Ninja Exam

Taking out soybeans, Naruto channeled Wind-style chakra, added water, and then applied Fire-style chakra; in less than a minute, soy milk was ready.

In less than three minutes, breakfast was complete.

"Uh, Naruto, is this how you usually cook?" Hinata stood at the kitchen entrance, looking at Naruto with a dazed, adorable expression. Naruto hadn't used a single kitchen utensil, relying entirely on chakra for the whole process.

Although Naruto's cooking was always a bit magical, it had previously stayed within the realm of normalcy. But with no outsiders around, Naruto had completely let his guard down, shattering Hinata's worldview—she hadn't realized cooking could be done like this.

Naruto carried the breakfast out.

"Power is meant to protect loved ones and make life convenient; don't let the ninja dogma brainwash you." Naruto smiled and walked over to Hinata. He originally wanted to flick her cute little nose, but since his hands were occupied, he helplessly tapped his head against her forehead. Hinata didn't react at first, but once it registered, her face turned bright red instantly.

Ninja chakra is generally scarce, and releasing a single ninjutsu can exhaust one's reserves. This leads them to develop a habit from a young age: conserve chakra, and never use ninjutsu unless absolutely necessary.

Slowly, this conservation became a habit. Naruto was different; he didn't lack chakra, and combined with his past-life perspective, he saw no reason not to use his power when it had no side effects.

Hearing Naruto's philosophy for the second time, Hinata still felt a sense of warmth. Power is meant to protect loved ones—Hinata wasn't a fool; she understood exactly who Naruto meant when he spoke of family, given that he was an orphan.

Moved in her heart, she identified even more with Naruto's words. Having grown up with him, she understood his situation well and knew that, compared to herself, Naruto was the one who actually needed protection.

[I want to protect you too, Naruto.] For the first time, a thought emerged in Hinata's mind to surpass Naruto; as long as she was stronger than him, she could protect him.

Just as Naruto turned his head, he thought he saw a flash of light in Hinata's eyes.

Naruto couldn't help but scratch his head. Did I just imagine that?

"Hinata, let's eat." Seeing Hinata still lost in thought, Naruto couldn't help but call out softly.

"Mm-hmm." Hinata snapped back to reality, her face flushing slightly. She knew how hard Naruto worked, and it seemed she needed to work even harder herself.

The Hyuga family had many rules, including no talking while eating. Naruto's father in his past life had also been a rigid man who followed the rule of silence during meals, so the two ate in quiet harmony.

After finishing, they tidied up briefly and prepared to head to the exam.

As soon as they went downstairs, they saw Sasuke waiting there.

"Why didn't you come up?" Naruto asked, surprised.

Sasuke let out a cold snort and said nothing. Why would he go up there?

Hinata finally remembered Sasuke's existence. They had originally agreed to go together, but Hinata and Sasuke had arrived at the house one after another that morning. Hinata had gone up to get Naruto while Sasuke waited below, but because of Naruto, Hinata had completely forgotten about Sasuke until they finished breakfast.

Hinata couldn't help but blush, lowering her head, not daring to look at Sasuke.

Fortunately, Sasuke had already eaten and understood Hinata's personality, so he didn't blame her, though he didn't give Naruto a pleasant look.

Naruto didn't know what was wrong with him, but knowing Sasuke's personality, he didn't mind.

The three of them soon arrived at the exam venue.

The atmosphere changed the moment they stepped inside. Everyone here was a Genin, and whether they could promote to Chunin was crucial. As the saying goes, fame should be sought early; in this Ninja World, a ninja's lifespan is generally short, so there is no such thing as slow cultivation.

As soon as Naruto entered, he saw Neji and the others hiding their true strength.

Some people like to play the pig to eat the tiger, while others prefer to blaze a path with dominance. Naruto watched with a smile; if you play the pig for too long, you eventually become one.

Seeing Naruto approach, Neji narrowed his eyes instantly.

"Naruto Uzumaki, I will definitely defeat you this time." Neji's words were filled with confidence.

"Oh, go for it, Neji. In that case, Uchiha Sasuke is mine." Before anyone else could speak, Rock Lee rushed over.

Looking at the bowl-cut boy in front of him, Sasuke felt insulted. He hadn't seen Rock Lee's strength and believed that, aside from Naruto, no one was his match.

"Haha, I'm really looking forward to it." Naruto laughed, but his eyes narrowed slightly. This future brother-in-law was certainly asking for a beating; it seemed an opportunity had arrived.

"Naruto-kun, let's just head into the classroom." Hinata was afraid they would start fighting right there and quickly urged him.

Naruto nodded and led them toward the exam area.

As for the genjutsu, he ignored it entirely.

"These brats today are really full of themselves." The Konoha gate guards couldn't help but mutter.

"Haha, weren't we the same back then?" a Chunin with a scar on his nose smiled.

Walking to the exam door, Naruto and his group stepped inside, and suddenly, everyone turned to look at them. Hinata and Sasuke immediately felt the pressure.

Naruto's senses were even sharper; everyone here was a Genin, and with their frayed nerves, even an ordinary person could feel the tension in the air.

"Hello, everyone!" Naruto, however, didn't care and greeted them all.

Naruto's personality meant he could hide his strength, but he would never play the pig to eat the tiger.

The Third Hokage wouldn't last many more days, and Naruto had already fully devoured half of the Nine-Tails. The current Naruto had shed his former caution and become much more carefree.

"What an arrogant brat." Everyone's eyes narrowed instantly. The oppressive mood made everyone want to fight, but because they were in Konoha, they were restraining themselves. To them, Naruto's words sounded like a provocation.

"Does everyone seem a bit unfriendly?" Naruto scratched his head and couldn't help but look at his friends. Shikamaru, watching Naruto standing at the door, felt speechless; he had a feeling Naruto was doing this on purpose.

"What a nasty sense of humor." Shikamaru sighed.

"Naruto, let's just leave; they seem..." Hinata didn't finish her sentence; her personality made her dislike causing trouble.

"Alright, alright. Honestly, I was hoping they'd have something interesting to offer." Naruto took the lead and walked toward the seats.

He was genuinely hoping someone would make a move.

Sasuke followed by his side, using his Sharingan to glare back at anyone who dared to stare at them.

Against Genin, the Sharingan still held quite a bit of intimidation, and everyone immediately quieted down.

The three of them sat in a row.

"Good grief, are the Genin these days all this thick-headed? I actually thought you lot were going to start a fight."

Just as Naruto sat down, a ninja wearing glasses walked over.