Make-up Exam

At 3:00 PM, with half an hour left before the Ninja Academy let out, Kashima Isamu and Hiramatsu Daishi announced that the outdoor training session was over. They dismissed the class early, and the thirty three-man squads disbanded on the spot, everyone heading home to their respective families.

After saying goodbye to Hyuga Shinichi and Hyuga Itsuki, Hanfu was about to meet up with Iruka and the others when he was called over by Kashima Isamu: "Hanfu, Hao Ren, Tanaka, Ichiro, Shimada—you five, come back to the classroom with me!"

Hanfu's heart sank. Kashima Isamu had kept exactly five people behind. Recalling his request for leave that morning, he realized this was for the make-up exam.

Iruka walked over and patted Hanfu on the shoulder. "Hanfu, ganbatte!"

"Wait... I still have to pick up my younger brother after school."

Hanfu felt he could struggle a bit.

"Eh? Hanfu, you actually have a younger brother?"

It was the first time Anko had heard of this. She said, "Is he cute? Do you want me to take him home?"

"You haven't even met him." Hanfu looked at Iruka. Among them, only Iruka had met Hayate.

"It's fine, I'll take him," Iruka said.

"Thanks."

Hanfu waved his hand, then turned and walked toward Kashima Isamu.

Returning to the classroom with the other four academic underachievers, Kashima Isamu pulled out five test papers and said, "I won't ask why you all requested leave this morning. Regardless, it's time for a make-up exam!"

The papers were handed out, and all four—no, five—underachievers wore expressions of distress, sneaking glances at one another.

"What are you all looking at!"

Kashima Isamu noticed their little movements, walked directly behind them, and said, "You have one hour. Get to work!"

"Yes..."

The underachievers replied, then had no choice but to bite the bullet and start.

Hanfu looked at the questions on the paper and was surprised to find they weren't difficult: What is Chakra composed of? What should one pay attention to when refining Chakra? If you stand at a height of five meters and throw a Kunai forward with the same amount of force, at what angle will it travel the farthest...

Uh, wait, what the hell was that third question?

Looking at the problem, Hanfu inexplicably thought of that elementary school math problem from his past life about a swimming pool being filled and drained at the same time.

No matter the world, elementary school students have it rough.

Hanfu sighed silently and continued reading the questions: If you find bird droppings around your campsite in the forest, what does it mean...

Uh, that you should roast a bird for dinner?

Hanfu twirled his pen, his head aching.

Forget it, no point in stressing. I'll just do what I can; with the first question done, there's no way I'll end up with a zero.

Hanfu carefully wrote out the answer to the first question. As for the rest, he relied entirely on his own wild imagination. Grades didn't matter—the key was to fill the page!

An hour later, the five-man squad of academic slackers handed in their papers.

Kashima Isamu collected the exams and walked out of the classroom, his face ashen.

"The teacher was standing behind us the whole time. He definitely saw the answers we wrote."

"If I'd known, I wouldn't have asked for leave. At least I could've copied off someone else."

"Hanfu, Hanfu, how did you do?"

The four slackers swarmed around Hanfu.

Hanfu was no longer the person he used to be. Especially after knocking out Inuzuka Ryota of Class 7, Year 5 in a single move, his reputation in the class had reached its zenith. Every move he made was watched by a crowd of slackers.

"My mood right now is exactly the same as yours."

Hanfu stood up, asked with a calm expression, "What do you think?"

"That's great!"

"I was worried Hanfu would do too well."

"Yeah, Hanfu's Ninja Tool Throwing is so outstanding. If he did poorly now, the teacher would definitely focus all his attention on him."

"Hanfu is the best!"

The slackers looked as if they had been saved. They chatted and laughed, feeling relieved, and left the classroom, abandoning their local celebrity behind.

"You guys..."

Hanfu stared, dumbfounded, as the four slackers walked away. "You... you guys..."

How could people be this heartless?!

Hanfu angrily stomped on Ito Ni's desk twice before leaving the classroom. Just as he stepped out of the teaching building, he caught sight of his little brother.

"Hayate?"

"Big brother!"

Hayate ran over with his little school bag on his back. "Are you feeling better?"

"Hanfu." Iruka was leaning against the wall. Seeing Hanfu come down, he gave a wry smile. "Your brother wouldn't leave no matter what. He insisted on waiting for you to finish your exam."

"Sorry about that, Iruka. I've wasted so much of your time."

Seeing the look of concern on Hayate's face, Hanfu felt his mood improve inexplicably. "I'll be fine once I take my medicine. Come on, let's go home."

After parting ways with Iruka at the school gate, Hanfu looked around. Seeing no one nearby, he hurriedly lowered his head and instructed his little brother not to mention his illness to anyone.

"Huh? Why? Not even Aunt Keiko?" Hayate asked, looking puzzled.

Hanfu nodded with a solemn expression. "She's too busy with her work at the hospital, and I don't want her to worry. Hayate, you're growing up now; you need to learn how to keep secrets to yourself, understand?"

Hayate seemed to grasp the meaning and nodded. "I understand, brother."

"Very good. Then tonight, when we get home, I'll teach you the Substitution Technique!"

Hanfu smiled.

"Brother, I haven't practiced swordsmanship in a long time," his little brother muttered, sounding a bit aggrieved.

Seeing his aggrieved look, Hanfu thought that it was better to guide than to block, so he said, "Then we'll practice swordsmanship for an hour first."

"Great!" Hayate was incredibly excited.

When they returned home, Keiko was already up and cleaning the house. Seeing the two brothers return, she asked with a smile, "You're back. Feng-chan, why didn't you take your bento to school?"

Hayate turned to look at Hanfu.

Hanfu gave a dry cough and said, "That..."

"Does Feng-chan not like the bento Mom made anymore?"

Keiko's expression changed in an instant, and she looked at him with a pitiful expression.

Hanfu gave a dry laugh. "No, no, I just accidentally forgot it."

"Are you sure you forgot?" Keiko turned to look at the little brother.

Having grown up under Hanfu's guidance, Hayate immediately nodded with a solemn expression. "Yes, yes, it's true, Aunt Keiko!"

After all, he was someone else's child; as soon as Hayate spoke, Keiko believed him immediately.

Hanfu didn't know whether to be happy or sad.

"Brother, I'm going to practice swordsmanship."

Hayate ran toward the backyard, skipping with joy.

"I'll join you."

Hanfu also needed to find a quiet place to think about the matter regarding Shennong.

"Oh, that's right, Feng-chan. Are you still going to the hospital to see Dr. Shennong tonight?" Keiko suddenly remembered something and turned to ask.

Hanfu waved his hand. "I'm not going."

He had only just met Shennong this morning. If he ran into him again tonight, wouldn't his truancy be exposed?

Once they reached the backyard, his little brother immediately grabbed his Wooden Sword and began frantically hacking away at a wooden stake. Perhaps because he hadn't practiced his swordsmanship properly for a few days, the moment the Wooden Sword was in his hands, his little brother felt his happiness index hit the roof.

Hanfu, on the other hand, walked over and lay down on the grass. With his hands behind his head and one leg crossed over the other, he tapped his toe rhythmically, gazing leisurely at the sky as his thoughts drifted toward Shennong.

Shennong was already closing in on Might Duy, and under the pretext of treating his hidden injuries, he had offered to massage Might Duy's back for a month. Theoretically speaking, Hanfu also had a month!

So, first things first, I need to confirm whether Shennong actually has the scroll for the forbidden Body Activation technique on him!

But how was he supposed to confirm that?

Hanfu looked at the white clouds in the sky and the sun gradually sinking in the west, his mind a tangled mess.

On top of that, with his little brother hacking away at the wooden stake with such fervor, Hanfu couldn't concentrate at all.

Forget it, I'll go somewhere else.

Hanfu stood up. Just as he turned to head inside, his little brother began taking off his clothes.

Although it was September, the weather was still very hot. Hayate had already broken into a sweat after only a short while of training.

Hanfu looked down at the short-sleeved shirt he was wearing, and his scalp instantly tingled. His eyes flashed with a sharp light:

I've got it! The scroll... is on Shennong!

Thanks to the book friends "Nickname Already Exists," "Nickname Illegal," "How About No Electronic Music," and that book friend from the bookstore whose name was so fancy and complex that even after nine years of compulsory education, three years of high school, and four years of university, I still can't pronounce it, for their tips and support.

Seeking recommendation votes (｀3)┬─┬─