke, Hyuga Hinata, your results are excellent." Iruka announced.

Immediately after, Iruka said, "All students who did not enter the third lap will receive a failing grade!!"

"What!" Naruto jumped up.

"Why, teacher, why is it like this!"

Naruto was so agitated, of course, because he was also among those who did not enter the third lap.

"That's right, teacher, why!" The other failing students also asked indignantly.

Iruka firmly closed the record book: "There's no why! If a ninja doesn't even have enough basic stamina, how can anyone believe you can complete missions safely."

Without waiting for the other students to retort, Iruka announced, "Alright, the test results for today will be posted on the announcement board tomorrow. Now, everyone can go home."

"You're strong! I will definitely defeat you." Uchiha Sasuke suddenly appeared in front of Gu Qi, leaving this inexplicable sentence before leaving.

Gu Qi was left with a face full of question marks, staring blankly at Sasuke who had forcefully tried to act cool before leaving.

"Gu, Gu Qi-kun is really amazing!" Hinata said shyly from the side.

Gu Qi touched his nose: "Hinata, you were amazing too. I didn't expect you could last until the end."

"Is... is that so?" Hinata blushed even more when praised by Gu Qi.

"Mhm, you made me see you in a new light!"

"This... is all... Gu Qi-kun's credit..."

"Gu Qi, you're so amazing, you actually managed to last until the end. Compared to that arrogant guy Sasuke, you're much better!"

Naruto popped out from somewhere, put an arm around Gu Qi's shoulder, and said.

Thump!

Sakura Haruno punched Naruto on the head: "You stupid failing student, how dare you call my Sasuke arrogant!"

"Sakura is so scary." Naruto sat on the ground, tears streaming down his face.

Gu Qi glanced at the boisterous crowd and waved his hand. "Everyone, go home early! I have something to do, so I'll be leaving first."

"Hey, Gu Qi, you're leaving? I have two Ichiraku Ramen exchange coupons here, I'll treat you to ramen!" Naruto stood in front of Gu Qi, fully revived.

Seeing Naruto's expectant face, Gu Qi couldn't bear to refuse. "Alright! Why don't we all go together! My treat."

"Huh? Really? Then I won't be polite!" Sakura said happily.

"Gu Qi's treating us to Ichiraku Ramen? Then I won't be polite either." Choji said, walking over while eating chips.

"Gu Qi, why be so formal? You're spending too much again." Kiba said, walking over with Akamaru, a smile on his face.

"..." Looking at the freeloading army approaching, Gu Qi didn't know what else he could say.

"Uncle Teuchi, nine bowls of ramen." At Ichiraku Ramen, Gu Qi brought Naruto and the others in.

Uncle Teuchi saw Gu Qi and said with a smile, "Gu Qi-kun! What is it? Treating friends to ramen today?"

"Heh!" Gu Qi's mouth twitched, not wanting to say anything.

"Itadakimasu!"

Soon, everyone's ramen was served.

"Hinata, have you eaten at Ichiraku Ramen before?" Gu Qi asked Hinata beside him.

Shaking her head, Hinata softly said, "This is my first time eating Ichiraku Ramen!"

"Then you've missed out on a great delicacy! Ichiraku Ramen is the most delicious food in the world," Naruto said casually.

Choji agreed with a serious expression, "Naruto's right, Ichiraku Ramen is the best."

Hinata secretly glanced at Gu Qi. "Gu Qi-kun, do you like Ichiraku Ramen too?"

Gu Qi nodded. "That's right, and I like barbecue too!"

"Barbecue? Gu Qi, do you want to treat us to barbecue?" Choji appeared silently behind Gu Qi.

Stiffly turning his neck, Gu Qi knew his wallet was in trouble again just by looking at Choji's terrifying gaze.

"For barbecue, we have to go to Yakiniku Q! Gu Qi-kun, you're the best!" Ino cheered happily.

"I remember the last time we went to Yakiniku Q was on my birthday," Shikamaru said.

"So, so! When will Gu Qi-kun treat us!" Naruto asked expectantly.

"..." Gu Qi now deeply regretted mentioning barbecue!