Graduation Application Approved!!

Before Hikaru could speak, the teacher raised a hand to cut him off. Looking at him with a smile, he said, "Your application was only rejected by Hokage Lord; it wasn't voided. Hokage Lord has notified me that your application has been approved. You'll take the assessment with Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya, alongside the Advanced Class students."

"But which team you'll be assigned to isn't something I can decide. Everything will have to be decided by Hokage Lord."

The teacher looked at Hikaru, his tone carrying a trace of regret.

The standard team now consisted of three people, including one support ninja. Since Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya had originally been key subjects of observation, they would most likely be assigned together.

That would leave Hikaru as the odd one out, assigned to another team. Even with his talent and strength, if a lower-class student was grouped with Advanced Class students, he would surely face exclusion.

The teacher was not worried about Hikaru's ability to adapt. He was worried that if Hikaru was grouped with Advanced Class students and remained as indifferent as ever, conflict would arise within the team.

How could a group of children who had only graduated after turning ten possibly compare to Hikaru?

The teacher was especially worried that those Advanced Class children would let their pride get the better of them, pick a fight with Hikaru, get slapped back by him, and then feel humiliated, causing disharmony within the team.

Hikaru had no idea what the teacher was thinking. He inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief. As long as he could graduate smoothly, that was enough. As for whether he would be assigned with Advanced Class students, Hikaru was not worried about that.

What he had feared was that the Third Hokage would reject his application again and refuse to let him graduate early.

"Thank you, Teacher."

He had seen all the kindness his teacher had shown him, but at this moment, all Hikaru could say was thank you.

"Ha ha ha... Go on, kid. Once you pass the assessment and become real ninjas, it'll make me proud too. When that happens, I'll treat you all to barbecue!!"

The teacher stood and walked over to Hikaru, laughing as he patted Hikaru on the shoulder. He told him not to carry any psychological burden; this was simply what a teacher ought to do. He also promised that if they passed the assessment, he would treat them to barbecue.

"Mm."

Hikaru smiled and nodded. "I'm sure Jiraiya and Tsunade will be very happy when they hear."

When it came to food, Hikaru was rather greedy, and Tsunade and Jiraiya were much the same. Only Orochimaru had little interest in such things. As long as he was not hungry, that was enough. The only thing Orochimaru cared about was his own interests.

Reading and learning ninjutsu. No matter what kind of ninjutsu it was, or whether it was high-level ninjutsu, as long as it existed, it could draw Orochimaru's attention. Books and scrolls were far more tempting to Orochimaru than good food.

"Ha ha ha, definitely. Hurry and get ready. The news will come down tomorrow. Don't come to class for the next few days—prepare properly."

The teacher laughed happily. Just thinking of Jiraiya and Tsunade acting like food lovers made him want to laugh.

Of course, Jiraiya would ask for some alcohol too!

"Mm."

Hikaru turned and left the office. Not having to attend class for the next few days could not have been better. He could finally get some rest. He had been in the Naruto World for more than half a year, and in pursuit of strength, Hikaru had spent most of his time training, with very little time to rest. Taking a break and relaxing was not bad either. As for the assessment, Hikaru had never worried about it.

"Is it... the bell-grabbing test?"

At the thought of Konoha's graduation assessment, the corners of Hikaru's mouth lifted slightly.

In order to cultivate understanding and trust between ninjas, the Ninja Academy had always placed great importance on such instruction. Even graduation assessments and future missions were no exception.

Unfortunately, no matter how good the understanding and trust were, once the gap in strength grew too wide, they would lose all meaning.

"How did it go!!!"

Tsunade and Jiraiya, who had come to the academy with Hikaru, were waiting in the corridor. The moment they saw him leave the office, they hurried over.

With his application approved, Hikaru was in a good mood. He was finally about to leave the Ninja Academy, which was basically a nursery, and begin stepping out into the world!!!

To witness the cruelty among ninjas.

And, of course, to take his first step toward becoming strong.

"Hokage Lord approved it. I'll be taking the assessment with you, but there's no telling what team I'll be assigned to. Everything will have to be decided by Hokage Lord."