The Sharp-Tongued Hinata, Third Hokage's Ecstasy!

[Ding, congratulations to the host for completing the task of shocking Itachi 10 times.]

[Rewards: Dojutsu: Abyss of Hell, Soul Interrogation; Mystery Experience Card x1.]

After finishing the battle against the three, the long-awaited system notification sounded in Sasuke's ears.

Two B-rank genjutsu and one experience card.

However, there was still a question mark on the experience card.

"System, use the experience card."

Sasuke did not like hoarding items.

He chose to activate the experience card immediately.

As the question mark on the card vanished, Sasuke froze.

The information displayed left him somewhat shaken.

If used correctly, this thing could save his life!

Sasuke's heart sank as he suppressed his excitement.

He returned to the group.

"Hinata, you saw the battle just now, didn't you?"

"Do you have anything to say?"

Sasuke asked directly.

"Just now, you asked me where their chakra was weakest and where the precise acupoints were."

"Was that to achieve such a precise victory?"

Hinata looked at him with admiration.

In just those few seconds, Sasuke had actually come up with such a brilliant method.

And this was their very first time working together!

"Yes."

"There's no need to expend too much energy in a fight like this."

"The Ninja World is unstable right now, and we may encounter many more opponents in the future."

"If we don't treat every fight like a real battlefield now, we will be at a great disadvantage later."

Sasuke said earnestly.

In the original story, Team 7 had been in a state of confusion when facing many of their enemies.

This led to them being far too panicked and disorganized when dealing with Gaara's team or Orochimaru.

"Yes."

"I understand."

Hinata nodded heavily.

"You've already spoken to your family about the food situation, right?"

"Yes, I have."

"That's good. We must train hard; I hope to continue fighting by your side in the future."

"Yes..."

"Hinata, what's wrong? Why is your face so red?"

"I..."

"Can you two say something I can actually understand?!"

Just as Hinata was at a loss, Naruto spoke up.

He could understand their conversation when taken in parts, but put together, he couldn't make sense of a single word.

"Sasuke had me pinpoint the special acupoints of the three opponents, and then, using his incredible speed, he defeated them with minimal effort."

"Even though we didn't participate in the fighting, this is actually a form of team combat."

"I'm responsible for intel, Sasuke is responsible for combat, and you're responsible for not getting in the way."

"Yes, that's exactly it."

Hinata said seriously.

At this point, Hinata and Naruto did not yet share a special bond.

On the contrary, Hinata held a special affection for Sasuke.

Therefore, she said these words without any regard for Naruto's feelings.

"Uh..."

"Uh..."

Sasuke and Naruto both wore expressions of utter embarrassment.

Who could have known that such a kawaii girl would say something like that?

Even Sasuke was stunned.

"Alright, next we will proceed to the second stage: team battles."

"Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Hyuga Hinata."

[VS]

"Yasuda Shimura..."

The second match followed immediately after.

Meanwhile, Itachi still wore a look of shock on his face.

Sasuke's movements just now had been truly perfect.

Itachi asked himself: if he were in the same situation, he could never have devised such a flawless plan.

Although victory had been certain...

"The Hokage wants to see you."

Just then, an Anbu appeared behind Itachi.

The tone was somewhat unfriendly.

But that was to be expected.

There weren't many people in the village who liked the Uchiha.

Even though Itachi had joined the Anbu, outside of missions, the other members never gave him a pleasant look.

Although he wanted to stay and watch the rest of Sasuke's battle, Itachi chose to leave.

In the headmaster's office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was currently looking at a test paper before him with a heavy expression.

"Lord Hokage."

Itachi's figure appeared in the room.

He looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi and spoke respectfully.

"Itachi, come take a look at this test paper."

Hiruzen Sarutobi handed an anonymous test paper to Itachi.

"One hundred percent accuracy, and the analysis of certain combat situations has even reached the level of a Chunin."

"And this... this Will of Fire..."

"Lord Hokage, is this the standard answer key?"

Itachi looked at the answers on the paper and asked, somewhat bewildered.

Why on earth would Hiruzen Sarutobi show him this?

Could it be just to show him how one boasts about themselves on a standard test?

At this moment, Itachi did not even realize it himself.

He had already developed a slight repulsion toward this so-called Will of Fire.

"This is Uchiha Sasuke's test paper."

"What score do you think this paper deserves?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag of his pipe before speaking slowly.

"Sasuke!?"

Itachi activated his Sharingan in agitation; the information had completely short-circuited his mind.

"Lord Hokage, if this is truly Sasuke's paper, then I would give him a perfect score!"

After a few breaths, Itachi realized his rudeness.

He quickly provided his response.

"Why, if it is Sasuke, must you give him a perfect score?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked with interest.

"First, Sasuke is only a five-year-old child; the paper already demonstrates his solid academic foundation."

"Second, his understanding of the Will of Fire is, in my opinion, no weaker than my own."

"Finally, precisely because he is my younger brother, I must give him a perfect score."

"This score is devoid of any other emotions."

Itachi looked earnest.

At the same time, due to his intense excitement, his body couldn't help but tremble.

"I also believe a perfect score is warranted."

"Furthermore, his combat strength and techniques are both quite impressive."

"Itachi, I hope you can set aside more time to mentor Sasuke."

"Let him become a talent useful to the village in the future!"

"The most solid bulwark of Konoha still requires these young people to forge it!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi began his manipulation.

And Itachi, quite clearly, was buying into it!

These words not only gave Itachi a special mission, allowing him enough time to stay by his younger brother's side, but also expressed Hiruzen Sarutobi's recognition of Sasuke.

For someone with a brother complex, this was cause for instant, unbridled joy!

After settling a few matters, Itachi bowed and vanished from the spot.

"Fugaku Uchiha, you probably never imagined that your two sons would inherit the Will of Fire so perfectly!"

"In this contest, you had already lost from the very beginning..."

Amidst clouds of smoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed a smug smile.