What Decent Person Still Takes Exams Seriously?

After leaving the Ninja Academy, Kurenai gradually returned to her usual self and started talking more. If she was not threatening to beat up Fatty next time, she was complaining about Guy's bizarre behavior.

The two arrived at the entrance of Yamashiro Hot Pot Restaurant. Business was as booming as ever; even though it was not mealtime yet, half the tables were already occupied.

They entered the restaurant, exchanged familiar greetings with the staff, and found a secluded corner to sit in.

Aoba smiled. "Uncle Kitano, I'll have the usual."

Yuhi Kurenai said, "I'd like tomato broth today, thank you."

"Sure. Please wait a moment; it'll be right out."

Uncle Kitano smiled as he set the tableware before them, then went to prepare the ingredients.

Before long, plate after plate of Cloud Valley Beef was placed in front of Aoba.

Aoba skillfully picked up several slices of beef and dropped them into the broth, then, after timing it with the Chip, put them into his mouth.

Eating it this way not only preserved the beef's texture, but more importantly, helped the stomach digest and absorb it.

It was rather funny, really. Aoba had originally opened the Hot Pot Restaurant simply to achieve beef freedom.

Cloud Valley Beef was a specialty of the Land of Lightning. Only cattle raised in the thunderstorm-filled environment of the Land of Lightning could produce such a unique texture.

Aoba cared quite a bit about food, but he was not excessively extravagant. According to the Chip's analysis, eating more beef helped the body grow faster. Cloud Valley Beef from the Land of Lightning in particular contained various proteins and amino acids that not only promoted physical development, but also strengthened the body.

If he bought it separately with his own money, he would probably eat himself into bankruptcy within a year. That was why he had come up with the idea of opening a Hot Pot Restaurant. Not only could he buy in bulk and minimize costs, he could also achieve beef freedom.

What he had not expected was that he had still underestimated the cuisine of his previous life's China. A single hot pot restaurant had become popular, and it had even exposed his disguise to the Third Hokage.

Night fell.

As usual, Aoba entered the ninjutsu information from the scrolls while reviewing the day's events.

On the first day of school for new students, the Ninja Academy teachers would definitely report a general assessment of the students to the Hokage.

His conflict with Fatty had certainly happened under the Ninja Academy teachers' "watchful eyes" as well.

Compared to the endless trouble that would follow, it was better to reveal his strength proactively and establish deterrence.

Otherwise, what was the point of being "specially recruited"? Rather than passively "revealing" himself later and constantly attracting provocations, it was better to expose himself on his own initiative.

There was no conflict with his behavioral pattern, either. Previously, he had merely wanted to keep a low profile. His parents had both died as ninjas, so he had not wanted to become one himself. That had no direct connection to gaining strength.

Yet being able to teach himself from the Chakra Refinement Technique and Three Body Technique scrolls left behind by his parents only proved that he was a genius.

A more detailed report on his living habits and behavioral patterns had surely been delivered to the Third Hokage's desk.

Ever since awakening his memories, Aoba had never considered himself a child. He had rapidly learned the social etiquette of the Shinobi World, so naturally he did not act like one.

As for why he had changed so drastically, both parents dying at once and causing a major shift in personality was a perfectly normal occurrence in the Shinobi World.

Becoming more mature and responsible were both positive changes.

It was far better than becoming one of those extremists who turned against the village.

Otherwise, where did those ninjas who took revenge on the village and defected come from?

Disguise and infiltration were required courses at the Ninja Academy, while intelligence analysis was an essential exam subject.

Those protagonists in transmigration novels who constantly pretended to be innocent or acted like children were practically rubbing everyone else's intelligence into the ground.

He had never studied acting, yet he was supposed to pretend to be childish in front of a group of big shots? Was that not ridiculous?

Even those so-called award-winning actors would have to kneel. Body language and facial expressions might fool some children or recently graduated genin.

But trying to deceive a group of jonin who had emerged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood was simply courting death.

He was a native-born Konohagakure resident, the descendant of heroes, had potential, and even had a jonin vouching for him. He was undoubtedly one of the village's future pillars.

Whatever he wanted to do, he only needed to display it openly and honestly. Hiding it would not only make him look like a clown, but even if he managed to conceal it, once it was exposed, no one would approve of him. They would only think he had ulterior motives.

One month later.

Hokage's office.

"Oh? So he used genjutsu to cheat?"

"Yes, it has been confirmed, Hokage-sama!"

Upon hearing the Anbu report, Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up the pipe beside him and took a puff. Smoke immediately curled through the room.

Then the Third looked at the two exam papers on his desk, whose answers were almost identical, and fell into thought.

He knew Araki's abilities. Being able to cheat right under his nose was a capability in itself.

Successfully cheating with genjutsu could be considered his skill, but on a theoretical exam, their understanding of the Will of Fire had been written almost word for word. Were they afraid that no one would realize they had cheated?

"Owl, Yuhi Shinku should have returned to the village. Have him come here."

"Yes, Hokage-sama!"

"I'm back... Huh, Father?"

The moment Yuhi Kurenai opened the door, she delightedly discovered that her father had returned. She kicked off her shoes and prepared to run over.

Aoba, who was walking behind her and had been about to greet him as he entered, suddenly sensed something strange in the air. He quickly changed his words. "Sorry, I suddenly remembered there's something at the restaurant. I'll take my leave first!"

Aoba swiftly turned around, but before he could take a second step, Uncle Shinku's suppressed, deep voice came from behind him.

"Stop!"

At the same time, Aoba discovered that he suddenly could not move his body.

This is bad!

[Genjutsu: Demonic Illusion: Binding Technique]

Although the genjutsu scroll provided by Uncle Shinku did not contain the hand seals or formula for this ninjutsu, it did mention the target's reactions and the technique's effects.

Having already finished analyzing the scroll, Aoba instantly realized that he had fallen under genjutsu.

[Demonic Illusion: Binding Technique] A D-rank ninjutsu and one of the most basic genjutsu techniques. Its effects varied according to the caster's strength and mastery of the technique; the stronger the user, the more powerful it became.

It was especially effective when someone strong used it against someone weak. Aoba had jokingly called it a divine technique for bullying rookies.

He had not even learned it yet, and it had already been used on him.

"System!"

Aoba rapidly issued an order in his mind. The Chip took control of part of his body and, working with Aoba's consciousness, expelled the foreign chakra.

[Genjutsu: Release]

"Hm?"

A startled sound came from the room.

Just as Aoba dispelled the genjutsu and had not even taken two steps, a hand landed on his shoulder, pinning him in place as though it weighed a thousand pounds.

A bead of cold sweat instantly slid down his forehead.

Aoba stiffly turned his head and forced out a smile uglier than crying.

"Un... Uncle Shinku, it's... it's been a long time."

"Yes, it has been quite a while. It seems Aoba did not slack off while I was away. Your genjutsu is quite good, and your release technique is quite good too."

"No, no. It's mainly because Uncle Shinku taught me so well."

"Oh? I do not recall teaching you."

Yuhi Shinku revealed a "kindly" smile.

"The scrolls, the scrolls. Uncle Shinku's experience summaries were especially thorough..."

"Good. Then come in and explain to me properly how you used genjutsu to cheat on the exam!"

Yuhi Shinku sat on the sofa with a stern expression, his jonin vest and ninja tool pouch still on. He stared seriously at the two children kneeling on the floor.

After hearing their "explanations," Shinku's mouth twitched, and he nearly lost his composure.

"What do you mean, next time you'll change the wording and not copy it directly? Is that what I meant?!"