After leaving Gekko Hayate's house and thanking him, Uzumaki Hayashi hurried home.
The night breeze cleared his head.
It was finally happening.
After months of waiting, the confrontation with Mizuki was finally about to begin.
He knew this part of the original story inside out-Mizuki tricked Naruto into stealing the scroll, Iruka chased after him, and the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique made its debut. Really, this was the first time in Naruto's life that he turned things around through his own abilities.
Only this time, he was part of the picture.
The Third had everything in place, Hayate would accompany him openly, and he himself had already given the old man his word.
Honestly, his hands were even itching a little.
A mere Chunin-if the Third hadn't had other plans, he could have settled this single-handedly.
The next day at school, the bell had barely rung when Umino Iruka walked up to the podium with his lesson plans.
Unlike his usual self, he wore no smile today. He swept his gaze over the class and spoke with a grave expression.
"Listen carefully, everyone. The Genin examination will begin tomorrow afternoon. Please prepare in advance."
The classroom fell silent for a moment, then erupted into a buzzing uproar.
"Why so sudden?!"
"That's way too soon!"
"I'm done for! I'm not ready yet-"
Some immediately pulled out their textbooks to cram at the last minute. Others clutched their heads and wailed that they still couldn't perform the Clone Technique properly. Kiba Inuzuka, on the other hand, was raring to go. Akamaru gave a couple of howls at his feet, whether in agreement or to undermine him was anyone's guess.
Amid all the wailing, only Uzumaki Hayashi remained utterly unruffled, sprawled over his desk as he yawned.
That was the advantage of