"Hmph!"
Kurenai wasn't stupid—of course she understood what Tsunade meant.
After shooting Tsunade a small grimace, she leaned right against Shiki's arm, puffing her cheeks.
"Anyway, as long as Shiki-nii likes me, that's enough!"
"…"
Sure enough, this little girl was still as blunt as ever.
But after getting along with her for so long, Tsunade was already used to it.
"Speaking of which, you little brat… you're about to graduate."
Counting the time, Kurenai and the others really were at graduation age.
"Mm-hm!"
Kurenai nodded happily, then immediately turned toward Shiki, red eyes shining with excitement.
"Tomorrow is the graduation exam… Shiki-nii, will you come?"
When she said that, the light in her eyes was obvious—pure expectation.
Unlike Naruto's era, the graduation exam here wasn't about throwing a Clone Technique at a chalkboard.
The current assessment involved actual student-vs-student combat drills, full evaluation in all categories.
Even the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, would personally pass by.
War-era students were completely different from peaceful-era students.
Not only Kurenai—Shizune, who stood beside her, also looked at Shiki and Tsunade with hopeful eyes.
As a student, who wouldn't want to show off a little in front of their mentors?
"Well! Since Kurenai asked so sincerely, let's go."
"Yay!! That's great!"
Kurenai practically jumped up from joy.
Shizune immediately turned to Tsunade, eyes shining.
"T-Tsunade-sama?"
"Go, go, go! Since Shiki is going, of course I'm going too!"
Tsunade easily understood what the quiet girl was hoping for.
Compared to talent, Shizune was weaker than Kurenai…
But her earnest, diligent personality made Tsunade cherish her a lot.
"Mm-hm!"
Shizune beamed happily.
The next day, Shiki and Tsunade made their way to the Academy.
Along the street, many shinobi and many parents—were heading in the same direction.
Some were genuinely concerned for their children.
Others clearly just wanted a chance to brag about them.
"Kurenai!"
As soon as they arrived at the Academy grounds, Shiki heard a familiar voice.
Yūhi Shinku—Kurenai's father.
The moment he saw Shiki, his expression became… complicated.
"Lord Shiki… Tsunade-sama…"
Not only was this guy "kidnapping" his daughter every day…
He also had to call him "Lord."
Truly painful.
Tsunade casually raised a hand in greeting.
"Long time no see, Shinku."
He wasn't especially famous, but Yūhi Shinku was still one of Konoha's notable genjutsu experts.
His illusions weren't on the Uchiha level, but they weren't far behind either.
Compared to Shiki, he was obviously much more relaxed facing Tsunade.
"Tsunade-sama, thank you… for taking care of my daughter all this time."
He knew fully well that Tsunade was mentoring Kurenai.
Otherwise, he would never have let Kurenai run to Shiki's side so freely.
"It's fine. Kurenai's talent isn't bad at all."
Tsunade waved it off.
Teaching one extra apprentice was nothing to her.
"Shiki! Tsunade!"
More people approached...
Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Minato Namikaze, Kushina Uzumaki…
All of whom Shiki had beaten senseless a few years back.
Seeing these figures, Yūhi Shinku wisely stood aside without interrupting.
"What are you all doing here?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
None of Jiraiya's students were in this batch, after all.
But Orochimaru answered calmly:
"Sensei asked me to take on a student."
Hiruzen had recently noticed Orochimaru drifting away from him emotionally.
Tsunade outright opposed him…
And Jiraiya… well… Jiraiya was Jiraiya.
So Hiruzen wanted to deepen his bond with Orochimaru again...
Give him a student, create a new emotional tie.
A typical Sarutobi tactic.
Orochimaru clearly found it laughably transparent… but said nothing.
Minato scratched his cheek and added:
"Uh… me too. Hokage-sama wants me to take a team."
He had officially entered the "Jonin Leader" phase.
'So it's starting?'
Shiki's eyes narrowed slightly.
Counting the timeline…
Yes.
The Third Great Ninja War was about to begin.
"Shiki-kun?"
Orochimaru noticed his silence.
Shiki shook his head.
"It's nothing. I was just thinking… the Third's been in power for way too long."
"…"
Orochimaru went silent—then chuckled.
Smart men didn't need explanations.
After ruling for so long, of course it was time to step down.
But before they could continue...
Minato suddenly spoke earnestly:
"Even if he has been in power a long time, the Third Hokage has always done his best.
Konoha's current prosperity is thanks to him!"
"…"
"…"
"…"
Shiki and Orochimaru both turned and gave him the same expression:
Is this guy stupid?
They didn't bother responding.
They just looked at Minato… then turned away at the same time.
"Huh? Did I say something wrong…?"
Minato genuinely looked confused.
He really didn't feel like he'd said anything incorrect.
But someone would answer him...
"Hahaha! It's not that exaggerated. I only did what a Hokage should do."
A gentle voice approached.
Hiruzen Sarutobi walked toward them slowly, wearing his Hokage robes.
Of course he'd heard Minato praising him.
No wonder he was smiling like he'd won the lottery.
"Lord Hokage!"
Whatever they felt internally, everyone still greeted him politely.
Everyone… except Minato, who looked at him with genuine admiration.
Meanwhile, Jiraiya and the rest all nodded in a way that said:
"We are being polite and nothing more."
"Ahem! I'll go check on this year's graduates."
Hiruzen continued pretending to be the gentle, benevolent Hokage and walked toward the classrooms.
The students—who knew absolutely nothing about politics—were ecstatic seeing him.
"Hokage-sama! Hokage-sama is here!!"
"Wow! He came to our graduation!!"
Shiki rolled his eyes.
"Seriously? Is he that desperate for attention?
Why is he everywhere?"
Even the Academy's graduation exam wasn't safe from him.
Orochimaru shrugged.
"Who knows…
Perhaps sensei really is just that free."
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