Minato could only laugh helplessly as his tadpole-like summon dispersed in a puff of smoke.
"...Ahaha, this is bad," he admitted with a sheepish grin. "I spent so long talking to it, even fed it a bunch of caterpillars, and that's the only reason it agreed to be my contracted beast. Now I'll have to start over again."
Hayashi just stared at him in silence. His attention shifted to Mikoto, who was quietly chatting with Kushina nearby.
"Mikoto, what about you? What did Orochimaru teach you?" he asked curiously.
Mikoto tilted her head, thoughtful. "Hmm… Orochimaru-sama taught me some of his insights on ninjutsu. He showed me how to combine elemental jutsu effectively, and also how to set, identify, and avoid traps. Basically, things that are important for survival."
Hayashi gave a small nod. Mikoto shared everything so openly, while Minato was as slippery as ever. Still, her words rang true—when it came to self-preservation, Orochimaru really was unmatched.
As Hayashi considered it, he realized how symbolic their teachings from the Sannin had become. Tsunade had given him monstrous strength, Jiraiya had entrusted Minato with Mount Myōboku's toads, and Mikoto received Orochimaru's guidance in ninjutsu and survival skills. Each one of them carried something representative from the legendary Sannin.
...
The next lesson was once again with Teacher Nishimura.
Although he looked old, Nishimura was surprisingly versatile for a shinobi, which was why the Third Hokage trusted him with such responsibilities. He even liked to joke that if he hadn't become a ninja, he would have been a writer. According to him, he could have already written several novels by now.
"Alright, alright, you brats, back to your seats," Nishimura said, entering with a stack of papers.
"Eh? Another test already? We just had one!" complained Uchiha Ryo, the loudest troublemaker in class.
Typical slacker. Hayashi silently rolled his eyes. Top students welcomed more tests—they meant another chance to show progress.
But Nishimura shook his head. "No, it's not a written exam. We're almost at the end of the year, and the second-year graduation exam is approaching. Today will be your last outdoor training class. Follow me to the training field."
Hayashi stifled a groan. Outdoor training again? Don't these teachers ever get tired of dragging us out here? He had just finished brutal training sessions with Tsunade, and now this.
At the training ground, the scars of battle were still visible—deep marks from Orochimaru's earth-style jutsu and Jiraiya's techniques.
"Ahem," Nishimura began, holding up the roster. "Today's exercise is to test your shuriken throwing skills. The results will count toward your regular performance, which in turn affects your final exam scores. So no matter how good or bad you usually are, take this seriously. I don't want to be summoning your parents during summer break."
He cast a meaningful glance at Nara Shikaku, who immediately stiffened. Shikaku's mother had scolded both him and his father not long ago, saying they were too lazy and irresponsible. The memory clearly haunted him.
"First student, Uchiha Ryo. Step up."
"Got it."
Ryo swaggered forward, pulled out four shuriken, and flicked his wrist. The weapons shot out in quick succession, embedding themselves neatly into the bullseye ten meters away.
The class erupted in surprise, his two cronies cheering the loudest.
"A," Nishimura announced.
The grading scale ranged from A+ down through A, A-, B+, and so on. For a first attempt, an A was impressive—but then again, shuriken throwing was practically in the Uchiha blood.
One by one, the students took their turns. Time dragged on, and since Hayashi's number hadn't been called yet, he hung back with Shizune and the others, chatting idly. Most of the students waiting weren't paying much attention either, talking in little groups scattered across the field.
It was then Hayashi noticed that Kushina seemed unusually tense.
"Kushina," he asked, "you're not confident in shuriken throwing, are you?"
She hesitated, then admitted, "No… I'm really not good at it. I haven't practiced much these past few years."
Hayashi couldn't help but think of the future—Naruto had been terrible at this too. Maybe it really was genetic. Just like the Uchiha's knack for shurikenjutsu.
"Next, Uzumaki Kushina," Nishimura called.
"You got this, Kushina!" Hayashi encouraged with a smile.
"Mm, okay! I'll try my best!" she said, nodding as she stepped forward.
When Kushina first transferred, the Third Hokage had personally asked Nishimura to keep an eye on her. As a war orphan from the Land of Whirlpools, she had arrived in Konoha unfamiliar with everything. The Hokage wanted to ensure she was treated kindly and integrated smoothly into the village.
So Nishimura had even adjusted the roster so she wouldn't be placed last, which might make her feel isolated.
Still, as he watched her grip her shuriken, Nishimura's expression grew strained. Her stance was poor, her form awkward—there was no way she would hit the target.
Another problem child, he thought with a sigh. Well, Hokage-sama did say to take care of her. I'll just fudge the results later and give her an A+…
Hayashi nearly facepalmed. This guy is hopeless. Someone please report him to the Hokage already.
Kushina felt the weight of the class's eyes on her. She glanced back toward Hayashi, Mikoto, and the others. Seeing their encouraging looks gave her a bit of courage.
She rubbed her eyes, adjusted her clothes, then inhaled sharply.
"Ha!"
She shouted as she hurled the shuriken with all her strength.
Her voice carried well… but her accuracy was atrocious.
If Nishimura hadn't used Body Replacement Jutsu at the last moment, he would have been turned into a pincushion right there on the field.
The teacher's eyelid twitched violently. He hesitated, caught between honesty and obligation.
The truth was undeniable: her performance was a disaster. But this was the Hokage's special request.
"…Uzumaki Kushina's grade is… A." His voice trailed slightly, as if even he didn't believe himself.
The class fell into silence.
Unbelievable, Hayashi thought. At this rate, Konoha's future really might be ruined by chunin-level teachers like him.
Kushina, meanwhile, looked downcast. She had stepped up full of determination, but now walked back to the group with her head low, her earlier excitement completely gone.
...
Milestone,
100 Power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter