"If I were you, I'd be quite happy…"
"I know, all of you think I favor Naruto, and I don't deny it."
"That's because he needs me…"
"But actually, I also know that Sasuke, you need him too…"
Sasuke's heart stirred slightly, but his face remained impassive.
Iruka said, "Naruto is a Diao Che Wei, a failure. What he needs most is a victory, especially a victory against you."
"You, however, are the opposite."
"Sasuke, you are a genius, an elite, a success. So what you need is a defeat, and ideally, a defeat in a battle against Naruto…"
"It is only through defeat that you will truly understand yourself and strive even harder to improve."
Iruka said, "You and Naruto are each other's mirrors; you can see your truest selves in one another."
"If I were you, I'd thank Naruto, thank him for this defeat, and then…"
"Make a pact with him to progress together, become stronger, and become better versions of yourselves."
"Think about it carefully…"
After saying this, Iruka was silent for a moment, then his footsteps gradually faded into the distance.
Sasuke gazed at the river, and the small stone in his hand suddenly fell into it.
Ding-dong—
The small stone splashed and then sank to the bottom of the river.
"Naruto…"
Chapter 74: Exam Results Announced! Naruto's Ultimate Judgment! Please give me your monthly votes!!!
The next day.
This was the day the Ninja Academy announced the results.
Naruto arrived in the classroom early, awaiting Iruka's final judgment.
This would also determine whether he would receive the system's "baptism."
Although it wasn't graduation season, the year-end assessments were equally important each year, determining everyone's future.
The entire classroom was in a noisy commotion, with everyone discussing amongst themselves.
Until… Iruka pushed open the door, and suddenly everyone fell silent.
Although Naruto was full of confidence, he couldn't help but sweat nervously.
"Ahem…"
"Now, I will announce the final assessment results for this semester."
"The first place goes to…"
Naruto clenched his fists, his heart pounding wildly.
It couldn't be me, could it?!
However, he also knew the chances were slim.
Mainly because, although his academic scores had improved rapidly, they were only around 80 points, still a considerable gap from the truly top students.
Despite this, he couldn't help but fantasize a little… "Even if it's not me, it definitely shouldn't be that guy Sasuke!"
"Generally speaking, it should still be Sakura, right…"
"Her academic scores are always the highest, and her Ninjutsu class is also excellent…"
"However, Hinata is also very likely!"
Naruto suddenly realized at this moment that the name he was hoping for in his heart… was actually Hinata.
As if to echo Naruto's thoughts… the next moment, Iruka announced loudly, "Hyuga Hinata!"
Naruto was stunned, then overjoyed.
"That's great!"
Hinata was even more dazed, still unable to believe she was in first place.
It wasn't until Ino behind her gently poked her with a finger that she reacted.
She quickly stood up, then shyly lowered her head.
Sakura Haruno instantly felt an emptiness in her body.
As if falling, an immense sense of loss enveloped her entire being.
Even if it wasn't herself, she thought it would be Sasuke-kun… But… Iruka announced the results with a smile.
"Hinata, 97 points in academics, 90 points in Ninjutsu, plus 10 bonus points for winning the Ninja spar, for a total of 197 points!"
"Congratulations!"
Warm applause also erupted in the classroom.
Hinata blushed and nodded slightly, then quickly sat down.
But Naruto stood up, cheering excitedly.
"That's wonderful, Hinata!"
Iruka sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"Naruto, Hinata got first place, why are you so happy?"
Naruto chuckled, "I'm happy for Hinata!"
Hinata's face immediately turned even redder, but her heart was filled with sweetness.
Ino's muffled laughter from behind her made even her fair, delicate neck blush.
"Ahem, second place goes to…"
Naruto didn't sit down, instead bouncing up and down, pointing at his nose and saying,
"Me! Me…"
However… "Sakura Haruno!"
Thump—
Naruto nearly fell to the ground.
"Why?!"
Sakura couldn't help but become angry and embarrassed, "Naruto! Aren't you happy that I got second place?!"
"Am I not worthy?!"
Naruto hurriedly waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no!"
"I just, I just…"
"Hahaha, it's nothing, it's nothing…"
Iruka said, "Sakura scored 100 points in academics, 95 points in Ninjutsu, no bonus points for Ninja sparring, for a total of 195 points! Congratulations!"
Scattered applause filled the classroom.
Of course, most people just found it amusing, as Sakura Haruno had always been in first place.
Sakura Haruno sat back down with a somewhat displeased huff.
"Ahem, third place goes to…"
Naruto couldn't help but jump up again.
"It should be my turn this time, right?!"
"Uchiha Sasuke!"
"Ah—!"
Naruto couldn't believe his ears!
"Wh-why?!"
"Didn't I defeat that guy?!"
Iruka said, "Sasuke scored 92 points in academics, 100 points in Ninjutsu, no bonus points for Ninja sparring, for a total of 192 points!"
Sasuke didn't care; he didn't even stand up, just sat with his arms crossed, head bowed, his face full of indifference.
Iruka said, "Fourth place goes to…"
"Uzumaki Naruto!"
The entire classroom fell silent.
Even Naruto, who had just been bouncing around, couldn't help but fall into a daze when he actually heard his name.
"Fourth place?"
Although he had been hoping to get first place, hearing that he got fourth place, the joy in Naruto's heart could no longer be hidden… One must know, he was originally the Diao Che Wei of the entire class!
In just over a month, he directly leaped to fourth place!
This was simply a miracle!
Iruka also wore a proud and triumphant smile.
"Naruto, 81 points in academics, 100 points in Ninjutsu, plus 10 points for Ninja sparring, your total score is…"
"191 points!"
Upon hearing this, Naruto immediately clutched his head, his hair standing on end.
"191 points?!"
"Ah ah ah—!"
"Doesn't that mean I'm only one point behind that guy Sasuke?!"
Iruka nodded, "It's still the difference in academic scores, but, Naruto…"
"You've already done exceptionally well."
"Congratulations."
Naruto was stunned, then couldn't help but laugh sheepishly.
"Thank you, Iruka!"
"I, I will continue to work hard!"
Iruka continued to announce the rest of the results.
However, Naruto no longer had the mind to listen.
[Congratulations to the host for achieving fourth place in the class, exceeding the small goal of being in the top ten of the class for this year's assessment!]
[Congratulations to the host for receiving a random reward! Do you want to draw it immediately?!]
Naruto was overjoyed!