Seeing Lu Yu chatting quietly with Shikamaru, Ino couldn't help edging over, her clear eyes studying Lu Yu with interest.
Then Ino said with a grin:
"Not bad, Lu Yu! You always seem even less motivated than Shikamaru, but I never expected you to be this good!"
"Not at all, I just got lucky..."
Just as Lu Yu was trying to laugh it off and change the subject, it was Ino's turn to take the test.
The little girl waved to the Lu brothers and calmly walked onto the training field.
Five minutes later—
"Yamanaka Ino. Ninjutsu: 9 points. Shuriken: 6 points. Taijutsu: 5 points."
That was another score that made admission a sure thing.
And so, about an hour and a half later, the students who had passed were announced in order of their scores.
Uchiha Sasuke, Akimichi Choji, Haruno Sakura... Familiar names that Lu Yu knew all too well were called out one after another.
But Uzumaki Naruto had failed.
Seeing Uzumaki Naruto sitting alone on the swing, Lu Yu walked over and patted him on the shoulder.
"Don't worry about it. You can take the makeup exam."
Unable to resist offering a little comfort to the dejected protagonist, Lu Yu then headed home with Ino, Choji, and Shikamaru.
Naruto watched their retreating backs, feeling a little moved and a little envious. Then his expression grew even more determined.
And so, the morning entrance exam came to an end.
The students who had earned admission were taken home under their parents' satisfied gazes.
Even those who hadn't passed still had another chance. Kids like Naruto would have to train harder and try to pass the makeup exam, or they would have to wait until next year to enroll.
Lu Yu wasn't worried about Naruto, though. After all, the boy was the Fourth Hokage's son. He refused to believe Sarutobi would really let Naruto fail.
The next morning.
Their mother dragged Lu Yu and Shikamaru out of bed. The two of them yawned as Yoshino hauled them from their warm blankets, one in each hand.
Lu Yu glanced at the clock. It was only seven. He looked at Nara Yoshino helplessly.
"Mom, can't you let me sleep a little longer before I go to school? It's way too early..."
"Same here. Yawn..."
Nara Yoshino ruffled both boys' hair and said cheerfully:
"You usually sleep until noon. Now that you're going to school, things have to change. From now on, you'll get up at this time every day."
The two exchanged a look and let out a perfectly synchronized groan. Still half asleep, they couldn't even tell what they were eating for breakfast. They mechanically shoved it into their mouths, then their mother ushered them out the door.
Lu Yu patted the shoe prints on his backside and couldn't help muttering:
"I seriously think she's our stepmother..."
Shikamaru nodded.
"I feel the same way."
After complaining, the brothers still set off for the Ninja Academy.
Since they had arrived so early, only a few other new students were in the classroom.
Lu Yu glanced around, his eyes lighting up slightly. Without drawing attention to himself, he walked in and chose a seat by the window.
Yeah, this was a great place to sleep.
Before long, Uchiha Sasuke, one of the two main characters, arrived and sat down arrogantly two rows ahead.
Seeing him act that way, Lu Yu just shook his head and paid no attention—
He could only act so smug for now.
After the Uchiha Clan Massacre, he would be like a completely different person.
In Lu Yu's view, although Uzumaki Naruto had suffered terribly, his values were remarkably sound.
Uchiha Sasuke was different. He had suffered plenty too, but his mental state was especially prone to falling apart.
Ignoring Uchiha Sasuke, Lu Yu laid his head on the desk and began to doze off again. He had to make up for the sleep he'd lost that morning.
Time passed, and students trickled in until every seat was taken. At a glance, there were about forty of them.
Yamanaka Ino sat in front of Lu Yu, with Shikamaru and Akimichi Choji beside her.
Ino saw Lu Yu slumped over his desk, looking exhausted. Her little nose scrunched up, but she held back from disturbing his rest.
Before long, Lu Yu had fallen asleep. He didn't wake until someone sat down beside him.
He turned to look at his new deskmate.
As luck would have it, when Lu Yu glanced over, he caught Hinata sneaking a look at him.
Without thinking, Lu Yu gave Hinata a sunny smile.
Oh my god!
Lu Yu smiled at me!
Lu Yu smiled at me!
Lu Yu smiled at me!
At that moment, Hinata's mind was filled with that one thought. Her face turned bright red before she even realized it, and she nearly fainted.
Lu Yu was stunned by the sight of her.
Seriously? I only smiled at you. How could you blush this much?
The next instant, Lu Yu hurriedly caught Hyuga Hinata as she started to fall, his face full of helplessness.
"You're way too shy. This could be a real problem..."
A minute later, Hyuga Hinata finally came around. Her little face was still red as she spoke in a voice barely louder than a mosquito's.
"Um... Lu Yu, please be kind to me."
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