Hyuga Rei

Uchiha Chiri turned her head, her gaze falling on Watanabe's polite face.

Something was off about this kid!

If anyone had told Uchiha Chiri before today that a student in the Ninja Academy could withstand her Illusion Technique head-on, she would never have believed it.

But this exact thing had happened, and she still hadn't processed the situation.

"You don't need to thank me, you did well."

Uchiha Chiri's expression returned to its usual coldness as she responded to Watanabe and went back to the judges' seats.

Gekko Hayate and other Anbu ninjas were busy behind the scenes recording each examinee's score. The uproar from the audience seats grew even more fervent, like a tidal wave, all marveling at Watanabe's performance just now.

"Chiri, you've worked hard."

Nara Clan Leader, Hatake Clan Leader, and others offered their condolences to Uchiha Chiri. Even Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and nodded at her.

"I thought no one would be able to get a perfect score in front of you. I didn't expect Chiri to be unexpectedly lenient with these youngsters."

The clan leaders felt that Watanabe's perfect score was partly due to Chiri holding back, but also inseparable from his own strength.

Thinking about it, it was only natural. How could the future son-in-law of the Senju Clan be ordinary?

Chiri's brow twitched slightly, but she didn't tell them that she had used her Illusion Technique with all her might just now.

"Why didn't my Illusion Technique work on him?"

Afterward, Chiri became more and more uneasy the more she thought about it. The problem exposed just now was actually very serious.

Illusion Technique was her strongest area. If her Illusion Technique failed against an enemy, it would be like cutting off one of her arms.

She calmly watched Watanabe on the Training Ground, determined to find out why he was immune to her Illusion Technique.

After more than ten minutes of busy work, Gekko Hayate and the others finally finished calculating all the examinees' scores. A total of 85 people were eliminated in this round of the Illusion Technique test, and Watanabe undeniably received a perfect score.

"Watanabe, you got a perfect score on the Illusion Technique test?!"

Jiraiya and Hiruzen, upon waking up, were shocked to learn of Watanabe's score.

"I underestimated you. I didn't expect you to be so powerful."

Jiraiya suddenly felt Watanabe was unfathomable. The once unremarkable dead last in class had suddenly become a figure that amazed both those below and above.

Hiruzen's mood was complicated; he couldn't tell if he felt envy or jealousy.

He had to work desperately to take four steps, while Watanabe could take ten. The gap between them was not ordinary.

"His name is Watanabe."

Hyuga Rei secretly observed Watanabe, who was interacting with Jiraiya and the others ahead, recalling her conversation with her father last night. A determined look flashed in her pure white eyes.

"You won the Illusion Technique test, but I will definitely win it back in the practical combat test."

"Except for Tsunade, no one my age can defeat me!"

Hyuga Rei's fighting spirit surged within her. She regarded Watanabe as an opponent she absolutely had to defeat, as this was her only chance to escape the Caged Bird.

"The practical combat test begins at twelve noon. Each person will have four opportunities for practical combat. Twenty-five points will be awarded for each victory, and those who lose three matches will be eliminated..."

Gekko Hayate explained the rules of the practical combat test to everyone. After the first two rounds of screening, fewer than a hundred examinees remained.

"Watanabe, you have to do your best! Your current results are excellent. If you perform even more brilliantly in the practical combat, you might really have a chance to be taken as a disciple by the Hokage."

During the intermission, at the ramen shop, Jiraiya cheerfully encouraged Watanabe, genuinely hoping he could achieve his goal.

Hiruzen, at the same table, had a somewhat forced smile. After two rounds of testing, his score had been left far behind, and he had almost no hope of becoming a disciple of the Hokage.

Orochimaru maintained his usual silent demeanor, quietly eating his noodles.

"Practical combat should be fine. I've been sparring with Tsunade recently, and my strength has improved a lot compared to before."

Watanabe was being honest with Jiraiya, revealing a little to him to avoid him being too surprised in the afternoon.

"No wonder Watanabe suddenly became so powerful. So Tsunade was helping you," Hiruzen said sourly.

Watanabe readily admitted, "Yes, Tsunade has been a great help to me."

"Tsk tsk tsk," Jiraiya also started to feel a bit envious. "This is the charm of a rich woman. I wish I could pursue one too. Hyuga Rei from the next class is quite good-looking..."

"Who's talking about me?"

A soft voice rang out, startling Jiraiya.

The four turned their heads and saw a white-eyed girl with delicate features standing behind them, looking rather slender.

"Are you talking about me?"

Hyuga Rei blinked her eyes and curiously asked Orochimaru, who was closest to her.

Orochimaru thought for a moment and calmly replied, "Jiraiya said you're a rich woman and wants to pursue you."

"Pfft!"

Jiraiya spat out a mouthful of noodle soup, nearly choking to death.

Hyuga Rei covered her mouth and giggled, while also curiously sizing up Jiraiya. "Blondie, you're Jiraiya, right?"

"Cough cough!"

Jiraiya covered his embarrassment with a cough and casually brushed it off, "We were just joking, nothing else."

"Joking? You don't want to pursue me?" Hyuga Rei asked, confused.

Jiraiya's heart fluttered at her question and he hesitantly asked back, "Can... can I pursue you?"

"Hehehe, of course not!" Hyuga Rei's smile was bright and beautiful.

Jiraiya: "..."

I have something I want to say but I'm not sure if I should.

"However—"

Hyuga Rei suddenly changed the subject, her gaze falling on Watanabe. She said shyly, "If it were Watanabe-kun pursuing me, I might consider it."

Jiraiya: "..."

I really want to curse. Why are rich girls one after another flocking to Watanabe? Can't you guys at least look at me!

Watanabe reminded her, "Rei-san, this is our first time talking. It's not appropriate to make jokes like this."

Hyuga Rei said innocently, "What does it have to do with our first time talking that I admire Watanabe-kun? I think Watanabe-kun is different from everyone else."

Watanabe frowned. Shouldn't a young lady from a prestigious family be cold and proud like Tsunade?

This direct way of speaking was indeed a bit difficult to handle.

"Give up, Watanabe already has a girlfriend, so he can't pursue you," Jiraiya said weakly, waving his hand, retaliating against the blow Hyuga Rei had dealt him.

"Ah, that's really a shame," Hyuga Rei's expression shifted from innocence to regret.

Watanabe couldn't figure her out and could only respond with silence.

"Watanabe-kun, can I ask you a favor?"

"What is it?"

Hyuga Rei said sheepishly, "Watanabe-kun is so powerful. If I encounter you in the practical combat test, I'll surely lose terribly."

"So I want to ask Watanabe-kun to go easy on me. If we meet this afternoon, please be gentle, at least don't injure me too badly..."

Watanabe looked up. On her beautiful face, he saw only shame and shyness. It seemed she was genuinely afraid of getting hurt in the combat test.

This girl is not right, there's definitely something wrong!