The World Still Had Students Who Didn't Want to Graduate?

When Lu Yu and the others arrived at the classroom, many students were already there.

Everywhere he looked, the students' eyes were shining with excitement. After all, once they passed the graduation exam, they would all become ninjas.

Even the lowest-ranked Genin could take on missions and earn a handsome reward.

And once they became ninjas, Konoha would provide them with certain benefits.

Putting it another way, no matter what, graduating was better than staying in the classroom and listening to Iruka drone on about things they couldn't understand.

The four of them slumped over their desks, looking utterly listless and reluctant to leave.

The other students could understand why they looked that way.

After all, in all their years at the Ninja Academy, they'd barely seen these four ultimate big shots.

The Ninja Academy, which was like hell to everyone else, was practically heaven to them.

Hinata watched Lu Yu lie beside her without a shred of motivation. She pulled a carton of fresh milk from her desk and handed it to him.

"Lu Yu, cheer up."

Lu Yu took the milk with an utterly dejected look and muttered,

"I really don't want to graduate. I'd only just started enjoying my little boat..."

Hinata covered her mouth and giggled at his expression, then shook her head helplessly.

There was no getting through to this hopelessly lazy guy.

Unlike Lu Yu, Naruto and Sasuke were both thrilled.

Though their skills had improved by leaps and bounds under Lu Yu's special training, they still shuddered when they thought back on the training they'd endured over the years.

Especially the "Nine Deaths One Life" training they'd just finished yesterday. It had left a deep impression on them.

That Lake Monster had been real. When it opened its enormous jaws, they were a good seven or eight meters wide. More than once, the two of them had nearly been eaten.

Now they could take missions outside and would never again have to endure Lu Yu's torment. The two of them couldn't have been happier.

Naruto turned to Sasuke and said,

"Hey, Sasuke, even after we leave the boss, don't slack off. Otherwise, the next time we meet, I'll beat you to a pulp."

"Tch. Idiot."

"What did you say?"

Seeing the scornful look in Sasuke's eyes, Naruto jumped straight onto the desk and glared at him furiously.

A second later, a classmate walked by and accidentally bumped into Naruto. And just like that, the two of them shared their first kiss.

Quite a few girls had finally gotten to see the handsome Sasuke back in the classroom. Most had been quietly savoring the sight, but now, seeing what happened, they felt their hearts shatter.

Waaah, Sasuke's purity is gone...

Soon, the fan club led by Sakura beat Naruto until he was black and blue, and only then did they stop.

Then Iruka walked into the classroom. Seeing all the kids gathered together for once, he cheerfully announced that the graduation exam was beginning!

The exam was simple. Students drew lots to determine which of the Three Body Techniques they would be tested on.

When Lu Yu's turn came, he drew the Clone Technique.

Lu Yu pretended to struggle to gather his chakra, then finally made a feeble clone. He collapsed onto the ground, looking dizzy.

Lu Yu stared earnestly at Iruka.

"Teacher, I'm sorry. I wasted all these wonderful years of study, and now I can't even perform the most basic Clone Technique. I should go back and start over."

Iruka looked at Lu Yu's endless rambling with a dark expression and gritted his teeth.

"Nara Lu Yu, full marks in the Clone Technique. Next!"

Lu Yu never imagined that Iruka, a teacher who usually seemed so honest, would tell such an outrageous lie with a straight face.

"No way, Iruka-sensei! You're falsifying the results in public. That's utterly disgraceful. I clearly..."

"If you don't leave right now, I'll go find Yoshino-senpai. You know what you taught me all these years—the art of conversation."

"Ahem, fine, fine. Honestly..."

When Lu Yu heard Iruka say that, he knew there was no chance of staying behind. He walked out, looking dejected, and couldn't help sighing.

"Alas, I graduated after all..."

Hearing that, the muscles in Iruka's face twitched violently.

There was always something strange happening, and this year there were more oddballs than ever. Iruka never would have imagined that someone could actually refuse to graduate...

Holding his Forehead Protector, Lu Yu really did feel a little reluctant to leave behind his lazy days.

Just then, Hinata came rushing over with her Ninja Headband in hand and threw herself into Lu Yu's arms, a happy smile on her face.

"Lu Yu, I passed!"

Lu Yu was slightly taken aback by Hinata's move. He hadn't expected her to be so bold as to throw herself into his arms in front of everyone.

But seeing how happy Hinata was lifted his spirits too. He couldn't help patting her on the head.

"Congratulations on graduating, Hinata."

Feeling the warmth of Lu Yu's palm, Hinata was filled with a sense of security and happiness. Miraculously, she didn't faint. Neither of them said a word as they savored this rare, beautiful moment.

But soon, when the others showed up, Hinata had to step away from Lu Yu.

Once Shikamaru, Choji, Ino, Naruto, and Sasuke had all arrived, Lu Yu announced that he was treating everyone to a meal at the Barbecue Restaurant.

Then the seven of them happily left the school and went to the restaurant for a little celebration.

They had graduated. Once they began their lives as ninjas, it would surely be difficult to get everyone together again.

That was exactly why the time they spent together now felt so precious...