Can I Sit Here?

When Jiraiya truly sprang into action, those who had mocked him earlier all shut their mouths. They had discovered that this big guy from a civilian background really had some skills.

Judging solely by Jiraiya's much larger build compared to others his age, along with his seemingly foolish remarks, many people instinctively categorized him as a dumb brute with high attack power but low agility.

In reality, Jiraiya's speed was even more terrifying than his strength. Gifted from the start, he had honed speed far beyond that of children his age through countless street brawls.

Even Hoshi was slightly surprised, though only slightly. A year of relentless training had left Hoshi physically superior to Jiraiya, and with Jiraiya's attack intentions so obvious, Hoshi could easily spot his openings.

Hoshi first sidestepped Jiraiya's punch, then hooked his foot beneath Jiraiya's while he was still surprised. As Jiraiya hurriedly tried to regain his balance, Hoshi's elbow had already struck his back.

Jiraiya had already been off-balance, and the blow sent him tumbling toward the ground. If he fell solidly this time, his face would surely be ruined. Without an opponent nearby, he could have caught himself with his hands or forcibly twisted around to use his back to lessen the impact.

But Hoshi was right behind him. Would he give him that chance? Just as Jiraiya's mind raced through a mess of thoughts, he suddenly felt his clothes tighten, and his body stopped in midair. Turning around, he saw Hoshi gripping his collar and smiling at him.

Jiraiya's first reaction was disbelief. Not only had this guy not pressed his advantage, he had even pulled him up when he was about to fall. Wasn't he afraid Jiraiya would sneak-attack him afterward?

The surrounding students watching the match all let out soft cries. Some of the girls were practically ready to become Hoshi's fangirls on the spot, squealing in little groups.

"Hoshi is not only handsome, he's unexpectedly kind too."

"Ah, I can't take it! Hoshi is handsome, strong, and so kind. I'm in!"

Listening to the exaggerated gasps and shrieks around him, Hoshi secretly felt pleased. That attack into a pull-up had been absolutely perfect.

Look at that. What was true masterly bearing? What was generosity? Wouldn't Jiraiya be so moved by this gesture that he would bow down and pledge allegiance, following Hoshi's lead from now on?

Just as Hoshi fantasized about winning over Jiraiya and a whole crowd of fangirls on his first day of school, then rising to the peak of life, something awkward happened.

With a ripping sound, Jiraiya crashed to the floor again. This time, he truly hadn't expected it. His nose met the ground in a solid, intimate collision, and he lay there clutching it with a pained cry.

Hoshi stared blankly at the strip of cloth in his hand. Director, this wasn't how the script was supposed to go.

No matter how much he calculated, he had never expected Jiraiya's clothes to be this ridiculously flimsy. For a moment, even he didn't know what to do.

The atmosphere became extremely awkward. Even the girls who had just been ready to join Hoshi's fan club now looked at him with a bit more hesitation.

Wait, was it just their imagination? Why did the arrogant Uchiha Iwa suddenly seem a little more handsome?

At that moment, a bell-like laugh suddenly rang out from the crowd. Tsunade had been unable to hold it in after seeing the scene. Once she laughed, everyone else burst out laughing as well. It couldn't be helped—the expressions on those two were simply too funny.

Even Teacher Mitsui couldn't help curling his lips into a smile. Jiraiya, still clutching his nose, flushed red with embarrassment. Hoshi finally came to his senses, tossed aside the strip of cloth, and helped Jiraiya up as he said:

"Sorry. I'll buy you a new set of clothes after school."

Jiraiya was naturally open-minded, and this had not been Hoshi's fault to begin with. Once Hoshi pulled him up, he waved a hand and said:

"No need. It's not your fault. I lost this match, but I'll definitely win next time."

Seeing that the victor had been decided, Teacher Mitsui announced the result and called the next group up.

After Hoshi helped Jiraiya down from the platform, he deliberately guided the conversation toward a few casual topics and easily began chatting with him.

The Placement Assessment soon neared its end amid their conversation. Most of the fights had been little more than wild fist-flailing contests with nothing worth watching, so Hoshi had not paid much attention to them.

The only match that truly caught his interest was the final battle between Hatake Sakumo and a Hyuga clansman named Hyuga Ken.

This was probably the most valuable fight in the entire assessment. Unlike the previous chaotic free-for-alls, Hyuga Ken had actually mastered the Eight Trigrams Palms.

Of course, without the Byakugan to support it, it was essentially just random flailing, but those several forceful palm strikes still drew plenty of attention.

As for Sakumo, there was even less need to mention him. The future renowned Konoha's White Fang dodged Hyuga Ken's Eight Trigrams Four Palms without even using chakra. He never touched the Short Sword on his back, ending the fight after several exchanges of countering moves.

Jiraiya watched the fight in the arena with immense excitement and said to Hoshi beside him, "Who do you think will be stronger in the future: Hyuga Ken after he awakens the Byakugan, or that expressionless Sakumo? I think Hyuga Ken only lost because he hasn't awakened the Byakugan yet..."

Hoshi casually humored Jiraiya, but his eyes remained fixed on Sakumo in the arena and the White Fang on his back.

Honestly, he wanted to rush up and test whose Swordsmanship was stronger. But this was only the Placement Assessment. If he wanted to fight, he would have to wait for the upcoming Combat Drill...

After the battle ended, Sakumo seemed to sense something and glanced in Hoshi's direction. During the fight, he had felt an extremely sharp gaze coming from there.

When Hoshi saw Sakumo looking over, he gave him a smile and pointed behind himself. Sakumo instinctively looked at the White Fang on his back, then at Hoshi. Without saying a word, he turned and walked into the crowd.

The Placement Assessment officially ended there. Teacher Mitsui led them to the classroom and kept his word, allowing the fifteen winners to choose their seats first according to their rankings.

Uchiha Iwa went first. With his head held high, he took a seat in the center of the classroom, looking like some arrogant overlord who ruled the whole room.

Tsunade entered second. After thinking for a moment at the classroom door, she chose a window seat in the back row.

Uchiha Iwa stared at Tsunade for quite a while. Honestly, if Tsunade had been a girl from any other clan, Uchiha Iwa would definitely have invited her to be his desk mate.

But Tsunade was from the Senju Clan, and that made Uchiha Iwa shut his mouth gloomily.

The extra from the third group saw Tsunade and headed straight for the seat beside her, but Tsunade naturally drove him away.

After being rejected, the guy was too embarrassed to linger around Tsunade and moved himself to a seat near the back door.

Hoshi shook his head at the sight. Young rookies really lacked experience. Girls were very wary of the people around them. Charging in right away and insisting on sitting beside one was obviously bound to get him rejected.

Hoshi entered fourth. Without even hesitating, he walked over to the desk directly in front of Tsunade's. There was a reason for that. As a renowned flirt during high school and college, Hoshi had his own unique social theories.

For example, during long-term school life, the seat in front was an excellent position.

First of all, unlike sitting beside someone, sitting in front placed you close by without usually making a girl overly wary of you. Moreover, from the front seat, you could casually turn around and start conversations with her.

It was also easy for her to notice whatever you did. As long as you were outstanding enough, a girl would easily discover your good qualities.

Walking up to the desk in front of Tsunade with a confident smile, Hoshi glanced at her and politely asked, "Do you mind if I sit here?"