One Thing Subdues Another!

"I'll apply to the teacher, but there's no guarantee we'll be assigned together. The previous Advanced Class has also graduated, and we still don't know how Hokage Lord will arrange the teams. I think you, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya might be placed together."

Hikaru naturally did not want to miss this graduation. As long as the Third Hokage did not reject him again, he would apply to graduate early with them. There was nothing more for him to learn at the Academy now. As for so-called self-cultivation? Forget it.

Making someone whose soul was nearly thirty sit at school and cultivate himself alongside a bunch of children? What kind of international joke was that?

"Humph!! Who would want to be on a team with those two? One idiot, one ice-cold freak!!"

Tsunade raised her little head arrogantly, absolutely unwilling to be assigned to the same team as Orochimaru and Jiraiya.

She wanted to be assigned with Hikaru. That would be much more interesting.

Jiraiya walked over, rubbing his face and dark circles, and said unhappily, "You make it sound like anyone wants to be with you."

"What did you say?!"

Tsunade glared, and Jiraiya immediately jumped in fright. Truly, one thing subdued another. If it had been Orochimaru, they probably would have started fighting right away. Tsunade was practically Jiraiya's Nemesis.

Gasp~~~~

Jiraiya's body reacted on instinct. He involuntarily sprang away, putting distance between himself and the violent Tsunade, his face full of alarm. "Y-you, what are you trying to do!!! Let's be clear, I'll fight back."

"You talk like you're so impressive."

Tsunade curled her lip disdainfully, wearing an expression that said, If you don't accept that, come try me, leaving Jiraiya speechless.

"Pfft~~ Hahaha..."

Watching the two fool around, even Hikaru could not hold back any longer and burst out laughing.

It was too funny. Especially when Tsunade merely glared at him, Jiraiya shot away as though springs had been installed in his butt.

It had already become a conditioned reflex.

"Humph humph!!!"

Satisfied that Jiraiya was afraid of her, Tsunade snorted twice, then turned to Hikaru. "Then it's settled. We'll apply to graduate early together."

"Mm, together."

Hikaru smiled. He was already catching a free ride, so why not go along with them?

Hikaru was not seeking too much right now. Graduating smoothly would be enough. Only after graduating could he gain greater freedom and more resources.

"Sigh~~~"

At the Ninja Academy, the teacher sat in his chair and sighed softly. Several of the most outstanding students in his class were all about to graduate together. To be honest, he was proud, but he was also reluctant to part with them.

Students like Hikaru, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya—normally, even one such student might not appear in a single class. Yet now they had all gathered together, and they were all graduating early as well.

The greatest dilemma for a teacher was hoping that his students would grow stronger and stronger, while also being reluctant to part from them.

That was exactly the conflict he was in now.

"Teacher, may I come in?"

After leaving the Training Ground, Hikaru went straight to the Ninja Academy and headed directly for the teacher's office. He needed to settle his application first. Otherwise, if Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya graduated smoothly while he was left behind because he had not applied, that would be truly frustrating.

Hikaru did not want such an Oolong incident to happen, so he came straight to the teacher's office.

"Hikaru, is it? Come in."

The more the teacher looked at Hikaru, the more pleased he was. Hikaru's growth over the past half year had greatly surprised him. Of course, he also knew why Hikaru had come.

"Teacher." Entering the office, Hikaru looked at his teacher and sighed inwardly, hoping the application would go through smoothly.

Hikaru did not know why the Third Hokage had rejected his application last time. He could only hope that the Third Hokage would not reject it again this time.

"Teacher..."

"All right, I already know why you're here. No need to say it. I knew you wouldn't be content staying at the Academy any longer."