Almost as soon as Mirai finished speaking, a middle-aged man appeared in front of the classroom. Mirai had seen him a few times before; he seemed to be the third-year homeroom teacher. By the time he reached the front of the classroom, the students had already quieted down.
"All right, this is the ninja graduation exam. Once you pass, you'll become new Genin. However, since you may be assigned dangerous missions after the exam, this year's test will be stricter than usual. You'll need to demonstrate the appropriate level of ability. I'm sure you've learned a lot during your years at the Ninja Academy, so show us everything you've got in this exam. Follow me. I'll take you to the testing ground."
The teacher finished speaking, then turned and walked out. The students followed him toward the door, while Mirai and the other two brought up the rear.
"Sora, why did you apply to take the exam too?" Mirai asked Mikazuki Sora.
"Why can't I apply?" Mikazuki Sora tilted her head and asked him in return.
"Uh... No, it's just that you're not strong enough yet. Taking the exam now would be a bit of a stretch."
Mikazuki Sora nodded. "Oh! I just want to find out how hard the exam is. You and Itachi will become ninjas soon. Even if I don't pass this time, I'll definitely pass next time. I want to become a ninja and catch up with you two."
Hearing Mikazuki Sora's words, Mirai realized that she was also a very determined girl. He smiled. "That's the spirit. With your abilities, even if you don't pass this time, you'll definitely become a ninja next time."
Suddenly, a mocking voice came from nearby. "Ha! Guess what I just heard? Three first-year brats actually bragging that they'll definitely pass the exam. Have brats gotten this arrogant these days?"
Mirai and the others looked toward the voice. A blue-haired guy stood there, looking like a delinquent. He was probably a third-year student.
Seeing Mirai and the others looking at him, the guy grew even more brazen. "I've been listening to you lot chatter away since a moment ago, as if you're the best around. You're nothing but a bunch of first-year brats. Don't get so cocky!"
He spoke loudly enough to draw the attention of the other students, who all turned to look. Most of them were second- or third-years. The third-years were about to graduate, and normally a team leader would be assigned to them to decide whether they had passed.
But the rules had suddenly changed this year. Nearly all the village's ninjas had been sent out on missions, and those still in the village were needed to protect it. There simply weren't any ninjas available to lead the students. It wasn't as if they could ask the Third Hokage and Konoha's other leaders to take charge of them.
The second-years had finished all their second-year courses and were preparing to move up to third year. Mirai and the others were only first-years. Their earlier comment that Mirai and Itachi would definitely pass and become Genin felt like a slap in the face to the second- and third-years who weren't confident about the exam.
They all looked at Mirai, Itachi, and Mikazuki Sora as if they were delusional, then began laughing at them in low voices. Uchiha Itachi ignored their stares. The only people who could truly command his attention were those he knew.
Mikazuki Sora looked as though she wanted to say something. She had spent a lot of time with Hyuga Hiben, and it was only natural that some of Hyuga Hiben's fiery temperament had rubbed off on her. If Hyuga Hiben had been there, she would have already fired back at them.
Mirai tugged at Mikazuki Sora's arm and smiled. "Don't pay attention to what other people say. Let them laugh if they want. If a dog bites you, you're not going to bite it back, are you?"
Mikazuki Sora laughed at his words. Uchiha Itachi's shoulders and expression shifted slightly too. Whenever they spent time with Mirai, strange expressions would suddenly pop out of his mouth. They had no idea where he picked them up.
At Mirai's words, many of the students' expressions froze, turning sour. The blue-haired delinquent wasn't the only one who had mocked Mirai and the others for being full of themselves. Many other students in the crowd had done the same, and Mirai's remark had insulted them too.
"Bastard! What did you say? You dare insult me? You're nothing but a first-year brat. Looks like I'll have to teach you how to respect your seniors before the exam!" The blue-haired delinquent cracked his knuckles, making them pop.
"Sure. If you want to get disqualified here and now, go ahead and take a swing," Mirai said with a smile, spreading his hands.
"Fine! You've got guts! You won't even make it to the exam. I'll show you the difference between first- and third-years!" He clenched his fist and charged at Mirai. Mirai stood still, still smiling.
Just as the fist was about to hit him in the face, Mirai took a step back and narrowly dodged the punch. The guy immediately raised a foot and kicked at him, but Mirai stepped to the right and dodged again. The ease with which he avoided both attacks in a row left the second- and third-years astonished.
Suddenly, a stern voice rang out. "Enough! Stop! If you keep causing trouble, you'll be disqualified from the exam!"
The blue-haired guy stopped. From every angle, he was the one bullying Mirai. He glared viciously at Mirai. "Kid! You're lucky this time. Just hope I don't run into you during the exam, or I'll make sure you suffer."
"You're welcome to try," Mirai said with a smile.
"Tch!" He turned and continued walking. Mirai and the others did the same.
"Sora, why didn't you teach him a proper lesson?" Mikazuki Sora asked Mirai. "He was obviously just causing trouble."
"There's no need to waste our energy before the exam. Besides, like I said, there's no point biting back."
The blue-haired guy walking ahead heard him and clenched his fists. Mirai's words had clearly infuriated him, and he swore to himself that he would teach Mirai a proper lesson soon.
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