The So-Called Top Student

The So-Called Top Student [Please Vote]

"Shikaku, the three of you know about Toneri now. You absolutely cannot tell anyone—not even the people closest to you. I've already spoken to their parents, and they won't ask questions.

"Also, Toneri will be staying with us for a while. Make sure you get along with him!" Shikashin Nara told his son.

Shikashin was quite satisfied with his son.

Though Shikaku hadn't inherited his good looks, at least he'd inherited his intelligence.

He was just a little lazy, and sometimes didn't like to think about things that had nothing to do with him.

Shikashin had no idea who he'd gotten that from...

"Oh," Nara Shikaku replied flatly.

Though he agreed, he was still a little curious about Toneri.

Especially after seeing how badly that forest had been wrecked. The destructive power that had nearly wiped out the terrain had left a deep impression on his young mind.

They were both human. Why was the difference between them so huge?

Toneri was even younger than him, and didn't look like a ninja...

Could it really just be because of what the adults called a Tailed Beast?

After warning Shikaku, Shikashin looked at Toneri, who wore an obedient expression, his feelings complicated.

To be honest, if Toneri hadn't been a Two-Tails Jinchuriki, Shikashin would've liked him quite a bit.

Of course, that had absolutely nothing to do with Toneri being better-looking than his son!

Ahem...

It was mostly because of Toneri's clever little schemes.

A child only a few years old could already be so calculating. It wasn't impossible that he'd surpass Shikashin one day.

The more Shikashin thought about it, the better he understood what the Third Hokage had in mind.

He'd taken a liking to the boy's potential.

Honestly, someone born in the Land of Fire was very unlikely to betray Konoha, aside from being affected somewhat by the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal Danzo had placed on him.

That was especially true when the child was clever and knew how to read the situation.

After all, there was nowhere more comfortable or safe than Konoha right now.

"Toneri, you'll stay with us for the time being. Make yourself at home and don't feel constrained. If you need anything, just tell me or your Aunt Yoshimi.

"If you must, you can ask Shikaku, too.

"Don't let his age fool you. He may not be much older than you, but he's already a ninja!"

A ninja!

In this world, that meant privilege.

Toneri's eyes lit up. He looked at Shikaku and asked, "Big Brother Shikaku, could you teach me how to become a ninja, too?"

For some reason, the way Toneri looked at him made Shikaku's skin crawl.

Before Shikaku could answer, Shikashin spoke up. "Heh, don't rush, Toneri. Since you're in Konoha, you'll definitely have a chance to become a ninja.

"But it won't be through Shikaku. You'll do it through the Ninja Academy."

"The Ninja Academy?" Toneri tried to make his expression look as natural as possible.

Shikashin didn't notice anything amiss.

"That's right, the Ninja Academy. That's where people become ninjas and learn the fundamentals! If you want to become a ninja, the best way is to go there."

Shikashin's "gentle guidance" worked, and Toneri nodded obediently.

"But the new school year started a while ago, and you don't know much about the basics of being a ninja. So if you don't want to go to school with a bunch of little kids much younger than you, you'd better study on your own for now.

"Of course, I can provide you with study materials. If you have any questions, you can ask me or Shikaku. I'm sure we can answer them.

"Once things calm down, I'm sure the Third Hokage will arrange for you to enroll soon."

As he spoke, Shikashin set a huge pile of books and scrolls in front of Toneri.

The stack reached nearly as high as Toneri himself.

Staring dumbfounded at the mountain of study materials in front of him, Toneri blinked.

He had a few choice words for Shikashin's family, but wasn't sure if he could say them out loud.

Shikashin was very pleased with Toneri's expression.

Quit putting on an act, you little fox!

"Uncle Shikashin, may I ask where my room is?"

"Shikaku will show you. Your Aunt Yoshimi has already gotten it ready," Shikashin told him.

Toneri nodded, picked up some of the books from the floor, and headed for the door.

Halfway there, he suddenly turned around and said to Shikaku, "What are you waiting for? Help me carry these, Shikaku!"

Shikaku: "..."

You really don't hold back at all, do you?

The Nara Clan was quite well-off, and the room they'd cleared for Toneri was spacious, with everything he needed.

After sending the "long-suffering" Shikaku out of the room, Toneri sat down at the desk and looked at the pile of materials stacked on it.

He went over everything that had happened that day.

He'd kept a straight face, but inwardly, he'd politely greeted every one of these people's ancestors.

"Every last one of them is a schemer. As expected, nobody with power and status in this world is simple!"

From the way things had unfolded that day and where they'd ended up, he could more or less guess what Konoha's higher-ups were thinking.

In the end, it all came down to one thing: irresistible temptation!

A Two-Tails delivered right to their doorstep—especially one whose exact whereabouts even Kumogakure didn't know—was simply too tempting.

When Hashirama Senju distributed the Tailed Beasts, they hadn't had the power or the standing to stop him. But after encountering them on the battlefield a few times, they'd developed a love-hate relationship with those creatures.

There was simply no reason to hand over a Two-Tails that had come to them on its own.

Besides, Konoha was at the height of its power right now!

The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi was at the tail end of his prime. Hatake Sakumo, the Konoha White Fang, had made a name for himself in the Second Shinobi World War. And Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade had just earned the title of the Three Sannin after facing Hanzo the Demigod, their names resounding throughout the Shinobi World.

Honestly, with Konoha this powerful, Kumogakure might not be enough to contend with them.

"Danzo was definitely the one most in favor of keeping me here. With the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal and the brainwashing techniques Root used to employ, he probably still thinks I'm completely loyal to him."

Rather than immediately looking through the study materials that were so important to him right now, Toneri carefully analyzed his situation.

Compared to studying, figuring out where he stood was the most important thing. Only then could he decide how to conduct himself in Konoha.

Should he show off his talent? Or keep his head down until the end?

This was crucial!

The seemingly innocent smile that had always been on his face disappeared completely.

"But Hiruzen Sarutobi isn't a good guy, either. If he hadn't given the go-ahead, Danzo couldn't have kept me here, no matter how much he supported it."

Gradually, Toneri reached up and touched his face.

"Tch, these schemers. Why do I feel like they're all lusting after my body?!"

He remembered waking up to find a crowd gathered around his hospital bed, all staring down at him...

A chill ran down his spine.

"Since they didn't send me straight to Root, Hiruzen Sarutobi probably hasn't turned into the politician he'll become later. He's still pretty forceful.

"The Nara Clan is a mainstay of the Hokage's faction.

"Looking at it that way, as long as I behave, I should be fine for the time being.

"But with Danzo's personality, he definitely won't give up. If he had a compliant Two-Tails Jinchuriki, he'd have enough leverage to challenge the Hokage.

"And... at this point in time, that big shot seems to be close to falling into the net Danzo's weaving, doesn't he?

"Should I interfere?"

Toneri was conflicted. If he could earn that big shot's goodwill, his safety in Konoha would be assured, to say nothing of anything else.

But that big shot was a little fragile emotionally...

For now, he set aside the unrealistic idea. Even if he wanted to do something, he couldn't. How would someone as important as that let a little kid like him get close?

He might as well focus on the study materials first.

With that thought, Toneri's lips curved into a slight smile. "Hmph, you think giving me a huge pile of study materials will slow down my path to becoming a ninja?

"You must never have met a top student!

"Forget this much. I could chew through twice as much without a problem!"

Muttering to himself, he picked up Introduction to Chakra Refinement from the desk and began to devour it.

At the same time, Toneri more or less settled on a plan.

At a time like this, keeping his head down wasn't necessarily the best choice. He could show off some of his talent, just enough for the two big shots to see his value. That way, they'd take him more seriously, and he'd be better able to keep his head down.

In short, everything was for the sake of reaching the ending!

P.S. This book is recruiting operations staff. Anyone interested can join the group and get in touch with Pipi.

Jin Mu suddenly realized we have quite a lot of female fans, too. No idea why, but it makes me very happy.

No need to say anything else—time for the usual request for recommendation votes!

Having female fans has suddenly made me feel more confident. I can talk without running out of breath, and I can climb five flights of stairs in one go without getting tired. Hahaha!

Thanks to our benefactor, Avid Book Lover, for the 10,000-point reward! Thanks as well to Reminiscence of the Other Side, Reading Is Enough, No Need to Spend Money, Xian Yuyu, Nan Ba, Luo Yeshi 1, Shang Mengdieyue, RexlipNew, Qian Xingmo, and all the other benefactors for your rewards!

As for recruiting operations staff, please keep an eye out for it. Applicants should have plenty of free time, ambition, and a fighting spirit!