"Dad, why are you still here?"
Yuhi Kurenai emerged from the bathroom, rubbing her damp hair, her little face filled with confusion.
She had just finished her morning training and was getting ready to head to school.
At this time on most days, Yuhi Shinko had already gone out.
"Uncle Shinko took leave to watch our practical exam."
After Yuhi Kurenai sat down, Hikawa picked up the hair dryer and helped her dry her hair.
The written exam had been yesterday, and the results had not yet been announced.
Today was the practical exam.
"..."
Yuhi Shinko hesitated, clearly wanting to say something.
Give me a chance to speak, you two!
He felt that if this continued, there would no longer be a place for him in his own home.
"I have something to tell you."
Once Yuhi Kurenai's hair was dry, Yuhi Shinko spoke.
"We definitely won't disappoint you!"
Yuhi Kurenai raised her chin slightly and said with a proud little face, "Just wait for our good news!"
"That's not what I want to say."
Yuhi Shinko shook his head. "I know your abilities well. But as genjutsu ninja, you must remember not to overestimate yourselves."
"Huh?"
Yuhi Kurenai tilted her head and looked at him in confusion.
"No matter when it is, staying alive is the most important thing."
Yuhi Shinko spoke earnestly. "If you can't win, then surrender. Don't push yourselves too hard and get hurt."
"But..."
Yuhi Kurenai vaguely felt that what Yuhi Shinko said differed from what they taught in textbooks.
Especially since it did not quite fit the Will of Fire.
"Uncle Shinko is right."
Hikawa nodded in agreement.
Naruto was a hot-blooded shonen anime, but reality was different.
Without some kind of cheat, it was better not to act recklessly.
Charging forward and risking your life while shouting about friendship and bonds would only make Madara Uchiha laugh.
Seeing this, Yuhi Shinko gave him an approving look.
This kid would definitely survive.
Hikawa sensed something subtle in that.
In the original story, Yuhi Shinko had died during the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's Attack while protecting the village.
"I understand!"
Yuhi Kurenai nodded heavily.
Since even Hikawa said so, it had to be right.
"Let's go."
Yuhi Shinko stood up and said with a smile, "It should be lively today."
For students, the Final Exam was the most important event.
The same was true for parents.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had risen early.
He was organizing the list of squad leaders.
Every year, the Hokage personally assigned squad leaders to the newly graduated students.
There were jonin on the list, as well as chunin.
Graduates from Ninja Clans or those with exceptional talent would be led by jonin.
Ordinary graduates could only be assigned chunin leaders.
There was no helping it. There simply were not many jonin.
"Are you ready?"
Hearing footsteps, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up.
He should have gone to the Hokage Office, but not this year.
It was because of Sarutobi Asuma.
"Of course!"
Sarutobi Asuma looked eager to get started. "I've been preparing for today for a month!"
"Don't let your guard down."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a chuckle.
"I know."
Sarutobi Asuma gave a soft snort and asked, "Are you done with your work?"
"Look, you're getting impatient again."
Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly closed the scroll. "You must remain calm at all times, especially in battle."
"You've said that so many times already!"
Sarutobi Asuma said unhappily.
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly felt exhausted.
Why was this child's personality the complete opposite of his older brother's? He had no idea who he had learned it from.
The two left the house.
"Lord Hokage!"
People greeted Sarutobi Hiruzen all along the way.
When they reached the school, he was immediately surrounded by people, showing just how popular he was as the Hokage.
Sarutobi Asuma followed behind him with a long face the entire time.
Because Sarutobi Hiruzen had completely stolen his spotlight.
Even when someone noticed him, they merely said, "This is your son, isn't he? What a fine young man!"
You're so annoying! How did you guess that?!
Sarutobi Asuma was bursting with sarcastic remarks. He felt that if he let them out, he could blow up the school.
He glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen, then headed straight back to the classroom.
Before the practical exam, there was one more step: announcing the results of yesterday's written exam.
Sarutobi Asuma was not confident he could take first place, but he was confident he would rank higher than Hikawa.
The reason was that Hikawa had ranked near the bottom in the previous written exam.
He did not believe Hikawa could overtake him in just one month.
If he did overtake him, then he would eat it on the spot... Forget it, better play it safe. He would not make reckless bets over food.
"Kakashi, are you confident about the written exam?"
Before the teacher arrived, Rin Nohara found a topic and asked.
"More or less."
Hatake Kakashi replied casually, "Same as before."
He had taken first place in every previous written exam.
Rin Nohara nodded slightly, but then she suddenly noticed Hikawa entering the classroom.
Perhaps... this time, it was not certain.
During this period, she and Hikawa had often discussed various difficult problems.
She had discovered that Hikawa's knowledge far surpassed hers.
"Rin, why aren't you asking me?"
Obito Uchiha leaned his head over, blocking her line of sight as he asked with a grin.
"How do you feel about this time?"
Rin Nohara gave him due consideration and asked.
"I feel great!"
Obito Uchiha declared confidently, "I definitely won't come in last!"
"What difference does that make?"
Hatake Kakashi glanced at him and asked.
"How is there no difference?!"
Obito Uchiha glared at him.
Good, full of spirit.
Hikawa shook his head.
But it did not matter. He would make his move.
The classroom was lively, and so was the area outside.
The true heavyweights were Sarutobi Hiruzen and Hatake Sakumo.
Eiichirō stood to the side like some lackey.
Just then, the class bell rang.
He let out a sigh of relief and returned to the classroom.
"Now, I will announce the rankings for the written exam."
Facing everyone's expectant gazes, Eiichirō said with a smile, "First place goes to Hikawa. Let's congratulate him!"
He began clapping, but quite a few people wore expressions as though they had seen a ghost.
"Yay!"
Yuhi Kurenai looked excited, as if she were the one who had taken first place.
"How was it Hikawa?"
Obito Uchiha subconsciously clenched his fists.
In the previous exam, Hikawa had still been neck and neck with him. How had their positions suddenly reversed?
Hatake Kakashi's pupils contracted slightly as he fell silent.
"That's amazing!"
Rin Nohara's little mouth fell open, and she could not help saying it aloud.
Although she had suspected it, when it truly happened, she still found it difficult to believe.
"Teacher!"
Sarutobi Asuma abruptly stood up and questioned, "Was there some mistake?"
Outside the classroom, Sarutobi Hiruzen revealed a helpless expression.
What happened to staying calm? Why was he getting so impatient again?
Still, Hikawa taking first place did indeed surprise him.
"No."
Eiichirō shook his head.
"..."
Sarutobi Asuma gritted his teeth before finally sitting down dejectedly.
O vast heavens, why are you so unfair to me?
You fucking used a cheat, didn't you?!
"Despite having studied two months less than the others, Hikawa still took first place. What does that show? Hard work brings rewards!"
Eiichirō lectured earnestly. "I hope everyone studies diligently, especially during class..."
He suddenly stopped, an embarrassed expression appearing on his face.
Because he remembered that Hikawa never listened in class at all. He was either doing problems or reading extracurricular books.
Before you continue