The taijutsu exam had just concluded. The students filed back into their classroom, slightly sweaty and tired, and took their seats. On each desk lay a question and answer sheet—each one clean, crisp, and filled with simple but profound questions.
Shin sat down, adjusted his posture, and scanned through the questions. They were surprisingly straightforward—some about the Will of Fire, others asking how one would react in dire situations or what kind of sacrifice they'd be willing to make for the village.
Before anyone could begin writing, Nara Boku walked to the front of the room with his hands behind his back, his sharp eyes sweeping across the classroom.
"This final exam is worth 100 points," he announced calmly. "Once this test is done, the scores from all three exams will be tallied. Hokage Hiruzen himself will be here to recognize and reward the top three students."
At those words, a shift occurred in the room. Students straightened up in their chairs, eyes sharpening with a new determination. The thought of being acknowledged by the Hokage was more than enough to light a fire in their young hearts.
Everyone felt it.
Everyone... except Shin.
He didn't get overly excited. Instead, he simply exhaled, picked up his pen, and began answering. Calm and focused, he wrote with steady hands, every word deliberate.
---
The test came to an end, and the academy halls soon filled with chatter and the sounds of hurried footsteps. The students gathered outside the classroom, stretching and discussing the exam with bursts of laughter and groans.
Shin stood with Aiko and Minato near the corridor windows, their backs lit by the soft afternoon sun.
"That last question... the one about giving your life for the village?" Aiko muttered. "Kinda intense."
Minato smiled. "Yeah. Makes you think beyond just jutsu and sparring."
Before they could delve deeper, Nara Boku returned, holding a scroll in his hands. He calmly approached the wall beside the classroom door and unrolled the parchment.
"The final scores have been posted," he said with a smirk, pinning it to the board.
Students rushed toward the results, murmurs echoing as they began reading.
---
Final Scores (Combined):
1. Shin – 50 + 45 + 100 = 195
2. Minato – 48 + 50 + 95 = 193
3. Mira Inuzuka – 42 + 43 + 99 = 184
4. Aiko – 45 + 40 + 88 = 173
5. Kira Hyuga – 40 + 48 + 80 = 168
6. Senju Toru – 40 + 38 + 87 = 165
7. Shimura Haru – 43 + 36 + 81 = 160
Shin stared at the parchment for a full five seconds, completely still.
First place…? He blinked. I actually placed first?
Minato, beside him, gave him a warm, knowing smile. "Well deserved," he said softly, giving Shin a nod of approval.
Mira Inuzuka grinned to herself and patted her loyal dog Kuro on the head. "Guess those early morning runs weren't a waste after all," she muttered.
Shimura Haru stood silently, a shadow of envy crossing his expression. His fists clenched slightly, though he said nothing.
Meanwhile, Senju Toru and Kira Hyuga leaned against a nearby pillar, chuckling between themselves as if the results barely concerned them.
Aiko turned to Shin, beaming. "Yo! First place guy, high five!"
Shin blinked again, slowly raising his hand. The sound of their high five echoed faintly against the academy walls.
---
Just then, the sliding doors opened again. This time, not just Nara Boku, but Lord Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage himself, entered the classroom.
The room fell silent. Even the wind seemed to pause.
Hiruzen's presence was calm and commanding. His wise eyes swept across the class. For many of the students, it was their first time seeing the Hokage this close.
"You all did well," he began, voice rich and filled with gentle strength. "These exams were not just about showing power. They were about heart, courage, perseverance, and unity. Traits that define a shinobi of the Hidden Leaf."
He paused to let his words sink in.
"I have seen too many young lives lost because they believed strength was the only answer. But what matters more is your resolve. Your spirit. And your bonds with one another. Remember this—true strength lies in the will to protect."
The room was silent, each student quietly reflecting.
"Today," he continued, "we recognize three of you. Not because they are the only ones worthy, but because they stood out. Let their efforts inspire, not discourage."
Nara Boku stepped forward. "Mira Inuzuka, step up."
Mira confidently stepped forward. "I'd like a custom set of weighted kunai," she said without hesitation. "Something special, for training and combat."
Hiruzen nodded in approval. "Practical and personal. Approved."
"Minato Namikaze, your turn."
Minato stepped forward calmly. "I'd like access to a set of advanced fuinjutsu scrolls."
That caught even Hiruzen by surprise. "Fuinjutsu? A rare request for someone so young."
"I want to understand how things work beyond the surface," Minato replied.
Hiruzen smiled. "A wise pursuit. Approved."
Finally, Nara Boku called, "Shin."
Shin stepped forward, still quiet, unsure.
"What is your request?" Hiruzen asked kindly.
Shin hesitated. "I… don't know yet. May I have some time to think about it?"
The Hokage gave a soft chuckle. "Of course. Come to my office tomorrow. Choose with clarity."
Shin bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Lord Hokage."
---
As the Hokage departed and the tension lifted, the academy grounds filled with light chatter. The students were dismissed for the day, many heading off to celebrate or simply relax.
Outside the building, Shin, Aiko, and Minato regrouped near the front steps.
"Sushi?" Aiko asked with a grin, hands behind his head. "Seems like a celebration is in order."
"I'm in," Minato replied.
Shin nodded quietly. "Let's go."
Just as they were about to leave, Mira Inuzuka jogged up to them, Kuro trotting at her side.
"Hey," she said. "You guys heading to eat?"
"Yeah," Aiko replied. "Sushi spot by the river."
"Mind if I tag along?" she asked, casually tossing a treat to her dog.
Shin looked at her and shrugged with a small smile. "Sure."
Minato glanced across the courtyard and saw Senju Toru and Kira Hyuga chatting near the academy gate. "Hey!" he called. "You two want to come?"
Toru smirked. "Only if Minato's paying."
"No promises," Minato laughed, waving them over. "But you're welcome."
Together, the six of them headed to a cozy little sushi restaurant nestled by the riverside. Paper lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, casting golden light across the wooden tables. The sounds of running water mixed with the soft laughter of other customers.
Inside, they slid into a booth and ordered freely—plates of salmon, tuna, eel, tempura, and seaweed rolls stacked quickly at the center of the table.
"This is heaven," Mira sighed, stuffing a roll into her mouth.
Kuro barked from under the table, earning a small slice of tempura from his owner.
"You didn't do so bad yourself, Mira," Aiko said, sipping on miso soup. "Third place? Not bad at all."
She smirked. "hehee thanks."
"I'll say," Shin muttered, nibbling on a roll. "Your coordination with him was impressive."
Kira leaned in with a rare smile. "Honestly, today was fun."
Toru raised his cup of tea. "To hard work… and future missions."
Minato smiled and raised his own cup. "To growth, and the bonds we build."
Everyone followed suit. Cups clinked gently as the group laughed, shared stories of training mishaps, silly sparring incidents, and strange academy moments.
That evening, for the first time, they didn't feel like just classmates or competitors.
They felt like comrades