Enrolling

Over the past year, however, Ito Makoto's progress with Sage Jutsu had been minimal.

Under the guidance of the Sage of Six Paths, he had managed to perceive natural energy and reach the threshold of Sage Mode. Yet, his speed in absorbing natural energy was agonizingly slow, reaching only a level comparable to Naruto Uzumaki's training in the Sage Mode of Mount Myoboku. Entering Sage Mode required long periods of preparation and absolute stillness, and he could only maintain the state for a mere five minutes.

He was nowhere near the level of Senju Hashirama, who could enter Sage Mode instantaneously.

The only training method Ito Makoto could conceive of was to emulate the ways of Mount Myoboku: maintaining a state of stillness to continuously refine his perception and absorption of natural energy.

Yet, the Senju Kotoha before his eyes defied Ito Makoto's imagination. She was actually absorbing natural energy while in motion, and furthermore, using that energy to reinforce her physical body. For a standard Sage Mode, this was practically impossible.

So-called Sage Mode is a special state where a ninja enters a state of stillness to absorb natural energy from the environment, mixing it with their own chakra to form Sage chakra.

In the ninja world, when the toads of Mount Myoboku spoke of Sage Mode, they explicitly stated that the prerequisite for activation was stillness. As for the Sage Mode of Ryūchi Cave, one could see from how Kabuto hid inside a snake's body before activation that it, too, could not function without stillness.

Although Senju Hashirama's Sage Mode was fast, there was still a brief moment of stillness before it was triggered.

In other words, in this world, a state of stillness was indispensable for the activation of ordinary Sage Mode. The only exception was the Six Paths Mode achieved by absorbing the Ten-Tails, but that was practically an entirely different tier of power.

However, the methods employed by Senju Kotoha transcended the common sense of this world.

How did she do it? Could it be another system? Ito Makoto's heart was filled with questions. If Senju Kotoha wasn't a transmigrator, he would have truly liked to ask her for advice. Unfortunately, in the current situation, the risk of exposing his own identity was far too great.

I must observe Senju Kotoha's state more closely in the future, he decided.

When it was Yamanaka Masami's turn, there were no incidents; she completed the running test in a completely unremarkable fashion. Ito Makoto could not discern any special power from her, and neither his Sharingan nor his Rinnegan detected any anomalies.

He did not lower his guard against Yamanaka Masami, however; she might well be a transmigrator like him, one who had hidden her abilities extremely well.

After several rounds of testing, the Ninja Academy entrance exam concluded smoothly. As expected, all the protagonists and supporting characters from the original plot passed the test. Naturally, the three suspected transmigrators also passed without issue.

Iruka had led a group of 80 students, and in the end, only 27 were admitted.

Iruka announced the class schedule and curriculum for the following day, and the exam came to a successful end.

Ito Makoto left the Ninja Academy with Sakura. His mother and Aunt Mebuki were waiting at the school gate.

"How did it go?" Haruno Mebuki asked impatiently. Although Mika had been comforting her, saying there was nothing to worry about, she was still extremely nervous when it came to her daughter's future.

"It's fine, we both passed smoothly," Sakura said with a smile, flashing a V-sign.

"That's wonderful." Haruno Mebuki let out a sigh of relief. "We really should thank A-Cheng for his help with passing this exam."

"It was just a small matter, Aunt Mebuki, please don't be so formal," Ito Makoto said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"So, whose grades were better, Xiao Cheng's or Sakura's?" Mika asked, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

"Hehe, A-Cheng's test scores weren't as good as mine!" Sakura suddenly revealed, "My ranking was actually ahead of A-Cheng's."

"So Xiao Cheng's grades aren't as good as Sakura's? It seems Sakura has already surpassed Xiao Cheng. Xiao Cheng, you should ask Sakura for advice more often in the future," Mika said with a beaming smile.

"Mom, how can you say that? I was just holding back my strength."

"It was just a test, who would be silly enough to hold back their strength?" Mika feigned ignorance. Knowing her son well, she had long guessed that this kid would produce a mediocre result. Regardless of the truth, she had to seize the opportunity to tease him, lest he get too cocky in the future due to his excessive talent.

The group began their journey home. Along the way, Ito Makoto kept spouting incomprehensible words about "the way of the humble" and using one's strength as a hidden trump card, which kept Mika laughing. For a time, the air was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

To celebrate Ito Makoto and Sakura passing the test, Mebuki and Mika joined forces to prepare a grand feast.

Ito Makoto also allowed himself a rare moment of relaxation, setting aside his ninjutsu training. Over the past year, he had been immersed in practice. Genjutsu, taijutsu, medical ninjutsu, and Sage Jutsu had filled his time completely. This had left him mentally exhausted, so he took this opportunity to properly unwind.

Early the next morning, Sakura and Ito Makoto put on their school bags and began their formal studies at the Ninja Academy. Since Mika had to work at the hospital, Mebuki took the two of them to school this time.

Although the two tried to refuse, their mothers flatly overruled them.

Before leaving the house, Ito Makoto specifically created a Shadow Clone to stay behind and practice Genjutsu.

While he could have sent the Shadow Clone to school in his place, the clone would vanish the moment its chakra was depleted.

Moreover, the school was full of rowdy kids, and there was no guarantee he wouldn't get hurt. If the Shadow Clone were exposed, he would instantly transform from an obscure, ordinary person into a so-called genius ninja, placing himself under the scrutiny of the Third Hokage and other high-level figures, as well as any other transmigrators.

Rather than taking that risk, it was better for his real body to go to school while the Shadow Clone stayed home to practice Genjutsu and medical ninjutsu.

As if it were a repeat of the entrance ceremony, the gates of the Ninja Academy were once again crowded with students and parents. The number was significantly smaller than the day before, however, as those who had failed the test were absent.

While waiting, Ito Makoto began to observe the surrounding students.

Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji, Yamanaka Ino, and Yamanaka Masami arrived together. Their parents were the famous Ino-Shika-Cho trio; they were old family friends and chatted together while watching their children.

Ueda Shin was alone, arriving by himself without anyone to accompany him.

Could he be an orphan? Ito Makoto speculated. That would be normal; many transmigrators came from orphanages. Someone like him, who still had a mother, was a rare exception.

Beside Uchiha Sasuke was a woman he hadn't seen before, along with Uchiha Itachi. Presumably, that woman was the mother of Sasuke and Itachi.

Hinata Hyuga was accompanied by the head of the Hyuga Clan he had seen before, Hyuga Hiashi. He hadn't expected the man to personally send Hinata to school. It seemed that Hinata was still held in high regard by him at this time.

Inuzuka Kiba and Aburame Shino were also accompanied by their parents.