Leaf Village.
In the classroom of the Ninja Academy, groups of eleven- and twelve-year-old boys and girls gathered, their faces filled with uncontrollable excitement. Today was the day of their graduation exam!
"After graduation today, we'll all be ninja!"
"Our Three-Body Technique has been practiced for so long; this graduation assessment will definitely be no problem!"
"Finally, I'm finally graduating! My dream is to become Hokage!" a little boy with a big nose shouted loudly.
A burst of laughter filled the classroom.
At that moment, a Chūnin teacher, wearing a Konoha forehead protector and a green vest, walked in. The classroom instantly fell silent. Looking at these faces full of expectation, the Chūnin teacher felt a rare sense of relief.
"Alright, students, after six years of study in the Ninja Academy, it's finally time to graduate. Today, you will usher in your graduation assessment. Please line up in an orderly manner, go to the designated classroom, and take the assessment in turn!"
After the Chūnin-sensei spoke, the students in the classroom began to form long queues, walking out one by one.
Rock Lee was also ready to get up and line up. At this time, he saw Tenten still sitting in her seat, a very depressed expression on her face.
"Tenten, are you worried about big brother Ren because he hasn't come back yet?"
Tenten nodded, a hint of sadness between her eyebrows. Her little face pouted like an angry steamed bun as she said, "Hmph, that hateful big brother! When we communicated before, I told him today was the graduation assessment, so he had to come back early! But he's still not here!"
"Although she's angry, her face is full of worry for big brother Ren," Rock Lee said with a smile. "With big brother Ren's strength, there must be no trouble he can't solve!"
"But I'm afraid he'll be late and miss today's graduation assessment! If he doesn't take the graduation assessment, he won't be able to graduate. Wouldn't he have to repeat another year in school?" Tenten said with a worried face.
At that moment, a voice came from beside them, "He'll be back for sure."
Neji Hyūga spoke with great certainty. Tenten and Rock Lee were both momentarily stunned. They hadn't expected Neji Hyūga to trust Ren so much. After their barbecue together previously, Tenten and Rock Lee had become familiar with Neji through Ren's connection. Although Neji always had a cold face and his words often felt a little annoying, overall, he was still a good-hearted person. After spending time together, they had become friends.
"Neji... how do you know..." Rock Lee just began to ask.
Neji Hyūga looked very determined, with a confident expression, and declared loudly: "That guy is the man I regard as my rival! I'm sure he will never let me down! Today's graduation exam... I also believe he will come!"
After hearing what Neji Hyūga said, Tenten's expression softened considerably. She remembered what her brother had told her before he left. He had promised he would definitely come back before the graduation assessment, so she should trust him.
"Let's go, let's go to the exam too," Tenten said to Rock Lee and Neji.
In the Ninja Academy, graduation examinations were being conducted in an orderly manner. The content of this graduation examination was the Clone Jutsu, part of the basic Three-Body Technique. Most of the students in the class were able to pass the examination, with only a small number of individuals truly lacking the talent to become ninja failing the graduation exam. For students like Tenten, Rock Lee, and Neji Hyūga, who usually achieved good grades, the Clone Jutsu was, of course, a very simple task, and all three of them passed the assessment one after another.
However, they still did not see Ren's figure.
Time passed by every second. The number of students queuing for assessment became less and less until the last student in the queue also entered the assessment classroom. It was already evening, and the afterglow of the setting sun shone on the corridor of the classroom, stretching the shadows of the people. Tenten, Rock Lee, and Neji Hyūga, who had passed their exams early, stood in the corridor and did not leave, with no joy of passing the exam on their faces. Because Ren had not yet appeared.
Tenten, Rock Lee, and Neji Hyūga all had very solemn expressions on their faces and stood silently in the corridor.
"Big brother... Is he really unable to come today..." Tenten said, unwilling to accept it.
"Who are you saying can't come?"
A very sudden voice sounded in the corridor. Immediately, a violent hurricane suddenly rose in the narrow corridor, blowing Tenten, Rock Lee, and Neji to the point where they couldn't help but put their hands in front of their faces.
After the hurricane dissipated, a man with thick eyebrows in green sportswear and a bowl haircut appeared in front of them, standing next to a handsome young man in white.
"Big brother, big brother...?"
After being stunned for a second, Tenten finally reacted. Her big brother, Ren, was finally back! Tenten slammed into Ren's arms, tears welling in her eyes, silently conveying her long-held longing and the joy of their reunion after a long absence.
She hadn't seen him for four years; he was taller and even more handsome!
"Big brother, why did you come back so late!" Tenten said with a hint of blame.
Ren spread his hands and said innocently: "Cough cough... You have to ask Guy-sensei about this. If I hadn't mentioned the graduation assessment, he'd still be carrying out his tasks leisurely outside."
"This, this..." Might Guy immediately scratched his head in embarrassment and changed the subject: "Anyway, we still got back in time! Now that time is running out, let Ren go in to take the graduation exam."
Only then did Tenten reluctantly let go of her brother. Although it wasn't enough, Tenten also knew that Ren's graduation exam was more important. Just at this time, the last test taker also finished.
"Okay, then I'll go in for the test."
Ren said to everyone with a smile, then set his eyes on Rock Lee and Neji, and said with a smile, "You two don't rush to leave. After the assessment is over, let's go eat barbecue together. Guy-sensei treats!"
Both Neji Hyūga and Rock Lee nodded.
Might Guy put his head in his hands and wailed, "Oh my goodness! Why am I treating you again!"
Ren looked directly at Might Guy, and laughed softly: "Guy-sensei, as a Jōnin, do you want us children who aren't even ninja yet to pay? It'll be annoying if word spreads. It's a joke~"
Might Guy: "..."
'Disciple, won't your conscience hurt when you say this? If you're talking about wealth, I'm afraid ten of me wouldn't be your match, right? The commissions I earned from working hard for a few months... it's not as much as a piece of ore you just bought! You are so rich, and you still have to play tricks on things like inviting guests to dinner. Why does it feel so much like I'm being manipulated?'
For the first time, Might Guy felt that there was a downside to having an apprentice who was too smart. Because even if you are a master yourself, if you don't pay attention, you'll be outsmarted!
"Okay, I'll treat you today!"
Might Guy was also a very generous person, not really caring about the money for this barbecue.
Ren entered the examination room, then passed the exam with ease. After the exam, the five of them went to the barbecue restaurant together, treated by Might Guy. They all ate a lot! Even Ren couldn't help but sigh: In the past few years, he and Guy-sensei had also traveled to many places. But when it came to food, the barbecue and ramen in the village were the best! The Naruto food world would always drop God!