After the physical fitness test, the students of Class A, Year One, collapsed onto the ground to rest, completely disregarding their image.

But all their eyes were fixed on Kitazawa and Iruka, who were tallying the scores and ranking them on the spot.

“I wonder how many points I’ll get,” Sakura said, glancing at the calm Uchiha Sasuke. A silly smile crept onto her face. “It’d be perfect if I ended up next to Sasuke-kun.”

“Just do your best,” Ino replied, flicking her golden hair with confidence. “It’s only a monthly exam, nothing special.”

“Not bad,” Choji chimed in while munching on his chips with a satisfying crunch.

“Passing is enough,” Shikamaru added lazily.

“Since none of you care, then I’ll gladly claim first place!” Inuzuka Kiba declared with a confident grin.

“Sasuke-kun will definitely take first place,” Sakura retorted.

“Nothing isn’t set yet. You and I could both be number one,” Uzumaki Naruto said, remembering what Kitazawa had once told him. “Who knows, maybe I’ll be first!”

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone turned to look at him with surprise.

“Why are you all staring at me?” Naruto asked, puzzled.

“It’s just… unexpected hearing that from you,” Shikamaru said with a smile.

“That’s what Kitazawa-sensei said,” Naruto blinked innocently.

“No wonder,” Yamanaka Ino nodded knowingly.

Sasuke didn’t join the conversation. In his mind, the first place was already his.

Hinata didn’t speak either. Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t catch what anyone was saying. Her hands were clenched in front of her, praying silently. She didn’t want to let Kitazawa down.

“I’ll now announce the results,” Kitazawa said as he stepped forward with the roster in hand.

Everyone stood up at once, eyes filled with anticipation.

“First place,” Kitazawa smiled, “Hyuga Hinata.”

A beat of stunned silence followed before the entire class broke into chatter. Due to her quiet personality, Hinata never drew much attention in class.

No one had expected such an upset.

“How… how is that possible?” Sasuke was stunned, the calm on his face vanishing into shock. The first place he thought was guaranteed… had slipped through his fingers.

His fists clenched involuntarily, and frustration surged through him. He could tolerate losing to Naruto in physical training—it wasn’t an important subject.

But losing to Hyuga Hinata in the overall exam? That felt like a nightmare.

“Ahh… it wasn’t me after all,” Naruto groaned, both hands on his head. He had hoped for a miracle, but now, reality hit hard. At least Sasuke didn’t get it either.

“What’s going on?” Sakura gasped, still in disbelief.

“I didn’t see that coming,” Ino murmured, visibly impressed.

Had the undefeated Uchiha finally fallen?

Even Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, and Shino were too surprised to comment, though their expressions said plenty.

Hinata, overwhelmed by all the stares, felt her heart pounding like a drum. It reminded her of the first time she climbed a wall to skip class—exhilarating and terrifying.

“Hinata placed first in the theory exam and second in the practical. So her combined score ranked highest overall,” Kitazawa explained. “Second place, Uchiha Sasuke.”

In truth, Hinata’s victory was thanks to both Haruno Sakura and Uzumaki Naruto.

Sakura had taken second place in the theory exam, and Naruto first in physical training, both dragging down Sasuke’s average.

Sasuke stood silently, his face grim. No one remembers second place—and the Uchiha don’t accept it.

“Third place, Aburame Shino,” Kitazawa continued.

The class looked around in confusion. Who was that? Do we really have a classmate named Aburame Shino? If Hinata had little presence, Shino had none at all.

“Fourth, Yamanaka Ino. Fifth, Haruno Sakura. Sixth, Inuzuka Kiba… Tenth, Akimichi Choji,” Kitazawa read aloud slowly.

“Sixth place isn’t bad,” Kiba sighed. It wasn’t that he lacked ability, but the competition this time was just too fierce.

“Why not me?!” Naruto looked like he’d been struck by lightning.

Losing first place was one thing, but not even the top ten? He glanced at Choji. Weren’t they supposed to be at the same level? How did he end up flying so high?

“Naruto,” Kiba noticed his look and grinned, shifting the spotlight. “What, gonna cry?”

“Hmph!” Naruto puffed his cheeks, unconvinced. “I’ll surpass you next time!”

“Keep dreaming,” Kiba said as he patted his shoulder, clearly not taking it seriously.

“Seventeenth place, Uzumaki Naruto… Twentieth, Nara Shikamaru…” Kitazawa read out the remaining rankings quickly.

“Seventeenth?! Damn it!” Naruto groaned. “If I’d just gotten those questions right, I could’ve made the top ten!”

“Don’t be discouraged if you didn’t do well,” Kitazawa said, scanning the class. “There’ll be plenty of chances in the future. That’s all for today—see you all next Monday.”

“Goodbye, teacher!” the students called out as they left.

Kitazawa picked up the roster and left with Umino Iruka toward the meeting room. Their next task was to rank the entire grade and prepare for the upcoming commendation ceremony.

By the time they arrived, many teachers were already present.

“Kitazawa, Iruka.” Mizuki’s voice called out.

Iruka turned to respond, but then Kitazawa’s earlier warning echoed in his mind.

Mizuki… was there something wrong with him? Wait—he didn’t wake me up this morning… Was it on purpose?

“How did your class do?” Mizuki asked with a smile. “Anyone score full marks?”

“Did someone in your class get full marks?” Iruka asked back with genuine surprise.

“Got lucky—one did,” Mizuki said modestly. “Hyuga Neji, a genius of the Hyuga clan.”

“Amazing,” Iruka said with admiration. “No wonder he was last year’s outstanding student representative.”

Outstanding student representatives were selected to give a speech at the commendation ceremony.

Kitazawa frowned slightly. Though Hinata had worked hard, she hadn’t achieved a perfect score due to her performance in the practical test, where she lost to Sasuke and Naruto.

The final speech selection was still uncertain. But it wasn’t a big issue—he had Sarutobi Hiruzen as a backer, and Hyuga Neji had already spoken last year.

“So no one in your class got full marks?” Mizuki asked gleefully. “Well, it’s only the first monthly exam, after all.”

“You’re right,” Kitazawa replied calmly.

Mizuki’s smile froze. That wasn’t the reaction he wanted. He expected jealousy, not indifference!

“All homeroom teachers, please submit your report cards,” Sarutobi Hisao entered and said directly. “Also, the top student in each grade will automatically be shortlisted for student representative.”

Kitazawa remained seated as Iruka stepped forward to hand over their report cards.

Once collected, Sarutobi Hisao left swiftly.

“Kitazawa-senpai, Mizuki,” Iruka offered, “I’ll treat you both to a meal.”

“Great!” Mizuki said with a grin. “Let’s go to the most expensive barbecue place!”

“No problem,” Iruka replied, even though it pained him a little. Just as the three were leaving the room, a shadow flashed in front of them.

“An Anbu ninja?” Nearby teachers were startled.

“Kitazawa,” the masked ninja said. “The Hokage wishes to see you.”

“Understood,” Kitazawa nodded, then turned to Iruka. “Looks like I won’t be eating today. I’ll treat you next time.”

With that, he followed the Anbu and left the school.

“A summon from the Hokage?” Iruka stood frozen, stunned. For a regular Chunin like him, the Hokage felt like a distant figure.

This sudden summons made everything feel surreal. The other teachers around them looked on with envy and awe.

In Konoha, being noticed by the Hokage was the first step toward promotion, wealth, and a bright future.

Mizuki couldn’t control his expression. He had taught the only full-score student… so why wasn’t he summoned? This is unfair! I hate it!

His face twisted with resentment.

Iruka glanced at him and felt a chill run down his spine. A moment of alertness surged in his heart.

—

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