Setting Off Fireworks Grandly in Front of the Third Hokage

Class 4-A.

Jiraiya, Inuzuka Kiba, and others gathered, excitedly discussing early graduation, as if not participating in the graduation exam would leave them with lifelong regrets.

"Heroes or cowards, we'll see on the battlefield!"

"I already registered for the exam with Teacher Osaka this morning. If even I can't graduate early, I doubt many others in the class can."

"That's a really annoying thing to say."

Watanabe sat alone in a back corner, gazing wistfully out the window, out of sync with the lively atmosphere in the classroom.

It was the first afternoon without Tsunade. He missed her, missed her.

Watanabe only regretted not realizing Tsunade's feelings sooner. Faced with a Tsunade who liked him so much, he had only sparred with her before. What a loss!

It was a bigger loss than missing out on a hundred million.

He didn't know when he would see Tsunade again. In this era without mobile phones or the internet, it was incredibly difficult to maintain contact with her.

After a long period of annoyance, Watanabe's gaze shifted from the window to his classmates.

"We're classmates. Regardless of whether you pass the exam, I wish you all a bright future. As for me... I'll just graduate normally."

Watanabe thought to himself.

This was also Tsunade's advice before she left. Once he graduated from school, he would officially become a ninja and would be busy with village missions, leaving him with almost no time to train. Therefore, for him, who was in his growth period, staying in school was more beneficial than not.

He would quietly hide his abilities and then soar to amaze everyone when the time was right.

Watanabe had briefly flipped through the scrolls Tsunade had given him. They contained thousands of Ninjutsu, big and small, such as Multiple Shadow Clone, Water Severing Wave, and Water Dragon Bullet. It would definitely take a significant amount of effort to learn them all.

Over the past three months, Watanabe's Chakra value had increased from an initial 20 to 21,552. His Chakra pool was already enormous. Except for special Ninjutsu that required spatial talent, like Flying Thunder God, he could learn most general Ninjutsu very quickly.

"I just received some news."

Osaka Rukawa burst into the room, scanning everyone with a serious expression. "The Hokage will be present to observe this graduation exam and select a few outstanding candidates to take as disciples. I hope some of you can seize this opportunity!"

"What? The Hokage is taking disciples!"

Everyone was shocked, stunned by the news.

The importance of becoming a Hokage's disciple went without saying; those who understood, understood.

Tobirama had taken many disciples in the past, and every one of them who was still alive had become a core high-ranking official in Konoha. To put it bluntly, anyone who could become a Hokage's disciple would have an immeasurable future.

"This is interesting..."

Orochimaru licked his lips with his tongue, eager to try.

Even he, who was usually taciturn, showed a reaction, let alone others.

"A disciple of the Hokage, just thinking about it is exciting!"

"I must perform exceptionally well in the graduation exam and impress the Hokage."

"Teacher Osaka, I want to take the graduation exam!"

"..."

Almost everyone's fighting spirit was ignited by Osaka Rukawa. Many students who hadn't decided whether to graduate that morning were now rushing to sign up.

The opportunity to be taken as a disciple by the Hokage was rare and precious; no one wanted to miss it.

Even Watanabe, who had decided to keep a low profile, hesitated.

"Besides Tsunade, is the Hokage going to take other disciples?"

Watanabe was tempted. It was impossible not to be. If he were also taken as a disciple by the Third Hokage, he could continue to see Tsunade every day and train with her in seclusion.

Watanabe even imagined Tsunade's surprised and delighted expression when he appeared before her.

Soon, Watanabe made his decision and spoke, "Teacher Osaka, I'll sign up for the exam too."

The classroom fell silent for a brief moment.

Everyone turned their gaze towards Watanabe, then looked away.

Watanabe and Tsunade's relationship was already public knowledge in the class. Countless boys were jealous of his good luck in winning over Konoha's most brilliant pearl.

However, luck was one thing, and strength was another.

"At Watanabe's level, let alone gaining the Hokage's approval, he probably won't even pass the graduation exam."

"I really don't understand what Tsunade sees in him. Can being handsome fill his stomach?"

Everyone's thoughts varied, their impression of Watanabe still stuck three months ago.

The main reason was that Watanabe usually only interacted with Tsunade, intentionally ignoring even the girls who were close to him. Few people really knew him.

"Alright."

Osaka Rukawa nodded calmly, without prejudice towards Watanabe, and registered him.

"The graduation exam is divided into three parts: a written test, an Illusion Technique test, and a practical combat test."

Osaka Rukawa began to explain the exam details. There were a total of forty-four students in the class. Except for Tsunade, who had taken the VIP route, the remaining forty-three had all registered.

"As long as the total score of the three sections reaches 180 points, you will meet the graduation requirements. As for how to become a disciple of the Hokage, I can't say for sure. After all, the Hokage has his own considerations for accepting disciples. In short, the better your grades, the more beneficial it will be for you, and it will directly affect your squad assignment after graduation..."

In the afternoon, Osaka Rukawa no longer lectured, and repeatedly gave earnest advice to the students.

The graduation exam was held five days later, and the school gave students five days off in advance to leave ample time for preparation.

For many people, this holiday would be for a lifetime.

In the evening, Watanabe returned home and immediately took out the scroll Tsunade gave him to practice. Since he had decided to graduate early, he would definitely go all out. It was time for him to do something for Tsunade.

"Graduating isn't difficult. The difficult part is gaining the Third Hokage's approval."

"Getting a high score on the written cultural exam is no problem, and the Illusion Technique test is also no problem for me. Only the practical combat test is a bit uncertain..."

Watanabe was self-aware. With his Taijutsu level, facing an opponent on the level of Inuzuka Kiba in a real fight would be enough to keep him busy for a long time. Such performance would never catch the Third Hokage's eye.

"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, as long as there's enough Chakra, I can create over a thousand shadow clones at once... Coincidentally, my Chakra pool is quite vast!"

Watanabe's first target was the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique. He felt this Ninjutsu was tailor-made for him, as his more than 20,000 Chakra points had nowhere to be used.

"As Tsunade said, if Taijutsu isn't enough, make up for it with Ninjutsu. I'll learn as much Ninjutsu as I can. On the day of the practical combat test, I'll rely solely on Ninjutsu to overwhelm all opponents!"

Watanabe was full of confidence. His strong Defense already put him in an invincible position; he just lacked offensive means.

He actually hoped to be matched with an extremely powerful opponent, so he could use the Mutual Multiplication Paper Bomb Technique and put on a spectacular fireworks show in front of the Third Hokage.