Naruto Was Singled Out

Everyone knew what that meant: teachers droning through their lesson plans, sleepy classrooms, and whenever they reached an important point, they'd rap the blackboard and say, "This will be on the test. Memorize it yourselves." They always called on the same few top students. Compared with Qiushui's classes, it was like the difference between hell and heaven.

Just then, Ino Yamanaka stood up.

She braced both hands on her desk and looked around the classroom, speaking earnestly. "If we want Qiushui to keep being our homeroom teacher, it's simple: everyone needs to give it their all on this exam. Besides, Qiushui's lessons are so good that I'll be the first to look down on anyone who fails!"

Naruto Uzumaki's face fell. He felt like Ino was targeting him.

After all, he was the only one in the class who often failed exams.

But his expression hadn't stayed down for even two seconds when another voice rang out.

Sakura Haruno stood up too.

She held a thick stack of papers in her hands. They were study notes she'd put together overnight, filled with key points in tiny writing. She set them on her desk and said solemnly, "These are the notes I compiled. Even though the exam is tomorrow, you can still improve your scores if you review carefully when you get home. I'll take them to the copy shop at noon. After school, everyone can come get a free copy from me!"

Then she turned and fixed her gaze on Naruto. "Naruto, especially you. You're always dragging the class down. I hope you'll take this exam seriously. If Qiushui gets transferred because of you, none of us will forgive you."

Naruto's scalp began to prickle. He felt like Sakura was targeting him too.

But he didn't argue.

Hearing them say all that, he realized that if he did poorly on the exam and Qiushui really was replaced, wouldn't that mean Qiushui no longer had any reason to keep training him?

That couldn't happen.

He clenched his fists.

He had to take the exam seriously. He had to get a good score.

Aburame Shino adjusted his sunglasses. Sitting silently in the corner, he was already working out a plan. His theory scores usually came in just behind Sakura Haruno's, but this time was different. This exam would determine whether Qiushui stayed.

He considered it. If Naruto dragged down the class average, he decided he'd release a few bugs during the exam to copy Sakura Haruno's answers.

He wouldn't normally do something like that, but this was different. He wasn't doing it for himself, but for Qiushui and everyone in the class.

Uchiha Sasuke listened to their discussion without expression. He hadn't interacted much with Qiushui—in fact, they'd barely spoken—but Qiushui's classes really were more comfortable. Unlike their previous teachers, he didn't ramble on and on, and his lessons had helped Sasuke notice plenty of shortcomings in himself.

He was going to take first place in the year on this practical exam.

Choji Akimichi stuffed potato chips into his mouth and nudged Shikamaru Nara with his elbow. "Shikamaru, don't keep your score right at the passing mark this time. If Qiushui gets transferred, we'll be stuck with another teacher who gives boring lessons."

Shikamaru Nara held his forehead and sighed.

What a pain.

Such a pain.

Before, he wouldn't have bothered with any of this. An exam was an exam; he'd do just enough to pass. Any extra points were a waste.

But now, he glanced at the fired-up students around him and thought of Qiushui teaching.

Honestly, Qiushui was a pretty good teacher. Unlike the others, he didn't just read from the textbook or call students out to criticize them at the drop of a hat. His lessons were easy to listen to, and time passed quickly. Most importantly, Qiushui never called on him when he fell asleep in class.

If Qiushui really got replaced by some boring teacher, Shikamaru wouldn't even be able to sleep peacefully in class anymore.

Fine.

He wouldn't hold back his score this time.

Hyuga Hinata sat quietly at her desk, her hands on her knees and her back straight. As she listened to her classmates talking over one another, her little face was full of determination.

She had to do well.

She had to.

Not for a ranking, and not to compete with anyone. She wanted Qiushui to stay, and she wanted to keep training every day.

Qiushui, who always arrived right on time, had no idea what had just happened.

He stepped through the door and onto the podium one second before the bell rang. After placing his lesson plan on the lectern, he cleared his throat and began. "The exam will take place over three days. The first day is the theory test. Remember to bring two pens: one to use and one as a backup. If your pen runs out of ink halfway through, no one's going to lend you one."

"The second day is the physical fitness test," he continued. "The third day is the practical exam. Watch what you eat over the next two days. Avoid anything too spicy or greasy, or you might end up with an upset stomach and hurt your performance. Don't blame me if you do. Also, check your ninja tools. Shuriken, kunai—replace anything you're missing now. Don't wait until you're at the exam site to find your pouch empty."

With that, he opened his lesson plan. "All right, let's begin."

For the rest of the lesson, Qiushui focused on teaching them important concepts that could earn them points.

He went into even more detail than usual, explaining which topics were sure to appear, which questions were easy to get wrong, and what tricks they could use to answer certain questions quickly.

But as he taught, a hint of confusion crept into Qiushui's mind.

What was going on?

Why were the students so fired up today?

Even on an ordinary day, quite a few students volunteered to answer questions. But today, the moment he asked one, a whole sea of hands shot up, each student eager to answer first.

Qiushui was a little puzzled. He remembered that when he'd been in school, everyone got nervous in the days leading up to an exam. Why didn't these students seem afraid of exams at all?

But he didn't dwell on it. This kind of enthusiasm was a good thing.

[Talent development complete]

[Overall evaluation: A]

[Reward obtained—Wind Release: Great Breakthrough Technique (Intermediate)]

Wind Release: Great Breakthrough was a C-rank Wind Release ninjutsu and a required introductory technique for every Wind Release user, much like Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique for Fire Release users. It was a signature technique that saw frequent use.

The user converted a large amount of chakra into a gale and released it from their mouth or palm, creating a powerful gust. Its power wasn't exceptional, but it used little chakra, was quick to cast, and had a wide range of uses.

Qiushui looked at the new ninjutsu on the system panel, his eyes lighting up slightly.

He'd already obtained several Fire Release techniques. Combined with Wind Release, fire would ride the wind, and the wind would fan the flames.

A flame that could originally burn only one patch could burn through a whole wall with a gust behind it. A fireball that could originally fly only ten meters could fly twenty with the wind's help. Its power would increase by at least half.

Qiushui closed the system panel and walked into the office.