For the next five days, Watanabe stayed cooped up at home, squeezing in every moment of training and focusing on preparing for the exams.
On April 3, Year 16 of Konoha, the long-awaited graduation exams finally arrived. Watanabe ended his seclusion and stepped outside that day.
By the time he reached the school, the entrance was already packed with people. Parents kept cheering on their children, and the atmosphere was deafeningly lively.
"Watanabe, you came too!"
Jiraiya came over with a cheerful grin.
"Yeah. Good morning."
"Where's Tsunade? I haven't seen her."
"She became the Third Hokage's student, so she doesn't have to take the graduation exam," Watanabe replied.
Jiraiya suddenly understood. "So that's why. That's Tsunade for you—her special treatment is enough to make anyone jealous!"
"She's strong enough to deserve it." Watanabe was sure that even setting her status aside, Tsunade was the most outstanding student in the whole school based on her own abilities.
"That's true." Jiraiya sighed, recalling the times Tsunade had beaten him to a pulp. "Tsunade's terrifying. One punch from her can leave you half-paralyzed..."
"You're aiming to become the Hokage's student this time too, right?"
"I am."
"The odds might be a little low, but I hope you get what you want."
Jiraiya genuinely didn't think Watanabe had a chance of becoming the Hokage's student. The fact that he'd managed to win Tsunade over meant he had something special, but his actual strength was a serious concern.
"Thanks. Same to you."
Watanabe was already prepared to make a stunning impression, so he didn't explain himself to Jiraiya.
"Haha, not me. I'll be happy just to graduate. Becoming the Hokage's student? I wouldn't even dare dream of it..."
"Examinees, enter in an orderly fashion!"
A teacher's voice rang out in the distance. Watanabe and Jiraiya ended their conversation and followed the crowd into the school.
Today was only the written exam. Watanabe found his exam room using the information on his admission slip, and was surprised to see a familiar face among the proctors.
"Senior Sakumo!"
Other examinees recognized the proctor too, and were astonished.
"Are you proctoring our exam this time?"
"Senior Sakumo's gotten so impressive!"
The silver-haired boy raised a hand to quiet them. "The exam room needs to stay quiet. Please stop talking."
Everyone obediently fell silent, though they gazed at him with admiration and longing.
Hatake Sakumo must have done very well since graduating a few years ago. He is a genius, after all, Watanabe thought.
Hatake Sakumo was only three years ahead of him. He'd once been the school's most famous student, and rumors said he'd gone straight into the Anbu after graduating three years ago. He must have been specially assigned to proctor today.
As Hatake Sakumo handed out the exam papers, the written portion officially began.
Watanabe focused on his answers. The exam wasn't difficult; it tested only basic knowledge. It was far easier than the math and sciences he'd studied in his previous life.
[What kind of person do you think the Hokage is?]
[Your client and your teammate have both fallen into the water. Who will you save first?]
[Using the "Will of Fire" as your topic, write an argumentative essay of at least eight hundred words.]
The questions became more tricky as the exam went on, and Watanabe answered them in a straightforward manner.
A ninja's duty was to carry out missions. For a ninja, the mission came before everything else. But Watanabe felt that compared to his comrades, missions were completely unimportant.
Perhaps it was because Tsunade was his only comrade. He couldn't think of anything more important than her.
The written exam results wouldn't be released until evening. After leaving the exam room, Watanabe had planned to go home and train, but he ran into Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Hiruzen at the school gates.
"Watanabe, are you free this afternoon?" Jiraiya asked.
Thinking Jiraiya needed his help with something, Watanabe nodded. "I am."
"Perfect! Let's go to the hot springs together. We've been classmates for years, but the four of us have never gone out together." Jiraiya beamed as he invited him.
So it wasn't a favor he needed. He just wanted to go have fun...
Watanabe glanced at Orochimaru and Hiruzen, then hesitated before agreeing. It could be a final memory to take away from his school life.
In a way, Watanabe and the others were in the same boat. All four came from civilian backgrounds. Watanabe and Jiraiya in particular were the only two orphans in their class.
"How did you do on the exam this morning?" On the way to the hot spring, Hiruzen couldn't resist bringing up the answers.
"Who knows? I scribbled down whatever came to mind. Hopefully I passed," Jiraiya said nonchalantly.
Orochimaru replied calmly, "I think I did all right."
Watanabe said, "I think I did all right too."
Hiruzen began, "There was a question near the end. It asked what you'd do if your client and your teammate fell into the water..."
"Relax when it's time to relax. Don't bring that up—it'll ruin the mood." Jiraiya cut him off, then eagerly suggested, "We have to go to the mixed-gender baths later. There'll be lots of pretty girls, and they won't be on their guard around boys our age!"
Hiruzen seemed to want to say something but held back. Watanabe could tell that unlike Jiraiya, Hiruzen genuinely cared about his grades.
"No mixed baths." Orochimaru shook his head. "Just thinking about it makes me uncomfortable."
Jiraiya looked puzzled. How could bathing with pretty girls make him uncomfortable? Orochimaru really was a weirdo.
"What do you think, Watanabe? Hiruzen?"
"Let's go to the men's bath." Hiruzen looked at Watanabe. "You already have Tsunade, after all. It wouldn't be good if she found out."
He was thoughtful enough to consider my feelings.
Watanabe was a little surprised.
"That's true. You don't want to joke around when Tsunade's angry."
Jiraiya thought it over and promptly gave up on taking Watanabe to the mixed baths. Changing the subject, he asked, "Watanabe, how did you get Tsunade to fall for you? Teach me, will you? I'll even become your student!"
Watanabe was speechless. So Jiraiya thought he was some kind of love expert?
He knew Jiraiya didn't mean any harm. It was just his nature—he was a tiny bit more lecherous than most people.
"Tsunade and I just got together naturally. I can't teach you that."
"Oh, I see..."
Jiraiya was deeply disappointed. He'd genuinely hoped to learn a trick or two from Watanabe, then try to flirt with a few rich women and see what it was like to be kept. Tsunade wasn't the only young lady in Konoha; there was also Hyuga Rei in the class next door.
The four chatted along the way and soon arrived at the hot spring. They were all short on money, so there was no question of anyone treating the others; each bought their own ticket.
As they undressed in the changing room, Jiraiya snuck a peek below Watanabe's waist—and was instantly stunned.
"Good grief!"
He exclaimed, "No wonder you managed to get Tsunade! Watanabe, you really are gifted!"
Orochimaru and Hiruzen followed his gaze and both looked astonished.
"Maybe it's because I've stayed up too many nights."
Watanabe understood what they were talking about.
"Staying up late can have that effect...?"
Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Hiruzen exchanged glances.
"Don't copy me. If you stay up late, you'll get kidney deficiency!"
Watanabe was worried he'd lead them astray, so he quickly corrected them.
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