"You're no different!!!"
Jiraiya shot back indignantly. Why was Hikaru always picking on him?
Hikaru could only shake his head and continue eating his meat.
Like Hikaru, Orochimaru never joined in arguments like this. He would occasionally smile, but he rarely spoke.
Because of the alcohol, the whole barbecue restaurant became lively, much to the owner's helplessness. In the end, he gave Jiraiya some fruit wine. It was low-proof enough for children to drink, but Tsunade promptly claimed half of it.
Though the fruit wine was mild, Jiraiya and Tsunade's cheeks still gained a faint flush after drinking it.
As they ate barbecue, Jiraiya asked curiously, "What do you want to do most after graduation?"
After saying that, Jiraiya looked at Hikaru. Tsunade did the same, and even Orochimaru put down his chopsticks, his gaze resting on Hikaru.
"Why are you all looking at me?!" Hikaru laughed.
"It's nothing much, really. Take on more missions, train hard, and become stronger."
"That's so boring." Jiraiya complained. To him, Hikaru did nothing but train. There was no fun in it at all.
Boring? Maybe.
Jiraiya was the type who would never understand the need to work hard unless he was dealt a blow. Once he graduated, he would grow up. Of course, the ones who would deal him those blows would be his teammates, Tsunade and Orochimaru.
"It's getting closer and closer!!!"
After enjoying a delicious barbecue meal, the four parted ways at the restaurant and returned home. Looking at the darkening sky, Hikaru's smile never faded. He had waited a long time for this day.
The next day, their teacher announced Hikaru, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya's applications for early graduation. The entire class erupted. Some were shocked, while others were envious. Unfortunately, if they wanted to graduate too, they still needed to keep working hard.
Once the shock passed, the bunch of bratty kids began chattering away. Mostly, they discussed whether the four could pass the assessment and whether anyone would be eliminated. Every now and then, they let out gloating laughter.
Naturally, most of those discussions and taunts were aimed at Jiraiya.
As for the other three, they should have had it in the bag.
Over the next few days, Hikaru rested at home and did not step outside even once. He seemed to have developed a severe case of laziness, spending most of his time lying on the wicker recliner in the courtyard and staring blankly at the sky. He could sit there for an entire day, stopping only when he grew hungry or tired.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and soon it was time for the assessment.
Early that morning, Hikaru packed what he needed and left home for the academy. Everyone taking the assessment would be led away from the academy by their teacher. Since they had applied to graduate early, Hikaru, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade needed to wait on the training ground for their teacher to arrive.
Hikaru was also curious about what his teacher would look like and what era he was from.
Among the major ninja villages, anyone strong enough to become a Special Jonin was qualified to lead a team. Of course, the teachers assigned to certain specially favored teams would not be ordinary.
This was something students loved to speculate about before undergoing the assessment and officially meeting their teacher.
Hikaru was no exception.
He soon arrived at the academy and entered the training ground. He was neither too early nor too late. Orochimaru and Tsunade had already arrived, while Jiraiya had yet to show up.
"Hikaru!!" Seeing him arrive, Tsunade walked over with a smile. Before Hikaru came, she and Orochimaru had each stood on opposite sides like wooden posts, neither saying a word.
Tsunade was a little fed up with that atmosphere, even though that was simply Orochimaru's personality.
That was why Tsunade happily greeted Hikaru when he arrived.
"I didn't expect you to get up early for once." Tsunade had arrived at the academy bright and early today, which surprised Hikaru. Girls all liked sleeping in, and Tsunade was no exception. She had a serious case of trouble getting out of bed.
Before you continue