Chapter 544: The Academy Graduation Exam Is About to Begin
Although having massive muscles did not necessarily mean possessing absolute strength, muscle development still had a major influence on physical power.
In Kenichi's previous life, many bodybuilders relied on technological assistance. Without it, their physiques would not have been nearly as impressive.
Even so, it had to be said that well developed muscles could greatly increase a person's strength.
A body covered in muscle was often enough to make a hooligan calmly reason with you.
Looking at the slender Sasuke before him, Kenichi was reminded of a once popular meme.
Skinny dog.
Sasuke's physique was rather lean and slender.
Originally, Kenichi had thought Sasuke only needed a moderate amount of physical training, enough to ensure that he would not be placed at a disadvantage when facing taijutsu specialists such as Lee.
But after conducting a physical examination on Sasuke, Kenichi discovered that Sasuke's physical condition was actually quite good.
His body possessed a solid foundation, so developing his taijutsu was not impossible.
"...Will this training really be effective?"
Sasuke looked at the training plan Kenichi had designed for him, along with the accompanying diet plan.
Yes, Kenichi had even created a diet plan for Sasuke.
For people at Sasuke's age to achieve effective training results, proper nutrition was essential.
Bodybuilders usually had professional nutritionists who managed their daily food intake.
"You can choose not to believe me."
Kenichi shrugged.
He did not care whether Sasuke believed him or not.
He planned to return and speak with the Third Hokage, asking him to send someone to help search for the object that had crashed into him.
Although this timeline followed the orthodox Naruto story more closely, Kenichi still wanted to return to his original timeline.
Hearing this, Sasuke quietly put away the training plan.
It was extremely detailed.
Although it required him to eat quite a lot, Sasuke could accept anything as long as it made him stronger.
"Follow this plan for two months. After that, I'll conduct another physical examination and compare your data."
Kenichi reminded him that training plans needed to be adjusted over time.
They could not be used indefinitely without change.
Hearing this, Sasuke became even more confident.
He nodded seriously, then began his muscle training according to the plan Kenichi had created.
"I wonder whether Itachi will still recognize his little brother when he sees Sasuke in the future."
Kenichi pondered as he watched Sasuke perform his warm up exercises.
According to this training plan, the future Sasuke might gradually develop a physique similar to the muscular brothers of Kumogakure.
He might even begin to resemble the Fourth Raikage.
Kenichi wondered whether this would affect Sasuke's appearance.
It might even alter certain future events in this world.
Twisting his neck, Kenichi resumed the daily training tasks he had not yet completed.
"Big brother! I broke the record!"
While Kenichi was practicing with ninja tools, he heard his younger brother's excited voice.
He looked up and saw Naruto clinging to a branch high in the large tree.
"That's great, Naruto. You're improving quickly."
Kenichi smiled.
Naruto had climbed quite high.
His rate of progress was visibly fast.
Once Naruto could climb all the way to the top of the tree without making a single mistake, he could begin practicing water walking.
Kenichi hoped to help his younger brother establish a solid foundation before the Ninja Academy graduation exam.
Although he had initially believed this world to be a genjutsu and had therefore acted rather casually, he had still acknowledged Naruto as his younger brother.
Meanwhile, Sasuke continued running while watching the close relationship between the two brothers.
A trace of envy appeared in his eyes.
He decided that when he returned home that night, he would also try climbing a tree.
"What do you think of these two students?"
Inside the academy office, Hiruzen sat smoking his pipe as he questioned the jonin standing before him.
"Their grades are quite good, but they seem somewhat difficult to manage."
Kakashi looked at the documents in his hand.
After leaving the Anbu, Kakashi's life had become relatively routine.
He spent his days training, completing missions, and reading Icha Icha Paradise.
The only thing that bothered him was being assigned students every year.
None of them had ever passed his assessment.
This left Kakashi feeling somewhat conflicted.
He wondered whether his standards were too strict.
Fortunately, Hokage-sama continued to support him, and the students he had previously failed also accepted his judgment.
This eased Kakashi's concerns considerably.
Of the two students described in the documents, Sasuke caught his attention.
He was the sole survivor of the Uchiha Clan, the same clan as Obito.
However, Kakashi would not give Sasuke special treatment because of that connection.
"Then you will be responsible for these two children."
Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe and spoke with certainty.
Kakashi glanced at him but said nothing.
He merely nodded in agreement.
Although Kakashi did not understand why the Third Hokage was entrusting these two brats to him, he would not go easy on them.
Those who did not cherish their comrades were not qualified to become ninja.
Hiruzen watched Kakashi's retreating back, then lowered his pipe.
Normally, the jonin instructors would be selected after the examination results were announced.
However, these two children were extremely important to Konoha, so even Hiruzen had to handle the matter carefully.
"I hope they can pass Kakashi's assessment. Once they form bonds, they will be better able to embody the Will of Fire."
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes, then stood up.
Through the window, he looked at the two figures training on the academy grounds, his eyes filled with contemplation.
Kenichi, this newly appeared ninja, was incredibly powerful.
So powerful that Hiruzen had no confidence in defeating him.
Although he did not know what Kenichi intended to do, the other man's overwhelming strength forced Hiruzen to pretend that he had noticed nothing unusual.
However, Hiruzen then noticed a ninja diligently training outside.
Mizuki, with his silver white hair.
Hiruzen frowned slightly.
He did not like this person.
Mizuki's ambition was far too obvious.
And why was he training so hard specifically when the Hokage was visiting the academy?
Previously, when Hiruzen had seen Naruto training with Kenichi, he had never once noticed Mizuki training nearby.
A false performance.
Hiruzen turned and left.
This man was not qualified to be a teacher.
The Anbu had already submitted a mission report indicating their suspicion that something was wrong.
A deceased ninja might have died from another cause, and Mizuki might have been involved.
If the investigation confirmed this, Mizuki would need to be dealt with.
However, the intelligence also suggested that Mizuki might be connected to another S-rank rogue ninja.
Information was still being gathered, so this could not yet be confirmed.
It seemed necessary to arrange a test for Mizuki.
Soon, this year's Ninja Academy graduation exam finally drew near.
"You're about to become a ninja. Any thoughts?"
Kenichi smiled as he asked Naruto.
The graduation exam would be held the day after tomorrow.
Those who passed would basically become genin.
But why only basically?
Because even after passing the exam, the students would still need to pass the assessment of their assigned jonin instructor before officially becoming genin.
Otherwise, they would be sent back to the Ninja Academy to study again and later receive another assignment.
The good news was that very few students were actually sent back.
"Hmm, not really. Does being a little excited count?"
Naruto mumbled while brushing his teeth.
Kenichi's mouth twitched.
Oh no.
Had he tormented Naruto too much recently?
Had Naruto's emotions already become numb?
"Has anyone said anything unusual to you lately?"
Kenichi thought of Mizuki.
He still had some respect for the man who had initiated the entire Hokage storyline, although in hindsight, Mizuki was merely an unlucky fool.
An unlucky fool manipulated by the Third Hokage, Hiruzen.
Otherwise, why had the Hokage's office been almost completely empty on the night Naruto went to steal the scroll, with only Hiruzen present?
The most coincidental thing was that Naruto's Sexy Jutsu had managed to knock Hiruzen down.
Defeating Hiruzen was not impossible.
Although he carried the title of the strongest Hokage, that title did not reflect his true level.
But could the Sexy Jutsu genuinely defeat him?
Naturally, that was impossible.
The only explanation was that Hiruzen had gone easy on Naruto and intentionally allowed him to enter.
"Huh? No, not really. If anything, Sasuke keeps dragging me out every day and asking me to beat him up."
Naruto tilted his head in thought, then decisively shook it.
Kenichi breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed Mizuki had not yet found an opportunity to act.
Although Kenichi's presence had made Naruto's childhood much more comfortable, Naruto's inner strength was not actually that great.
His diet was no longer limited to ramen and milk.
He ate healthy meals every day now, and he had even grown somewhat taller.
Even so, Kenichi understood that Naruto's mental resilience was not naturally unshakable.
That made sense.
Even as Asura's reincarnation, Naruto could not have possessed such immense inner strength from childhood.
He was simply more optimistic than most people and better at convincing himself to keep moving forward.
If Mizuki said something cruel to Naruto, the boy might still become confused.
But now, Naruto passing the graduation exam was no longer a problem.
Kenichi truly could not imagine how Mizuki would convince Naruto to steal the Scroll of Seals.
Kenichi washed his face.
In the original story, Naruto failed the exam and could not become a ninja.
Because of that, he listened to Mizuki and chose to steal the scroll.
But now Naruto would definitely pass.
So how would Mizuki persuade him?
Kenichi was very curious.
"Good morning, Sasuke."
Kenichi and Naruto walked out of their home and found Sasuke already waiting outside the door.
After following the training plan Kenichi had carefully designed for him, Sasuke now looked more solidly built.
The muscles in his arms had become more noticeable.
However, he was still far from becoming a massive muscular man.
"Same routine today?"
Sasuke now spoke much more casually.
After all, they were still young.
Although burdened by hatred, Sasuke still had a life of his own.
Kenichi and Naruto had become friends he genuinely acknowledged.
"Yep, same routine. Whoever loses pays for barbecue."
Kenichi licked his lips.
The Akimichi Clan's barbecue restaurant was very authentic and tasted excellent.
However, the price was rather painful.
Moreover, ninja in the Shinobi World were all heavy eaters.
A single visit to the Akimichi barbecue restaurant could become a considerable expense.
As Kenichi spoke, Sasuke gave him a friendly smile.
Then Sasuke suddenly dashed away while Kenichi was still finishing the word "barbecue."
The moment the final word left his mouth, Naruto also disappeared.
Kenichi then realized that the Naruto standing beside him had actually been a Shadow Clone.
The real Naruto had already jumped out through the house window and rushed ahead.
This time, Naruto took an unconventional route.
He ran across the rooftops of nearby houses, which was much faster than following the streets.
Kenichi's mouth twitched.
Then he also vanished from the doorway.
He did not want these two little rascals to make him pay for the meal.
Especially Naruto.
His younger brother was eating more and more these days.
Although Kenichi had plenty of money, being forced to pay for such an enormous meal would still be troublesome.
Three whirlwinds swept through the main gate of the Konoha Ninja Academy, raising a cloud of dust.
Iruka instinctively put on his sunglasses and pulled up his scarf to cover his mouth and nose.
He was already accustomed to this.
As the whirlwinds stopped, a familiar blond boy stood there with a smile, his arms crossed.
Sasuke also walked over.
"Wow! It's Sasuke!"
A group of young girls immediately let out infatuated screams.
Hearing them, Kenichi turned his head.
Sure enough, Sakura Haruno was among them.
It seemed history was still moving forward.
Sakura remained completely infatuated with Sasuke.
"Huff... huff..."
Naruto arrived in second place.
He leaned forward with his hands on his knees, breathing heavily, yet still remembered to smugly glance at the dark faced Sasuke beside him.
His older brother had already entered the teachers' office.
Naruto was accustomed to that too.
His newly recognized older brother was incredibly strong.
Even when Naruto and Sasuke used tricks, they were still no match for Kenichi.
"Teacher Kenichi already went inside. He also told me that Sasuke's training volume does not need to be increased. Maintain the current level."
Iruka pinched the bridge of his nose, then looked at Sasuke.
Sasuke fell silent for a moment before nodding.
He had indeed considered increasing his training volume.
He had not expected Kenichi to notice.
"Iruka-sensei, how strong is Kenichi-sensei? Is he as strong as you?"
Naruto asked curiously.
He truly did not know how powerful his older brother was.
"I can't compare to him. I'll probably remain a chunin for my entire life."
Iruka waved his hand.
He had a clear understanding of his own position.
And Kenichi...
Kenichi was a monster.
When Kenichi had first been suddenly appointed as an academy teacher, some people had naturally become curious about him.
As a result, all the teachers had challenged him together.
Kenichi had defeated every one of them without even standing up from his chair.
The difference in strength was simply too great.
…..
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