How should I put this...
Mikami Yuya felt he had truly poured his heart out when sharing his experience with Yuhi Kurenai.
But Kurenai only thought Yuya was joking.
Well, not entirely. At least the idea of "treating Ninjutsu sincerely" sounded right, though it was a little too vague to grasp intuitively.
As the daughter of a Konoha Jonin, Kurenai's practical combat scores really did not live up to her bloodline.
That was because nearly all her talent points had gone into Genjutsu, while the Ninja Academy mainly tested Nintaijutsu. In those two areas, Kurenai could only be considered average. She was certainly stronger than most civilian students, but against any Ninja Clan descendant, she would most likely lose.
That was why Kurenai felt so anxious.
She had tried asking Sarutobi Asuma for advice.
But Asuma did not have any good solutions either.
As the son of the current Hokage and a descendant of the Sarutobi Clan, Asuma's starting point had been far higher than most. Before even enrolling, he had already mastered the Three Techniques and most D-rank Ninjutsu. Only a prodigy like Kakashi could surpass him. Asuma simply had no idea how someone with weak fundamentals was supposed to improve.
But Mikami Yuya was different.
In previous final exams, his practical combat scores had been about on par with Kurenai's. Yet he had suddenly shot up to first place, making it hard for Kurenai not to notice him.
"Um..."
Kurenai gathered her courage. "Mikami, I'd like to ask you to guide my training, even if it's only once or twice. I can pay you by the lesson."
"?"
Yuya's interest was piqued. "How much?"
"One lesson... three thousand ryo. Is that alright?"
Kurenai hesitated before naming the amount.
"Really, Kurenai?"
Yuya's eyes lit up.
For a Ninja Academy student, that was no small sum. An ordinary D-rank Mission only paid about that much, and the village would still take a cut afterward. If he could give Kurenai several dozen lessons, that would be over a hundred thousand ryo!
"Ahem, we're classmates. Helping each other is only natural. How about this? Winter break is in a few days, so I'll take a look at your training then. We can consider it mutual improvement. As for the lesson fee... there's no need for three thousand ryo. Two thousand five hundred will do."
"That's great! I'll come find you after school later!"
Kurenai left, brimming with joy.
Yuya turned around and noticed that Nohara Rin was talking with Obito nearby. Her gaze drifted toward him from time to time, her expression slightly complicated.
But soon after.
Teacher Oki came out and clapped his hands, herding everyone into the classroom. Then he began his end-of-term remarks and announced the winter break precautions. "Remember, your most important task now is to strengthen your foundations and prepare for the graduation exam two months from now! You must always remember the legacy of the 'Will of Fire'...
"Regarding that, I may not be able to explain it to you too thoroughly, because I am still constantly learning and contemplating it myself. There is only one person who can deeply and completely understand the 'Will of Fire,' and that is...
"The Third!"
At that moment.
Quite a few students turned toward the classroom door and discovered that, at some point, a figure had appeared there. He wore a white Hokage robe and a conical hat. Though his face bore traces of age, his eyes were bright and sharp, and a gentle smile rested on his lips. It was Konoha's current Hokage—Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Lord Hokage!"
All the students, along with Teacher Oki, rose to greet him.
Hiruzen smiled and waved, signaling everyone to sit. Then he slowly walked onto the platform, his gaze sweeping over the young, energetic faces below. "Children, seeing all of you so full of vitality brings me great comfort.
"You are Konoha's future, the inheritors of the 'Will of Fire.' Everything you learn now is for the sake of protecting our home and the companions you cherish in the future. Some students have performed exceptionally well in the recent exams, filling me with confidence in Konoha's future..."
"..."
Every child listened with great interest to this speech about the "Will of Fire."
Yuya also put on an absorbed expression, but inwardly he sighed. All these pretty words, one set after another. Give us something substantial.
As though responding to Yuya's thoughts.
After a long speech, Hiruzen paused. "I came today not only to see everyone, but also to announce something.
"To encourage all of you to give your all in the graduation exam two months from now and achieve good results, I have decided that the top three students in this graduation exam will all receive special rewards from the village! The first-place student in particular... will receive a special honor! They may make one request of me, and as long as it falls within reasonable limits, the village will do its utmost to fulfill it!
"For example—you may choose to learn a non-secret Ninjutsu of C-rank or above, and I will personally teach and guide you!"
"Wow—!!!"
The entire classroom instantly erupted! Cries of shock and excited discussion nearly blew the roof off.
"Lord Hokage will teach us personally?!"
"Ninjutsu of C-rank or above?!"
"Oh my god! I have to take first place!"
Never mind the Ninjutsu itself—being personally taught by the Hokage was already an unimaginably tempting prospect for the students present. Even Asuma instinctively straightened his back, while Might Guy, Obito, Kaimon Hyuga, and the others clenched their fists, their faces flushed red with excitement.
Yuya wore the same excited expression as the children around him, but his heart remained calm as still water.
C-rank or above... That meant he could learn B-rank, or even A-rank Ninjutsu!
Although Ninjutsu ranks were determined by training difficulty, higher-ranked techniques generally could not be weaker than lower-ranked ones.
More importantly,
Yuya possessed the Galageki System, which allowed him to unlock new trait abilities by mastering Ninjutsu. The traits from the Three Techniques were already astonishing. If it were an even more powerful Ninjutsu...
First place was his for the taking!
After saying a few more words, Hiruzen left first.
At this point, the students in the class had no interest in listening to anything else Teacher Oki had to say. Everyone was whispering to one another, discussing the "graduation rewards." Some eager gossipers had even started predicting next year's top three. Many people turned their gazes toward Yuya and Asuma.
Under those circumstances, Teacher Oki could only wrap things up hastily and announce the official start of the three-week winter break. Once those three weeks were over, it would basically be time for the graduation exam.
"Yu, shall we go home together?"
After packing her schoolbag, Rin asked Yuya as usual.
"No, I still have something to do."
"Alright then. Obito and I will head back first."
After watching Rin leave, Yuya stretched lazily and turned his gaze toward Kurenai. She was also waving goodbye to Asuma and Genma Shiranui.
Once most of the students had left the classroom, Kurenai turned back toward Yuya.
"Let's go, Mikami."
Before you continue