“Another test?!” The students instantly deflated like frosted eggplants.
Ignoring their groans, Iruka said, “The final graduation exam is right around the corner.
I want every single one of you to pass, so practice tests are absolutely necessary!” Seeing that the test was inevitable, Naruto leaned in close to Kamiki.
In earlier years, while the original Kamiki had struggled with practical jutsu, his academic grades were top-tier.
He had helped Naruto slide through many quizzes before.
“Kamiki, I’m counting on you again this time,” Naruto pleaded in a low voice.
“No way.
Do it yourself.
I can help you now, but what are you going to do during the final exam?” Kamiki refused flatly.
Helping him cheat was something the original owner had done.
But now, Kamiki wouldn’t do it.
As a ninja, one had to truly learn the fundamentals.
Even if Naruto managed to scrape through graduation, what would happen on the battlefield?
Kamiki did not want Naruto dying on some mission just because he lacked a solid grasp of basic ninja knowledge.
“Kamiki, my best buddy, you’re the only one who can save me right now!” Naruto begged.
He was simply allergic to books; looking at text made him drowsy, and listening to lectures put him straight to sleep.
Making him study was harder than making him drill ninjutsu!
“Just help me this one last time!
Once today is over, I promise I’ll study the theory properly from now on,” Naruto wheedled, pulling out all the stops.
Yet Kamiki remained as stubborn as an iron block, refusing to budge.
In the end, even Iruka couldn’t watch any longer and snapped, “Naruto!
Why are you pestering Kamiki?
Are you planning to cheat?” Startled, Naruto straightened his back, putting on an air of righteous indignation.
“N-no way!
Why would I ever want to cheat?!” Beside him, Kamiki buried his face in his hands, unable to watch.
The test began as scheduled.
The students bent over desks makeshift-carved from felled logs, scribbling away furiously.
Not even twenty minutes after the papers were handed out, Kamiki stood up to turn his in.
“You’re finished already?” Iruka looked up in surprise.
Kamiki had always done well in theory and often turned papers in early, but handing it in less than half an hour after the start was a first.
“Yes, Sensei.
Feel free to look it over,” Kamiki said with rare confidence.
Iruka glanced down at the paper.
The more he read, the wider his eyes grew with delight.
Every single standard question on ninjutsu basics was correct.
Even more impressive was Kamiki’s response to the final open-ended question.
It was clean, concise, and structured with sharp logic, putting forward unique insights and sound reasoning.
Where the arguments peaked, he even cited historical examples with fluid prose, showing a level of literacy that far outstripped an average student.
In all his years of teaching, Iruka had taught plenty of classes.
But Kamiki was the first student who had ever turned in such a flawless paper in such a short window.
A clean, indisputable perfect score!
Noticing the pleased look on Iruka’s face, Kamiki felt a small wave of satisfaction.
As a student forged in grueling test-taking system, taking exams was second nature to him.
With the original owner’s solid foundation to boot, scoring high in record time was child’s play.
“Not bad at all, Kamiki,” Iruka praised him.
Then, remembering the Third Hokage’s warning not to let Kamiki get too cocky, he quickly added, “Though someone in the other class turned theirs in within fifteen minutes with a perfect score too.
Don’t go getting complacent, Kamiki.
You still need to keep pushing.” “Don’t worry, Iruka-sensei.
Even though I’ve been drilling ninjutsu these past couple of days, I haven’t slacked off on my studies at all,” Kamiki promised earnestly.
In truth, he had finished the paper in barely twelve minutes.
He had only waited until now to hand it in to avoid drawing too much attention.
Approval shone in Iruka’s eyes.
Good-looking, talented, and hardworking to boot!
Favored by Lord Third at such a young age—this kid has a bright future ahead of him!
“All right.
There are no other classes scheduled for the afternoon.
Since you’re done, you can head on home,” Iruka waved.
Kamiki thanked him and walked out of the grounds in high spirits.
Meanwhile, Naruto was suffering through pure agony.
Without his top-tier wingman, looking at the questions made his head spin.
“Discuss the origins and repercussions of the Second Great Ninja War?
How should I know?!
Sensei never taught that!” “And this one: What special jutsu is produced when Fire Release and Earth Release are combined?
Beats me!
Clay fired into pottery, obviously!” Iruka couldn’t help barking, “Naruto!
Speak out loud one more time and I’ll give you an automatic zero!” Naruto shrank his neck in fear.
But since he genuinely didn’t know the answers, he grew restless, fidgeting and glancing left and right…
Elsewhere, Kamiki did not head straight home.
The aftermath of his Deep Forest Emergence had not fully settled yet.
To ease his conscience, he created clones to actively assist with the village’s reconstruction work, while his main body stayed home to train.
By evening, Naruto pushed the front door open, his face dark as thunder.
“Kamiki, when Iruka-sensei saw my blank test today, he gave me a flat zero on the spot.” Naruto finished his complaint, but got no response.
Curious, he stepped into the courtyard, only to find Kamiki sitting cross-legged on the ground, practicing a strange, unfamiliar technique.
“What are you doing out here?” Naruto asked, puzzled.
Snapped out of his thoughts, Kamiki handed Naruto a kunai and explained, “Earlier, while helping with the cleanup, I was wondering if there was a jutsu that could let me move around instantly to haul all those sawn logs outside the village…” “And then?
What did you come up with?” Naruto took the kunai, noticing a tree-shaped mark etched onto the metal.
Just as he was about to ask what the symbol meant, Kamiki continued.
“With that in mind, I figured out a jutsu.
As long as I place my chakra formula somewhere, I can teleport there whenever I want.” “That kunai in your hand was just marked with my chakra formula.” Naruto swallowed hard.
Even though he barely understood the theory, it sounded absurdly cool!
Kamiki looked eager to test it.
“I just developed the formula and haven’t tried it yet.
Hold onto that kunai, and let me see if I can teleport over to it…” Naruto nodded with excitement.
If this worked, the two of them could teleport straight to the academy from now on and never have to worry about being late again!
With Naruto ready, Kamiki formed a single hand seal.
Then— Flash!
Kamiki vanished from the spot!
Just as Naruto’s eyes went wide in wonder, the kunai in his hand suddenly felt heavy!
Looking over, he saw that Kamiki had teleported directly above his wrist!
Thud!
Kamiki tumbled straight onto the ground with an awkward crash.
It sounded painful just watching it!
Yet Kamiki scrambled up, looking thrilled.
“That’s mostly a success!
I just need to fine-tune the exact landing coordinates, or this kind of awkward drop might happen again.” “Does this mean we’ll never have to rush like crazy to get to school again?!” Naruto asked, his eyes gleaming.
Sleeping in until he woke up naturally was his lifelong dream!
Now that Kamiki’s jutsu had actually worked, that dream was finally within reach!