Behind-the-Scenes Manipulation 1/2

After resting for a while, Sarutobi Hiruzen returned to work.

Sarutobi Tanbashu helped brew a cup of hot tea and presented the forms to his father. "These are the written exam results for this year's graduation test. Please take a look."

Sarutobi Hiruzen read them very carefully.

Written test scores were divided into five grades, A through E, with C as the passing grade.

At last, Sarutobi Hiruzen specifically pulled out Rock Lee's score sheet.

Rock Lee had received a C on the written test this time. Previously, his written test scores had always been remarkably stable—firmly in last place.

Sarutobi Tanbashu smiled and explained, "It really was just pure luck." He then told him about Hayato's so-called Hyuga Clan exam secret technique.

As for why Sarutobi Tanbashu knew about the exam secret technique, it was not because Rock Lee had let it slip. Rather, Hayato had brought it up as an amusing story while eating sukiyaki.

Then word spread.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Tanbashu exchanged a smile, though it was impossible to tell whether they were laughing at Rock Lee or Hayato.

Sarutobi Tanbashu took out the score sheets for the Three Body Technique and kunai throwing.

After examining them closely, Sarutobi Hiruzen pulled out Hayato's form. Both forms bore Yamashiro Aoba's mark, indicating that they required special attention.

After reading them, Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "An unusual Substitution Technique and curved kunai throws? Interesting."

The two ninjutsu that had stunned the entire examination ground were merely interesting in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes. After all, besides being known as the "God of Shinobi," he also held the title of "Shinobi World Professor." There were truly few ninjutsu capable of shocking him.

Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, "What are these two called?"

Sarutobi Tanbashu answered, "Cicada Molting Technique and Viper Throw."

Cicada Molting Technique and Viper Throw?

Quite fitting names.

Hyuga Main Branch residence.

Hyuga Hiashi held two score sheets in his hands, belonging to Hayato and Neji Hyuga respectively.

Two geniuses: one excelled at developing ninjutsu, while the other had perfectly inherited the Hyuga Clan's bloodline.

Hyuga Hiashi felt both pleased and worried—pleased that the Hyuga Clan had produced so many talented individuals, worried that both geniuses belonged to the Branch Family.

The current heir of the Main Branch was Hinata Hyuga, Hyuga Hiashi's eldest daughter. Hinata Hyuga's talent was average, and her personality was timid and weak. It would be difficult for her to shoulder the responsibility of strengthening the Hyuga Clan.

Given time, it was inevitable that the Branch Family would surpass the Main Branch.

Two choices lay before Hyuga Hiashi:

First, suppress Hyuga Hayato and Neji Hyuga. This choice would inevitably provoke an uprising from the Branch Family, escalating the conflict between the Main Branch and Branch Family to another level.

Second, replace the heir. Hyuga Hiashi had another daughter—Hanabi Hyuga. In Hyuga Hiashi's view, Hanabi Hyuga's talent was no less than Hayato's or Neji's.

He would wait and see. It was not yet time to make a choice.

Hyuga Hiashi rubbed the bridge of his nose.

What a headache!

Hyuga Hiashi asked, "Ko, who is tomorrow's chief examiner?"

Ko Hyuga, who was serving at his side, replied, "Shimizu Shunsuke, a Special Jonin. He has fought alongside Hyuga shinobi several times."

Hyuga Hiashi said, "Go reminisce with him in your personal capacity. Arrange a match between Neji and Hayato."

Two geniuses of entirely different types—which one would prevail?

Hyuga Hiashi did not care. What he wanted was for both of them to reveal all their trump cards in an evenly matched battle. Better yet, if they beat each other's brains out and developed a rift between them, that would be ideal.

Ko Hyuga nodded. "Yes!"

Inside Shimizu Shunsuke's home.

An ANBU shinobi handed Shimizu Shunsuke a mission scroll.

Inside was tomorrow's match schedule.

After a while, the ANBU shinobi asked, "Have you memorized it?"

Shimizu Daisuke nodded.

The ANBU shinobi gripped the mission scroll.

As though it had been eroded by countless years, the mission scroll turned to dust in the blink of an eye.

Behind-the-scenes manipulation would, after all, undermine fairness. If word got out, it would damage the Naruto's reputation, so the ANBU shinobi destroyed the evidence. This meant that if anything went wrong, Shimizu Shunsuke alone would have to take the blame.

Not long after the ANBU shinobi left, Ko Hyuga arrived.

Shimizu Shunsuke greeted him warmly. "Ko, it's been a long time."

One was at the ninja academy, while the other lived deep within the Hyuga Clan compound. Unless one made a special visit, it truly was not easy for them to meet.

Showing up at this hour surely was not just to chat, was it?

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Ko Hyuga got to the point.

Sure enough, he would not visit without a reason.

After hearing Ko Hyuga's request, Shimizu Shunsuke's smile turned bitter.

At any other time, Shimizu Shunsuke would not have minded doing Ko Hyuga a favor and gaining the Hyuga Clan's friendship in the process. But now, he could only decline tactfully.

It was not that he refused to give Ko Hyuga face. It was simply that some people carried more weight than others.

Ko Hyuga represented the Hyuga Clan, while the ANBU shinobi represented the Naruto. And the Naruto could represent all of Konoha—whose face carried more weight?

Still, Ko Hyuga did not return empty-handed. He obtained the names of Hayato's and Neji's opponents.

Ko Hyuga returned to report to Hyuga Hiashi.

After listening, Hyuga Hiashi's expression did not change. After a while, he said, "Hyuga Hayato versus Rock Lee, Neji Hyuga versus Nara Chinai... Do we have any intelligence on Rock Lee and Nara Chinai?"

Ko Hyuga replied, "Only Rock Lee's."

"I see." After reading Rock Lee's information, Hyuga Hiashi understood. An image of a watermelon-haired, thick-browed young man surfaced in his mind.

This Rock Lee was Might Guy's successor and a practitioner of the Eight Gates. He was obviously no ordinary brat.

As for Nara Chinai, tomorrow would reveal the answer.

A descendant of a secret technique clan should not be too weak.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was full of energy, with not the slightest trace of fatigue visible on his face.

Standing on the high platform, he first spoke of the great sacrifices and glory of all those who had come before since the village's founding. Then, he vividly described Konoha's current prosperity. Finally, the kindly Naruto expressed his earnest hopes: the glorious past was gone, and everything in the present would eventually become history as well. Konoha's future depended on them.

His speech set the students below ablaze with passion. They were so excited that they wished they could immediately put on their forehead protectors and fight for Konoha in every direction.

Next, Shimizu Shunsuke took the stage and once again emphasized the examination rules. There were many regulations, but they essentially boiled down to two points: first, neither side could use forbidden techniques or deliberately kill a fellow student; second, other students could not deliberately interfere with those in battle.

Violators would lose their examination qualifications, and in serious cases, even their qualifications to become shinobi.

After that, the Naruto initiated the match-drawing process, automatically generating a battle schedule.

No one had expected it—the supposedly randomly generated schedule was not random at all.

"Lee?" Hayato looked at the schedule and stroked his chin. "As long as it isn't Aburame Shishin, it's fine."

Rock Lee's fighting spirit burned like a raging fire. "Hayato, I will defeat you."

Hayato inwardly dismissed it. Forbidden techniques were not permitted in battle, which meant Rock Lee could not use the Eight Gates. Rock Lee would not even be able to bring out half his strength.

Hayato clenched his fist. "Good luck."

Aburame Shishin said, "Rock Lee is your opponent. Is it really okay to cheer him on like that? Is this love?"

Hayato said, "Get lost~~~"

P.S. Please vote and add this to your collection. There will be another update at eight tonight.