Look, You're Anxious Again (Bonus Chapter)

Chapter 35: See, You're Impatient Again (Bonus Chapter)

"Dad, why are you still here?"

Yuhi Kurenai walked out of the bathroom, rubbing her wet hair, a puzzled look on her small face.

She had just finished her morning training and was about to head to school.

At this time, Yuhi Shinko was usually already out.

"Uncle Shinko took the day off to watch our practical exam."

Hikawa waited until Kurenai sat down, then picked up a hairdryer to help her dry her hair.

The written exam was yesterday; results haven't come out yet.

Today is the practical exam.

"..."

Yuhi Shinko opened his mouth, then stopped.

You two give me a chance to speak!

He felt that if this kept up, there wouldn't be a place for him in his own home.

"I have something to tell you."

Once Kurenai's hair was dry, Yuhi Shinko spoke up.

"We definitely won't let you down!"

Kurenai lifted her chin, a proud look on her small face. "Just wait for our good news!"

"That's not what I'm talking about."

Yuhi Shinko shook his head. "I know your strength. But as genjutsu users, remember to act within your limits."

"Huh?"

Kurenai tilted her head, looking at him in confusion.

"No matter what, surviving is the most important thing."

Yuhi Shinko spoke earnestly. "If you can't win, surrender. Don't push yourself and risk injury."

"But..."

Kurenai vaguely felt that what Yuhi Shinko said was different from what the textbooks taught.

Especially since it didn't quite align with the Will of Fire.

"Uncle Shinko makes a good point."

Hikawa agreed.

Naruto is a shonen anime full of hot-blooded passion, but reality isn't.

Without some kind of cheat, it's best not to act recklessly.

Shouting about friendship and bonds as you charge in to fight for your life will only make Madara Uchiha laugh.

Seeing this, Yuhi Shinko gave him an approving look.

This kid would definitely survive.

Hikawa sensed something subtle.

Because in the original story, Yuhi Shinko died protecting the village during the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's Attack.

"I understand!"

Kurenai nodded firmly.

If even Hikawa said so, it couldn't be wrong.

"Let's go."

Yuhi Shinko stood up, smiling. "It should be lively today."

For students, the final exam is the most important thing.

For parents, it's the same.

Sarutobi Hiruzen woke up early.

He was organizing the list of team leaders.

Every year, the Hokage personally assigns team leaders to newly graduated students.

The list included jonin and chunin.

Graduates from ninja clans or with exceptional talent would get a jonin as their leader.

Ordinary graduates would only get a chunin.

There was no helping it—the number of jonin was simply too few.

"Are you ready?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen heard the footsteps and lifted his head.

He was supposed to go to the Hokage Office, but not this year.

It was all because of Sarutobi Asuma.

"Of course!"

Sarutobi Asuma looked eager, saying, "I've been preparing for today for a whole month!"

"Don't let your guard down."

Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a chuckle.

"I know."

Sarutobi Asuma snorted lightly and asked, "Are you done with your work?"

"See, you're in a hurry again."

Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly rolled up the scroll and said, "Always stay calm, especially during battle."

"You've said that a hundred times!"

Sarutobi Asuma complained.

"..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly felt exhausted.

How could this kid have such a completely opposite personality from his older brother? He had no idea who he'd picked it up from.

The two walked out the door.

"Lord Hokage!"

Along the way, people kept greeting Sarutobi Hiruzen.

At the school, he was immediately surrounded, showing off his immense popularity as Hokage.

Sarutobi Asuma followed behind him, his face sour the whole time.

Because the spotlight was completely stolen by Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Even if someone noticed him, they'd only say, "This is your son, right? Truly a fine young man!"

Oh my god, you're so sharp! How'd you guess that?!

Sarutobi Asuma's mind was bursting with the energy to complain, and he felt like if he let it out, it could blow up the school.

He glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen and went straight back to the classroom.

Before the practical exam, there was one more step: announcing the results of yesterday's written test.

Sarutobi Asuma wasn't confident he'd take first place, but he was confident he'd score higher than Hikawa.

Because last time, Hikawa had ranked near the bottom in the written test.

He didn't believe Hikawa could overtake him in just one month.

If he did, he'd eat his... well, better play it safe and not make empty promises.

"Kakashi, are you confident in the written test?"

The teacher hadn't arrived yet, so Rin Nohara found a topic to ask.

"Pretty much."

Hatake Kakashi said casually, "Same as always."

In the previous written tests, he'd always taken first place.

Rin Nohara nodded slightly, but then noticed Hikawa walking into the classroom.

Maybe... not this time.

Lately, she and Hikawa had often discussed various difficult problems.

She'd found that Hikawa's knowledge far surpassed hers.

"Rin, why don't you ask me?"

Obito Uchiha leaned in, blocking her view, and asked with a grin.

"How do you feel this time?"

Rin Nohara humored him and asked.

"Feeling great!"

Obito Uchiha declared confidently, "I'm definitely not going to be last!"

"What's the difference?"

Hatake Kakashi glanced at him and asked.

"How is there no difference?!"

Obito Uchiha glared at him.

Good, that's the spirit!

Hikawa shook his head.

But it didn't matter—he would handle it.

The classroom was lively, and so was the area outside.

The most heavyweight figures were none other than Sarutobi Hiruzen and Hatake Sakumo.

Eiichirō stood off to the side, looking like a mere underling.

Just then, the bell for class rang.

He let out a sigh of relief and returned to the classroom.

"Now I'll announce the rankings for the written exam."

Eiichirō met everyone's gaze and said with a smile, "Taking first place is Hikawa. Let's congratulate him!"

He began clapping as he spoke, but quite a few people looked as if they'd seen a ghost.

"Awesome!"

Yuhi Kurenai was beaming with excitement, as if she were the one who'd taken first place.

"How is it Hikawa?"

Obito Uchiha clenched his fists unconsciously.

Last exam, Hikawa had been neck and neck with him—how had their positions suddenly reversed?

Hatake Kakashi's pupils contracted slightly as he fell into silence.

"Amazing!"

Rin Nohara's lips parted slightly as she couldn't help but say.

She had suspected it might happen, but now that it was real, she still found it hard to believe.

"Teacher!"

Sarutobi Asuma shot to his feet and questioned, "Did you make a mistake somewhere?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen, watching from outside the classroom, showed a helpless expression.

So much for staying calm—why was he so impatient again?

But Hikawa taking first was indeed more than he had expected.

"No."

Eiichirō shook his head and said.

"..."

Sarutobi Asuma gritted his teeth and finally slumped back down in defeat.

Oh, cruel heavens—why have you forsaken me?

You must be cheating!

"Hikawa studied for two months less than everyone else and still came in first. What does that prove? Hard work pays off!"

Eiichirō lectured earnestly, "I hope you all study hard, especially during class..."

He suddenly stopped, a look of embarrassment spreading across his face.

Because he remembered that Hikawa never paid attention in class—he was either solving problems or reading extracurricular books.