On the day of the final exam, the sun was shining brightly.
Some were whispering Ninjutsu formulas, some were repeatedly checking the Kunai in their hands, and others—like a certain chubby member of the Akimichi clan—were taking the time to stuff food into their mouths.
"Akimichi Torihiko, eating is forbidden before the exam," Kumo Yūto's voice drifted over from the side.
"Teacher, just one last bite—"
"That's what you said three bites ago."
Nohara Moku stood in the line, yawning listlessly.
After nearly a year of hellish training, an exam of this level really couldn't make him nervous.
For Medical Ninjutsu, he had Tsunade keeping watch.
For swordsmanship, he had the White Fang's guidance.
For Taijutsu, Guy went to challenge Kakashi every day, and he would just stay by their side to make his presence known.
Uchiha Obito was standing not far away, his face tense, clutching a Kunai and muttering to himself.
Looking at his lip movements, it seemed like he was memorizing something—
"First is the self-introduction, then using the Great Fireball to show my strength, followed by some cool Taijutsu combos, and finally hitting the bullseye accurately with a Kunai..."
Moku silently looked away.
This guy... surely he doesn't think the exam is a talent show?
"Quiet."
Kumo Yūto's voice wasn't loud, but the playground instantly fell silent.
He stood at the front of the line, his gaze sweeping over everyone: "The final practical exam rules are as follows: each person will randomly draw an upperclassman as an opponent for a three-minute battle. The examiners will score based on performance. Winning or losing adds points, but it's not the only criterion."
A commotion immediately broke out in the line.
"Seniors? Aren't they several years older than us?"
"This is too hard, isn't it?"
"Quiet."
Kumo Yūto pressed down his hand.
"This is a decision from the higher-ups, intended to test your practical adaptability. The opponents' age and strength are within a reasonable range; there won't be an overwhelming gap."
Moku didn't care much, moving forward with the line and reaching into the drawing box to pull out a slip of paper.
Opening it—
Opponent: Kurenai Yuhi
Who?
He blinked, flipped the paper over, and read it again.
Kurenai Yuhi?
Moku's expression became subtle.
It wasn't that he couldn't win.
With his current physical fitness alone, dealing with an upperclassman who hadn't graduated yet shouldn't be a problem.
The problem was...
This is a girl.
And a girl who would grow up to be very beautiful.
How was he supposed to find a balance between 'winning' and 'not hurting her self-esteem'?
Moku fell into deep thought.
Outside the exam grounds, several gazes were falling on these children.
Sandaime Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in the middle seat, pipe in mouth, looking relaxed.
"Hiruzen," a low voice sounded from behind, "you certainly are leisurely."
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't look back, just exhaled a puff of smoke.
"Danzo, you're here too."
Danzo Shimura walked up leaning on a cane and stood beside him.
His single eye swept over the children on the playground, finally lingering for a moment on two figures.
"I came to see what's so special about those two children you insist on protecting."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and didn't respond.
Danzo's gaze fell on the silver-haired figure looking around.
"Kakashi Hatake. At seven years old, he already has Genin-level strength." His voice was low and steady. "I heard he's made even faster progress in the last six months."
"His father is teaching him personally, so naturally, he progresses quickly."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of his pipe and didn't speak.
Danzo's gaze moved in another direction.
That child, who was even more delicate than a girl, was looking down at the slip of paper in his hand, his expression subtle—as if he were troubled by something.
"Nohara Moku. His talent for Medical Ninjutsu is astonishing; it's said Tsunade took him as an apprentice herself." Danzo paused. "He saved the White Fang's life six months ago."
Hiruzen Sarutobi still didn't speak.
"In Tsunade's hands, such a person is only learning medicine." Danzo's eye narrowed further. "If placed in Root, he could play a much greater role."
A moment later, he sneered, "Hiruzen, you should know better than I do how such a talent should be used."
Hiruzen Sarutobi finally turned his head to look at his old friend of several decades.
His gaze was calm, like a pool of deep water.
"Danzo, today we are only here to watch the exam."
Danzo met his gaze for a moment.
In that gaze, there was scrutiny, probing, and a faint, subtle contest.
But in the end, he didn't speak again.
Their gazes returned to the playground.
The first group to go up were two students Moku didn't know.
The battle was quite intense—at least for Ninja Academy first-years. One used the Clone Technique, the other used the Substitution Technique, and the clanging sound of Kunai clashing filled the air. The onlookers watched with rapt attention.
Moku watched for a while and silently graded them in his mind: movements too slow, too many openings, Chakra control not fine enough...
Wait, when did he become so strict?
He shook his head, shaking off the feeling of being "possessed by a teacher."
After a few groups, it was finally Kakashi Hatake's turn.
His opponent was a sixth-grade boy, a size larger than him, with broad shoulders, holding a Kunai with a relaxed expression.
"Little brother, don't be nervous." The boy grinned, his tone carrying a hint of condescending reassurance. "I'll go easy on you."
Kakashi didn't say a word.
He just stood there quietly.
The examiner raised his hand—
"Begin."
And then—
It was over.
Three seconds.
All they saw was the sixth-grade boy standing in place, his Kunai having fallen from his hand, while Kakashi was already standing behind him, the wooden practice sword in his hand pressed against the boy's lower back.
The entire field was silent.
The examiner froze for two seconds before stutteringly announcing: "Win... Winner, Kakashi Hatake."
Exclamations erupted from the line.
"Three seconds? It was over in the blink of an eye?"
"Is that the genius..."
"How did he get over there just now? Did anyone see clearly?"
Outside the grounds, Danzo's eye narrowed slightly.
His gaze fell on the silver-haired youth, filled with thought.
When it was Obito's turn, Moku made a point to pay attention.
Then he regretted it.
Obito did indeed recite a self-introduction—his voice was quite loud.
But the Great Fireball only puffed out a small cloud of smoke, like a dud firecracker.
He tripped himself halfway through the Taijutsu combo and rolled on the ground.
The Kunai accurately hit—
The Scoreboard for the group next to them.
Moku covered his face.
"Next group—"
The examiner's voice came.
"Nohara Moku vs. Kurenai Yuhi."
Moku took a deep breath and stepped out from the line.
The crowd automatically parted to make a path.
People were whispering:
"Nohara Moku? The one who saved the White Fang?"
"Yes, that's them. I heard Lady Tsunade took them as an apprentice personally."
"They're really good-looking..."
Along with the discussion came a small wave of favorability rewards.
But Moku was oblivious, his gaze fixed on the figure opposite him.
The girl walked out from the crowd.
Her dark long hair draped over her shoulders, the ends slightly curled, gilded with a soft glow by the sunlight.
Her gait was steady, her steps light, without any unnecessary swaying.
Her face was as exquisite as a painting—a small nose, slightly pursed lips, and a soft jawline.
Most striking were her eyes.
Wine-red pupils, like rubies set in the night sky.
The corners of her eyes turned up slightly, with a touch of natural allure—not an intentional allure, but just born that way, making it hard to look away.
While Moku was sizing her up, Kurenai was also sizing him up.
This is the first-year who saved the White Fang?
He looks... so small.
Nearly half a head shorter than her.
But that face is very handsome.
It was her first time seeing a girl with such a capable style.
Moreover, his stance was very steady, and his gaze was steady too—not nervous like other lowerclassmen, nor with that deliberate showiness.
"Kurenai Yuhi," she spoke first, nodding slightly. "Please advise me."
"Nohara Moku," Moku's eyes curved in a smile. "Please advise me."
The examiner raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Problematic