Chapter 36: Chapter 36

After the physical fitness test, all the students of First Year Class A were sprawled on the ground, panting and utterly unconcerned about appearances.

Yet all eyes were fixed on Kitazawa and Iruka, who stood nearby preparing to announce the rankings live.

“I wonder how many points I got…”

Sakura sneaked a glance at the calm, cool Sasuke and broke into a dreamy smile. “I hope I can sit next to Sasuke-kun.”

“Just relax.”

Ino flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder, determinedly optimistic. “It’s only the monthly exam.”

“Not bad.”

Choji munched noisily on his potato chips.

“Passing is good enough.”

Shikamaru yawned, stretching lazily.

“Well, if none of you care, then I won’t hold back. First place is mine!”

Kiba declared, grinning with confident bravado.

“First place will definitely go to Sasuke-kun!”

Sakura shot back immediately.

“The results aren’t out yet. We’re all tied for first right now.”

Naruto lifted his chin proudly, repeating Kitazawa’s words. “Hey, maybe first place will be mine!”

At that, the students around him all turned to stare in stunned silence.

“…Why’re you guys looking at me like that?”

Naruto asked, scratching his head in confusion.

“For you to say something like that… it’s honestly shocking,” Shikamaru said, chuckling.

“That’s what Kitazawa-sensei told me,” Naruto explained, blinking.

“No wonder.”

Ino nodded, unable to suppress a grin.

Sasuke remained silent, eyes half-lidded.

As far as he was concerned, first place was already his.

Hinata also didn’t join in the chatter.

She was wrapped up in her own thoughts, hands clenched tight as if in prayer.

She had to make Kitazawa-sensei proud.

“I will now announce the results.”

Kitazawa stepped forward, roster in hand.

At once, the entire class scrambled to their feet, eyes wide with anticipation.

“First place…”

Kitazawa smiled faintly. “Hyuga Hinata.”

For a moment, silence hung over the field.

Then chaos erupted.

Hinata was known for her quiet presence and shyness—no one had expected this outcome.

“How is that possible?”

Sasuke stood frozen, the cool composure draining from his face as shock took over.

The first place he’d been so certain of had slipped away like mist.

He clenched his fists, frustration burning inside him.

Losing the physical fitness test to Naruto he could accept—that wasn’t such a big deal.

But losing the entire monthly exam to Hinata… that was like living in a bad dream.

“Ah… so it really wasn’t me!”

Naruto threw his hands over his head in defeat.

Deep down, he’d suspected as much, but he’d still been hoping for a miracle.

Still, he couldn’t help a wicked sense of satisfaction that it wasn’t arrogant Sasuke who’d taken first place.

“What’s going on?”

Sakura stared, utterly bewildered.

“I can’t believe it either,” Ino said with a soft laugh. “But… looks like the invincible Uchiha finally fell.”

Nearby, Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, and Shino were speechless, though their faces said it all.

Hinata stood trembling as everyone’s eyes turned to her.

Her heart thudded so wildly it felt like it might burst.

Oddly, it felt almost thrilling—like the first time she’d snuck over a wall to skip class.

“Hinata was first in the written exam and second in the practical,” Kitazawa explained, scanning his list. “So she takes first place overall.”

He continued reading: “Second place, Uchiha Sasuke.”

It turned out Hinata had edged Sasuke out thanks to the others. Sakura had claimed second place in the written exam, while Naruto had stolen first place in the physical fitness test.

Sasuke stood there expressionless, a storm of frustration swirling beneath his blank stare.

’Second place…’

No one remembered second place. And the Uchiha didn’t settle for second.

“Third place, Shino Aburame.”

Kitazawa paused.

Several students blinked in confusion.

’Who? Do we… have a classmate named Shino Aburame?’

If Hinata usually blended into the background, Shino was practically invisible.

“Fourth place, Ino Yamanaka. Fifth place, Sakura Haruno. Sixth place, Inuzuka Kiba… Tenth place, Choji Akimichi.”

Kitazawa continued reading in a calm voice.

“Sixth place isn’t bad,” Kiba sighed, ruffling his hair.

“Why isn’t my name there…?”

Naruto stood frozen, as if struck by lightning.

It was one thing not to win first place—but he hadn’t even cracked the top ten.

He glanced over at Choji Akimichi, thinking bitterly: ’You said you were the same as me… so why are you ranked so high?’

“Naruto.”

Kiba noticed his expression and grinned, switching gears quickly.

Smiles never disappeared—they just found new targets.

“Hmph!”

Naruto crossed his arms defiantly. “Next time, I’ll definitely beat you all!”

“Sure, sure. You can do it.”

Kiba patted him on the shoulder, though the disbelief on his face was impossible to miss.

“Seventeenth place, Uzumaki Naruto… Twentieth place, Nara Shikamaru…”

Kitazawa read off the remaining rankings in a steady voice.

“How am I only seventeenth? Damn it!”

Naruto groaned, clutching his hair. “If I’d just gotten those few questions right, I could’ve made the top ten for sure!”

“Students who didn’t do as well shouldn’t be discouraged,” Kitazawa said, sweeping his gaze over the class. “There’ll be many more chances.”

“That’s all for today. See you all next Monday.”

“Goodbye, Sensei!”

After the chorus of farewells, the students began filing out.

Kitazawa, still holding the roster, left with Iruka, heading toward the conference room.

Their next task was tallying the overall grade rankings and preparing for the school-wide commendation ceremony.

By the time they arrived, many teachers were already gathered inside.

“Kitazawa, Iruka!”

A familiar voice called out. Mizuki approached them, wearing his usual easy smile.

Iruka opened his mouth to greet him—but stopped short, remembering Kitazawa’s warning.

’Is there really something off about Mizuki?’

’Wait… he didn’t wake me up this morning. Was that on purpose… or just coincidence?’

“How did your class do?”

Mizuki asked lightly, his smile sharp. “Anyone manage a perfect score?”

“Did your class get a perfect score?”

Iruka asked, genuinely surprised.

“Just one.”

Mizuki replied, adopting a falsely modest tone. “Hyuga Neji—the Hyuga Clan’s genius.”

“That’s incredible!”

Iruka said, eyes widening. “As expected of last year’s outstanding student representative.”

The outstanding student representative was the one chosen to deliver the speech at the commendation ceremony—a great honor in the Academy.

Kitazawa’s brows furrowed slightly.

Hyuga Hinata had worked tirelessly, but it was true—she hadn’t achieved a perfect score.

She’d fallen short in the practical exam, losing out to Sasuke and Naruto in certain categories.

That meant the coveted speech was suddenly up for grabs.

Still, it wasn’t a huge problem. Kitazawa had Hiruzen Sarutobi backing him, and besides, Hyuga Neji had already given a speech last year.

“It sounds like your class doesn’t have any perfect scores, huh?”

Mizuki said with thinly veiled smugness. “But that’s to be expected for the first monthly exam.”

“You’re right.”

Kitazawa replied evenly, unfazed.

“…”

Mizuki’s grin twitched as if cracking.

’Damn it! That’s not the look I wanted to see—I wanted you to be jealous!’

“All homeroom teachers, please hand me your grade sheets.”

Hisao Sarutobi entered the room briskly, speaking in an authoritative tone. “Also, the first-place student in each year will automatically be entered as a candidate for the student representative speech.”

Kitazawa stayed seated while Iruka stepped forward to hand over their sheets.

Once Hisao collected all the papers, he departed efficiently.

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

“Fantastic!”

Mizuki beamed. “I want the best grilled meat money can buy.”

“No problem.”

Iruka agreed, though his wallet visibly winced.

But just as the three stepped into the hallway, a figure in dark attire suddenly appeared in front of them.

“An Anbu ninja?”

The surrounding teachers stiffened in surprise.

“Kitazawa.”

The Anbu spoke in a low, calm voice. “Hokage-sama wishes to see you.”

“Understood.”

Kitazawa nodded. He turned to Iruka. “Looks like we’ll have to postpone that meal. Next time, it’s on me.”

With that, he followed the Anbu down the corridor and out of the Academy.

“A summons from Hokage-sama…?”

Iruka stared after him, stunned.

For a regular Chūnin like him, the Hokage felt impossibly distant—like a figure from a different world.

Kitazawa being summoned felt surreal.

The other teachers around them whispered with admiration and envy.

In Konoha, catching the Hokage’s eye could mean promotions, raises, marrying a beautiful and wealthy woman—achieving the very pinnacle of success.

Mizuki, however, was shaking with rage.

’Why him? I’m the one who taught the only perfect-score student in the entire Academy!’

’Why wasn’t it me getting summoned instead of him?’

’This isn’t fair! I hate this!’

Mizuki’s eyes darkened, malice flashing across his face.

Iruka glanced at him—and suddenly felt a chill of unease.

——————————-

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