A Flourishing Konoha

Physical training was in the afternoon; the morning class was "Konoha History."

"Today's lesson is about the Third Hokage."

Eiichirō stood at the podium and said, "Please listen carefully. This major chapter is the most important part of the Final Exam—it's guaranteed to be tested."

Hikawa casually propped up his "Konoha History" textbook vertically on his desk.

This way, it could block the line of sight drifting down from above.

To grind out the 'Scholar' title, Hikawa had already mastered most of the content and didn't need to follow the lectures step by step.

Plus, with his recent outstanding performance, even if Eiichirō noticed the issue, he would selectively overlook it.

"The Third Hokage, born into the Sarutobi Clan, is the current Hokage. Under his leadership, Konoha has been thriving."

When Eiichirō mentioned the Sarutobi Clan, his gaze involuntarily drifted toward Sarutobi Asuma.

Not just him—most of the students did the same.

Sarutobi Asuma curled his lip.

Although his relationship with Sarutobi Hiruzen had eased somewhat because of the genjutsu-breaking lesson, other people's perceptions still annoyed him.

He wanted others to think of him first as Sarutobi Asuma, not as the Hokage's son.

"The Third Hokage is the direct disciple of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. He can proficiently use all of Konoha's ninjutsu."

Eiichirō continued, "He has many titles from the outside world: the Strongest Hokage, the Professor of Ninjutsu, the Ninja Hero..."

Many students showed expressions of admiration and longing.

You're right, but I forgot the beginning, the middle, and the end. Anyway, this is the Strongest Hokage.

Hikawa casually pulled out a math workbook and started solving problems.

Whether he got first place in the theory exam depended entirely on whether he could get the math problems right.

When the morning class ended, it was time for the noon break.

Sarutobi Asuma let out a breath.

That old bastard was so sly—every word was praise, utterly disgusting!

If he became Hokage in the future, he would definitely... do even worse.

Sarutobi Asuma put down his textbook and turned his head, only to see Yuhi Kurenai running over to Hikawa's seat with a bento box.

His face immediately stiffened.

Damn that brat Hikawa!

Can't take it anymore! Going all out!

"Hikawa."

Sarutobi Asuma stood up and walked in front of them, saying, "I challenge you to a duel!"

Yuhi Kurenai instinctively looked at him, her face showing surprise.

In her view, Asuma had lost so badly last time that he was no match for Hikawa at all.

If he tried again now, the result still wouldn't change.

"I'm not the same person I was before!"

Sarutobi Asuma noticed her expression and immediately said.

Why are you shouting so loud?

Hikawa thought for a moment and said, "There's a practical combat class in a couple of days."

During class, he could fight while he was at it—no time wasted at all.

"Fine!"

Sarutobi Asuma saw him agree, perked up, and said confidently, "I'll definitely win this time!"

In half a month, he had not only learned genjutsu-breaking techniques but also found a genjutsu ninja to spar with.

How could he lose? Could you one-shot me? Absolutely impossible!

He would turn the school's training ground into his own arena, with everyone standing and cheering for him!

"Good luck."

Hikawa said with a smile.

"..."

Sarutobi Asuma couldn't help but falter.

Hikawa's attitude made him seem arrogant instead.

Just as he felt a twinge of guilt, he suddenly caught Yuhi Kurenai's reaction.

You're too baby!

Sarutobi Asuma realized his image in Kurenai's eyes was getting worse and worse.

Was Hikawa doing it on purpose, or was it an accident?

He gritted his teeth and turned back to his seat.

At this point, no amount of explanation would help—the only way was to defeat him.

"Let's eat."

Hikawa casually handed a pair of chopsticks to Yuhi Kurenai.

"Do you have confidence?"

Kurenai picked up a piece of fried shrimp and asked. "After all, he's the Hokage's son. He must already have a way to deal with genjutsu."

"I know."

Hikawa nodded.

This time, he decided to win a different way.

"Good."

Kurenai felt relieved.

At a desk not far away, Rin Nohara opened three bento boxes.

She picked up her chopsticks and handed them to Obito Uchiha first.

"Thanks, Rin!"

Obito Uchiha shot a smug look at Hatake Kakashi.

But he noticed Kakashi was looking elsewhere.

Obito followed his gaze—it was Hikawa.

He couldn't help blurting out, "He just got lucky beating Asuma once."

As a ninja of the Uchiha Clan, he looked down on genjutsu users from the bottom of his heart.

"Could you beat Asuma with luck?"

Kakashi took the chopsticks from Rin Nohara and asked flatly.

"Why not?"

Obito snorted. "Last time, if my jutsu hadn't failed, Asuma would've lost already!"

"There's no 'if' in being a ninja."

Kakashi said bluntly. "You lose, you lose. You win, you win."

"You—!"

Obito trembled with anger.

"Obito."

Rin tugged at his sleeve and said gently, "Try the tempura I made. Tell me how it tastes."

"Rin's tempura is bound to be the best!"

Obito immediately broke into a grin.

When lunch break ended, it was time for the physical training that many dreaded.

"A hundred laps around the field—begin!"

Eiichirō stood at the starting line and gave the order.

The whole class dashed out.

Leading the pack was Obito Uchiha.

He sprinted from the start, taking an early lead, and even glanced back over his shoulder, trying to catch Rin Nohara's attention.

"Idiot."

Kakashi muttered two words coldly.

Hearing that, Rin could only look helpless.

Who starts with a full sprint?

Hikawa kept his breathing steady, running at a consistent pace alongside Yuhi Kurenai.

As time passed, the gap became clear.

Obito Uchiha burned through his Body Energy first and fell to the back of the pack.

At the front were Hatake Kakashi and Might Guy.

Hikawa, Yuhi Kurenai, and Sarutobi Asuma formed the second tier.

After ninety laps, the situation shifted again.

Sarutobi Asuma watched helplessly as Hikawa ran past him.

He had the will to fight, but no strength left to turn the tide.

He had already reached the stage where his steps were faltering.

Hatake Kakashi glanced at Hikawa, who had been following him the entire time, and couldn't help but frown slightly.

He clearly remembered that during the last physical training session, he hadn't even placed in the top ten, let alone second.

Now this guy was neck and neck with him.

He could clearly hear Hikawa's breathing.

A little ragged, but still orderly.

A grave expression crossed Hatake Kakashi's face as he continued running forward.

By the final lap, the vast majority of students had already exhausted their Body Energy and sat down on the ground to rest.

The only three still running were Hatake Kakashi, Might Guy, and Hikawa.

"What's up with this guy?"

Hatake Kakashi panted heavily, his rhythm already falling apart.

Every time he thought Hikawa's stamina was about to hit its limit, the guy somehow recovered a bit more.

Was he going to lose?

Although Hatake Kakashi hadn't specifically trained his body on a daily basis, the intensity of his sword practice was far from low.

Combined with his talent, his overall physical condition had already surpassed that of most genin.

Hatake Kakashi gritted his teeth, mustered his last breath, and began to accelerate.

"This is youth!"

Might Guy watched the two of them chasing each other, suddenly trembling all over, excited to the extreme.

The corner of Hikawa's mouth twitched.

But... what a chance!

Time to go!

For the final stretch, he held nothing back and burst forward.