The date of the Ninja Academy’s final exams drew closer by the day.
Ever since running into Guy and Lee, Kamiki kept up his rigorous taijutsu training.
By now, he could barely force open the Sixth Gate.
Improving one’s physical conditioning wasn’t something achieved overnight; rushing headlong would only leave behind irreversible damage.
Because of this, Kamiki stuck to a strict daily regimen without getting reckless.
Under Kamiki’s watchful eye, his good friend Naruto had made remarkable strides.
His academic scores now comfortably cleared the passing threshold, and his mastery over the basic ninja arts had grown by leaps and bounds.
Out in the courtyard, Kamiki conditioned his body while cheering on Naruto, who was busy practicing his techniques.
“Keep it up, Naruto!
We’re definitely going to pass the graduation exam and become real shinobi together!” Naruto’s face was crumpled like a bitter gourd.
“Kamiki, I feel like what you’ve been teaching me is way past the passing line…
The final exam isn’t going to make me summon two hundred shadow clones, is it…?” Kamiki shook his head.
“We can’t afford to slack off.
Our classmates are all training like maniacs!” “Just the other day, I saw Sasuke training alone out in the woods, and he could already use Fire Release!
If we don’t work hard, we’re going to get left in the dust!” “Huh?
The academy never taught any Fire Release!” Naruto blurted out, stunned.
“He must have figured it out through his own epiphanies!” Kamiki stated with total certainty.
Then, giving Naruto a reassuring look, he added, “Don’t worry, if you want to learn it, I can teach you too.” “After I saw Sasuke practicing, I tinkered around at home for a bit and figured out a couple hundred Fire Release techniques.
That should be plenty to cover whatever you need…” By now, Naruto was entirely numb to Kamiki’s ridiculous comprehension.
Under Kamiki’s constant influence, Naruto genuinely believed every single one of their peers possessed that same terrifying talent, far beyond his own reach!
Hearing Kamiki’s offer, Naruto gritted his teeth and declared, “Alright, I’ll learn!
I can’t let that jerk Sasuke steal Sakura away!” “Deal.
Finish today’s drills, and I’ll give you a private lesson.” Kamiki nodded.
Truth be told, he had never understood what Naruto saw in Sakura.
She wasn’t exceptionally pretty, had a short temper, and constantly put Naruto down…
In the end, Kamiki chalked it up to the unfathomable mysteries of romance!
Inside the Hokage’s office.
Thanks to Kamiki, Iruka had practically become a permanent fixture.
Today, he had arrived with another update.
“Lord Hokage, ever since Kamiki moved in with Naruto, Naruto’s grades have skyrocketed!
He is now well above the threshold required to pass the academy’s graduation exam!” “Oh?
It seems this is entirely Kamiki’s doing!” Approval gleamed in the Third Hokage’s eyes.
“That boy truly never lets me down!
Not only did he invent an arsenal of terrifying ninjutsu on his own, but he can also tutor Naruto and help his friend grow alongside him…” “When it comes to teaching others, Kamiki might honestly be better at it than I am,” Iruka admitted with a wry, self-deprecating smile.
After all, he had spent five or six years guiding Naruto without seeing much progress, yet Kamiki had completely turned the boy’s fortunes around in a mere fortnight!
“Do not sell yourself short, Iruka.
You are a fine instructor!
Kamiki has simply transcended the boundaries of a normal shinobi, so do not measure yourself against him.” The Third paused, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
“Besides, if we are making comparisons…
at the rate Kamiki is growing, I fear it won’t be long before he surpasses even me…” “Lord Hokage, Kamiki will be graduating from the academy very soon.
Have you decided which Jonin will lead his squad?” Iruka asked suddenly.
Kamiki was the most extraordinarily gifted student Iruka had ever laid eyes upon.
He was like a block of raw jade concealing the finest imperial emerald—brilliant, but still in need of a master craftsman to shape him into his full potential.
As his teacher, Iruka didn’t want Kamiki’s talent to go to waste.
He hoped the boy would be paired with an elite mentor who could guide him far down the path of a shinobi!
“I have been mulling over this very question these past few days,” the Third replied, rubbing his temples in mild distress.
“Kamiki’s gifts are simply too overwhelming.
The mentor chosen for him must be vetted with extreme care…” “Understood.” Seeing how seriously the Third Hokage was treating the matter, Iruka finally felt at ease.
Just outside the office door.
Konohamaru, the Third Hokage’s grandson, had been pressed against the wood, eavesdropping on the conversation.
The moment he heard his grandfather say, “I fear it won’t be long before he surpasses even me,” Konohamaru bolted down the corridor in excitement.
His lifelong dream was to defeat his grandfather and claim the title of Hokage.
Someone held in such high regard by the old man would definitely be the key to helping him do it!
Only three days remained until the academy’s final exams.
Just as he had done for every major test in his past life, Kamiki revised with absolute diligence.
He drilled every required ninjutsu until each one was second nature.
Training was vital, but food was just as important.
Living with Naruto, Kamiki’s diet consisted almost exclusively of instant cup ramen.
Even when they splurged on a proper meal, it was just Ichiraku Ramen down the street.
After nearly two weeks of this, Kamiki felt like he was turning into a walking noodle himself.
So, he decided to head out to the market to pick up groceries and cook a proper, hearty meal.
Walking down the bustling street, Kamiki quickly noticed a tiny, suspicious figure trailing him!
When Kamiki glanced back, the kid scrambled to throw a sheet of camouflage cloth over himself, trying to fool Kamiki’s eyes with his clumsy disguise.
Looking at the black patterned sheet standing out garishly against a pale grey brick wall, Kamiki ruthlessly shattered the illusion.
“Hey!
Stop playing around, kid!
Why are you following me?!” Whoosh!
The boy dramatically whipped off the camouflage cloth and announced with puffed-up pride, “Impressive!
Seeing through my stealth technique in a single glance—you really live up to the high praise the old man gave you, Kamiki!” Kamiki was unimpressed.
Your camouflage was so blatant a blind man could have spotted you!
Eager to finish his grocery run and shake off this brat, Kamiki asked, “Spit it out.
What do you want from me?” “The old man said it won’t be long before you surpass him, so I want you to teach me a ninjutsu that can take him down!” Konohamaru pumped his little fist, brimming with fiery resolve.
“Your grandfather?
Who is your grandfather?” Kamiki asked, puzzled.
“The guy you all call Lord Hokage,” Konohamaru stated flatly.
Kamiki stared in disbelief.
This kid is actually Lord Hokage’s grandson?!
He looks just like any ordinary snot-nosed brat!
Wait…
he actually seems quite a bit dumber!
Konohamaru caught the shift in Kamiki’s expression, and a flicker of disappointment crossed his eyes.
He despised people who fawned over him just because of his grandfather’s status.
Those people only ever saw him as the “Honorable Grandson,” never as an individual named Konohamaru.
“Well?
Now that you know my grandfather is the Hokage, hurry up and teach me ninjutsu already!” Konohamaru demanded with forced arrogance.
It didn’t matter who he learned it from, even if it was from the kind of person he hated most—his only goal was to get strong enough to defeat his grandfather.
Kamiki shrugged.
“Not happening.”