Aburame Ryoma

After returning home, Shiraishi Eizawa was waiting for him.

"Do you have confidence for tomorrow?"

"Well, it's whatever. After all, I've already suffered through that much."

Shiraishi Eizawa smiled, patted his head, and said, "That's good. Just try your best to perform well tomorrow."

"Why, is there a problem?"

"There will be many people from the village coming to watch this assessment."

Shiraishi Yoshijo nodded to show he understood. This assessment was likely a form of political propaganda, a way to flex the village's muscles to the outside world.

"Will it help you if I perform well?"

"You don't need to worry about such things. Just do your best."

It was like this again.

This kind of concern from a relative always gave him the illusion that he was truly just a child.

Unfortunately, he was only a child on the outside; on the inside...

Never mind, it was too disgusting to talk about.

After daybreak, Shiraishi Yoshijo did some training at home before heading to the Ninja Academy.

He had to go to the underground training ground with Kawano.

As for Shiraishi Eizawa, he had left early for the Takemoto clan; he was going to attend with the members of that family.

Upon arriving at the classroom, Shiraishi Yoshijo slumped over his desk, immediately reclaiming that long-lost feeling of being a slacker.

As expected, human nature isn't so easily changed; he was still best suited to being a slacker.

Unfortunately, he didn't even get to slack off for a minute before he was surrounded by classmates who had noticed his arrival.

"Shiraishi Yoshijo, you actually came to school today? Did the sun rise in the west?"

"Idiot, today is his graduation assessment."

"Eh, you're going to take the graduation assessment today?"

Shiraishi Yoshijo couldn't actually name most of these classmates.

But having been classmates for two years, he felt a bit of nostalgia at this moment.

Shiraishi Yoshijo jumped onto his desk and waved at them with a fake smile on his face.

"I know you're all reluctant to see me go, but don't be sad. I, Shiraishi Yoshijo, am destined to be the man who brings you both shock and joy."

That statement was true enough.

After he graduated and entered the hospital, wouldn't their reunions be both shocking and joyful?

Shiraishi Yoshijo even imagined himself holding a syringe and giving them shots.

The image was too beautiful to look at.

You think I'm leaving, but in reality, I'm just changing my identity to stay by your side.

Yes, from classmate to doctor.

"Has this guy lost his mind?"

"Who knows? He's always been someone who talks nonsense."

Shiraishi Yoshijo stared at the two students who spoke, his expression blank. "I've remembered you two."

"..."

After Kawano told the rowdy students to study on their own, he took Shiraishi Yoshijo to the underground training ground.

"Do you have confidence?"

"My uncle told me to just do my best."

After pushing open the doors to the underground training ground, Kawano headed to the spectator stands.

Shiraishi Yoshijo walked to the center of the arena and began to size up the audience.

The Third Hokage, the two advisors, and was that man carrying a sword Danzo?

He wasn't surprised; after all, this assessment had a heavy political undertone. If these high-ranking officials hadn't shown up, that would have surprised him instead.

Behind the Hokage sat the Sannin, and Tsunade even waved at him.

Shiraishi Yoshijo rolled his eyes at her.

After receiving the eye-roll, Tsunade was clearly not pleased and punched Jiraiya right in the face.

Jiraiya: "..."

There were hundreds of people scattered throughout the spectator stands. Shiraishi Yoshijo didn't recognize most of them and could only identify their clans based on their clothing.

Red eyes, white eyes, pineapple hair, big fat guys, and ponytails.

Shiraishi Eizawa and Takemoto Masamasa stood together, with Takemoto Anna following behind them.

Those who were supposed to come had arrived, and those who shouldn't have were here as well.

Shiraishi Yoshijo curled his lip, finding it quite boring; the upcoming battle would likely be even more tedious.

It didn't matter who the opponent was; either way, it would be over in an instant.

He had no interest in being watched like a monkey in a cage.

Seeing that everyone had gathered, the Third Hokage turned to Orochimaru and said, "Orochimaru, are you confident you can defeat him?"

Orochimaru looked surprised. "Master is asking me to be his examiner?"

Seeing the Third Hokage nod, Orochimaru revealed a twisted smile.

Jiraiya began to clamor, "I can beat that guy too, let me go, Master."

Tsunade punched him on the head again. "Idiot, shut up!"

Just as Orochimaru prepared to jump down from the high platform, Danzo spoke up.

"Hiruzen, are you planning to let Orochimaru serve as the examiner?"

"Orochimaru's strength is formidable, and he is a classmate of that boy, so there shouldn't be any issues."

"Do you realize what it would mean if Orochimaru, a disciple of the Hokage, were to lose?"

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru didn't say a word, though his eyes were filled with disdain.

Jiraiya shouted from the side, "How could Orochimaru possibly lose? That guy Shiraishi Yoshijo is just a dead last."

Tsunade gave him another punch. "A dead last calling someone else a dead last—idiot, I told you to shut up!"

The Third Hokage hesitated for a moment before saying, "I trust Orochimaru."

Danzo and the Third Hokage had grown up together, and seeing his hesitation, he knew exactly what was on his mind.

He signaled to Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, then said, "I happen to have a suitable candidate right here."

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu received the signal and immediately understood Danzo's intent, quickly joining in to persuade Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Seeing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen had no choice but to say, "Fine, but Danzo, don't cause any trouble."

Danzo replied, "Rest assured, I know what to do."

After responding, Danzo retreated to the back.

Several masked men immediately knelt on one knee.

"Lord Danzo."

"Ryoma, take off your mask and your gear; you will be that brat's examiner."

"Understood. But Lord Danzo, will this be alright? The Shide Clan and our clan..."

"That is not for you to worry about. Remember, make sure that brat loses in a humiliating fashion."

Danzo was no fool; although he desperately wanted that boy to disappear, this moment was clearly not the best time.

"Understood."

Watching Aburame Ryoma's retreating figure, a hint of a smile actually appeared in Danzo's cold, sharp eyes.

"What will you do now?"

Aburame Ryoma walked toward the training ground.

Shiraishi Yoshijo looked at the youth approaching in sunglasses with a strange expression.

The Aburame Clan?

This family of bug users didn't seem to have very strong taijutsu; would he be bullying him too much?

Regardless of what Shiraishi Yoshijo was thinking, the moment Aburame Ryoma stepped onto the training ground, the spectator stands began to buzz with noise.

Many who had been sitting down stood up.

"It's actually an Aburame. Now this will be a real show."

"Heh, a Bug User versus a Butterfly User—the Third really has some ideas."

Shiraishi Eizawa's face turned livid upon hearing these remarks, and Takemoto Masamasa, standing beside him, grabbed his arm to signal him not to act impulsively.

The Third Hokage looked back at Danzo, who met his gaze without a hint of fear.

"I told you not to cause trouble. Don't you know what the Aburame represent to the Shide?"

"I only know that a Butterfly User cannot defeat an Aburame. Besides, don't you want to see the return of the bug-butterfly war after all these years?"

"Danzo!"

"Don't be so naive, Hiruzen. We must crush the Shide; the Aburame are the best choice."

The Third Hokage wanted to say more, but Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

The tension gradually dissipated.

Shiraishi Yoshijo scanned his surroundings with a puzzled gaze, which finally landed on Aburame Ryoma.

A middle-aged jonin jumped onto the training platform and began explaining the rules to Shiraishi Yoshijo.

"Defeat your opponent or hold out for ten minutes to pass the assessment."

Shiraishi Yoshijo nodded to indicate he understood.

The middle-aged jonin raised his hand high and then brought it down sharply.

"Begin!"

Shiraishi Yoshijo took a shuriken he had prepared earlier from his ninja tool pouch and tossed it up and down in his hand.

His cavalier attitude immediately drew a wave of laughter throughout the underground training ground.

Aburame Ryoma stood with his arms crossed, his expression cold and detached.

"I advise you to surrender voluntarily, because you have no chance of winning. If you ask why, it is because no matter what you do, you cannot defeat me, not even with your secret techniques."

This way of speaking...

Shiraishi Yoshijo was certain now; this guy was definitely a direct descendant of the Aburame Clan.

Aburame Ryoma did not move immediately, so Shiraishi Yoshijo decided to humor him with some small talk.

"Are you really that confident? Aren't you going to release your bugs?"

"You haven't used your butterflies either, have you?"

"I don't play with butterflies."

Aburame Ryoma seemed not to have expected such a response, and he fell into a heavy silence.

"I understand. I won't use my bugs either."

When Aburame Ryoma said this, Shiraishi Yoshijo understood.

This member of the Aburame Clan was clearly very confident in his own strength and had no intention of letting the match end too quickly.

But then again, in an assessment so heavily laden with political implications, how could one convince the spectators without putting on a good show?

Thinking of this, he lost interest in talking, as it was quite boring.

Furthermore, the scrutinizing gazes from the people in the spectator stands made him feel like a monkey on display.

He casually flicked the shuriken away without using much force at all, and it barely flew to the edge of Aburame Ryoma's feet.

With a "clatter," it fell to the ground.

Another wave of laughter erupted from the spectator stands.

Aburame Ryoma stood where he was, not even moving; such a limp shuriken throw was worse than that of a child who hadn't even entered the ninja academy, so there was no need to dodge.

Of course, he didn't believe that Shiraishi Yoshijo, who was capable of early graduation, was truly at this level, so was he being looked down upon?

His arms, which had been crossed over his chest, tightened into fists.

Even an Aburame, known for their composure, would feel humiliated in such a situation.

"If your goal was to provoke me, I must say this method was very successful, because I am quite angry now."

Shiraishi Yoshijo sighed.

Why are people always so foolish?

He began to weave hand signs.

"Lightning Release, Scorch Flow Kill."

This was Takemoto Shuichi's signature move.

Shiraishi Yoshijo could use it now; although the power wasn't great, it was enough to incapacitate an opponent.

Electric current gradually gathered in his right hand, while his left hand was tied to two steel wires.

The wires were connected to the shuriken that had fallen at Aburame Ryoma's feet.

Although Shiraishi Yoshijo had used a Lightning Release ninjutsu that looked quite powerful, Aburame Ryoma still did not retreat.

He could see that this Lightning Release ninjutsu was likely a close-quarters technique.